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Major Events of April 1938: 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 April 1938 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1938 Nazi Germany Bans Jewish Music Recordings: As part of the escalating antisemitic policies in Nazi Germany, music recordings by Jewish musicians and composers were officially banned, representing another step in the systematic cultural persecution of Jewish artists.
  • 02 Apr 1938 Whirlaway: Legendary Triple Crown Champion: Whirlaway was a remarkable American Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved the prestigious Triple Crown in 1941, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Known for his distinctive racing style and exceptional speed, he became one of the most celebrated racehorses of his era. Whirlaway was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and remained an influential figure in horse racing history until his death in 1953.
  • 03 Apr 1938 Battle of Gandesa during Spanish Civil War: The Battle of Gandesa concluded with a decisive victory for the Nationalist forces, who successfully captured the strategic city of Lleida in Catalonia. This battle was a significant moment in the Spanish Civil War, demonstrating the Nationalists' military prowess and their continued advance against Republican forces.
  • 04 Apr 1938 White House Conference on Welfare for African American Women and Children: Eleanor Roosevelt hosted a groundbreaking conference focusing on the participation of Negro women and children in federal welfare programs, highlighting her commitment to social justice and equality during the pre-Civil Rights era.
  • 05 Apr 1938 Anti-Jewish Riots in Dabrowa, Poland: On April 5, 1938, violent anti-Semitic riots erupted in Dabrowa, Poland, reflecting the growing hostility and persecution of Jewish communities in pre-World War II Eastern Europe. These riots were part of a broader pattern of increasing discrimination and violence against Jewish populations in Poland during the late 1930s.
  • 06 Apr 1938 Battle of Taierzhuang: The Battle of Taierzhuang concluded with a significant Chinese victory against Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This battle was a crucial moment that demonstrated Chinese military resilience and strategic capability in resisting Japanese invasion.
  • 07 Apr 1938 Birth of Kofi Annan: Kofi Annan, a distinguished Ghanaian diplomat, was born in Kumasi, Gold Coast (now Ghana). He would later become the first African to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving two terms from 1997 to 2006. Annan was a pivotal global leader who worked tirelessly for international peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
  • 08 Apr 1938 Kofi Annan Birth: Kofi Annan, future Ghanaian United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, is born.
  • 09 Apr 1938 Hitler's Vienna Speech Before Anschluss Referendum: On the eve of the referendum regarding the Anschluss (annexation of Austria), Adolf Hitler delivered a significant speech in Vienna to a national audience, making a final passionate appeal to support the unification of Germany and Austria.
  • 10 Apr 1938 Anschluss Plebiscite in Austria: A highly controlled plebiscite is conducted in Austria following Hitler's invasion, with an overwhelmingly manipulated result of 99.7% approval for the political unification with Germany, demonstrating the Nazi regime's propaganda and coercion tactics.
  • 11 Apr 1938 Jackie Coogan Sues Parents Over Child Actor Earnings: In a landmark legal case, 23-year-old child film star Jackie Coogan filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against his mother and stepfather, seeking $4 million in earnings he had accumulated during his prolific acting career as a child performer. This case would later help establish legal protections for child performers and their earnings, highlighting the financial exploitation of young entertainers in early Hollywood.
  • 12 Apr 1938 New York Introduces First Medical Marriage License Requirement: New York State enacted a groundbreaking public health law mandating mandatory medical testing for syphilis as a prerequisite for obtaining a marriage license. This progressive legislation represented an early attempt to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and protect public health through pre-marital screening.
  • 13 Apr 1938 French Senate Grants Daladier Extraordinary Governance Powers: In a significant political move, the French Senate overwhelmingly voted 288-1 to grant Prime Minister Édouard Daladier special emergency powers to govern by decree. These powers, valid until July 31, were specifically aimed at addressing the ongoing currency devaluation crisis and suppressing labor strikes, reflecting the political tensions and economic challenges of pre-World War II France.
  • 14 Apr 1938 Roosevelt's Fireside Chat on Economic Conditions: President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered one of his renowned fireside radio addresses, discussing the ongoing economic challenges facing the United States during the late Great Depression era.
  • 15 Apr 1938 Spanish Civil War: Nationalist Advance: Spanish Nationalist forces reached the Mediterranean coastal town of Vinaroz, strategically splitting Republican-controlled Spain into two separate territories. This significant military maneuver marked a crucial turning point in the Spanish Civil War, demonstrating the Nationalists' growing military strength.
  • 16 Apr 1938 Discovery of LSD: Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) while researching potential medical applications, an event that would later have profound implications for pharmacology, psychology, and counterculture movements.
  • 17 Apr 1938 Accidental Discovery of LSD and Arab-British Conflict: Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a groundbreaking moment in pharmaceutical research. Simultaneously, a violent conflict occurred in the region, with between 16 and 20 Arabs killed in a battle with British troops at Jenin, following an earlier ambush that resulted in the deaths of three Jews at al-Bassa.
  • 18 Apr 1938 First Publication of Superman in Action Comics #1: The landmark comic book Action Comics #1 was published, introducing Superman to the world. This issue marks the debut of the iconic superhero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who would go on to become one of the most recognizable characters in popular culture. While the cover date is June 1938, court documents and DC Comics recognize different precise publication dates.
  • 19 Apr 1938 RCA-NBC Launches Regular Television Broadcasts: RCA-NBC initiated regular television broadcasts, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of mass media and communication technology. This event signaled the beginning of a new era in entertainment and information dissemination.
  • 20 Apr 1938 Leni Riefenstahl's 'Olympia' Documentary Film Premiere: Leni Riefenstahl's groundbreaking documentary film 'Olympia', which chronicled the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, premiered in Germany. The film was notable for its innovative cinematography and controversial propaganda elements, capturing the athletic performances of the 1936 Olympics with unprecedented artistic techniques.
  • 21 Apr 1938 Nazi Confiscation of Habsburg Property: The Nazi government in Austria seized property belonging to the Habsburg royal family, further demonstrating the regime's aggressive policy of economic expropriation and political suppression.
  • 22 Apr 1938 Nazi Anti-Semitic Business Restrictions: The Nazi regime implemented a discriminatory decree prohibiting Jewish-owned businesses from changing their names, further escalating the systematic persecution and economic marginalization of Jewish citizens in Germany. This policy was part of the broader Nazi strategy to isolate and economically disenfranchise the Jewish population, preceding more severe discriminatory measures.
  • 23 Apr 1938 Sudeten Germans Demand Autonomy in Czechoslovakia: On April 23, 1938, Sudeten Germans living in the Czechoslovak borderlands formally demanded self-governance, escalating tensions in the region. This demand was part of a broader movement supported by Nazi Germany, which sought to destabilize Czechoslovakia and potentially annex the Sudetenland, an area with a significant ethnic German population.
  • 24 Apr 1938 Konstantin Päts Becomes President of Estonia: On April 24, 1938, Konstantin Päts was officially inaugurated as the President of Estonia, solidifying his political leadership during a critical period of Estonian history. Päts was a key political figure who played a significant role in Estonia's early independence and governance.
  • 25 Apr 1938 Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins Supreme Court Decision: In a landmark legal ruling, the United States Supreme Court delivered its opinion in Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, fundamentally transforming the American legal landscape by overturning a century of federal common law precedent. This decision significantly reshaped the relationship between federal and state court systems, establishing that federal courts must apply state substantive law in diversity jurisdiction cases.
  • 26 Apr 1938 Nazi Germany's Jewish Asset Registration Order: Nazi Germany implemented a discriminatory policy requiring Austrian Jews to register all property valued above 5,000 Reichsmarks, a systematic step in the economic persecution of Jewish citizens prior to World War II.
  • 27 Apr 1938 Gerald Marks Records 'All of Me': On April 27, 1938, Gerald Marks, a notable jazz composer and songwriter, recorded the iconic song 'All of Me'. The song would go on to become a significant standard in the American popular music repertoire, performed by numerous legendary artists over the decades. While Marks referred to himself as the 'King of Jazz', the song itself became more famous than his self-proclaimed title, showcasing his songwriting prowess.
  • 28 Apr 1938 German General Beck Opposes Hitler's Czechoslovakia Plan: General Ludwig Beck, Chief of the German Army's General Staff, submitted a critical memorandum to Hitler opposing 'Fall Grün' (Case Green), the plan for war with Czechoslovakia, arguing that Germany was not prepared for the potential global conflict.
  • 29 Apr 1938 Roosevelt's Economic Power Speech to Congress: President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a landmark congressional address addressing the critical issue of economic concentration and its potential threat to democratic institutions. In his speech, Roosevelt articulated concerns about private economic power's growing influence and argued for a more balanced economic system that prioritizes public welfare and maintains democratic principles. He emphasized the importance of creating economic structures that ensure an acceptable standard of living for all Americans, reflecting the progressive economic philosophy of the New Deal era.
  • 30 Apr 1938 First Televised FA Cup Final: Historic moment in sports broadcasting: The FA Cup Final between Huddersfield Town and Preston North End becomes the first football match televised live, marking a significant milestone in sports media.