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

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

  • 02 Jul 1939 Neuengamme Concentration Camp Established: The Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg, Germany, becomes an autonomous facility during the Nazi regime. This camp would become a site of significant human suffering, forced labor, and tragic deaths during World War II.
  • 03 Jul 1939 Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech at Yankee Stadium: Baseball legend Lou Gehrig delivers his iconic 'luckiest man' speech at Yankee Stadium, announcing his retirement due to his battle with ALS, marking a poignant moment in sports history.
  • 04 Jul 1939 Lou Gehrig's Emotional Retirement Speech: On July 4, 1939, at Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig, recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), delivered a poignant and historic speech announcing his retirement from Major League Baseball. In front of a packed stadium, he famously declared himself 'the luckiest man on the face of the earth', demonstrating extraordinary grace and humility in the face of a devastating medical diagnosis.
  • 05 Jul 1939 Japanese Army Retreats from Soviet Border Conflict: In a significant military engagement, the Japanese Imperial Army suffered substantial losses and was compelled to retreat from its conflict zone along the Soviet border. This event was part of the escalating tensions between Japan and the Soviet Union, which would later culminate in larger border conflicts known as the Nomonhan Incident or Khalkhin Gol War.
  • 06 Jul 1939 Nazi Germany's Final Economic Assault on Jewish Businesses: On July 6, 1939, Nazi Germany implemented comprehensive anti-Jewish legislation that systematically closed the last remaining Jewish-owned enterprises and businesses. This action was part of the broader Nazi strategy of economic marginalization and persecution of Jewish citizens, effectively stripping them of their economic livelihood and preparing the ground for more severe forms of discrimination and persecution.
  • 07 Jul 1939 Political Upheaval in Syria: Hashim al-Atassi resigned as President of Syria in protest against the French cession of the Republic of Hatay to Turkey. Following his resignation, the French authorities appointed Bahij al-Khatib as the new Head of State, marking a significant political transition during a tumultuous period in Syrian history.
  • 08 Jul 1939 Neuengamme Concentration Camp Becomes Autonomous: The Neuengamme concentration camp, located near Hamburg, Germany, became an autonomous facility during the Nazi regime. This marked a significant escalation in the systematic persecution and imprisonment of targeted groups during the lead-up to World War II. The camp's autonomy signaled increased Nazi control and infrastructure for their oppressive policies.
  • 09 Jul 1939 Nazi Provocation in Free City of Danzig: On July 9, 1939, Nazi Party officials organized large-scale rallies in the Free City of Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk, Poland), escalating tensions in the region. District Leader Albert Forster delivered an inflammatory speech, confidently asserting that Adolf Hitler would 'liberate' the city and demanding that Poland relinquish its rights to maintain arms in the Westerplatte munitions depot. This event was a significant prelude to the imminent German invasion of Poland, which would trigger World War II just two months later.
  • 10 Jul 1939 Launch of the Passive Resistance Campaign in South Africa: On July 10, 1939, approximately 6,000 Indians gathered to initiate the Passive Resistance Campaign, a significant non-violent protest movement against the discriminatory apartheid and racial policies in South Africa. This event marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights and racial equality, demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance in challenging systemic oppression.
  • 11 Jul 1939 7th Major League Baseball All-Star Game: The 7th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The American League, managed by Joe McCarthy, decisively defeated the National League with a score of 3-1. McCarthy strategically started 6 players from the New York Yankees, showcasing the team's dominance in the era. This game was part of the annual mid-season classic that brings together the best players from both leagues.
  • 12 Jul 1939 Diplomatic Tension: Dino Grandi Recalled from London: In a significant diplomatic maneuver, Dino Grandi, a prominent Italian political figure, was abruptly recalled from his ambassadorial post in London. The recall was executed without formal notification to the British government, signaling growing tensions between Italy and the United Kingdom in the lead-up to World War II. This event highlighted the deteriorating diplomatic relations and the increasing political uncertainty in Europe during the late 1930s.
  • 13 Jul 1939 Frank Sinatra made his recording debut
  • 14 Jul 1939 Roosevelt Condemns Government Strikes During WPA Labor Dispute: During a critical period of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly denounced strikes against government agencies, specifically addressing the ongoing Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor dispute. He emphasized that strikes targeting government operations were fundamentally unacceptable and could potentially undermine the nation's economic recovery efforts. Roosevelt's stance highlighted the complex labor relations during the New Deal era, where government-sponsored employment programs were crucial for millions of unemployed Americans.
  • 15 Jul 1939 Clara Adams Completes First Round-the-World Flight by a Woman: Clara Adams from New York City became the first woman to successfully complete a round-the-world flight, marking a significant milestone in aviation history and women's achievements in aerospace exploration.
  • 16 Jul 1939 Sir Oswald Mosley's Controversial Speech at Earls Court: On July 16, 1939, British Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley delivered a provocative speech at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, attended by over 20,000 people. In his address, Mosley advocated for a non-interventionist policy towards Eastern Europe, proposing disarmament in Western Europe, the return of colonies to Germany, and a focus on British imperial interests. His inflammatory rhetoric included a dismissive statement about potential German aggression against Jews, suggesting that Britain should not involve itself in such conflicts. Mosley's speech, delivered just weeks before the outbreak of World War II, exemplified the isolationist and antisemitic sentiments prevalent among some British fascist groups at the time.
  • 17 Jul 1939 British Stance on Japanese Tensions in Far East: In a critical diplomatic moment, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain delivered a resolute statement in the House of Commons, firmly declaring that the British government would not alter its policy in the Far East. This statement was a direct response to Japanese diplomatic pressure regarding the tense Tientsin situation, signaling Britain's unwillingness to compromise under external demands.
  • 18 Jul 1939 Roosevelt Warns of Impending European War: President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with key senators at the White House to discuss the escalating tensions in Europe. During the meeting, Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull emphasized the imminent threat of war. Senator William Borah of Idaho, however, remained skeptical, confidently asserting that no war would occur before January. When Hull urged Borah to review State Department intelligence cables, the senator dismissively rejected the suggestion, claiming he had superior information sources. This exchange highlighted the significant divide in understanding the geopolitical risks leading up to World War II.
  • 19 Jul 1939 SS Heimwehr Danzig Arrests Suspected Marxists: The SS Heimwehr Danzig reported the arrest of twenty individuals they accused of being 'Marxists', alleging a conspiracy to bomb critical infrastructure in anticipation of potential conflict between Germany and Poland. This event highlights the rising tensions and political repression in pre-World War II Europe.
  • 20 Jul 1939 Mussolini's Sicilian Land Reform Plan: On July 20, 1939, Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini unveiled an ambitious agricultural and infrastructure development plan for Sicily. The proposal aimed to address long-standing land ownership inequalities by breaking up large estates (latifundia), implementing irrigation systems, and facilitating population resettlement. The plan also included provisions for constructing new infrastructure to support economic development in the region.
  • 21 Jul 1939 Gandhi's Diplomatic Letter to Hitler Seeking Peace: On July 21, 1939, Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent resistance, wrote a personal and poignant letter to Adolf Hitler. In this extraordinary diplomatic communication, Gandhi appealed to Hitler's sense of humanity, urging him to prevent the impending global conflict that threatened to plunge the world into unprecedented destruction. The letter was a remarkable attempt to use peaceful dialogue and moral persuasion to avert the catastrophic World War II, reflecting Gandhi's unwavering commitment to non-violence and human understanding, even in the face of rising Nazi aggression.
  • 22 Jul 1939 Jane Matilda Bolin Becomes First Black Woman Judge in the United States: On July 22, 1939, Jane Matilda Bolin made history by becoming the first African American woman to serve as a judge in the United States. She was appointed to the New York City Domestic Relations Court, breaking significant racial and gender barriers in the American judicial system. Bolin's groundbreaking achievement was a pivotal moment for civil rights and representation in the legal profession.
  • 23 Jul 1939 Gandhi's Personal Letter to Hitler: On July 23, 1939, Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned Indian spiritual and political leader, wrote a remarkable personal letter to Adolf Hitler, addressing him as "My friend" and passionately appealing for peace. In this extraordinary diplomatic communication, Gandhi sought to prevent the impending global conflict by urging Hitler to reconsider his aggressive expansionist policies and avoid a war that could devastate humanity. The letter exemplified Gandhi's unwavering commitment to non-violence and his belief in the power of peaceful dialogue, even with a leader known for extreme brutality.
  • 24 Jul 1939 Oswald Mosley's Controversial Pre-WWII Speech: British Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley delivered a provocative speech at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, advocating for a non-interventionist policy towards Eastern Europe. He proposed a controversial plan involving disarmament in Western Europe, returning colonies to Germany, and isolating the British Empire. Mosley's speech was marked by antisemitic rhetoric and a dismissive attitude towards potential German aggression against Jewish populations.
  • 25 Jul 1939 First Girl Guide World Camp Convenes: Pax Ting, the inaugural global Girl Guide and Girl Scout World Camp, was inaugurated in Gödöllő, Hungary. The event was a significant international gathering, bringing together 5,800 Girl Guides from diverse countries, symbolizing global youth solidarity and cross-cultural understanding.
  • 26 Jul 1939 U.S. Terminates Commerce Treaty with Japan: The United States officially gave Japan six months' notice of terminating the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, signaling growing diplomatic tensions and potential conflict in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 27 Jul 1939 Birth of Irv Cross, NFL Sportscaster: Irv Cross, a pioneering African American sportscaster for CBS-TV, was born on July 27, 1939. He would later become a notable sports broadcaster, particularly known for his work in NFL coverage, and was an important figure in breaking racial barriers in sports media.
  • 28 Jul 1939 Discovery of the Sutton Hoo Helmet: Archaeologists uncover the remarkable Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo helmet, a pivotal find that provides unprecedented insights into early medieval craftsmanship and royal burial practices in England. The helmet, intricately decorated and remarkably preserved, represents one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
  • 31 Jul 1939 Britain and France Initiate Military Negotiations with Soviet Union: In a significant diplomatic move, Britain and France announced the commencement of high-level military talks in Moscow, aimed at negotiating a potential strategic alliance with the Soviet Union. These negotiations were taking place against the backdrop of rising tensions in Europe and the growing threat of Nazi Germany's expansionist policies.