Major Events of January 1935: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 1935 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of January 1935: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jan 1935 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Adopts Surname: President Mustapha Kemal Pasha officially adopts the surname 'Atatürk', which translates to 'Father of the Turks', symbolizing his transformative leadership in modernizing the Republic of Turkey and establishing a secular, progressive national identity following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
02 Jan 1935 Bruno Hauptmann Trial for Lindbergh Baby Murder Begins: The trial of Bruno Hauptmann commenced in Flemington, New Jersey, for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. This high-profile criminal case captured national attention and represented a significant moment in American judicial history.
03 Jan 1935 Bruno Hauptmann Trial for Lindbergh Baby Murder Begins: The high-profile criminal trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann commenced in Flemington, New Jersey, for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., a case that had captivated national attention. Hauptmann was accused of the infamous 1932 kidnapping and murder of the 20-month-old son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.
04 Jan 1935 Roosevelt's Second State of the Union Address: President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his second State of the Union address, outlining critical New Deal policies. He proposed reducing direct federal relief, introducing unemployment insurance, social security, and other social welfare benefits to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression.
05 Jan 1935 Polish Coal Miners' Hunger Strike Resolves Employment Dispute: In a dramatic demonstration of labor activism, forty coal miners in Poland concluded an 11-day hunger strike after local authorities committed to addressing their unemployment concerns. The miners, facing economic hardship during the Great Depression era, used this extreme form of protest to draw attention to their desperate employment situation. Their collective action ultimately succeeded in securing promises of job opportunities from local government officials.
06 Jan 1935 Moscow-Leningrad Train Disaster: A tragic train crash on the Moscow to Leningrad line resulted in the loss of 23 lives, highlighting the transportation safety challenges of the mid-1930s Soviet transportation system.
07 Jan 1935 Italo-French Diplomatic Agreement of 1935: On January 7, 1935, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval signed a significant diplomatic agreement aimed at improving bilateral relations between Italy and France. The agreement focused on resolving colonial interests in Africa and establishing a shared perspective on European geopolitical matters. This diplomatic effort was an attempt to reduce tensions between the two nations during the increasingly volatile pre-World War II period.
08 Jan 1935 Birth of Elvis Presley: Elvis Aaron Presley, the legendary American singer, guitarist, and cultural icon, was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He would go on to become known as the 'King of Rock and Roll', revolutionizing popular music and becoming one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
09 Jan 1935 Birth of Manlio De Angelis: Manlio De Angelis, an Italian actor, was born on January 9, 1935, in Italy. He would go on to become a notable figure in the Italian entertainment industry during the mid-20th century.
10 Jan 1935 Hollywood Romance: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Marriage: Silent film era superstars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were married, representing one of the most prominent celebrity couples of the early 20th century. Their union symbolized the glamour and excitement of Hollywood's golden age.
11 Jan 1935 Amelia Earhart's Historic Solo Flight Across the Pacific: On January 11, 1935, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart completed a groundbreaking solo flight from Hawaii to California, becoming the first person to accomplish this challenging transpacific journey. The flight covered a distance of approximately 2,408 miles, which was longer than the typical transatlantic route. This remarkable achievement further solidified Earhart's reputation as one of the most daring and skilled pilots of her era, pushing the boundaries of aviation technology and human endurance.
12 Jan 1935 Amelia Earhart's Historic Solo Flight from Hawaii to California: On January 12, 1935, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart made aviation history by completing the first solo flight from Hawaii to California. She departed from Wheeler Field in Hawaii and landed in Oakland, California, after an impressive 18-hour and 16-minute journey. This groundbreaking flight further solidified Earhart's reputation as one of the most daring and skilled pilots of her era, pushing the boundaries of long-distance aviation and challenging gender norms in a male-dominated field.
13 Jan 1935 Saar Basin Plebiscite of 1935: A significant referendum was held in the Territory of the Saar Basin, where an overwhelming majority of 90.3% of voters chose to reunify with Germany. This plebiscite was a crucial moment in the lead-up to World War II, reflecting the growing nationalist sentiment and the expanding influence of Nazi Germany.
14 Jan 1935 Iraq-Mediterranean Oil Pipeline Becomes Operational: The strategic oil pipeline connecting Iraq to the Mediterranean Sea is inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in Middle Eastern energy infrastructure and international trade routes.
15 Jan 1935 Saar Plebiscite: Overwhelming Vote for German Reunification: The League of Nations plebiscite commission officially announced the results of the Saar region referendum, with approximately 90% of voters choosing reunification with Germany. This significant democratic process marked a pivotal moment in the region's political landscape during the interwar period.
16 Jan 1935 Soviet Show Trial of Political Opponents: On January 16, 1935, in a significant political purge, nineteen prominent Soviet leaders, including notable Bolshevik figures Leo Kamenev and Grigory Zinoviev, were put on trial and pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to assassinate Sergei Kirov. This trial was part of Joseph Stalin's broader campaign to eliminate potential political rivals and consolidate his power within the Communist Party.
17 Jan 1935 Uneventful Day in 1935: While no major historical events were specifically documented for January 17, 1935, this period was part of the mid-1930s, a significant era marked by global economic recovery from the Great Depression and rising geopolitical tensions preceding World War II. The absence of a notable event does not diminish the historical context of this time.
19 Jan 1935 First Briefs Sold by Coopers Inc.: On January 19, 1935, Coopers Inc. introduced the world's first briefs, revolutionizing men's underwear fashion and comfort. This innovative clothing item would become a standard in male wardrobes worldwide.
20 Jan 1935 Alvin Karpis Escapes Police Trap in Atlantic City: On a cold Sunday morning in January, notorious gangster Alvin Karpis and his accomplice Harry Campbell engaged in a dramatic shootout while attempting to evade law enforcement in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The pair, known members of the infamous Ma Barker gang, used their firearms to break through a police blockade, showcasing the brazen criminal tactics of the Depression-era gangster era.
21 Jan 1935 Tragic Mine Explosion in Gilberton: A devastating mine explosion occurred in Gilberton, Pennsylvania, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 coal miners' lives. This incident highlights the dangerous working conditions in the coal mining industry during the early 20th century.
22 Jan 1935 Japanese Invasion of Chahar Province: On January 22, 1935, Japanese imperial forces launched a surprise military offensive from the puppet state of Manchukuo into Chahar Province in China. This attack was part of Japan's broader expansionist strategy in East Asia during the 1930s, which would eventually lead to the Second Sino-Japanese War and contribute to the tensions preceding World War II.
23 Jan 1935 Japanese Invasion of Chahar Province: On January 23, 1935, Japanese Imperial forces launched a strategic surprise military offensive from the puppet state of Manchukuo into Chahar Province, China. This aggressive action was part of Japan's broader expansionist agenda in Northeast Asia, marking an escalation of tensions between Japan and China during the prelude to the Second Sino-Japanese War.
24 Jan 1935 First Canned Beer Sold in the United States: On January 24, 1935, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company made history by introducing the first commercially canned beer in the United States. This innovative packaging method would revolutionize the beer industry, offering consumers a more convenient and portable way to enjoy their favorite beverage. The initial release included Krueger's Finest Beer and Krueger's Cream Ale, with 2,000 cans distributed to consumers in Richmond, Virginia.
25 Jan 1935 U.S. House Approves Significant New Deal Funding: On January 25, 1935, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an additional $11.5 billion in funding for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic recovery program. This substantial financial commitment represented a critical moment in the Great Depression era, demonstrating the government's continued commitment to economic stimulus, job creation, and social welfare programs aimed at rebuilding the American economy.
26 Jan 1935 Mukden Labor Protest Massacre: On January 26, 1935, a violent labor dispute in Mukden, China escalated dramatically when police opened fire on striking workers. The incident resulted in one protester killed and 86 workers shot, with an additional 60 wounded. In the aftermath, authorities arrested approximately 500 people, demonstrating the severe suppression of labor rights during this period.
27 Jan 1935 Hermann Göring's Diplomatic Mission to Warsaw: Nazi leader Hermann Göring traveled to Warsaw for a four-day diplomatic visit, attempting to negotiate a potential anti-Soviet alliance with Poland. Despite his efforts, the mission was ultimately unsuccessful in securing a formal agreement between Nazi Germany and Poland.
28 Jan 1935 Iceland Legalizes Therapeutic Abortion: On January 28, 1935, Iceland enacted Law No. 38, pioneering progressive reproductive rights by legalizing abortion within the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. The law specifically allowed termination if the continued pregnancy posed a significant threat to the physical or mental health of the woman. This groundbreaking legislation made Iceland the first Western country to legally recognize therapeutic abortion, setting a landmark precedent in women's healthcare and reproductive rights.
29 Jan 1935 Hitler Proclaims Nazi Progress: On the second anniversary of his rise to power, Adolf Hitler claimed the Nazi regime had completed two-thirds of their promised four-year program, highlighting the regime's rapid consolidation of power and implementation of its agenda.
30 Jan 1935 Hitler Proclaims Nazi Progress: On the second anniversary of his rise to power, Adolf Hitler declared that the Nazi regime had already completed two-thirds of their promised four-year program, demonstrating the regime's perceived momentum and strategic planning.
31 Jan 1935 Birth of Kenzaburo Oe: Kenzaburo Oe, a renowned Japanese writer and Nobel Prize laureate, was born in Uchiko, Ehime prefecture. He would later become a significant figure in contemporary Japanese literature, known for his profound and introspective works exploring post-World War II Japanese society.