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

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

  • 01 May 1938 International Workers' Day (May Day): May Day is a significant annual celebration with deep historical roots, observed globally on May 1st. Originally a spring festival in ancient agricultural societies, it later became a symbolic day for workers' rights and labor movements. In socialist and communist countries, the day commemorates the international labor movement and workers' solidarity. Traditionally marked by parades, demonstrations, and public gatherings, May Day highlights the achievements of workers and advocates for fair labor practices, workplace rights, and social justice.
  • 02 May 1938 Thornton Wilder Wins Pulitzer Prize: On May 2, 1938, renowned American playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, recognizing his significant contributions to American literature. This prestigious award further solidified his reputation as an important literary figure of the 20th century.
  • 03 May 1938 Hitler's State Visit to Italy: Adolf Hitler embarked on a week-long state visit to Italy, where he was warmly received by Benito Mussolini. This visit symbolized the growing alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, strengthening the Axis powers before World War II.
  • 04 May 1938 Pope Criticizes Hitler's Rome Visit: Pope Pius XI subtly criticizes Adolf Hitler's visit to Rome, commenting in *L'Osservatore Romano* about the presence of 'another cross that is not the cross of Christ', a thinly veiled reference to the Nazi swastikas displayed throughout the city.
  • 05 May 1938 Hitler's State Visit to Italy: Adolf Hitler embarked on a week-long state visit to Italy, further solidifying the diplomatic and military alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 06 May 1938 Thornton Wilder Wins Pulitzer Prize: Renowned American playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, recognizing his significant contributions to American literature. Wilder was known for his innovative narrative techniques and works that explored complex human experiences.
  • 07 May 1938 Diplomatic Negotiations over Sudetenland: British and French ambassadors met in Prague to discuss the Sudeten German minority, advising Czechoslovakia to make significant concessions to ethnic Germans, a critical moment in the lead-up to the Munich Agreement.
  • 08 May 1938 DUPE: Nazi Arrest Warrant for Archduke Felix: Nazi-controlled authorities in Austria issued a warrant for the arrest of Archduke Felix, accusing him of stealing silverware and linen. This event highlights the increasing persecution and harassment of aristocratic figures by the Nazi regime during the late 1930s.
  • 09 May 1938 Hitler's State Visit to Italy: On May 9, 1938, Adolf Hitler concluded his state visit to Italy with a day of sightseeing in Florence accompanied by Benito Mussolini, further solidifying the diplomatic relations between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
  • 10 May 1938 Japanese Amoy Operation: The Japanese military initiated the Amoy Operation, a strategic blockade against China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, escalating military tensions in the region.
  • 11 May 1938 Execution of Evgenii Miller, White Russian General: Evgenii Miller, a prominent Russian counter-revolutionary and former White Army general during the Russian Civil War, was executed on this date. Miller was a significant figure in the anti-Bolshevik resistance movement who continued to oppose the Soviet regime even after the Red Army's victory. His execution by Soviet authorities represented another instance of the Soviet government's systematic elimination of perceived political opponents.
  • 12 May 1938 US Rejects Soviet Defense Proposal Against Nazi Germany: U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull officially declines the Soviet Union's proposal for a joint defense pact designed to counter the rising military threat of Nazi Germany. This diplomatic rejection highlights the complex geopolitical tensions and mutual distrust between the United States and the Soviet Union in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 13 May 1938 US Naval Expansion Bill Passed: The United States Congress approved a significant Naval Expansion Bill, allocating $1.156 billion for naval infrastructure and military maritime capabilities. This legislation represented a substantial investment in naval preparedness during the rising international tensions of the late 1930s.
  • 14 May 1938 England Defeats Nazi Germany in Soccer Match: In a symbolic sporting encounter during the rising tensions of pre-World War II Europe, the English national soccer team defeated Nazi Germany's team 6-3. This match was more than just a sporting event, representing a moment of athletic and symbolic resistance against the growing Nazi regime.
  • 15 May 1938 Formation of Red Coalition in Belgium: Paul-Henri Spaak, a prominent Belgian politician, successfully formed a red coalition government in Belgium, marking a significant moment in the country's pre-World War II political landscape. This coalition represented a strategic alignment of left-leaning political forces during a period of increasing political tension in Europe.
  • 16 May 1938 Vatican Diplomatic Relations with Francoist Spain: The Vatican established formal diplomatic relations with the Francoist State of Spain, exchanging diplomatic representatives and officially recognizing Franco's government.
  • 17 May 1938 US Congress Approves Vinson Naval Act: The United States Congress passed the Vinson Naval Act, a significant piece of naval expansion legislation that authorized the construction of a two-ocean navy. This act was a strategic response to growing global tensions and the increasing naval capabilities of potential adversaries, particularly in the lead-up to World War II. The legislation provided substantial funding to expand and modernize the US Navy, enabling it to project power across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
  • 18 May 1938 South African General Election of 1938: The United Party, led by Prime Minister J.B.M. Hertzog, secured victory in the South African general election held on May 18, 1938. This election took place during a period of significant political tension in South Africa, with growing debates about racial segregation and the country's political direction.
  • 19 May 1938 Czechoslovakian Partial Mobilization: On May 19, 1938, Czechoslovakian President Edvard Beneš ordered a partial military mobilization in response to intelligence reports indicating suspicious German troop movements near the border. This strategic decision was a critical defensive measure against potential German invasion, reflecting the escalating geopolitical tensions in Central Europe preceding World War II.
  • 20 May 1938 Czech Partial Military Mobilization: Czech President Edvard Beneš ordered a partial mobilization of the Czech army in response to increasing tensions with Nazi Germany. This strategic military preparedness was a critical defensive measure against potential German aggression in the lead-up to the Munich Crisis of 1938.
  • 21 May 1938 Czechoslovakia Prepares for Potential German Invasion: In a tense period leading up to World War II, Czechoslovakia mobilized its military forces and fortified its border with Germany. This action reflected the growing geopolitical tensions and the imminent threat of Nazi Germany's expansionist policies.
  • 22 May 1938 British Diplomatic Stance on Czechoslovakia: British Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax delivered a critical diplomatic message to the French ambassador, explicitly stating that Britain would not provide military support in the event of a potential conflict over Czechoslovakia. This communication signaled Britain's reluctance to engage in military intervention and foreshadowed the appeasement policies leading up to World War II.
  • 23 May 1938 Hitler's Diplomatic Deception in Sudetenland Crisis: In a calculated diplomatic maneuver, Adolf Hitler ordered the German Foreign Office to reassure Czechoslovakia that Germany had no territorial demands, temporarily defusing international tensions. This statement was a strategic attempt to mislead the international community about Nazi Germany's true intentions regarding the Sudetenland region.
  • 24 May 1938 Jerusalem Curfew Imposed: A curfew was imposed in Jerusalem following significant civil unrest and riots, reflecting the ongoing tensions in the region during this period.
  • 25 May 1938 Hitler Elevates Birthplace to City Status: On May 25, 1938, Adolf Hitler officially designated his birthplace, the small Austrian town of Braunau am Inn, as a city. This symbolic act was part of the Nazi regime's broader efforts to mythologize Hitler's origins and enhance the town's significance during the period of Nazi expansion.
  • 26 May 1938 Hitler Establishes Volkswagen Plant: Adolf Hitler laid the cornerstone for a new Volkswagen manufacturing plant in the Fallersleben district of Wolfsburg, Germany. The plant was strategically planned to begin mass production by the end of 1939, symbolizing the Nazi regime's industrial expansion and economic mobilization.
  • 27 May 1938 Nordic Countries' Neutrality Declaration: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway jointly issued a declaration of neutrality, signaling their intent to remain unaligned in the increasingly tense European political landscape of 1938, just prior to World War II.
  • 28 May 1938 Hitler's Aggressive Plans Against Czechoslovakia: In a critical meeting at the Reichs Chancellery, Adolf Hitler explicitly declared his intention to destroy Czechoslovakia through military force, ordering the immediate mobilization of 96 Wehrmacht divisions. This event signaled a major escalation of Nazi Germany's expansionist strategy in Europe, foreshadowing the imminent threat to Czech sovereignty.
  • 29 May 1938 Balaguer Offensive Fails During Spanish Civil War: The Balaguer Offensive, a significant military operation during the Spanish Civil War, concluded with a decisive failure for the Republican forces. This engagement highlighted the strategic challenges faced by Republican troops against Nationalist forces in Catalonia.
  • 30 May 1938 DUPE: Hitler's Invasion Directive: Adolf Hitler issued a revised directive for Fall Grün ('Case Green'), detailing plans for the invasion of Czechoslovakia, with the operation scheduled to be carried out by October 1, 1938.
  • 31 May 1938 Lou Gehrig's Consecutive Game Streak: Lou Gehrig played his 2,000th consecutive game for the New York Yankees, setting an extraordinary endurance record that was considered the greatest of its kind in sports history at the time. This remarkable achievement highlighted Gehrig's incredible durability and commitment to the game.