Major Events of February 1936: 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 February 1936 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of February 1936: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Feb 1936 Mussolini's Provocative Appeal to European Students: In a strategic communication published in Il Popolo d'Italia, Benito Mussolini addressed 'the students of Europe', presenting Italy as a peace-seeking nation while simultaneously warning that international sanctions could potentially provoke a war. This statement was part of Mussolini's broader diplomatic maneuvering during the rising tensions of pre-World War II Europe.
02 Feb 1936 BOGUS: Incorrect Birth Date: Dmitri Mendeleev was born in 1834, not on February 2, 1936.
03 Feb 1936 Soviet-Japanese Border Tensions: The Soviet Union officially accused Japanese and Manchukuo troops of conducting provocative military raids into Soviet territory, escalating diplomatic tensions in the region and highlighting the growing geopolitical instability preceding World War II.
04 Feb 1936 Keynes Publishes Groundbreaking Economic Theory: John Maynard Keynes published 'The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money', a revolutionary economic work that fundamentally transformed modern macroeconomic thought and policy-making.
05 Feb 1936 Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times Premieres: Charlie Chaplin released 'Modern Times', a groundbreaking silent film that satirized industrialization and the challenges of the working class during the Great Depression. The film is considered the last significant work of the silent film era, marking a pivotal moment in cinema history.
06 Feb 1936 First Issue of Nature Scientific Journal Published: The prestigious scientific journal Nature was first published, marking a significant milestone in academic and scientific communication. This journal would go on to become one of the most respected and influential scientific publications globally, providing a platform for groundbreaking research across multiple disciplines.
07 Feb 1936 Welfare Island Prison Closure and Inmate Transfer: In a significant penal reform effort, the last inmates were transferred from Welfare Island (notorious for its harsh conditions) to Rikers Island. This transfer marked the beginning of the old prison's demolition, with plans to transform the site into a public park and hospital, symbolizing a shift towards more humane correctional practices.
08 Feb 1936 Jawaharlal Nehru Leads Indian National Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru was elected president of the Indian National Congress, marking a significant moment in India's independence movement. Nehru would later become India's first Prime Minister and a key figure in the country's struggle for freedom from British colonial rule.
09 Feb 1936 First NFL Draft Held: The inaugural National Football League draft took place, marking a significant milestone in professional sports organization. Jay Berwanger was selected first overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, though interestingly, he never played in the NFL, becoming a notable trivia point in sports history.
10 Feb 1936 Himmler Consolidates Power in Nazi Germany: On February 10, 1936, Heinrich Himmler, the notorious SS and Gestapo chief, gained total control of German internal security when the Reichstag declared the Gestapo a 'Supreme Reich Agency'. This pivotal moment significantly expanded Himmler's power and consolidated Nazi control over state surveillance and repression.
11 Feb 1936 Laura Knight First Woman in Royal Academy: Dame Laura Knight made history by becoming the first woman appointed to the prestigious Royal Academy, marking a significant milestone for women artists in the United Kingdom and challenging traditional artistic institutions.
12 Feb 1936 Hitler Remilitarizes the Rhineland: Adolf Hitler boldly decides to re-occupy the Rhineland, directly challenging the Treaty of Versailles and marking a significant escalation of Nazi Germany's territorial ambitions. This strategic move remilitarized a demilitarized zone, testing the resolve of European powers and signaling Germany's growing confidence and aggression.
13 Feb 1936 Charles Maurras Incites Political Violence Against Popular Front: On February 13, 1936, Charles Maurras, a prominent far-right French political journalist and leader of the monarchist Action Française movement, published a provocative column in his newspaper calling for violent action against politicians supporting the left-wing Popular Front coalition. His inflammatory rhetoric suggested using 'the knife' against political opponents, representing a dangerous escalation of political tensions in pre-World War II France.
14 Feb 1936 First National Negro Congress Convenes in Chicago: The National Negro Congress, a pivotal civil rights organization, held its inaugural meeting in Chicago, bringing together African American leaders, activists, and intellectuals to discuss strategies for combating racial discrimination and advancing social equality.
15 Feb 1936 Hitler Announces Volkswagen Production: Adolf Hitler officially announces the plan to build Volkswagen automobiles in Germany, marking a significant moment in the nation's automotive industry and economic development.
16 Feb 1936 Spanish Popular Front Election Victory: The Spanish Frente Popular (People's Front), a left-wing coalition, wins the national elections, signaling a major political shift in Spain before the Spanish Civil War.
17 Feb 1936 The Phantom Comic Strip Debuts: Lee Falk's groundbreaking comic strip 'The Phantom' made its first appearance, introducing the world to what is considered the first costumed superhero in comic book history, predating characters like Superman and Batman.
18 Feb 1936 NHL Record-Breaking High-Scoring Game: On February 18, 1936, the New York Americans and Montreal Maroons set an extraordinary NHL record by scoring a combined total of 62 points in a single game. The New York Americans contributed 28 points, while the Montreal Maroons added 24 points, creating a remarkable display of offensive prowess in professional hockey history.
19 Feb 1936 Marian Anderson Performs at the White House: Renowned African American contralto Marian Anderson performed a private concert for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House. This performance was significant in the context of racial segregation and would later be remembered as a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
20 Feb 1936 Political Unrest in Pre-Civil War Spain: Tensions escalated in Spain as police fired upon crowds of leftist protesters attempting to burn churches and convents, resulting in 8 reported deaths nationwide. This event highlighted the deep political and religious divisions in Spain leading up to the Spanish Civil War.
21 Feb 1936 Spanish Government Releases Political Prisoners: In a landmark humanitarian gesture, the newly formed Spanish government orders the release of 34,000 political prisoners. This significant action represents a major shift in political approach and signals potential reconciliation efforts following periods of political tension.
22 Feb 1936 Nazi Germany Implements Discriminatory Medical Quota: The Nazi regime established a discriminatory decree by Gerhard Wagner, limiting the professional participation of Jewish doctors to proportionally match the Jewish population in Germany, representing a significant escalation of antisemitic policies.
23 Feb 1936 Assassination of Puerto Rico's Chief of Police: On February 23, 1936, Puerto Rico's Chief of Police E. Francis Riggs was assassinated by two young Nationalists in a politically motivated attack. The assailants were immediately captured and executed without the benefit of a trial, reflecting the intense political tensions and summary justice prevalent in Puerto Rico during that era.
24 Feb 1936 Nazi Germany Restricts Jewish Doctors: On February 24, 1936, the Nazi regime, under the direction of Gerhard Wagner, implemented a discriminatory decree that severely limited the professional opportunities for Jewish medical practitioners. The regulation mandated that the number of Jewish doctors in Germany could not proportionally exceed the percentage of Jews in the overall population, effectively institutionalizing antisemitic policies within the medical profession.
25 Feb 1936 Uneventful Day in 1936: While no specific major historical events were recorded on February 25, 1936, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The mid-1930s were a complex period globally, with rising tensions in Europe, ongoing economic recovery from the Great Depression, and significant political shifts in many countries.
26 Feb 1936 February 26 Incident in Imperial Japan: A significant attempted coup d'état organized by young Imperial Japanese Army officers. The rebels assassinated key government officials, including Finance Minister Korekiyo Takahashi, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Makoto Saito, and Inspector General of Military Education Jotaro Watanabe. Despite attempting to kill Prime Minister Keisuke Okada, they were ultimately unsuccessful. The Imperial Japanese Army suppressed the uprising by February 29, 1936, marking a critical moment of internal political instability in pre-World War II Japan.
27 Feb 1936 Second Battle of Tembien: The Second Battle of Tembien commenced on Ethiopia's northern front during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, marking a significant military engagement in the conflict between Italian colonial forces and Ethiopian resistance.
28 Feb 1936 Interstate Commerce Commission Reduces Rail Passenger Fares: On February 28, 1936, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) mandated a significant reduction in basic rail passenger fares across the United States, lowering the rate from 3.6 to 2 cents per mile. This regulatory decision aimed to make rail travel more affordable for Americans during the Great Depression era, potentially stimulating transportation and economic activity.
29 Feb 1936 US Neutrality Act Signed: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Second Neutrality Act, a critical piece of legislation designed to prevent American involvement in potential international conflicts during the rising tensions of the 1930s.