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

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

  • 01 Nov 1936 Mussolini Coins the Term 'Axis': Italian Premier Benito Mussolini introduces the geopolitical term 'Axis' during a speech, describing the strategic alliance between Italy and Germany as a central pivot around which European states might collaborate. This rhetorical framing would later become synonymous with the Axis Powers during World War II.
  • 02 Nov 1936 BBC's First High-Definition TV Broadcast: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launches the world's first regular high-definition television broadcast service in London, marking a pivotal moment in the history of mass media and telecommunications technology.
  • 03 Nov 1936 1936 United States Presidential Election: Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected to a second presidential term in a historic landslide victory, defeating Republican candidate Alf Landon. This election solidified Roosevelt's New Deal policies and public support during the Great Depression era.
  • 04 Nov 1936 Bertolt Brecht's Anti-Nazi Play Premieres: Renowned playwright Bertolt Brecht's satirical anti-Nazi play *Round Heads and Pointed Heads* premiered at the Riddersalen Theatre in Copenhagen, offering a critical artistic commentary on Nazi ideology and discrimination.
  • 05 Nov 1936 Nazi Germany's New Penal Code: On November 5, 1936, Nazi Germany implemented a new penal code that significantly expanded legal restrictions on free speech. The code introduced severe penalties for individuals who criticized or slandered Adolf Hitler or the memory of former President Paul von Hindenburg, further consolidating the Nazi regime's control over public discourse and suppressing potential political opposition.
  • 06 Nov 1936 Spanish Civil War: Government Relocation to Valencia: During the Spanish Civil War, the republican government was forced to evacuate Madrid and relocate to Valencia, marking a critical moment of strategic retreat. In response, a Madrid Defense Council was established to manage the city's administration and defense.
  • 07 Nov 1936 Formation of Madrid Defense Council During Spanish Civil War: During the Spanish Civil War, the Madrid Defense Council was established to coordinate strategic defense efforts against advancing nationalist forces. This critical organization was formed to organize and mobilize Republican defenders in the capital city, which was under imminent threat of siege and potential capture.
  • 08 Nov 1936 Siege of Madrid Begins During Spanish Civil War: During the Spanish Civil War, Francoist troops attempted to capture Madrid but were initially unsuccessful. This marked the beginning of a prolonged three-year siege of the Spanish capital, which would become a critical and symbolic battleground in the conflict between Republican and Nationalist forces.
  • 09 Nov 1936 Major Labor Strikes Across United States: In 1936, the American labor movement experienced a pivotal year with over 2,100 strikes nationwide, predominantly concentrated in New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Ohio. Notable events included a three-day general strike by distillery workers in Pekin, Illinois, which successfully secured union recognition. These widespread labor actions were crucial in advancing workers' rights and challenging economic inequality during the Great Depression era.
  • 10 Nov 1936 No Significant Recorded Events: While no major historical events were documented for November 10, 1936, this period was part of the tumultuous decade leading up to World War II. In the mid-1930s, global tensions were rising, with significant political developments in Europe, including the Spanish Civil War and the growing power of fascist regimes.
  • 11 Nov 1936 Peel Commission Investigates Arab-Jewish Tensions in Palestine: The Peel Commission, officially known as the Palestine Royal Commission, arrived in British-controlled Palestine to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the escalating tensions between Arab and Jewish communities. Led by Lord Robert Peel, the commission was tasked with examining the root causes of the Arab Revolt of 1936 and proposing potential solutions to the complex political and social conflicts in the region. Their subsequent report would recommend the first formal partition plan for Palestine, suggesting the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states.
  • 12 Nov 1936 Oakland Bay Bridge Opens: The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge officially opens to traffic in California, marking a significant infrastructure milestone for the San Francisco Bay Area. This engineering marvel connects San Francisco and Oakland, facilitating transportation and economic connectivity between these major cities.
  • 13 Nov 1936 Belgium Seeks International Security Assurances: Belgium formally approached the League of Nations, requesting clarification on the specific protections and assistance a member nation could expect in the event of a potential military attack. This action reflected the growing geopolitical anxieties in Europe during the pre-World War II period.
  • 14 Nov 1936 British Establish Suez Canal Zone: The British government formally established direct control over the strategically crucial Suez Canal Zone, reinforcing its imperial maritime and geopolitical interests in the Middle East.
  • 15 Nov 1936 Nazi Germany and Japan Sign Anti-Komintern Pact: Nazi Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Komintern Pact, a diplomatic agreement aimed at countering communist influences and establishing a strategic alliance between the two Axis powers. This pact would later serve as a precursor to the Tripartite Pact and symbolize the growing tensions leading up to World War II.
  • 16 Nov 1936 Edward VIII's Abdication Crisis Begins: King Edward VIII was summoned to meet with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to discuss his controversial desire to marry Wallis Simpson. Baldwin explicitly informed the monarch that the British public and government would not accept Simpson as Queen, setting the stage for a constitutional crisis that would ultimately lead to Edward's abdication.
  • 17 Nov 1936 Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Radio Breakthrough: On November 17, 1936, comedian Edgar Bergen and his famous ventriloquist dummy Charlie McCarthy achieved overnight success on national radio, marking a pivotal moment in entertainment history. Bergen's unique comedy act, featuring witty dialogue between himself and the wooden puppet Charlie McCarthy, captivated American audiences and revolutionized radio comedy.
  • 18 Nov 1936 Axis Powers Recognize Franco's Government: Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy formally recognized the Spanish Nationalist government led by General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. This diplomatic move signaled international support for Franco's insurgent forces and foreshadowed the emerging alliance between these totalitarian regimes.
  • 19 Nov 1936 Spanish General Elections of 1936: On November 19, 1936, Spain held general elections that resulted in a significant political shift. The right-wing parties, led by the conservative CEDA (Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas) and the Republican Party, secured a clear electoral victory. As a consequence, a new government administration was formed under the leadership of Alejandro Lerroux, marking a notable conservative turn in Spanish politics during the tumultuous period leading up to the Spanish Civil War.
  • 20 Nov 1936 Execution of José Antonio Primo de Rivera: José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Falange Española (Spanish Fascist Party), was executed by a Republican firing squad during the Spanish Civil War. As a key political figure and ideological leader, his death marked a significant moment in the conflict between Republican and Nationalist forces.
  • 21 Nov 1936 Irish Brigade Departs for Spanish Civil War: On November 21, 1936, Eoin O'Duffy, a former Irish Army Chief of Staff and leader of the pro-Fascist Blueshirt movement, led a volunteer brigade of Irish soldiers to Spain to support General Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War. This controversial expedition represented a small but ideologically motivated international intervention in the conflict, driven by O'Duffy's anti-communist and right-wing political beliefs.
  • 22 Nov 1936 Spanish Civil War Naval Incident: During the Spanish Civil War, submarines attacked the Spanish Republican fleet at Cartagena. The Spanish Republic claimed these submarines belonged to a foreign fleet, suggesting external intervention in the conflict, as the rebel forces were believed to lack such naval capabilities.
  • 23 Nov 1936 Life Magazine First Issue Published: Henry R. Luce launched the first issue of Life magazine, a groundbreaking picture magazine that would revolutionize photojournalism in the United States. This innovative publication transformed how Americans consumed news and visual storytelling, featuring high-quality photography and in-depth visual reporting.
  • 24 Nov 1936 Carl von Ossietzky Imprisoned and Awarded Nobel Peace Prize: Carl von Ossietzky, a prominent pacifist and anti-fascist writer, was sent to a Nazi concentration camp after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His imprisonment highlighted the brutal suppression of dissent in Nazi Germany.
  • 25 Nov 1936 Anti-Comintern Pact Signed in Berlin: On November 25, 1936, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact in Berlin, a strategic agreement designed to coordinate their efforts against the Soviet Union and the spread of international communism. The pact established a framework for mutual consultation and defense, with both nations agreeing to share intelligence on Communist activities and support each other if either was threatened by the Soviet Union.
  • 26 Nov 1936 Anti-Comintern Pact Signed by Germany and Japan: On November 26, 1936, Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, a significant diplomatic agreement aimed at countering the spread of communist influence globally. This pact represented a strategic alliance between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, laying groundwork for their future Axis partnership during World War II.
  • 27 Nov 1936 Spanish Republic Invokes League of Nations Article XI: On November 27, 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, the Spanish Republic invoked Article XI of the Covenant of the League of Nations. This article allowed any member state affected by war or threat of war to request an emergency council meeting to address the conflict. The invocation was a diplomatic attempt to internationalize the ongoing civil war and seek potential intervention or mediation from the international community.
  • 28 Nov 1936 Franco-Italy Secret Mutual Friendship Treaty: On November 28, 1936, Francisco Franco of Spain signed a secret treaty of mutual friendship and assistance with Fascist Italy, strengthening diplomatic ties between the two authoritarian regimes during the lead-up to World War II.
  • 29 Nov 1936 Nazi Censorship of Film Criticism: On November 29, 1936, Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels issued a decree banning film criticism, effectively removing any independent artistic evaluation and ensuring complete state control over cultural narrative and media representation.
  • 30 Nov 1936 Roosevelt's Buenos Aires Visit: President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, receiving an enthusiastic welcome as part of his diplomatic efforts to strengthen inter-American relations during the mid-1930s.