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Major Events of February 1939: 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 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of February 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 02 Feb 1939 Chamberlain Warns Germany on France: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain delivers a significant diplomatic statement in the House of Commons, declaring that any German military aggression against France would be considered a direct attack on Britain, signaling a strong commitment to French territorial integrity.
  • 03 Feb 1939 Groundbreaking Art Exhibition at Baltimore Museum: The Baltimore Museum of Art made history by hosting 'Contemporary Negro Art', one of the first significant museum exhibitions in the United States to prominently feature Black artists, marking an important moment in recognizing African American artistic contributions.
  • 04 Feb 1939 Death of Jura Soyfer in Buchenwald: Jura Soyfer, a talented 26-year-old Jewish political writer and cabaret artist, dies in the brutal conditions of Buchenwald concentration camp. His tragic death represents the devastating human cost of Nazi persecution and the systematic oppression of Jewish intellectuals during the Holocaust.
  • 05 Feb 1939 Franco Becomes Leader of Spain: Generalissimo Francisco Franco officially assumes the title of 'Caudillo de España' (Leader of Spain), consolidating his power after the Nationalist victory in the Spanish Civil War and establishing a totalitarian regime that would last until his death in 1975.
  • 06 Feb 1939 Spanish Government Exile During Spanish Civil War: The Spanish Republican government, facing imminent defeat by Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco, fled to France as the final stages of the Spanish Civil War concluded. This marked a pivotal moment in Spanish history, signaling the end of the Republican resistance and the establishment of Franco's authoritarian regime.
  • 07 Feb 1939 Spanish Republican Leaders Flee to France: On February 7, 1939, Spanish Prime Minister Juan Negrín and General Vicente Rojo Lluch crossed the border into France, marking a pivotal moment in the Spanish Civil War. Their exodus signaled the imminent defeat of the Republican forces by Nationalist troops led by Francisco Franco.
  • 08 Feb 1939 End of Spanish Civil War and International Diplomacy: On February 8, 1939, a pivotal moment in Spanish history unfolded as Nationalist forces captured the town of Figueres, signaling the imminent conclusion of the Spanish Civil War. Spanish Prime Minister Juan Negrín and General Vicente Rojo Lluch were forced to flee across the border into France, marking the defeat of the Republican side. Simultaneously, the London Conference on Palestine commenced, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape of the era.
  • 09 Feb 1939 Wagner-Rogers Refugee Children Bill: Senator Robert Wagner of New York and Representative Edith Rogers of Massachusetts proposed a humanitarian bill to allow 20,000 refugee children aged 14 and under from Nazi-controlled territories to enter the United States. Despite its compassionate intent, the bill was ultimately unsuccessful, dying in congressional committee during the summer of 1939, tragically leaving vulnerable children without a safe haven.
  • 10 Feb 1939 Spanish Civil War: Catalonia Falls to Nationalists: The Spanish Nationalist forces, led by General Francisco Franco, completed their conquest of Catalonia, effectively sealing the border with France. This marked a decisive moment in the Spanish Civil War, signaling the imminent defeat of the Republican forces.
  • 11 Feb 1939 Soviet Union Launches Invasion of Finland: In a major military escalation, approximately 140,000 Soviet troops launched an attack on Finnish defensive positions. This invasion was part of the broader geopolitical tensions leading up to World War II, known as the Winter War, where the Soviet Union attempted to annex Finnish territory through military force.
  • 13 Feb 1939 German Capture of Budapest During World War II: German forces successfully captured Budapest after a two-month siege, effectively driving Hungarian forces out of the city. This strategic military action was part of the larger Axis powers' operations in Eastern Europe during World War II, significantly impacting the geopolitical landscape of the region.
  • 14 Feb 1939 Launch of the Bismarck Battleship: On February 14, 1939, the German battleship Bismarck was launched in Hamburg, Germany. This massive warship would become one of the most famous naval vessels of World War II, symbolizing Nazi Germany's naval power and ambitions.
  • 15 Feb 1939 Launch of the Bismarck Battleship: The German battleship Bismarck was launched in Hamburg, Germany. Named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, this warship would become one of the most famous naval vessels of World War II, symbolizing Germany's naval power and ambitions.
  • 16 Feb 1939 Death of Josef Moroder-Lusenberg in Buchenwald Concentration Camp: Josef Moroder-Lusenberg, a talented Austro-Italian artist, tragically perished in the Buchenwald concentration camp during the early stages of Nazi persecution. As a victim of the Holocaust, his death represents the profound human cost of the Nazi regime's systematic oppression and violence against artists, intellectuals, and minority groups during World War II.
  • 17 Feb 1939 Nazi Regime Restricts Jewish Professionals: The Nazi Reich issued a discriminatory order prohibiting individuals of Jewish nationality from practicing professional careers in chemistry, veterinary medicine, and dentistry, further escalating the systematic persecution and marginalization of Jewish professionals in Nazi Germany.
  • 18 Feb 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition Opens: The Golden Gate International Exposition, a significant world's fair, opened on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. This exposition celebrated the city's two newly constructed bridges - the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge - and showcased technological innovations, cultural exhibits, and architectural marvels of the late 1930s.
  • 19 Feb 1939 Peruvian Army Uprising of 1939: On February 19, 1939, a significant military uprising occurred in Peru, challenging the government of President Óscar R. Benavides. The revolt was initiated by a group of army officers who sought to destabilize the current political regime while the president was away on a maritime holiday. This event highlighted the political tensions and potential instability within Peru's military and governmental structures during the late 1930s.
  • 20 Feb 1939 Nazi Rally at Madison Square Garden: On February 20, 1939, the largest pro-Nazi rally in United States history was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The German American Bund organized the event, attracting 20,000 members and sympathizers. The rally featured a massive stage with a portrait of George Washington flanked by swastikas, presenting itself as a 'pro-Americanism' event. Bund leader Fritz Julius Kuhn delivered speeches promoting Nazi ideology and anti-Semitic themes. Outside the venue, approximately 100,000 anti-Nazi counter-protesters gathered, with 1,700 police officers maintaining order and preventing potential violence.
  • 21 Feb 1939 Nazi Rally at Madison Square Garden: The German American Bund organized a controversial Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden, attended by 20,000 people. The event featured a provocative stage with George Washington's portrait flanked by swastikas, drawing approximately 100,000 anti-Nazi counter-protesters.
  • 22 Feb 1939 British Cabinet Authorizes Massive Military Aircraft Production: In a critical pre-World War II strategic decision, the British Cabinet authorized unprecedented levels of military aircraft production on February 22, 1939. This landmark decision prioritized national defense preparedness, removing financial constraints to rapidly expand the Royal Air Force's capabilities in anticipation of potential conflict.
  • 23 Feb 1939 Walt Disney Receives Special Oscar for Snow White: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honors Walt Disney with a Special Award for groundbreaking screen innovation in the animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Disney is presented with one full-sized Oscar statuette and seven miniature statuettes, symbolizing the film's unique achievement in animation technology and storytelling.
  • 24 Feb 1939 Hungary Joins the Anti-Comintern Pact: On February 24, 1939, Hungary officially signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, aligning itself with Germany, Italy, and Japan in a strategic diplomatic agreement aimed at countering the spread of communism. This move signaled Hungary's increasing alignment with Axis powers in the lead-up to World War II, reflecting the growing geopolitical tensions in Europe during the late 1930s.
  • 25 Feb 1939 Nazi Persecution of Jews in Berlin: Berlin police issued a discriminatory order requiring the Jewish community to provide lists of 100 Jews daily, who would then be compelled to leave Germany within two weeks. This directive was part of the escalating Nazi persecution and systematic marginalization of Jewish citizens, signaling the intensifying antisemitic policies preceding the Holocaust.
  • 26 Feb 1939 Eleanor Roosevelt's Stand Against Racial Discrimination: On February 26, 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt made a powerful statement against racial segregation by resigning her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Her resignation was a direct response to the organization's discriminatory decision to prevent renowned African American contralto Marian Anderson from performing at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. This act of solidarity was a significant moment in the early civil rights movement, drawing national attention to racial inequality in the United States.
  • 27 Feb 1939 Britain and France Recognize Franco's Spain: Britain and France formally recognized Francisco Franco's regime as the legitimate government of Spain, a significant diplomatic move during the Spanish Civil War's aftermath.
  • 28 Feb 1939 Great Britain Recognizes Franco's Regime in Spain: The British government officially recognized Francisco Franco's Nationalist government in Spain, marking a significant diplomatic shift following the Spanish Civil War. This recognition signaled international acceptance of Franco's victory and consolidated his political power.