Timeline Of The 20th Century Part I Through 1950

Timeline of the 20th Century Part I through 1950 (References and links start on p. 743) 1900 January 1 * First date in John dos Passos' USA trilogy (The 42nd Parallel). [1] * British protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria established. [1] * Compulsory education in Netherlands goes into effect. [1] January 2 * E Verlinger begins manufacturing 7-inch single-sided records (Montréal). [1] * Gustave Charpentiers opera "Louise" premieres in Paris. [1] January 3 * Edwin George Monk composer, dies at age 80. [1] * Gerhart Hauptmanns "Schluck und Jau" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Perihelion Passage. [1] January 6 * Boers attack at Ladysmith, about 1,000 killed or injured. [1] * Maurice Ravel's "Albaradode Gracioso" premieres in Paris. [1] January 10 * Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener reach Capetown. [1] January 12 * Freeland Colony founded in US. [1] January 14 * Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca" premieres in Rome. [1] January 18 * Jan Blockx's "Tÿl Uilenspiegel" premieres in Brussels. [1] January 20

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* John Ruskin English writer/critic (Dearest Mama Talbot), dies of influenza at age 81. [1] * R D Blackmore English novelist (Lorna Doone), dies at age 74. [1] * Richard D Blackmore English novelist (Lorna Doone), dies at age 74. [1] January 24 * Battle at Tugela-Spionkop, South Africa (Boers versus British army). [1] January 26 * Henrik Ibsen's "Naar vi Dode Vaaguer" premieres in Stuttgart. [1] January 27 * Social Democrat Party of America (Debs' party) holds first convention. [1] January 29 * Boers under Joubert beat English at Spionkop Natal, 2,000 killed. [1] January 30 * Vittorio Bersezio [Carlo Nugelli], Italian playwright, dies at age 71. [1] February 2 * Gustave Charpentiers opera "Louise" premieres in Paris. [1] February 3 * Ottokar Eugen Novacek composer, dies at age 33. [1] February 5 * The United States and the United Kingdom signed a treaty for Panama Canal. [5] * British troops under General Buller occupy Vaal Krantz, Natal. [1] February 6 * Battle at Vaalkrans, South Africa (Boers versus British army). [1] February 7 * British troops vacate Vaal Krantz, Natal. [1] * Labour Party forms in England. [1]

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February 14 * Date of events in movie "Picnic at Hanging Rock". [1] February 15 * General French relieves Kimberley/Cecil Rhodes. [1] February 16 * First Chinese daily newspaper in US publishes first issue (Chung Sai Yat Po-San Francisco). [1] * George Labram US mine engineer in South Africa, dies in battle. [1] February 18 * Battle at Paardeberg, 1,270 British killed/injured. [1] * British troops occupy Monte Christo Natal. [1] February 19 * British troops occupy Hlangwane Natal. [1] February 22 * Battle at Wynne's Hill, South Africa (Boers versus British army). [1] * Hawaii became a US territory. [1] February 23 * Battle at Hart's Hill, South Africa (Boers versus British army). [1] * Steamer "Rio de Janeiro" sinks in San Francisco Bay. [1] * William Butterfield architect of the Gothic revival, dies. [1] February 27 * Battle at Pietershoogte; Boer General Cronjé surrenders to English in Pardenberg, South Africa. [1] * Conference in London calls for creation of a British labor party. [1] February 28 * General Buller's troops relieve Ladysmith Natal. [1] March 3

3

* US Steel Corporation organizes. [1] March 5 * American Hall of Fame is founded. [1] March 6 * Gottlieb Daimler designed first motorcycle, dies at age 65. [1] March 7 * Battle at Poplar Grove South Africa, President Kruger flees. [1] March 8 * The Union Castle Steamship Co. Ltd. is registered in England, a merger of Castle Line and Union Line. [152.18] March 10 * Battle at Driefontein, South Africa (Boers versus British army). [1] * Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann composer, dies at age 94. [1] March 12 * President Steyn of Orange-Free state flees from Bloemfontein. [1] March 13 * British troops occupy Bloemfontein, Orange-Free state. [1] March 14 * Hugo de Vries rediscovers Mendel's laws of genetics. [1] * US currency goes on gold standard. [1] March 16 * Sir Arthur Evans finds old city of Knossus. [1] March 18 * António Nobre Portuguese poet (Só [Lonely]), dies at age 32. [1]

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March 25 * US Socialist Party is formed at Indianapolis. [1] March 26 * First edition The (Free) People (Netherlands, probably Amsterdam). [1] * Isaac Mayer Wise rabbi/found American Hebrew Congregations, dies at age 80. [1] March 27 * Pieter J Joubert [Smart Piet] South African General, dies at age 69. [1] March 30 * Dutch second Chamber accepts Compulsory education law. [1] March 31 * Brigadier-General Broadwoods troops fall into guerrilla hands. [1] April 1 * First edition of Dutch newspaper "The People". [1] April 2 * First edition of The Volk published (Amsterdam). [1] April 4 * Assassination attempt on prince of Wales/king Edward VII. [1] * British garrison of Reddersberg surrenders to Boer General De Wet. [1] * Edward VII King, assassinated. [1] April 5 * Attempted assassination of Prince of Wales in Brussels, fails. [1] * Comte de Villebois-Marevil French/South African General, dies in battle. [1] April 11 * US Navy's first submarine made its debut. [1] April 14

5

* President Loubet opens International Fairs in Paris France. [1] * Veteran's Hospital at Fort Miley is established. [1] April 15 * An early 50 mile race is won by an electric car in over two hours. [1] * International Exposition opens in Paris France. [1] April 16 * US Post Office issues first books of postage stamps. [1] April 17 * Seven high chiefs of American Samoa sign Instrument of Cession. [1] April 19 * Highest scoring opening game, Philadelphia Phillies beat Braves 19-17 in 10. [1] * Ivan K Aïvazovski Russian painter (harbor scenes), dies at age 82. [1] April 20 * Birth of Kees Verwey painter/water colors painter/cartoonist. [1] * Mabel Mercer popular British singer, dies. [1] April 21 * Heinrich Vogl composer, dies at age 55. [1] April 23 * First known occurrence of word "hillbillie" (New York Journal). [1] April 24 * George J D Campbell British minister of Indies (1868-74, 80-85), dies at age 76. [1] * Passing of Andrew Halliday, cable car pioneer. [1] April 26 * Birth of Charles Richter Ohio, Earthquakes seismologist (Richter scale). [1] April 30 * John Luther [Casey] Jones dies in Cannonball Express train wreck. [1]

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* USA annexes Hawaii. [1] May 1 * Mihály von Munkácsy [Michael von Lieb], German painter, dies at age 56. [1] * Premature blast collapses mine tunnel killing 200 at Scofield UT. [1] May 2 * George Bernard Shaws "You Never Can Tell" premieres in London. [1] May 5 * "The Billboard" began weekly publication. [1] May 7 * Richard Storrs Willis composer, dies at age 81. [1] May 8 * 250 grave robbers shot to death. [1] May 12 * Boer attack under Sarel Eloff, about 70 killed. [1] * Lord Roberts' troops occupies Crown city. [1] * Wilhelm Steinitz Prague, chess champion (1866-1894). [1] May 17 * British troops relieve Mafeking (Cape Colony). [1] May 18 * Britain proclaims protectorate over kingdom of Tonga. [1] May 19 * Great Britain annexes Tonga archipelago. [1] May 20 * Gustav Heinrich Graben-Hoffman composer, dies at age 80. [1] May 22

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* Associated Press organizes in New York City as non-profit news cooperative. [1] * Edwin S Votey patents pneumatic piano player. [1] May 23 * Associated Press News Service forms in New York. [1] May 24 * Britain annexes Orange Free State. [1] May 26 * British troops under Ian Hamilton attack the Vaal in South Africa. [1] May 27 * Lord Roberts' army fights the Vaal in South Africa. [1] May 28 * Britain annexes Orange Free State (as Orange River Colony). [1] * Solar eclipse occurs. [1] May 29 * Trademark "Escalator" registered by Otis Elevator Co. [1] May 31 * British troops under Lord Roberts occupy Johannesburg. [1] * James Loudon Governor-General of Netherlands-Indies (1871-75), dies at age 75. [1] * John Power Irish baronet/whiskey manufacturer, dies in battle. [1] * Piet de Law captures Lieutenant-Colonel Spragges Irish Yeomanry. [1] * US troops arrive in Peking, help put down Boxer Rebellion. [1] June 4 * M Wolf and A Schwassmann discovers asteroid #456 Abnoba. [1] June 12 * German Navy Law calls for massive increase in sea power. [1] June 13

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* China's Boxer Rebellion against foreigners and Christians. [1] June 14 * Hawaiian Republic becomes the US Territory of Hawaii. [1] June 26 * Dr Walter Reed begins research that beats Yellow Fever. [1] June 30 * Four German liners burn at Hobokon Docks, New Jersey, 326 die. [1] July 2 * Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin first airship LZ-1, flies. [1] July 12 * 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), Basin, Wyoming (state record). [1] July 13 * Philadelphia Phillies beat Pittsburgh 23-8. [1] July 21 * Pope Leo XIII encyclical to the Greek-Melkite rite. [1] July 23 * Pan-African Congress meets in London. [1] July 24 * Race riot in New Orleans, two white policemen killed. [1] July 28 * Hamburger created by Louis Lassing in Connecticut. [1] July 29 * Umberto I Italian king assassinated by anarchist Gaetano Bresci. [1]

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August 3 * Firestone Tire & Rubber Company is founded. [5] August 5 * James Augustine Healy black Roman Catholic bishop, dies at age 80. [1] August 12 * Wilhelm Steinitz Prague, Chess champion (1866-1894). [1] August 14 * International forces including US Marines enter Beijing to put down Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at ridding China of foreigners. [1] August 23 * National Negro Business League organizes (Boston). [1] August 25 * Friedrich Nietzsche philosopher, dies in Weimar, Germany. [1] September 3 * British annex Natal (South Africa). [1] September 5 * France proclaims a protectorate over Chad. [1] September 8 * 6,000 killed when a hurricane and tidal wave destroys Galveston, Texas, most deadly in US history. [1] September 19 * Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid commit their first robbery together. [5] October 3 * Birth of Jay Irving New York City, cartoonist (Draw Me a Laugh). [1]

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October 7 * The term "orienteering" is first used for an event. [1] October 25 * England annexes Transvaal. [1] November 3 * First national automobile show opens at Madison Square Garden (New York City). [1] November 6 * President William McKinley (Republican) re-elected, beating William Jennings Bryan. [1] November 8 * Theodore Dreiser's novel "Sister Carrie" is published. [1] November 20 * Birth of Chester Gould cartoonist (gave Dick Tracy a job). [1] November 30 * Oscar Wilde, Irish author, dies in Paris. [1] [5] December 1 * South African President Paul Kruger visits Flanders. [1] December 2 * South African President Paul Kruger arrives in Germany. [1] December 7 * Max Planck discovers the law of black body emission in his house just outside Berlin. [5] December 8

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* Henry Russell composer, dies at age 87. [1] December 9 * Dutch President Paul Kruger and Queen Wilhelmina have a triumphant procession. [1] December 12 * National Negro Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is composed. [1] December 13 * Battle at Nooitgedacht: Generals The la Rey/Smuts beat Britten. [1] December 14 * Jean B A Kessler director of oil on Dutch Indies, dies at age 46. [1] December 16 * Boer army under General Kritzinger take Cape colony. [1] December 17 * First prize of 100,000 francs offered for communications with extraterrestrials. Martians excluded-considered too easy. [1] * New Ellis Island Immigration station completed costing $1.5 million. [1] December 20 * Giacobini discovers a comet (will be first comet visited by spacecraft). [1] December 21 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Michael Kramer" premieres in Berlin. [1] December 24 * Herman Heijermans' "Hope of Blessing" premieres in Amsterdam. [1] December 25 * Arthur Schnitzlers "Leutnant Gustl" forbidden in Germany. [1] December 27

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* Carrie Nation's first public smashing of a bar (Hotel Carry Annex Bar, Wichita Kansas). [1] December 29 * General Viljoen surprise attack British garrison to Helvetia. [1] 1901 January 1 * Australia declares independence from federation of United Kingdom colonies. [1] * Ignatius Donnelly US attorney/Lieutenant-Governor (Minnesota), dies at age 69. [1] January 9 * Birth of Chic Young cartoonist (Blondie). [1] January 10 * Oil discovered at Spindletop claim near Beaumont, Texas. [1] January 11 * Vasily Sergeyevich Kalinnikov composer, dies at age 34. [1] January 13 * Carlo Angeloni composer, dies at age 66. [1] January 14 * Charles Hermite French mathematician (e is transcendent), dies at age 78. [1] * Mandell Creighton English bishop/historian, dies at age 57. [1] * Victor Balaguer Catalaans historian/politician/author, dies at age 76. [1] January 16 * Arnold Böcklin Swiss painter, dies at age 73. [1] * Hiram Revels dies at age 73. [1] January 17 * Jacob G Agarah Swedish algologist, dies at age 87. [1]

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January 18 * Pope Leo XIII publishes encyclical Graves De Communi Re. [1] January 21 * Clyde Fitch's "Climbers" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 22 * After 63 years England stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series and begins King Edward VII series. [1] * Victoria [Alexandrine], Britain's Queen (1837-1901), dies at age 81. [1] January 24 * Emily Hobhouse views Lord Kitchener's concentration camp at Bloemfontein. [1] * Simon Hassler composer, dies at age 68. [1] January 27 * Giuseppe Verdi Italian composer (Rigoletto/Traviata/Aïda), dies in Milano at age 87. [1] January 31 * Boer General John Smuts and De la Rey conqueror Mud river Transvaal. [1] * Chekhov's "Three Sisters" opens at the Moscow Art Theater. [1] February 2 * Female Army Nurse Corps established as a permanent organization. [1] February 3 * Dutch troops under General Van Heutsz conquer Batu Ilië on Sumatra. [1] February 5 * Loop-the-loop centrifugal railroad (roller coaster) patented by Ed Prescot. [1] * Pierpont Morgan forms US Steel Corp. [1] February 7 * Benjamin Edward Woolf composer, dies at age 64. [1] * Queen Wilhelmina marries Prince Heinrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin. [1]

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February 11 * Milan I king of Serbia, dies at age 56. [1] February 12 * Dutch Penitentiary children's law proclaimed. [1] * Ramón de Campoamor bon Campoosorio Spanish poet (Colón), dies at age 83. [1] February 14 * Edward John Hopkins composer, dies at age 82. [1] February 17 * Ethelbert Woodbridge Nevin composer, dies at age 38. [1] February 18 * H Cecil Booth patented a dust removing suction cleaner. [1] February 20 * First territorial legislature of Hawaii convenes. [1] February 25 * George Cohan's musical "Governor's Son" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Jose Rogel composer, dies at age 71. [1] * US Steel Corp organizes under directorship of J P Morgan. [1] February 26 * Chi-hsui during Boxer Rebellion in China, beheaded. [1] March 1 * Bernhard Erdmannsdörffer German historian (Mirabeau), dies at age 68. [1] March 2 * Hawaii's first telegraph company opens. [1] March 3

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* US Congress creates National Bureau of Standards, in Department of Commerce. [1] March 4 * First advanced copy of inaugural speech (Jefferson-National Intelligencer). [1] * President William McKinley inaugurated for second term as President. [1] * Term of George H White, last of post-Reconstruction congressmen, ends. [1] March 8 * Karl Freiherr von Stumm-Halberg German politician, dies at age 64. [1] * Peter Benoit Flemish composer/conductor (High Mass), dies at age 66. [1] March 10 * Vasily Georgiyevich Wrangell composer, dies at age 38. [1] March 13 * Benjamin Harrison 23rd President (1889-1893), dies in Indianapolis at age 67. [1] March 14 * First performance of Anton Bruckner's 6th Symphony in A. [1] March 15 * Horse racing is banned in San Francisco, last race March 16th. [1] March 17 * Franz Melde German physicist (Melde Test), dies at age 69. [1] * Free thinking-Democratic Union forms in Netherlands. [1] March 23 * Dame Nellie Melba, reveals secret of her now famous toast. [1] March 25 * 55 die as Rock Island train derailed near Marshalltown IA. [1] March 31 * John Stainer composer, dies at age 60. [1]

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April 1 * François M Raoult Fren physicist/chemist (Law of Raoult), dies at age 70. [1] April 3 * Richard D'Oyly Carte promotor (Gilbert and Sullivan operas), dies. [1] April 7 * SDAP demands General voting right/abolishing First Chamber. [1] April 11 * Ivar Christian Hallstrom composer, dies at age 74. [1] April 15 * First British motorized burial. [1] April 22 * William Stubbs historian/bishop, dies. [1] April 25 * New York becomes first U.S. state requiring automobile license plates ($1 fee). [1] [5] April 27 * Richard Redhead composer, dies at age 81. [1] April 29 * Anti semitic riot in Budapest. [1] May 1 * Pan-American Exposition opens in Buffalo. [1] May 3 * Fire destroyed 1,700 buildings in Jacksonville Florida. [1]

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May 9 * Australia opens its first parliament in Melbourne. [1] May 12 * President McKinley visits San Francisco. [1] May 19 * Marthinus Wessels Pretorius first President Republic South Africa, dies at age 81. [1] May 23 * Ottawa Mint Act receives Royal Assent. [1] * US captures leader of Philippine rebels, Emilio Aguinaldo. [1] May 28 * Laws against phosphor matches enacted (inhibition white phosphorous). [1] May 30 * Hall of Fame for Great American on NYU campus dedicated. [1] June 7 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #471 Papagena. [1] June 11 * Cook Islands annexed and proclaimed part of New Zealand. [1] June 17 * The American College Board introduces its first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT. [5] June 24 * The first exhibition of Pablo Picasso's work opens. [5] * Jewish National Fund starts. [1] July 11 * L Carnera discovers asteroid #472 Roma. [1]

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August 1 * Burial within San Francisco City limits prohibited. [1] August 14 * Gustave Whitehead claims to have achieved the first powered flight, in his Number 21. [5] August 15 * Arch Rock, danger to Bay shipping, blasted with 30 tons of nitro. [1] August 25 * Clara Maass army nurse sacrificied her life at age 25 to prove that. [1] September 2 * Vice President Theodore Roosevelt advises, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". [1] September 6 * President William McKinley assassinated by Leon Czologosz in Buffalo, New York. [1] September 12 * Arabs attack Gedara Palestine. [1] September 14 * US President William McKinley dies in Buffalo, New York, of gunshot wounds inflicted. [1] [5] September 30 * Hubert Cecil Booth patents the vacuum cleaner. [5] October 19 * Santos-Dumont proves airship maneuverable by circling Eiffel Tower. [1] October 24

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* Annie Edson Taylor, a 63-year-old schoolteacher, becomes the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Taylor reaches the shore alive, about 20 minutes after being let loose in her barrel from a small boat. [1] [129] October 29 * Leon Czolcosz assassin of President McKinley, is executed. [1] November 16 * Three autos race on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, fastest speed achieved by Henry Fournier who drives a mile in 51 4/5 seconds. [1] November 20 * The opera "Grisélidis" is produced (Paris). [1] November 27 * Army War College established in Washington DC. [1] November 29 * East 182nd Street in the Bronx is paved and opened. [1] December 2 * King Camp Gillette begins selling safety razor blades. [1] December 4 * Anne Russell's "Girl and The Judge" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 10 * First Nobel Peace Prizes (to Jean Henri Dunant, Frederic Passy). [1] [7] December 11 * Marconi sends first transatlantic radio signal, Cornwall to Newfoundland. [1] December 12 * Marconi receives first transatlantic radio signal, England to US. [1] December 15

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* Elias Alvares Lobo composer, dies at age 67. [1] December 25 * Battle at Tweefontein Orange-Free state: Boers surprise attack British. [1]

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1902 January 1 * Nathan Stubblefield makes first public demonstration of radio, Pennsylvania. [1] January 9 * Gustaaf Rolin-Jaequemyns Belgian lawyer/Interior minister, dies at age 66. [1] January 10 * Alphons Diepenbrock's "Te Deum" premieres (Amsterdam). [1] January 11 * Popular Mechanics magazine is first published. [5] January 13 * Textile workers strike in Enschede Netherlands till June 1. [1] January 14 * Cato M Guldberg Norwegian mathematician, dies at age 65. [1] January 17 * Gideon Scheepers South African Boer leader, executed. [1] January 18 * Filippo Marchetti composer, dies at age 70. [1] January 24 * Denmark sells Virgin Islands to USA. [1] January 25 * Aleksandr Skriabin's second Symphony in C premieres in Saint Petersburg. [1] January 27 * Five workers killed on explosion during IRT subway construction (New York City New York). [1]

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January 28 * Carnegie Institute founded in Washington DC. [1] February 1 * China's empress Tzu-hsi forbids binding woman's feet. [1] * Hermann Sudermanns "Es lebe das Leben" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Salomon Jaoassohn composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 2 * Emanuil Mandlov composer, dies at age 42. [1] February 3 * Isaac Fransen van der Putten Dutch Prime Minister (1866), dies. [1] February 6 * Young Women's Hebrew Association organized in New York City, New York. [1] February 10 * J N Krieger German Selenographer, dies. [1] February 11 * Police beats up universal suffrage demonstrators in Brussels. [1] February 15 * Underground railway (U-Bahn). [1] * Wilhelmina JR Albregt-Engelman Dutch actress, dies at age 68. [1] February 18 * The opera "Le Jongleur (Hunchback) de Notre Dame" is produced (Monte Carlo). [1] February 20 * Heavy surf breaks over Seal Rocks and damages Sutro Baths, San Francisco. [1] February 21

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* Dr Harvey Cushing, first US brain surgeon, does his first brain operation. [1] February 23 * Samuel R Gardiner British historian (Oliver Cromwell), dies at age 72. [1] February 24 * Battle at Yzer Spruit Boer General De la Rey beats British. [1] February 25 * Carl Ignaz Franz Umlauf composer, dies at age 77. [1] February 28 * Jules Massenets opera premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] March 3 * Isaac D France van de Putte Dutch premier (1866), dies at age 79. [1] March 4 * American Automobile Association (AAA) founded in Chicago. [1] March 6 * Census Bureau forms. [1] March 7 * Boers beat British troop in Tweebosch Transvaal. [1] March 8 * First performance of Jean Sibelius' second Symphony. [1] March 9 * Composer Gustav Mahler marries Alma Schindler in Vienna. [1] March 10 * Earthquake destroys Turkish city of Tochangri. [1]

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March 12 * John Peter Altgeld German/US Governor of Illinois, dies at age 54. [1] March 17 * George William Warren composer, dies at age 73. [1] March 18 * Enrico Caruso becomes first well-known performer to make a record. [1] * Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" premieres in Vienna. [1] March 23 * Kálmán Tisza premier of Hungary (1875-90), dies at age 71. [1] March 25 * Irving W Colburn patents sheet glass drawing machine. [1] March 26 * Cecil Rhodes Prime Minister of Cape Colony (1890-96) dies at age 48. [1] March 28 * 27.9 cm precipitation at McMinnville Tennessee (state record). [1] April 2 * First motion picture theater opens (Los Angeles CA). [1] April 4 * Cecil Rhodes scholarship fund established with $10 million. [1] April 5 * Maurice Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante defunte", premieres in Paris France. [1] April 7 * Texas Oil Company (Texaco) forms. [1] April 8

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* Sipyagain Russian minister of interior/headed Secret Service, assassinated. [1] April 11 * Battle at Rooiwal, South Africa. [1] * Hendrik Potgieter South African Boer General, dies in battle. [1] April 13 * JC Penney opens his first store in Kemmerer Wyoming. [1] April 14 * Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive element radium. [1] April 15 * Pope Leo XIII encyclical "On the Church in the US". [1] April 18 * Denmark is first country to adopt fingerprinting to identify criminals. [1] April 20 * Marie and Pierre Curie isolate radioactive element radium. [1] April 27 * Julius Sterling Morton who started Arbor Day, dies at age 72. [1] April 30 * Debussy's opera "Pelléas et Mélissande", premieres in Paris France. [1] May 1 * John Glover English chemist (production sulfuric acid), dies at age 85. [1] May 2 * The first science fiction film, "A Trip To The Moon", is released. [1] May 3

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* David R Capriles Curaçaos director of psychiatric, dies at age 64. [1] May 5 * Bret Harte writer, dies at age 65. [1] May 6 * British SS Camorta sinks off Rangoon; 739 die. [1] * Zulu assault at Holkrantz South Africa. [1] May 7 * Soufriere volcano on Saint Vincent kills 2-5,000. [1] May 8 * Mount Pelée erupts, wipes out Saint Pierre, Martinique, kills 30,000. [1] May 15 * Lyman Gilmore is first person to fly a powered craft. [1] * Portugal bankrupt by revolt in Angola. [1] May 19 * Great Britain and Boers resume peace talks in Pretoria. [1] May 20 * US military occupation of Cuba (since January 1, 1899) ends. [1] May 24 * Empire Day first celebrated in Britain. [1] May 27 * Jan van Droogenbroeck Flemish poet, dies. [1] May 29 * Dutch State Mine law forms. [1] May 31

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* Boer War Ends; Treaty of Vereeniging signed, Britain annexes Transvaal. [1] June 2 * Second statewide initiative and referendum law adopted, in Oregon. [1] June 9 * First Automat restaurant opens (818 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia). [1] June 10 * Patent for window envelope granted to H.F. Callahan. [1] June 26 * England establishes Order of Merit. [1] * M Wolf and L Carnera discovers asteroid #488 Kreusa. [1] June 28 * US Congress authorizes Louisiana Purchase Expo $1 gold coin. [1] June 30 * S I Bailey discovers asteroid #504 Cora. [1] July 9 * L Carnera discovers asteroid #487 Venetia. [1] August 9 * Edward VII of England crowned after death of his mother Victoria. [1] August 22 * US President Theodore Roosevelt becomes first US chief executive to ride in an automobile. [1] [5] August 31 * Split skirt first worn by Mrs Adolph Landeburg (horse rider). [1] September 29

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* Impresario David Belasco opened his first Broadway theater. [1] December 5 * Henry Stephen Cutler composer, dies at age 78. [1] December 7 * Thomas Nast political cartoonist, dies. [1] December 8 * Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr became Associate Justice on Supreme Court. [1] December 11 * Matthias Hohner German manufacturer (harmonica), dies at age 68. [1] December 14 * The Commercial Pacific Cable Company lays the first Pacific telegraph cable, from Ocean Beach, San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii. [5] December 17 * Frank Wedekind's "Der Erdgeist" premieres in Berlin. [1] December 22 * Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing psychiatrist, dies at age 62. [1] December 25 * Clyde Fitch' "Girl with Green Eyes" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 26 * Most knock downs in a fight, Oscar Nelson (5) and Christy Williams (42). [1] December 28 * Trans-Pacific cable links Hawaii to US. [1] December 31 * Boers and British army sign peace treaty. [1]

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1903 January 2 * President T Roosevelt shuts down post office in Indianola Michigan, for refusing to accept its appointed postmistress because she was black. [1] January 4 * Geo[rge J H] Poggenbeek Dutch surrealist painter, dies at age 49. [1] January 5 * San Francisco-Hawaii telegraph cable opens for public use. [1] January 6 * Dutch Press museum opens in Amsterdam. [1] January 7 * Vincent d'Indy's opera "L'etranger" premieres in Brussel. [1] January 9 * Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota established. [1] January 12 * Harry Houdini performs at Rembrandt theater, Amsterdam. [1] January 19 * First regular transatlantic radio broadcast between US and England. [1] January 21 * "Wizard of Oz" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Harry Houdini escapes police station Halvemaansteeg in Amsterdam. [1] * Hermanus J A M Schaepman Dutch clergyman/politician, dies at age 58. [1] * International Theater (Majestic, Park) opens at 5 Columbus Circle New York City, New York. [1] January 28 * Augusta Mary Anne Holmes composer, dies at age 55. [1]

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* Jean Robert Planquette composer, dies at age 54. [1] January 29 * Dutch railroad workers strike. [1] February 1 * George G Stokes British physicist/presidential Royal Society, dies at age 83. [1] February 3 * Frederick E Kitziger composer, dies at age 59. [1] * Frederick Lugard occupies Kano West Africa. [1] February 11 * Anton Bruckner's 9th Symfonie premieres in Vienna. [1] * Henryk Szulc composer, dies at age 67. [1] February 14 * US Dept of Commerce and Labor established. [1] February 15 * First Teddy Bear introduced in America, made by Morris and Rose Michtom. [1] * Julie Verstraete-Lacquet Flemish actress, dies at age 69. [1] February 16 * -59 degrees F (-51 degrees C), Pokegama Dam Minnesota (state record). [1] February 17 * Joseph Parry composer, dies at age 61. [1] February 18 * Kuyper government launches anti strike laws. [1] February 21 * Cornerstone laid for US army war college, Washington DC. [1] February 22

31

* Due to drought the US side of Niagara Falls runs short of water. [1] * Frederick William Farrar writer/dean (Canterbury 1895-1903), dies. [1] * Hugo Filipp Jakob Wolf Austrian composer (Corregidor), dies at age 42. [1] February 23 * Albert Cahen composer, dies at age 57. [1] * Cuban state of Guantanamo leased to USA. [1] * Friedrich Grutzmacher composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 24 * US signs agreement acquiring a naval station at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. [1] February 26 * Richard J Gatling US inventor (Gatling Gun), dies at age 84. [1] February 28 * Barney Dreyfuss and James Potter buys Philadelphia Phillies for $170,000. [1] * Girolamo/Jeromin de Rada Albanian poet, dies at age 88. [1] March 2 * Martha Washington Hotel, catering to women only, opens in New York City, New York. [1] March 3 * North Carolina becomes first state requiring registration of nurses. [1] March 4 * Joseph H Shorthouse English writer (John Inglesant), dies at age 68. [1] March 5 * Definitive treaty for construction of Baghdad railway drawn. [1] March 10 * Harry Gammeter, Cleveland, patents multigraph duplicating machine. [1] March 13

32

* Nicolas Beets [Hildebrand] Dutch writer (Camera Obscura), dies at age 88. [1] March 14 * First national bird reservation established in Sebastian Florida. [1] * Johannes H Weissenbruch Dutch landscape painter, dies at age 88. [1] * WB Yeats and Lady Gregory's "Hour-glass" premieres in Dublin. [1] March 15 * Frederick Lugard occupies Sokoto West Africa. [1] March 22 * Niagera Falls runs out of water because of a drought. [1] March 23 * Wright brothers obtain airplane patent. [1] March 26 * American Hotel opens in Amsterdam. [1] March 31 * Richard Pearse flies monoplane several hundred yards (New Zealand). [1] April 6 * General railroad strike against "worgwetten" (anti-strike laws). [1] April 11 * Gemma Galgani Italian saint, dies at age 25. [1] April 13 * Derk J A Haspels Dutch actor, dies at age 65. [1] April 14 * Dr Harry Plotz discovers vaccine against typhoid (New York City, New York). [1] April 22

33

* American Power Boat Association forms. [1] April 27 * Long Island's Jamaica Race Track opens. [1] April 29 * Limestone slides at Turtle Mountain kills 9 (Frank Alberta). [1] April 30 * François Crépin Belgian botany, dies at age 72. [1] May 1 * Luigi Arditi violist/composer, dies at age 80. [1] May 8 * Eugène-Henri-Paul Gauguin French painter (Tahiti), dies. [1] May 9 * Rudolf Serkin Bohemian/US pianist, dies. [1] May 14 * President Theodore Roosevelt visits San Francisco. [1] May 16 * First transcontinental motorcycle trip begins at San Francisco (George Wymann). [1] * Eduard Rappoldi composer, dies at age 72. [1] May 23 * First automobile trip across US from San Francisco to New York, ended April 1. [1] * First direct primary election law in US adopted, by Wisconsin. [1] May 27 * Queen Wilhelmina opens Berlages Merchants bureau in Amsterdam. [1] June 10

34

* King Alexander I and Queen Dragia of Serbia are assassinated. [1] June 12 * Niagara Falls, Ontario incorporated as a city. [1] June 16 * Ford Motors incorporates. [1] June 18 * First transcontinental auto trip begins in SF; arrives New York three months later. [1] June 21 * Birth of Al Hirschfeld cartoonist (1975 Tony Award). [1] June 23 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #512 Taurinensis. [1] July 4 * Pacific Cable (San Francisco, Hawaii, Guam, Phil) opens, President TR sends message. [1] July 6 * George Wyman arrives in New York City by motorcycle 51 days out of San Francisco. [1] July 20 * Ford Motor Company ships its first car. [5] * Giuseppe Sarto elected Pope Pius X. [1] July 25 * Castle on top of Telegraph Hill closes. [1] August 1 * First coast-to-coast automobile trip (San Francisco-New York) completed. [1]

35

August 2 * Unsuccessful uprising of Macedonians against Turkey. [1] August 14 * In Great Britain, the Motor Car Act introduces driving licenses. Minimum age is 17 for cars, 14 for motorcycles. [55.51] August 31 * Joe McGinnity wins his third doubleheader of the month. [1] September 7 * Federation of American Motorcyclists organized in New York. [1] September 18 * Phillie's Chick Fraser no-hits Chicago Cubs, 10-0. [1] September 22 * Italo Marchiony granted patent for the ice cream cone. [1] October 9 * 11" rainfall in 24 hours (New York City). [1] October 20 * US wins disputed boundary between the District of Alaska and Canada. [1] October 23 * Francis Ellingwood Abbot theologian (Scientific Theism), dies at age 66. [1] October 24 * First trotter to run a mile under two minutes (Lou Dillon 1:58.1). [1] * George Sutton becomes billiard champ. [1] October 25 * US Senate begins investigating Teapot Dome scandals of Harding admin. [1]

36

October 26 * Yerba Buena is first Key System ferry to cross San Francisco Bay. [1] November 3 * Colombia grants Panama independence. [1] [150.60] November 18 * Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty gives US exclusive canal rights in Panama. [1] November 19 * Carrie Nation attempts to address the Senate. [1] November 23 * Enrico Caruso US debut (Metropolitan Opera House, New York) in "Rigoletto". [1] November 24 * Clyde Coleman of New York City patents automobile electric starter. [1] November 27 * The opera "Die Heugierigen Frauen" is produced (Munich). [1] December 1 * "The Great Train Robbery", the first Western film, released. [1] December 2 * Victor Roger composer, dies at age 50. [1] December 3 * Panglima Polim surrenders to Captain Colijn at Atjeh. [1] December 6 * Frederick Grant Gleason composer, dies at age 54. [1] * Sumatra Atjehs guerilla leader Panglima Polim surrenders. [1] December 8

37

* Herbert Spencer British engineer/philosopher, dies at age 83. [1] December 9 * Norwegian parliament vote unanimiously for female suffrage. [1] December 10 * Nobel for physics awarded to Pierre/Marie Curie. [1] December 11 * British forces under MacDonald and Young march into Tibet. [1] December 12 * Roger Casement completes report about abuses in Belgian Congo. [1] December 13 * Italo Marcioni patents the ice cream cone (New Jersey). [1] * Wright Brothers make first flight at Kittyhawk. [1] December 14 * William Ennis first cop to die in the electric chair. [1] December 16 * Majestic Theater, New York City, New York, becomes first in US to employ women ushers. [1] December 17 * At 10:35 AM, the first sustained, controlled, powered aircraft flight is made by Orville Wright in 12hp Flyer I at Kill Devil Hills, Kittyhawk, North Carolina. The flight lasts 12 seconds. [1] [55.10] December 19 * Williamsburg suspension bridge opens between Brooklyn and Manhattan. [1] December 20 * Gavriil Musicescu composer, dies at age 56. [1]

38

December 25 * Albert Schäffle German sociologist, dies at age 72. [1] December 27 * "Sweet Adeline", a barbershop quartet favorite, is first sung. [1] December 28 * Clyde Fitch's "Glad of It" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Electric lamp sets fire to Iroquois theater in Chicago; 602 die. [1] * George [Robert] Gissing English novelist, dies at age 46. [1] December 29 * French Equatorial Africa separates into Gabon, Chad and Ubangi-Shari. [1] December 30 * 602 die as flames swept through Iroquois Theater in Chicago Illinois. [1] * American Political Science Association founded at New Orleans Louisiana. [1] 1904 January 1 * In Great Britain, the Motor Car Act comes into effect (requires driving licenses). [55.51] * Netherlands Indies colony begins opium production. [1] January 2 * James Longstreet Confederate General, dies at age 82. [1] January 4 * US Supreme Court rules Puerto Ricans cannot be denied admission to US. [1] January 5 * -34 degrees F (-36.7 degrees C), River Vale New Jersey (state record). [1] * -42 degrees F (-41.1 degrees C), Smethport Pennsylvania (state record). [1] * England beat Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rhodes 7-56 and 8-68. [1] * Karl A von Zittel German geologist/paleontologist (Libya), dies at age 64. [1]

39

January 7 * Marconi Company establishes "CQD" as first international radio distress signal. [1] January 8 * Birth of Peter Arno New York City, New York, cartoonist (New Yorker). [1] * Pope Pius X banned low cut dresses in the presence of churchmen. [1] January 11 * Herero people of South West Africa, now Namibia, begin uprising. [1] January 12 * Southwest-Africa uprising under Samuel Maherero against German garison. [1] January 15 * Eduard Lassen composer, dies at age 73. [1] January 17 * Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" opens at the Moscow Art Theater. [1] January 21 * Leos Janacek's opera "Jenufa" premieres in Brno Czechoslovakia. [1] January 24 * Franz Coenen composer, dies at age 77. [1] January 25 * 179 die in coal mine explosion at Cheswick Pennsylvania. [1] * J M Synge's "Ruders to the Sea" premieres in Dublin. [1] January 26 * John P R Tak Dutch liberal politician, dies at age 64. [1] January 27 * Adam Minchejmer composer, dies at age 73. [1]

40

January 31 * Béla Bartók's symphony "Kossuth" premieres. [1] February 1 * Peter PM Alberdingk Thijm Dutch historian/writer, dies at age 76. [1] February 2 * US blues singer Gertrude Pridgett marries comic William Rainey. [1] February 4 * John Millington Synges "Well of Saints" premieres in Dublin. [1] February 5 * American occupation of Cuba ends. [1] February 6 * Russian-Japanese war began. [1] February 7 * Baltimore catches fire (1500 buildings destroyed in 80 blocks). [1] February 8 * Outbreak of hostilities in Russo-Japanese war. [1] February 9 * Japan declares war on Russia. [1] February 10 * Japan and Russia declares war after Japan's surprise attack on Russian fleet at Port Arthur disabled 7 Russian warships. [1] February 17 * Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" premieres in Milan. [1]

41

February 20 * Gustav Adolf Heinze composer, dies at age 83. [1] February 21 * National Ski Association formed, Ishpeming Michigan. [1] February 23 * Control of Panamá Canal Zone acquired by US for $10 million. [1] February 25 * J M Synge's "Riders to the Sea" opens at Irish National Theatre Society. [1] February 28 * Vincent d'Indy's second Symphony in B, premieres. [1] February 29 * Theodore Roosevelt, appoints 7 man committee to study Panamá Canal. [1] March 2 * Gabriele d'Annunzio's "La figlia di Iorio" premieres in Milan. [1] March 5 * Alfred von Waldersee Prussian field marshal/chief-staff, dies at age 71. [1] March 12 * First main line electric train in United Kingdom (Liverpool to Southport). [1] * Andrew Carnegie establishes Carnegie Hero Fund. [1] March 13 * Bronze statue of Christ on Argentine-Chilian border dedicated. [1] March 18 * First performance of Edward Elgar's "In the South (Alassio)". [1] April 8

42

* Great Britain and France sign Cordial Entente concerning colonial matter. [1] * Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan is renamed Times Square (after The New York Times). [5] April 9 * Isabella II Queen of Spain (1833-68), dies at age 73. [1] April 13 * Battle at Oviumbo Africa Herero's chase away German army. [1] * US Congress authorizes Lewis and Clark Expo $1 gold coin. [1] * Vasili Vereshtshagin Russian painter (War and Peace), dies. [1] April 14 * George Bernard Shaw's "Candida", premieres in London. [1] April 18 * L'Humanité, under Jean Jaurès begins publishing. [1] April 19 * Much of Toronto destroyed by fire. [1] April 20 * George Bernard Shaw's "Candida", premieres in London. [1] * Louisiana Purchase Exposition opens in Saint Louis. [1] April 21 * Ty Cobb makes his pro debut for Augusta (South Atlantic League). [1] April 23 * American Academy of Arts and Letters forms. [1] April 24 * Friedrich Siemens German industrial, dies at age 77. [1] April 26

43

* Bell Telephone Company of Antwerp Belgium forms. [1] April 30 * Ice cream cone makes its debut. [1] May 1 * Antonín Dvorak Czechoslovakia, composer (Slavic Dancing), dies at age 62. [1] May 4 * Americans begin canal construction work in Panama. [150.61] May 5 * Cy Young of Boston pitches perfect game against Philadelphia Athletics (3-0). [1] May 6 * American Lung Association holds its first meeting. [1] * Franz von Lenbach German painter, dies at age 67. [1] May 7 * Flexible Flyer trademark registered. [1] * Peter Hille writer, dies. [1] May 8 * Eadweard Muybridge English photographer (horse trot), dies. [1] May 9 * The steam locomotive City of Truro becomes the first steam engine to exceed 100mph. [5] May 10 * Henry M Stanley [John Rowlands] British explorer, dies. [1] May 11 * Andrew Carnegie donates $1.5 million to build a peace palace. [1] May 13

44

* Jan Boissevain ship owner/politician, dies. [1] May 14 * Richard Hol Dutch composer/organist/conductor, dies at age 78. [1] May 16 * N I Bobrikov Russian Governor-General in Finland, dies. [1] May 17 * Maurice Ravel's "Shéhérazade" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 18 * American Ion Perdicaris kidnapped in Morocco. [1] June 6 * National Tuberculosis Association organized, Atlantic City, New Jersey. [1] June 15 * Side-wheeler "General Slocum" burns in New York's East River (1,031 die). [1] June 16 * Bloomsday (date of events in James Joyce's Ulysses). [1] July 7 * A Charlois discovers asteroid #537 Pauly. [1] July 15 * First Buddhist temple in US established, Los Angeles. [1] July 16 * Islands of the Manu'a group (Samoa) ceded to US by their chiefs. [1] July 18 * P Gotz discovers asteroid #538 Friederike. [1]

45

July 21 * Camille Jenatzy sets world auto speed record at 65.79 MPH. [1] July 23 * Ice cream cone created by Charles E Menches during La Purchase Expo. [1] August 23 * Automobile tire chain patented. [1] September 15 * Wilbur Wright makes his first airplane flight. [1] September 26 * Lafcadio Hearn multinational author, dies. [1] October 3 * Mary McLeod Bethune opens Daytona Normal and Industrial School. [1] October 4 * Frederic Auguste Bertholdi French sculptor ("Statue of Liberty"). [1] October 8 * First Vanderbilt Cup auto race (Hicksville, Long Island, New York). [1] October 17 * Bank of Italy (Bank of America) opens its doors. [1] October 27 * New York City Mayor George McClellan operates the inaugural run of the city's new subway rapid transit system. The line, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, travels 9.1 miles through 28 stations, running from lower Manhattan to Harlem. In the evening, the subway opens to the general public, at a cost of a nickel each. [1] [129] October 28

46

* Saint Louis police try a new investigation method-fingerprints. [1] October 29 * First intercity trucking service (Colorado City and Snyder, Texas). [1] November 2 * British newspaper, "The Daily Mirror," begins publishing. [1] November 8 * President Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) defeats Alton B Parker (Democrat). [1] November 9 * First airplane flight to last more than 5 minutes. [1] November 16 * John Ambrose Fleming invents the vacuum tube. [5] December 6 * Theodore Roosevelt confirms Monroe-doctrine (Roosevelt Corollary). [1] December 10 * King Peter I of Sweden named nationalist regime. [1] December 12 * CMS McClellans "Leah Kleschna" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 24 * German SW Africa abolishes slavery of young children. [1] * Juliaan Dillens Flemish sculptor, dies at age 55. [1] December 25 * Per Jonas Fredrik Vilhelm Svedbom composer, dies at age 61. [1] December 27

47

* Duke of York Theatre opens in London (first musical Peter Pan). [1] * W B Yeats/Lady Gregory's "On Baile's Strand" premieres in Dublin. [1] December 28 * First daily wireless weather forecasts published (London). [1]

48

1905 January 1 * Nine-hour work day for diamond miners. [1] January 2 * Elara, a satellite of Jupiter, discovered by Perrine. [1] * Japanese troops capture Port Arthur. [1] January 5 * Charles Perrine announces discovery of Jupiter's 7th satellite, Elara. [1] * National Association of Audubon Society incorporates. [1] January 9 * Bloody Sunday-demonstrators fired on by tsarist troops. [1] January 14 * Death of Ernst Abbe in Jena, Germany, at age 64; physicist in optical theory and microscope design. [1] [37] * Hubbell, Shubert and Smith's musical "Fontana" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 17 * Punchboards patented by Charles Brewer and C G Scannell, Chicago Illinois. [1] January 18 * French government of Combes falls. [1] January 20 * Stanislaw Pilinski composer, dies at age 65. [1] January 22 * "Bloody Sunday"; Russian demonstrators fired on by tsarist troops. [1] January 26 * Arnold Schönberg's "Pelleas und Melissande" premieres in Vienna. [1]

49

* Han Yong-woon [Bongwan, Manhae] (1879-1944) ordained a monk in Korea. [1] * World's largest diamond, the 3,106-carat Cullinan, is found in South Africa. [1] January 27 * Maurice Rouvier forms government in France. [1] January 31 * First auto to exceed 100 mph (161 kph), A G MacDonald, Daytona Beach. [1] * Carroll Wright appointed first US Commissioner of Labor. [1] February 1 * Hungarian premier Tisza resigns. [1] * Oswald Aschenbach German painter, dies at age 77. [1] February 7 * Dominican Republic signs treaty turning over customs collection to US. [1] * Oklahoma admitted to statehood. [1] February 8 * Cyclone hit Tahiti and adjacent islands, killing some 10,000 people. [1] February 10 * Ignacy Krzyzanowski composer, dies at age 78. [1] February 11 * Pope Pius X publishes encyclical Vehementer nos. [1] February 12 * Marcel Schwob French writer/journalist (Coeur double), dies. [1] February 13 * -29 degrees F (-34 degrees C) Pond Arkansas, USA, (state record). [1] * -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C) Lebanon Kansas (state record). [1] * -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C) Warsaw Missouri (state record). [1] February 15

50

* First race meet at Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs Arkansas). [1] * Lewis Wallace US diplomat/writer (Ben Hur), dies at age 77. [1] February 16 * First US Esperanto club organizes in Boston. [1] February 17 * Frances Willard becomes first woman honored in National Statuary Hall. [1] * Serge Alexandrovich Governor-General Moscow, murdered. [1] February 18 * Frank Wedekind's "Hidada, oder Sein und Haben" premieres in Munich. [1] * Jules de Geyter Belgian poet (International), dies at age 75. [1] February 23 * Rotary Club International established by four men in Chicago. [1] February 24 * Simplon tunnel in Switzerland completed. [1] February 25 * Netherlands Workers van Vakverenigingen, (NVV) political party forms. [1] February 28 * Joseph C Juglar French physician/economist, dies at age 85. [1] March 3 * US Forest Service forms. [1] March 4 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Elga" premieres in Berlin. [1] March 6 * Birth of Bob Wills Kosse Texas; actor (Lone Prairie, Tornado in the Saddle). [1] March 10

51

* Japanese Army captures Mukden (Shenyang). [1] March 12 * Rudolf von Alt Austrian painter, dies at age 92. [1] March 15 * Arnold Kerdijk Dutch liberal/founder (Social Weekly), dies at age 60. [1] * B Amalie Skram-Alver Norwegian author (Paa Saint Jørgen), dies at age 58. [1] March 17 * Eleanor Roosevelt marries Franklin Roosevelt in New York. [1] March 19 * Makar Grigori Ekmalyan composer, dies at age 49. [1] March 24 * Jules Verne sci-fi author (Around the World in 80 Days), dies at age 77. [1] March 25 * Rebel battle flags captured during war are returned to South. [1] March 28 * Paramaribo-Dam railway opens in Suriname, never used. [1] March 31 * German emperor Wilhelm II visits Tanger. [1] April 1 * British East African Protectorate becomes colony of Kenya. [1] April 2 * Cairo-Capetown railway opens. [1] April 4

52

* Constantin Meunier Belgian painter/sculptor, dies at age 73. [1] * Earthquake in Kangra India, kills 370,000. [1] April 5 * James Barrie's "Alice-sit-by-the-fire", premieres in London. [1] April 12 * French Dufaux brothers test helicopter. [1] * Hippodrome arena opens (New York City, New York). [1] April 17 * US Supreme court judges maximum work day unconstitutional. [1] April 18 * Juan Valera bon Alcalá Galiano Sp author (Pepita Jiménez), dies at age 80. [1] April 22 * Operations begin uniting conservatory of Nature Monument in Amsterdam. [1] April 23 * Karel Komzak composer, dies at age 54. [1] April 25 * Jacob Olie Dutch photographer, dies at about age 70. [1] * Whites win right to vote in South Africa. [1] April 27 * World Exposition opens in Luik. [1] April 29 * 2" rain falls in 10 minutes in Taylor Texas. [1] * Ignacio Cervantes composer, dies at age 57. [1] * Pierre de Brazza lands in Libreville Gabon. [1] May 2 * French newspapers publish lists of Jules Vernes unpublished work. [1]

53

May 5 * Robert S Abbott published first issue of newspaper "Chicago Defender". [1] May 9 * Ernst Pauer composer, dies at age 78. [1] May 15 * A land auction is held in Las Vegas, Nevada. In two days, 2000 lots are sold for US$265,000. [1] [80.303] * Pierre de Brazza reaches Leopoldville. [1] May 19 * Italian King Victor Emmanuel and Swiss President open world's longest railroad tunnel (Simplon) links Iselle Italy and Brig Switzerland. [1] May 22 * Royal Academy in Delft Holland becomes Technical High School. [1] May 23 * Martinus W van AA Meerbeke head-editor (Time), dies at age 75. [1] May 26 * A pogrom against Jews in Minsk Belorussia. [1] * Alphonse de Rothschild French banker, dies. [1] May 27 * Japanese fleet destroys Russian East Sea fleet in Straits of Tushima. [1] May 29 * Leon Francis Victor Caron composer, dies at age 55. [1] * Pogrom against Jewish community in Brisk Lithuania. [1] May 31 * Emperor Wilhelm II lands in Tanger. [1]

54

June 1 * Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition opens in Portland, Oregon. [1] June 7 * In a session of the Norwegian parliament, a unanimous vote proclaims that "the union with Sweden under one king is dissolved in consequence of the king's ceasing to function as king of Norway". The storting authorizes the Norwegian Council to take over control of the government. [1] June 10 * First forest fire lookout tower placed in operation, Greenville, Maine. [1] June 11 * Pennsylvania Railroad debuts fastest train in world (New York-Chicago in 18 hours). [1] June 17 * Máximo Gómez Cuban general, dies at age 68. [1] June 28 * Russian sailors mutiny aboard the battleship "Potemkin". [1] July 7 * 127 degrees F (53 degrees C), Parker, Arizona (state record). [1] July 8 * Part of Angel Island allocated for Immigration Detention Center. [1] July 11 * Black intellectuals and activists organize Niagara movement. [1] July 22 * Philadelphia Athletic's Weldon Henley no-hits Saint Louis Browns, 6-0. [1] July 26

55

* P Gotz discovers asteroid #568 Cheruskia. [1] July 27 * J Palisa discovers asteroid #569 Misa. [1] July 30 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #570 Kythera. [1] August 13 * Norwegians hold a referendum on independence. An overwhelming majority favor it. [7] September 1 * Alberta and Saskatchewan become 8th and 9th Canadian provinces. [1] September 5 * Treaty of Portsmouth USA, ends Russo-Japanese War. [1] September 6 * Atlanta Life Insurance Company established. [1] September 22 * Race riot in Atlanta Georgia (10 blacks and two whites killed). [1] September 27 * First published blues composition goes on sale, WC Handy Memphis Blues. [1] October 5 * Wilbur Wright pilots Wright Flyer III 24 miles in 39 minutes. [5] October 20 * Great General Strike in Russia begins; lasts 11 days. [1] October 26 * First Soviet (workers' council) formed, Saint Petersburg, Russia. [1]

56

* By the Karlstad Convention, the Union of Norway and Sweden is formally dissolved. King Oskar renounces the Norwegian throne, and declines to elect a prince of his to the throne. [7] October 30 * "October Manifesto" Russian Tsar Nicholas II grants civil liberties. [1] November 18 * Prince Carl of Denmark becomes King Haakon VII of Norway. [1] November 23 * Henry Watson Furness, an Indiana physician, named minister of Haiti. [1] December 4 * British government of Balfour resigns. [1] December 5 * Henry Campbell-Bannerman (Liberal) becomes Prime Minister of England. [1] December 9 * French Assembly National votes for separation of church and state. [1] * Henry Holmes composer, dies at age 66. [1] * Richard Strauss' opera "Salome" premieres in Dresden. [1] December 11 * 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), Rivadavia, Argentina (South American record). [1] * British government of Campbell-Bannerman forms. [1] December 16 * "Variety", covering all phases of show business, first published. [1] December 25 * V Herbert/H Blossoms musical "Mlle Modiste" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

57

1906 January 1 * Dutch law makes driver's license mandatory. [1] * Joseph Miroslav Weber composer, dies at age 51. [1] January 6 * Maurice Ravel's "Miroirs" premieres in Paris. [1] January 8 * Jacob C van Marken peanut butter maker (Calvé-Delft), dies at age 60. [1] January 12 * First time Dow Jones closes above 100 (100.26). [1] January 13 * First radio set advertised (Telimco for $7.50 in Scientific American) claimed to receive signals up to one mile. [1] January 16 * Conference of Algeciras (about Morocco). [1] January 18 * Bartolomé Mitre President of Argentina (1862-70), dies at age 84. [1] January 19 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Und Pippa Tanzt!" premieres in Berlin. [1] January 25 * Del Valle Inclans "El Marqués de Bradomin" premieres in Madrid. [1] * Joseph Wheeler II Confederate General, dies at age 70. [1] * Pierre L Goossens Belgian archbishop of Malines/Cardinal, dies at age 78. [1] January 29 * Christaan IX King of Denmark (1893-1906), dies. [1]

58

January 31 * Strongest instrumentally recorded earthquake, Colombia, 8.6 Richter. [1] February 1 * First federal penitentiary building completed, Leavenworth KS. [1] * English Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Grey's wife Dorothy fatally injured. [1] February 2 * Pope encyclical against separation of church and state. [1] February 9 * Natal proclaims state of siege in Zulu uprising. [1] * Paul Laurence Dunbar black dialect poet, dies at age 33 in Dayton Ohio. [1] February 10 * Britain's first modern and largest battleship "HMS Dreadnought" launched. [1] * State of siege proclaimed in Zululand. [1] February 12 * George M Cohans musical "George Washington" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 15 * British Labour Party organizes. [1] February 17 * Theodore Roosevelt's daughter Alice marries in the White House. [1] February 18 * Vincent d'Indy's "Jour D'été à La Montagne" premieres in Paris. [1] * Willem Doorenbos literary/critic, dies at age 85. [1] February 19 * W K Kellogg and Charles D Bolin incorporate Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, Battle Creek Michigan. [1]

59

February 22 * Black evangelist William J Seymour arrives in Los Angeles California. [1] February 23 * Johann Hoch US murderer, executed. [1] February 25 * Anton Stepanovich Arensky Russian composer/conductor, dies at age 44. [1] February 26 * Manuel Fernandez Caballero composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 27 * France and Britain agree to joint control of New Hebrides. [1] February 28 * Birth of Bugsy Siegel; gangster, created casinos in Las Vegas. [1] March 1 * José M de Pereda y Sánchez the Porrúa Spanish writer, dies at age 73. [1] * Moriz Heyne German germanist (German Wörterbuch), dies at age 68. [1] March 3 * Vuia I aircraft built by Romanian Traja Vuia tested in France. [1] March 6 * Heavy storm bursts dike flooding Vlissingen, Netherlands. [1] * Nora Blatch becomes first woman elected to American Society of Civil Engineers. [1] March 7 * Finnish Senate accepts universal suffrage, except for poor. [1] March 10 * First performance of Maurice Ravel's "Sonatine". [1]

60

* Coal dust explosion kills 1,060 at Courrieres France. [1] * Eugen Richter German Member of Parliament (Liberal), dies at age 67. [1] * London Underground opens Bakeroo line (Baker Street to Waterloo Line). [1] March 12 * Heavy storm ravages Dutch west coast. [1] March 13 * Susan B[rownell] Anthony American suffragist, dies at age 85. [1] March 15 * Alfred Gilpin Jones Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia (1900-06), dies at age 81. [1] * Brits Rolls, Royce and Johnson form Rolls Royce Ltd. [1] March 17 * Carlos Calvo Argentina diplomat (Calvo Clause), dies at age 82. [1] * President Theodore Roosevelt uses term "muckraker". [1] March 18 * Traian Vuia flies a self-propelled heavier-than-air aircraft, taking off without help of a catapult. [5] March 19 * Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's "Quattro Rusteghi" premieres in Munich. [1] March 20 * George B Shaw's "Captain Brassbound's Conversion" premieres in London. [1] March 22 * Martin Wegelius Finnish musicologist/composer, dies at age 59. [1] March 24 * "Census of the British Empire" shows England rules 1/5 of the world. [1] March 30

61

* Betsy Perk [Christina E], journalist/writer/feminist, dies at age 73. [1] March 31 * George Bernard Shaw's German version of "Caesar and Cleopatra" premieres in Berlin. [1] April 2 * South Africa completes a 4-1 series drubbing of England. [1] April 5 * Saint Pius X encyclical "On the Mariavites or Mystic Priests of Poland". [1] April 6 * First animated cartoon copyrighted. [1] * Alexander L Kielland Norwegian writer (Working People), dies at age 57. [1] April 7 * Act of Algeciras drawn between Moroccan police and banking business. [1] April 11 * Einstein introduces his Theory of Relativity. [1] * Georgi Apollonovitch Gapon Russian-orthodox clergyman/tsarist agent, dies. [1] * James A Bailey circus showman (Barnum and Bailey), dies at age 58. [1] April 13 * Mutiny on Portuguese battleships Dom Carlos and Vasco da Gama. [1] April 14 * President Theodore Roosevelt denounces "muckrakers" in US press. [1] April 18 * Calvinist Reformed Union in Netherlands Church forms in Utrecht. [1] * San Francisco Earthquake (one of the most significant earthquakes of all time) kills over 700 people. [1] * San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 and destroys 75% of the city. [1] April 19

62

* Belgian naval education ship Comte The Stain de Naeyer sets sail. [1] * Pierre Curie French physicist/chemist (Nobel Prize 1903), dies. [1] April 20 * Australian wombat oldest known marsupial, dies in London Zoo at age 26. [1] April 25 * John Knowles Paine US composer, dies at age 67. [1] April 26 * First motion pictures shown in Hawaii. [1] May 3 * British-controlled Egypt takes Sinai peninsula from Turkey. [1] May 6 * "Temporary" permit to erect overhead wires on Market Steet San Francisco. [1] May 10 * Russia's Duma (Parliament) meets for first time. [1] May 13 * Bezalel Art School opens in Jerusalem. [1] May 19 * Federated Boys' Club (Boys' Club of America) organizes. [1] * Portugal's King Carlos I names Joao Franco premier. [1] May 21 * Louis H Perlman patents a demountable tire carrying rim for cars. [1] May 22 * Wright Brothers patent an aeroplane. [1] May 23

63

* Henrik Johan Ibsen Norwegian playwright (Doll House), dies at age 78. [1] May 26 * Archaeological Institute of America forms. [1] May 27 * First outlining of Gustav Mahler's 6th symphony, in Essen. [1] May 28 * Shields/Cobbs musical "His honor, the Mayor" premieres in New York City. [1] May 30 * William Yeates Hurlstone composer, dies at age 30. [1] May 31 * Attack on King Alfonso XIII and Victoria von Battenberg in Madrid. [1] * Hermann Schell German theologist (Gott und Geist), dies at age 56. [1] * King Alfonso XIII assassinated in Madrid. [1] * Victoria von Battenberg assassinated in Madrid. [1] June 14 * J H Metcalf discovers asteroid #600 Musa. [1] June 26 * Alexander Muir poet (The Maple Leaf Forever), dies at age 76. [1] June 30 * Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act adopted. [1] July 12 * Alfred Dreyfus found innocent in France. [1] August 1 * Brooklyn Dodger Harry McIntire no-hits Pittsburgh for 10 2/3 loses in 13th. [1]

64

August 13 * Black soldiers raid Brownsville Texas. [1] August 15 * First freight delivery tunnel system begins, underneath Chicago. [1] August 22 * First Victor Victrola manufactured. [1] August 30 * Hal Chase became first Yank to hit three triples in a game. [1] September 1 * Alberta adopts Mountain Standard Time. [1] * Papua placed under Australian administration. [1] September 13 * First airplane flight in Europe. [1] September 16 * Roald Amundsen discovers the Magnetic South Pole. [5] September 25 * In the presence of the king and before a great crowd, Leonardo Torres Quevedo successfully demonstrates the invention of the Telekino in the port of Bilbao, guiding a boat from the shore, in what is considered the birth of the remote control. [5] September 28 * US troops reoccupy Cuba, stay until 1909. [1] October 4 * Chicago Cubs win their 116th game (116-36) of the year. [1] October 8 * Karl Nessler demonstrates first 'permanent wave' for hair, in London. [1]

65

October 20 * Dr Lee DeForest demonstrates his radio tube. [1] October 22 * 3000 blacks demonstrate and riot in Philadelphia. [1] November 6 * Charles Evans Hughes (Republican) elected New York governor beats William Randolph Hearst. [1] November 14 * US President Theodore Roosevelt becomes first US President to visit a foreign country (Panama) while in office, to see work on the Panama Canal. [1] [150.61] November 22 * International Radio Telecommunications Com adopts "SOS" as new call for help. [1] December 1 * Cinema Omnia Pathe, world's first cinema, opens (Paris). [1] * Shoemaker Wilhelm Voigt (Captain of Köpenick) sentenced to four years. [1] December 5 * British government-Balfour resigns. [1] December 9 * New York American reports Belgian King Leopold II bribed US Senate commission on the Congo. [1] December 10 * First American awarded Nobel Peace Prize - President Theodore Roosevelt. [1] December 11 * US President Roosevelt attacks abuses in the Congo. [1] December 12

66

* Oscar Straus, first Jewish cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Commerce. [1] December 13 * German chancellor Bernhard von Bülow disbands the Parliament. [1] December 14 * John A C Oudemans Dutch geographer/astronomer, dies at age 78. [1] December 20 * Venezuela (under Vice-President Gomez) attacks Dutch fleet. [1] December 21 * Adalbert von Goldschmidt composer, dies at age 58. [1] December 24 * Reginald A Fessenden became first to broadcast music over radio (Massachusetts). [1] December 27 * First annual meeting of American Sociological Society, Providence Rhode Island. [1] December 28 * Ecuador adopts its constitution. [1] December 30 * Iran becomes a constitutional monarchy. [1] December 31 * French/British/Italian treaty concerning rights on Abyssinia. [1] 1907 January 1 * Cyrill Kistler composer, dies at age 58. [1] * President Theodore Roosevelt shakes a record 8,513 hands in one day. [1]

67

January 3 * Josef Foerster composer, dies at age 73. [1] January 4 * George Bernard Shaw's "Don Juan in Hell" premieres in London. [1] January 6 * Maria Montessori opens her first (Montessori) school (Rome). [1] January 7 * Anton Urspruch composer, dies at age 56. [1] * Clyde Fitch' "Truth" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 8 * Theodoor Verstraete Flemish painter/etcher, dies at age 57. [1] January 12 * Britain grants responsible government to former colony of Transvaal. [1] January 14 * Karl von Perfall composer, dies at age 82. [1] January 15 * 3-element vacuum tube patented by Dr Lee de Forest. [1] * Gold dental inlays first described by William Taggart, who invented them. [1] January 23 * Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes first Native American US senator. [1] January 25 * Julia Ward Howe is first woman elected to National Institute of Arts and Letters. [1] January 26 * First federal corrupt election practices law passed. [1]

68

* J M Synge's "Playboy of the Western World" opens; police are called. [1] February 2 * Dmitri I Mendelejev Russian chemist (Periodic Table), dies at age 72. [1] February 5 * Arnold Schönberg's first string quartet premieres in Vienna. [1] * Ludwig Thuille composer, dies at age 45. [1] February 8 * Hendrik W Bakhuis Roozeboom chemist (fasenleer), dies at age 52. [1] February 11 * De Master's Dutch government resigns. [1] * Passenger ship Larchmont sinks by Block Island, 322 die. [1] * Peter J Savelberg Dutch Limbourg monastery founder, dies at age 80. [1] February 13 * English suffragettes storm British Parliament and 60 women are arrested. [1] * Marcel Bertrand French mine engineer, dies at age 59. [1] February 14 * First US fox hound association forms in New York City, New York. [1] February 16 * Giosué Carducci poet (Nobel Prize 1906), dies. [1] February 17 * Henry Steel Olcott US co-founder (Theosophist Society-Madras), dies at age 74. [1] February 20 * [Ferdinand-Frederic-]Henri Moissan chemist (Nobel Prize 1906), dies at age 54. [1] February 21 * SS Berlin sinks off Hoek van Holland Netherlands (142 dead). [1]

69

February 22 * First cabs with taxi meters begin operating in London. [1] * Leonid N Andreyev's "Zhizn Cheloveka" premieres in Saint Petersburg. [1] February 24 * Otto Goldschmidt composer, dies at age 77. [1] February 25 * George Bernard Shaw's "Philanderer" premieres in London. [1] * US proclaims protectorate over Dominican Republic. [1] February 26 * Royal Oil and Shell merge to form British Petroleum (BP). [1] * US Congress raised their own salaries to $7500. [1] February 28 * Birth of Milton Caniff Hillsboro Ohio, Dutch cartoonist (Terry and the Pirates). [1] March 2 * General Louis Botha named premier of Transvaal. [1] * Georges Feydeaus' "La Puce à l'Oreille" premieres in Paris France. [1] March 5 * First radio broadcast of a musical composition aired. [1] March 7 * Victor Alphonse Duvernoy composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 9 * First involuntary sterilization law enacted, Indiana. [1] * Lady Gregory's "Rising of the Moon" premieres in Dublin. [1] March 11 * Nikola Petkow premier (Bulgaria), murdered. [1] March 15

70

* Finland is first European country to give women the right to vote. [1] March 19 * 18.8 cm precipitation at Lewer's Ranch Nevada (state record). [1] * Thomas Bailey Aldrich US writer (Stillwater Tragedy), dies at age 70. [1] March 21 * US invades Honduras. [1] March 23 * Constantine P Pobedonostsev Russian reactionary senator, dies at age 79. [1] March 28 * Pavel Ivanovich Blaramberg composer, dies at age 65. [1] March 30 * In Bagatelle, France, Voisin Frères delivers the first commercially-produced aircraft, a box-kite bi-plane powered by a 50hp 8-cylinder Antoinette engine. [55.11] March 31 * Romanian Army puts down Moldavian farmers' revolt. [1] April 5 * Anton G van Hamel founder (Roman philosphy in Netherlands), dies at age 65. [1] April 12 * Belgium government of De Stain de Naeyer, resigns. [1] April 17 * 11,745 immigrants arrive at Ellis Island New York. [1] April 18 * Augustus Thomas' "Witching Hour", premieres in New York City. [1] * Fairmont Hotel opens. [1]

71

April 26 * Jamestown Virginia Tercentenary Exposition opens. [1] * Pietro Plantania composer, dies at age 79. [1] May 1 * Belgian Government of De Trooz forms. [1] * Indian Mine Laws passes (concessions from Netherlands-Indies). [1] May 2 * Belgium Jules baron de Trooz forms Belgian Government. [1] May 7 * Charles Collier wins first Isle of Man TT Race (38.22 mph). [1] May 8 * Boston's Big Jeff Pfeffer no-hits Cincinnati Reds, 6-0. [1] May 10 * Paul Dukas' opera "Ariane et Barbe Bleue" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 11 * Bank of San Francisco incorporated. [1] * John Albert Delany composer, dies at age 54. [1] May 12 * J K Huysmans writer, dies at age 59. [1] May 22 * Birth of Hergé [Georges Rémi] Belgian cartoonist (Kuifje). [1] May 27 * Bubonic Plague breaks out in San Francisco. [1] May 31 * Taxis first began running in New York City. [1]

72

June 1 * -27 degrees F (-33 degrees C), Sarmiento, Argentina (South American record). [1] June 9 * K Lohnert discovers asteroid #635 Vundtia. [1] June 13 * Lowest temp ever in 48 US states for June, 2 degrees F in Tamarack California. [1] June 15 * 44 nations meet in second Hague Peace Conference. [1] June 20 * First Portland Rose festival. [1] July 8 * Florenz Ziegfeld staged first 'Follies' on New York Theater roof. [1] July 15 * First electric bus service in London, England, operated by London Electrobus Company; lasts until 1909. [78.10] July 19 * K Lohnert discovers asteroid #639 Latona. [1] August 1 * Bank of Italy opens first branch at 3433 Mission Street, San Francisco. [1] August 10 * Prince Scipone Borchesi wins Peking to Paris, 7,500 mile auto rally. [1] August 13 * First taxicab (New York City). [1]

73

August 26 * Houdini escapes from chains underwater at Aquatic Park in 57 sec. [1] August 28 * United Parcel Service (UPS) is founded by James E. Casey in Seattle, Washington. [1] [5] August 31 * England, Russia and France form the Triple Entente. [1] September 7 * Sutro's ornate Cliff House in San Francisco destroyed by fire. [1] September 26 * New Zealand becomes a dominion. [1] September 29 * Construction begins on Washington National Cathedral. [1] October 2 * Philadelphia Phillies Eddie Grant goes 7 for 7 in a doubleheader. [1] November 7 * Dynamite explodes on locomotive kills engineer Jesus Garcia in Mexico. [1] November 13 * French cyclist Paul Cornu flies a twin rotor helicopter. [1] November 15 * The daily comic strip "Mr. A. Mutt" by Bud Fisher begins in San Francisco Chronicle. [55.42] November 16 * Oklahoma becomes 46th US state. [1]

74

November 30 * Pike Place Market dedicated in Seattle. [1] December 3 * George Cohan's musical "Talk of the Town" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 6 * Coal mine explosions in Monongah West Virginia, kills 361. [1] December 8 * On the death of Sweden's King Oskar II, Prince Gustav is proclaimed King Gustav V. [1] [7] December 9 * First Christmas Seals sold (Wilmington DE post office). [1] * Gustav Mahler departs Vienna. [1] December 10 * Ruyard Kipling receives Nobel Prize for literature. [1] December 13 * German emperor Wilhelm II visits Amsterdam. [1] December 16 * Eugene H Farrar is first to sing on radio (Brooklyn Navy Yard New York). [1] * Great White Fleet sails from Hampton Downs on its World Cruise. [1] December 17 * Kelvin of Largs [William Thomson] British physicist (Kelvin), dies at age 83. [1] * Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king of Bhutan. [1] December 19 * 239 workers die in a coal mine explosion in Jacobs Creek Pennsylvania. [1] * Gas explosion at Jacobs Creek Pennsylvania coal mine kills 239. [1]

75

December 20 * Explosion at Yolande Alabama, coal mine kills 91. [1] December 21 * Dutch government of De Master falls due to war budget. [1] * Oskar Lassar German dermatologist (public baths), dies at age 58. [1] December 22 * Saint-Saëns/Fokines ballet "Le Cygne" premieres in Saint Petersburg. [1] December 23 * First all-steel passenger railroad coach completed, Altoona Pennsylvania. [1] December 24 * Isidor Feinstein "Izzy" Stone journalist (IF Stone's Weekly), dies. [1] December 31 * G Mahler conducts the Metropolitan Opera. [1] * Jules de Trooz Belgium Prime Minister, dies at age 63. [1] * For the first time, a ball drops in New York City's Times Square to signify the start of the New Year at midnight. [1] [5]

76

1908 January 2 * Canadian Governor General Earl Grey formally opens the Ottawa branch of the British Royal Mint. He strikes the first coin minted in Canada, a 50-cent piece. Countess of Grey strikes the first bronze cent. 1000 specimen sets are struck to mark the occasion. [3] * Dom Joâo G da Câmara Portuguese journalist/playwright, dies at age 55. [1] January 4 * Antony Winkler Prins writer (Groiller Encyclopaedia), dies at age 70. [1] January 9 * Abraham Goldfaden US Yiddish stage performer (Shulamis), dies at age 67. [1] * Frans Schollaert succeeds De Trooz as premier of Belgium. [1] * Muir Woods National Monument, California established. [1] * Death of Wilhelm Busch in Mechtshausen bei Seesen, Germany; humorous writer, painter and poet, Max und Moritz (The Katzenjammer Kids) and Die fromme Helene, forerunner to the comic strip. [1] [37] January 10 * Anna S Barbiers Dutch actress (Klaasje Zevenster), dies at age 65. [1] January 13 * French pilot Henry Farman is first European to fly roundtrip. [1] * Rhoads Opera House burns in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, USA, killing 170. [1] January 14 * Holger Drachmann writer, dies. [1] January 16 * Pinnacles National Monument, California established. [1] January 17 * Ferdinand IV ruler of Toscane, dies at age 72. [1] January 18

77

* Frederick Delius' "Brigg Fair" premieres. [1] January 21 * August Strindberg's "Spoksonaten" premieres in Stockholm. [1] * New York City, New York regulation makes it illegal for a woman to smoke in public. [1] January 23 * Edward Alexander MacDowell US composer (Indian Suite), dies at age 47. [1] * US and Great Britain demand end of abuses in Congo. [1] January 24 * General Baden-Powell starts Boy-Scouts. [1] January 25 * John Blocks' opera "Baldie" premieres in Antwerp. [1] January 27 * Pasiphaë, a satellite of Jupiter, discovered by Melotte. [1] January 29 * Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, at Cornell University, incorporates. [1] February 1 * Carlos I King of Portugal (1889-1908), assassinated by mob at age 44. [1] February 3 * US Supreme Court rules a union boycott violates Sherman Antitrust Act. [1] February 7 * Connie Mack sells hurler Rube Waddell to Saint Louis Browns for $5,000. [1] February 11 * Heemskerk's government begins in Holland. [1] February 12

78

* Anna Jeanes bequeathes $1,000,000 to Swarthmore to become all female. [1] * New York to Paris auto race (via Alaska and Siberia) begins in New York NY; George Schuster wins after 88 days behind the wheel. [1] February 14 * Georges Jean Pfeiffer composer, dies at age 72. [1] February 17 * Geronimo Apache chief, dies at about age 79. [1] February 18 * First US postage stamps in coils issued. [1] February 24 * Anatol' Vakhnyanyn composer, dies at age 66. [1] February 25 * First tunnel under the Hudson River (railway tunnel) opens. [1] February 27 * Sacrifice fly adopted (repealed in 1931, reinstated 1954). [1] * Star #46 is added to US flag for Oklahoma. [1] February 28 * Failed assassination attempt on Shah Mohammed Ali in Teheran. [1] February 29 * Dutch scientists produce solid helium. [1] March 4 * Collingwood Ohio primary school catches fire; 180 die. [1] March 5 * First ascent of Mount Erebus, Antarctica. [1]

79

March 7 * Cincinnati Mayor Mark Breith stood before city council and announced that, "women are not physically fit to operate automobiles". [1] March 8 * Collingwood Elementary (Cleveland) burns, kills 173 kids and two teachers. [1] * Dutch utopist Frederick of Eden speaks in Carnegie Hall, New York. [1] March 11 * Peter Milne composer, dies at age 83. [1] March 12 * Edmondo de Amicis Italian writer (L'idioma Gentile), dies at age 61. [1] March 15 * First performance of Maurice Ravel's "Rapsodie Espagnole". [1] March 28 * John Eliot English meteorology, dies at age 68. [1] March 29 * Daily newspaper comic strip Mr. A. Mutt adds character Jeff, creating popular Mutt & Jeff. [55.42] April 4 * Josef Sucher composer, dies at age 64. [1] April 5 * British premier Henry Campbell-Bannerman resigns. [1] * Gaetano Coronaro composer, dies at age 55. [1] April 8 * Lord Herbert Henry Asquith succeeds Henry Campbell-Bannerman as British Prime Minister. [1] April 12

80

* Fire makes 17,000 homeless in Chelsea Massachusetts. [1] April 13 * Groundbreaking on Philadelphia's Shibe Park (home of Athletics and Philadelphia Phillies). [1] April 16 * Natural Bridges National Monument established (Lake Powell Utah). [1] April 21 * Frederick A Cook claims to reach North Pole (He didn't). [1] April 22 * Henry Campbell-Bannerman British premier (1905-08), dies. [1] April 23 * Denmark, Germany, England, France, Netherlands and Sweden signs North Sea accord. [1] April 24 * Mr and Mrs Jacob Murdock become the first to travel across the US by car, they leave Los Angeles in a Packard and arrive in New York City in 32 days-5 hours-25 minutes. [1] May 1 * World's most intense rain shower (2.47" in 3 minutes) at Portobelo Panamá. [1] May 5 * Great White Fleet arrives in San Francisco. [1] May 6 * Jean Réville French vicar (Le Prophétisme Hébreu), dies at age 53. [1] May 9 * Dirk Fock becomes Governor of Suriname. [1]

81

May 10 * First Mother's Day observed (Philadelphia). [1] May 12 * George Bernard Shaws' "Getting Married" premieres in London. [1] * Melesio Morales composer, dies at age 69. [1] * Wireless Radio Broadcasting is patented by Nathan B Stubblefield. [1] May 14 * First passenger flight in an airplane. [1] May 21 * First horror movie (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) premieres in Chicago. [1] * Bill Burns has no-hitter broken up with two outs in 9th. [1] May 23 * Dirigible explodes over San Francisco Bay, 16 passengers fall, none die. [1] * François Coppée French poet, dies. [1] * Part of the Great White Fleet arrives in Puget Sound Washington. [1] May 24 * Belgium Catholic socialist/liberal parliamentary election. [1] * John Masefields "Tragedy of Nan" premieres in London. [1] May 25 * The Teatro Colón opera house opens in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [223.48] May 26 * Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Indies theologist (Ahmadiyya motion), dies at age 69. [1] May 27 * Birth of Melle J Oldeboerrigter [Melle], Dutch painter/cartoonist. [1] May 30 * First federal workmen's compensation law approved. [1]

82

* Aldrich Vineland Currency Act forerunner to Federal Reserve System. [1] * Paris advocate E Archdeacon is first passenger in a airplane. [1] * US Assay Office in Salt Lake City UT authorized. [1] May 31 * Miss Pottelsberghe de la Pottery is first airplane passenger (Belgium). [1] June 10 * First flying club, Aeronautical Society of New York, opens. [1] June 24 * A Kopff discovers asteroids #663 Gerlinde and #664 Judith. [1] * Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th U.S. President, dies in Princeton, at age 71. [1] [5] June 30 * Boston's Cy Young's second no-hitter, beats New York Highlanders, 8-0. [1] * Giant fireball impacts in Central Siberia (Tunguska Event). [1] July 6 * Robert Peary's expedition sails from New York City for the north pole. [1] July 7 * Great White Fleet leaves San Francisco Bay. [1] July 22 * W Lorenz discovers asteroid #665 Sabine. [1] July 23 * A Kopff discovers asteroids #666 Desdemona and #667 Denise. [1] July 26 * Federal Bureau of Investigation established. [1] July 27 * A Kopff discovers asteroid #668 Dora. [1]

83

July 29 * Saint Louis Browns Rube Waddell strikes out 16 Philadelphia Athletics. [1] July 30 * Around the World Autombile Race ends in Paris. [1] August 12 * The first Model T Ford is built. [5] August 14 * Race riot in Springfield Illinois. [1] August 17 * Bank of Italy opens new headquarters at Clay and Montgomery. [1] August 20 * Congo Free State becomes the Belgian Congo. [1] August 25 * Allen Winter wins US first $50,000 trotting race. [1] August 29 * New York gives a ticker tape parade to returning US Olympians from London. [1] September 5 * Dodger Nap Rucker no-hits Boston Braves, 6-0. [1] September 9 * Orville Wright makes first one-hr airplane flight, Fort Myer, Virginia. [1] September 16 * General Motors is founded by William C Durant. [1] [5] September 17

84

* Thomas Selfridge becomes first fatality of powered flight. [1] * Thomas Selfridge earlier aviator, dies in an air crash. [1] September 18 * Cleveland Indian Bob "Dusty" Rhoades no-hits Boston, 2-1. [1] September 23 * University of Alberta opens. [1] October 1 * Henry Ford introduces the Model T car (costs $825). [1] October 2 * Addie Joss perfect game stops Ed Walsh 1-0 who won 40 in a row. [1] October 5 * Bulgaria declares independence from Turkey, Ferdinand I becomes Tsar. [1] October 6 * Austria annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina. [1] October 7 * Crete revolts against Turkey and aligns with Greece. [1] October 18 * Belgium annexes Congo Free State. [1] November 3 * William Howard Taft (Republican) elected 27th President over William Jennings Bryan. [1] November 14 * Albert Einstein presents his quantum theory of light. [5] November 16

85

* Arturo Tuscanini begins conducting New York's Metropolitan Opera. [1] November 28 * 154 men die in coal mine explosion at Marianna Pennsylvania. [1] December 2 * Pu Yi (Hsuan-T'ung) became China's Last Emperor at age 3. [1] December 3 * Edward Elgar's first Symphony in A, premieres. [1] December 4 * Haiti's President General Alexis Nord flees from military coup. [1] December 11 * Frederick Delius' "In a Summer Garden" premieres. [1] December 16 * First credit union in US forms (Manchester New Hampshire). [1] December 22 * Marie Jungius Dutch teacher/fairy tale writer, dies at age 44. [1] December 23 * Eduard Wachmann composer, dies at age 72. [1] * François A Gevaert Belgian/Dutch composer (Diable au Moulin), dies at age 68. [1] December 24 * François-Auguste Gevaert Belgian musicologist/composer, dies at age 80. [1] December 28 * Messina, Italy struck by an earthquake (nearly 80,000 died). [1] December 29 * Patent granted for a 4-wheel automobile brake, Clintonville Wisconsin. [1]

86

1909 January 2 * First official Dutch 11 city skate (Minne Hoekstra in 13 50). [1] January 5 * Colombia recognizes Panamá's independence. [1] January 9 * Ernest Shackleton reaches 88 degrees 23' south. [1] January 14 * Coöp Far Central Management forms. [1] * Sinovi P Rozhestvensky Russian admiral, dies at age 60. [1] January 15 * Ernest Reyer composer, dies at age 85. [1] * Ernest von Wildenbruch German playwright (Das Edle Blut), dies at age 63. [1] January 16 * British explorer Ernest Shackleton finds magnetic south pole. [1] * David, Mawson and Mackay reach south magnetic pole. [1] January 19 * Eugene Walter's "Easiest Way" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 22 * Richard A C E Erlenmeyer German chemist, dies at age 83. [1] * Vassily Kandinsky forms Künstlerverein in Munich. [1] January 23 * First radio rescue at sea. [1] January 25 * Richard Strauss' premiere of "Electricity" in Dresden. [1]

87

January 28 * US military forces leave Cuba for second time. [1] February 1 * US Assay Office in Salt Lake City, Utah opens. [1] February 2 * Adolf Stoecker German anti-semite/prime minister, dies at age 73. [1] * Italian writer Marinetti publishes Futurist Manifest in Paris. [1] February 3 * Johann Georg Herzog composer, dies at age 86. [1] February 8 * Edouard Silas composer, dies at age 80. [1] * France and Germany sign treaty about Morocco. [1] * Mieczyslaw Karlowicz composer, dies at age 32. [1] February 9 * First federal legislation prohibiting narcotics (opium). [1] * First forestry school is incorporated at Kent Ohio. [1] February 12 * National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded. [1] * Netherlands' SDAP suspends Marxist Tribune group (Gorter and Wijnkoop). [1] February 16 * First subway car with side doors goes into service (New York City, New York). [1] * Serbia mobilizes against Austria-Hungary. [1] February 21 * John Galsworthy's "Strife" premieres in London. [1] February 22

88

* Great White Fleet, first US fleet to circle the globe, returns to Virginia. [1] February 23 * Russian tsar Nicolas II dissolves Finnish Diet. [1] February 26 * Caran d'Ache [Emmanuel Poiré], French illustrator, dies. [1] March 1 * First US university school of nursing established, University of Minnesota. [1] March 2 * Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy ask Serbia to set no territorial demands. [1] March 4 * President Taft inaugrated as 27th President during 10" snowstorm. [1] * US prohibits interstate transportation of game birds. [1] March 6 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Griselda" premieres in Vienna. [1] March 10 * Jack Johnson fights Victor McLaglen to no decision in six for box title. [1] March 12 * Johanna "Lena" Bakker Dutch actress/wife of Bruno Gerlach, dies at age 34. [1] March 14 * Amsterdam Social-Democratic Party (SDP) forms. [1] March 16 * George Thorndike Angell lawyer (ASPCA), dies at age 85. [1] March 18

89

* Einar Dessau of Denmark uses a short-wave radio transmitter, becoming the first radio broadcaster. [1] [5] March 22 * Gyula Erkel composer, dies at age 66. [1] March 24 * John Millington Synge Irish dramatist/playwright/poet, dies at age 37. [1] March 25 * Ruperto Chapi y Lorente composer, dies at age 57. [1] March 26 * August Strindberg's "Bjalb-jarle-ti" premieres in Stockholm. [1] * Nikolai Arkas composer, dies at age 56. [1] March 30 * Queensboro Bridge opens, linking Manhattan and Queens. [1] March 31 * In Belfast, Ireland, the keel of the Titanic is laid down at Harland and Wolff Shipyard. [117.39] * Gustav Mahler conducts New York Philharmonic for his first time. [1] April 3 * Benjamin Johnson Lang composer, dies at age 71. [1] April 6 * First credit union established in US. [1] * North Pole reached by Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson. [1] April 9 * Charles Conder artist, dies. [1] April 10 * Algernon Charles Swinburne English poet, dies at age 72. [1]

90

April 12 * Hermann Kotzchmar composer, dies at age 79. [1] April 13 * Death of Sir Donald Currie at age 83 at Dartmouth, England; founder of Union Castle Steamship Company. [152.18] April 14 * Anglo-Persian Oil Company forms in London. [1] April 15 * Mien Wenneker, Dutch prince Henry's lover, weds Uncle Cornelis Abbo. [1] April 18 * Joan of Arc is beatified in Rome. [1] [5] April 19 * Joan of Arc, declared a saint. [1] April 24 * Harry Hillman and Lawson Robertson run 100 metre 3-legged race in 11 seconds. [1] April 27 * Sultan of Turkey Abdul Hamid II is overthrown. [1] May 1 * Netherlands begins unity with Belgium. [1] May 5 * Pauline Staegeman German feminist, dies. [1] May 7 * Construction begins on first 100 houses in Ahuzat Bayit (Tel Aviv). [1]

91

May 8 * Friedrich von Holstein German diplomat, dies. [1] May 10 * Johannes de Koo journalist/playwright, dies. [1] May 13 * Christian National Labor Workers (CNV) party begins in Netherlands. [1] May * Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal unite as Union of South Africa. [152.18] May 17 * White firemen on Georgia railroad strike to protest hiring blacks. [1] May 18 * George Meredith English poet/writer (Diana of Crossways), dies at age 81. [1] * Isaac M F Albéniz Spanish pianist/composer, dies at age 48. [1] May 22 * First San Francisco fireboat, David Scannell, launched. [1] May 24 * Bristol University granted Royal Charter. [1] May 30 * National Conference on the Negro is held. [1] * Reuben Siegel laid cornerstone of first home in Tel-Aviv. [1] May 31 * First NAACP conference (United Charities Building, New York City). [1] June 1 * Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition opens in Seattle. [1]

92

June 7 * Cleveland Industrial Exposition opens. [1] June 16 * First US airplane sold commercially, by Glenn Curtiss for $5,000. [1] June 17 * A Kopff discovers asteroid #682 Hagar. [1] June 28 * First French air show, Concours d'Avation opens. [1] * Israel Durham Philadelphia Phillies president dies. [1] July 11 * Simon Newcomb celestial mechanics authority, dies. [1] July 12 * 16th Amendment approved (power to tax incomes). [1] July 23 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #683 Lanzia. [1] July 25 * Louis Blériot of France makes the first flight across the English Channel in a heavierthan-air machine (Calais to Dover) in 37 minutes. [1] [5] July 27 * Orville Wright tests first US Army airplane, flying 1h12m. [1] July 30 * US Army accepts delivery of first military airplane. [1] August 2 * First Lincoln head pennies minted. [1]

93

* Army Air Corps formed as Army takes first delivery from Wright Brothers. [1] August 11 * SOS first used by an American ship, Arapahoe, off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. [1] August 19 * First race at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway. [1] August 24 * Workers start pouring concrete for the Gatun locks of the Panama Canal. [1] [150.61] August 29 * AH Latham of France sets world airplane altitude record of 155 m. [1] * World's first air race held in Rheims France. Glenn Curtis (USA) wins. [1] September 6 * Word received, Adm Peary discovers North Pole five months earlier. [1] September 7 * Eugène Lefebvre dies test piloting a Wright A aircraft. [1] September 25 * Hudson-Fulton Celebration opens in New York. [1] September 28 * Birth of Al Capp New Haven Connecticut, cartoonist (Li'l Abner). [1] October 13 * Birth of Herblock (Herbert L Block) political cartoonist. [1] October 18 * Comte de Lambert of France sets airplane altitude record of 300 m. [1] October 26

94

* Prince Ito of Japan is assassinated by a Korean. [1] November 4 * The opera "Il Segreto di Susanna" is produced (Munich). [1] November 7 * Knights and Ladies of Saint Peter Claver organizes in Mobile Alabama. [1] November 13 * 259 miners die in a fire at Saint Paul Mine at Cherry Illinois. [1] November 18 * US invades Nicaragua, later overthrows President Zelaya. [1] November 23 * 18.2 cm (7.17") of rainfall, Rattlesnake Creek, Idaho (state record). [1] December 1 * First Christmas Club payment made, to Carlisle Trust Company, Pennsylvania. [1] * First Israeli kibbutz founded, Deganya Alef. [1] December 4 * Paul-Albert Besnard French painter/graphic artist (Elle), dies at age 60. [1] December 7 * Leo Baekeland, Yonkers New York, patents first thermosetting plastic (Bakelite). [1] December 8 * Bird banding society found. [1] December 9 * First US monoplane flown (Henry W Walden, Long Island New York). [1] December 10 * Red Cloud Sioux Indian chief, dies. [1]

95

December 11 * Colored moving pictures demonstrated at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. [1] December 13 * Innokenti F Annenski Russian poet/interpreter, dies at age 53. [1] December 14 * Leopold II king of Belgium, dies. [1] December 15 * Francisco Tarrega y Eixea composer, dies at age 57. [1] December 16 * US pressure forces Nicaraguan President José Santos Zelaya from office. [1] December 17 * Leopold II king of Belgium dies. [1] * Leopold II, king of Belgium, buried in Brussels. [1] December 20 * Benjamin Ipavec composer, dies at age 79. [1] December 21 * First junior high school established (Berkeley CA). [1] * Clyde Fitch's "City" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * University of Copenhagen rejects Cook's claim that he was first to North Pole. [1] December 23 * Albert becomes king of Belgium. [1] * King Leopold II of Belgium. [1] December 24 * Nicolaas G Pierson director Suriname/Dutch Bank, dies at age 80. [1]

96

1910 January 1 * Simpson-Hayward (England) takes 6-43 on debut with underarm lobs. [1] January 2 * First junior high schools in US open in Berkeley California. [1] January 3 * British miners strike for 8 hour working day. [1] January 4 * Léon Delagrange French aviation pioneer, dies. [1] January 10 * First international air meet in US held, in Los Angeles. [1] * Lunt-Fontanne Theater (Globe) opens at 205 W 46th Steet New York City, New York. [1] January 12 * Birth of Charles Martin cartoonist. [1] January 13 * JM Synge's "Deirdre of the Sorrows" premieres in Dublin. [1] January 17 * Thomas Crapper inventor (flush toilet), dies. [1] * Wilhelm F Kohlrausch Germ physicist (Additiviteitsregel), dies at age 69. [1] January 19 * Germany and Bolivia ends commerce/friendship treaty. [1] * National Institute of Arts and Letters incorporated byUS Congress. [1] January 21 * British-Russian military intervention in Persia. [1]

97

January 22 * The opera "Germania" is first performed in New York City, New York. [1] January 25 * Children initiate idea of planting trees in Jerusalem. [1] * Léon Walras French economist (School of Lausanne), dies at age 75. [1] January 26 * Heavy rains cause floods in Paris. [1] January 28 * Jose Garcia Robles composer, dies at age 74. [1] January 29 * Edouard Rod French/Swiss writer (Mishel' Tes'e), dies at age 52. [1] February 1 * First British labour exchange opens. [1] * Dragoumis government forms in Greece. [1] * Otto Julius Bierbaum German writer (Irrgarten Der Liebe), dies at age 44. [1] February 7 * Edmond Rostand's "Chantecler" premieres in Paris. [1] February 8 * Boy Scouts of America incorporated and chartered (William D Boyce-Chicago). [1] February 15 * Albert Fuchs composer, dies at age 51. [1] February 16 * Albert Heinrich Zabel composer, dies at age 75. [1] February 19 * English premiere of Richard Strauss' "Elektra". [1]

98

February 20 * Boetros Ghali Egyptian premier, murdered. [1] February 21 * John Galsworthy's "Justice" premieres in London. [1] February 23 * First radio contest held (Philadelphia). [1] * George Bernard Shaw's "Misalliance" premieres in London. [1] February 25 * Dali Lama flees Tibet from Chinese troop to British-Indies. [1] March 1 * Three passenger trains buried at Steven's Pass in Cascade Range: 118 die; Worst snowslide in US history. [1] March 2 * Two trains crash in snow storm in Wellington Washington, 118 die. [1] March 5 * Ramon Inclan's "La Farsa Infantil de la Cabeza del Dragon" premieres. [1] March 8 * Baroness Raymonde de Laroche of Paris France becomes first licensed female pilot. [1] March 10 * Carl Heinrich Carsten Reinecke composer, dies at age 85. [1] * China ends slavery. [1] * Karl Lueger Austrian anti-semite/mayor of Vienna, dies at age 65. [1] * Pittsburgh Courier, begins publishing. [1] March 16 * Barney Oldfield sets land speed record of 131.7 mph at Daytona. [1]

99

* Eduard FW Pflüger German physiologist, dies at age 80. [1] March 17 * Joaquin Valverde composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 18 * First opera by an US composer (Converse) performed at the Met, New York City, New York. [1] March 20 * Félix Tournachon [Nadar], French writer/photographer, dies at age 89. [1] March 23 * First race at Los Angeles Motordrome (first US auto speedway). [1] March 24 * 83 degrees F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in March. [1] March 25 * Kálmán Mikszáth Hungarian author (Szent Péter Esernyöje), dies at age 63. [1] March 26 * US forbid immigration to criminals, anarchists, paupers and the sick. [1] * William H Lewis appointed Assistant Attorney General of US. [1] March 27 * Alexander E Agassiz US businessman/biologist/geologist, dies at age 74. [1] * David Duffle Wood composer, dies at age 72. [1] March 28 * Henri Fabre becomes the first person to fly a seaplane (the Fabre Hydravion) after taking off from a water runway near Martigues, France. [1] [5] * Edouard [Judas] Colonne French violinist/conductor, dies. [1] March 30 * Jean Moréas [Y Papadiamantopoulos], Greek/French poet, dies at age 53. [1]

100

April 1 * Andreas Aschenbach German painter/engraver, dies at age 94. [1] * Dumitru Dan (Romania) completed a 62,137 mile (100,000 m) walk. [1] April 2 * Boyd Alexander English explorer (Niger to the Nile), murdered at age 37. [1] * Friedrich von Bodelschwingh German theologist, dies at age 79. [1] April 3 * Highest mountain in North America, Alaska's Mount McKinley climbed. [1] April 12 * William G Sumner US sociologist/politicologist (Folkways), dies at age 69. [1] April 13 * William Orchardson British painter, dies. [1] April 19 * Halley's comet seen by naked eye first time this trip (Curacao). [1] April 20 * Halley's Comet passes 29th recorded perihelion at 87.9 million km. [1] April 21 * Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] author(Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn), dies in Redding Connecticut at age 74. [1] April 23 * International Exhibition opens in Brussels. [1] April 24 * German Catholic youth movement Quickborn forms. [1] April 26

101

* Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson Norwegian writer (Mary, Nobel Prize 1903), dies at age 77. [1] April 27 * Belgian parliament rejects socialist motion for general voting rights. [1] April 28 * First night air flight (Claude Grahame-White, England). [1] April 29 * Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt visits Amsterdam. [1] May 4 * Canadian Currency Act, 1910, receives Royal Assent. [1] * Canadian parliament accept creation of Royal Canadian Navy. [1] * Tel Aviv founded. [1] May 6 * Edward VII King of England (1901-10), dies at age 68. [1] * England replaces King Edward VII stamp series with King George V. [1] * King George V ascends to British throne. [1] May 10 * First aircraft air display held (Hendon, England). [1] * Halley's Comet closest approach to Earth in 1910 pass. [1] * Stanislao Cannizzaro Italian chemist, dies at age 85. [1] * William Huggins discoverer of stellar nature of Andromeda, dies. [1] May 11 * Montana's Glacier National Park forms. [1] May 12 * Second NAACP conference (New York City). [1] May 14 * Canada authorizes issuing of silver dollar coins. [1]

102

May 16 * Henri E Cross [Delacroix] French painter, dies at age 53. [1] * US Bureau of Mines forms. [1] May 17 * Canada sets the designs for the 1- through 50-cent coins. [1] May 18 * Flor van Duyse composer, dies at age 66. [1] * Passage of Earth through tail of Halley's Comet causes near-panic. [1] May 20 * Funeral for Britain's King Edward VII. [1] * Jean-Baptiste Theodore Weckerlin composer, dies at age 88. [1] May 22 * Jules Renard French writer (Le plaisir the rompre), dies at age 46. [1] May 27 * Robert Koch German bacteriologist (TB, Cholera, Nobel), dies. [1] May 29 * Mili Alexeyevich Balakirev Russian composer (Islamej), dies at age 73. [1] * Pope's encyclical on Editae Saepe, against church reformers. [1] May 31 * Cape of Good Hope becomes part of the Union of South Africa. [1] * Elizabeth Blackwell first woman physician, dies at age 89. [1] * Glenn Curtiss flies from Albany to New York City. [1] June 2 * First roundtrip flight over the English Channel (C.S. Rolls, England). [1] * Pygmies discovered in Dutch New Guinea. [1] June 5 * J Helffrich discovers asteroids #699 Hela and #700 Auravictrix. [1]

103

June 13 * Pilot Charles Hamilton makes first one-day round-trip from New York to Philadelphia. [1] * William D Crum, a South Carolina physician, appointed minister to Liberia. [1] June 19 * Father's Day celebrated for first time (Spokane, Wash). [1] June 20 * "Krazy Kat" comic strip by George Herriman debuts in New York Journal. [1] June 22 * First airship with passengers sets afloat-Zeppelin Deutscheland. [1] July 1 * Chicago's Comiskey Park opens. [1] * Union of South Africa becomes a dominion. [1] July 9 * Walter Brookins becomes first to pilot an airplane to one mile altitude. [1] July 10 * Johann Galle discoverer of Neptune with telescope, dies. [1] July 12 * J Helffrich discovers asteroid #701 Oriola. [1] July 16 * J Helffrich discovers asteroid #702 Alauda. [1] August 14 * 6th International Congress of Esperantists held in Washington, DC. [1] August 22

104

* Japan annexes Korea. [1] September 10 * Great Idaho Fire destroys three million acres of timber. [1] September 11 * First commercially successful electric bus line opens (Hollywood). [1] September 27 * First test flight of a twin-engined airplance (France). [1] October 1 * Berkshire Cattle Fair held in Pittsfield Mass (first state fair). [1] October 2 * First two aircraft collision (Milan Italy). [1] October 4 * Portugal becomes a republic, King Manuel II flees to England. [1] October 5 * Portugal overthrows monarchy, proclaims republic. [1] October 6 * Braves beat Philadelphia Phillies 20-7. [1] October 17 * Julia Ward Howe composer (Battle Hymn of the Republic), dies at age 91. [1] October 23 * Blanche Scott became first woman solo a public airplane flight. [1] November 1 * First issue of "The Crisis" published by editor W E B Du Bois. [1]

105

November 7 * The first air freight shipment (from Dayton to Columbus, Ohio) is undertaken by the Wright Brothers and department store owner Max Moorehouse. [5] November 8 * First Washington State election in which women could vote. [1] November 12 * First movie stunt: man jumps into Hudson river from a burning balloon. [1] November 14 * First airplane take-off from a naval vessel equipped with a flight-deck, a 50hp Curtiss pusher biplane, from US light cruiser Birmingham at Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. [1] [55.12] November 20 * Leo Tolstoy Russia, author (Anna Karenina), dies at age 82. [1] * Revolution broke out in Mexico, led by Francisco I Madero. [1] November 27 * New York's Pennsylvania Station opens as world's largest railway terminal. [1] December 3 * Mary Baker Eddy founder (Christian Science Monitor), dies. [1] * Neon lights, first publically seen (Paris Auto Show). [1] December 9 * French troops occupy Morrocan harbor city Agadir. [1] December 10 * JD Van de Waals wins Nobel Prize for physics. [1] * Pablo Hernandez Salces composer, dies at age 76. [1] December 19 * First city ordinance requiring white and black residential areas (Baltimore). [1] * Rayon first commercially produced, Marcus Hook Pennsylvania. [1]

106

December 21 * Explosion in coal mine in Hulton England, 344 mine workers dies. [1] December 22 * US postal savings stamps first issued. [1] December 24 * Luisa Tetrazzini sings to 250,000 people at Lotta's Fountain. [1] December 28 * The opera "Königskinder" is produced (New York City, New York). [1] December 31 * US tobacco industry produced 9 billion cigarettes in 1910. [1] 1911 January 1 * Belgian Mining law introduces 9.5-hour work day. [1] * South Australia transfers Northern Territory to federal government. [1] January 3 * US postal savings bank inaugurated. [1] January 5 * Portuguese expel Jesuits. [1] * San Francisco has its first air meet. [1] January 7 * First airplane bombing experiments with explosives, San Francisco. [1] * Dutch Scouts Organization established in Amsterdam. [1] January 9 * Edwin Arthur Jones composer, dies at age 57. [1]

107

January 10 * First photo in US taken from an airplane, San Diego. [1] * Honduras signs treaty turning over customs to US (not ratified). [1] January 13 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Die Ratten" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Roald Amundsens anchors at Walvis Bay. [1] * South Africa's first win over Australia, at Adelaide. [1] January 15 * Wilhelm Berger composer, dies at age 49. [1] January 16 * Pandora becomes first two-man sailboat to round Cape Horn west to east. [1] January 17 * Failed assassination attempt on premier Briand in French Assembly. [1] * Francis Galton English scholar, dies at age 88. [1] * Percy Mackaye's "Scarecrow" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 18 * First aircraft landing on deck of ship, a Curtiss aircraft on armored cruiser USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Bay, California. [1] [55.12] January 24 * Carl Eilhardt composer, dies at age 67. [1] January 26 * Charles Wentworth Dilke English undersecretary of State, dies at age 67. [1] * Glenn Curtiss pilots first successful hydroplane, San Diego California. [1] * Richard Strauss's opera "Die Rosenkavalier" premieres, Dresden. [1] January 28 * Frenchman Henri Rougier wins first Rally of Monte Carlo. [1] January 30

108

* First rescue of an air passenger by a ship, near Havana, Cuba. [1] January 31 * US Congress names San Francisco as Panamá Canal opening celebration site. [1] February 4 * Peter A "Piet" Cronje South Africa Boer General, dies at about age 75. [1] February 5 * Petrus A Cronjé Transvaal Boer General, dies. [1] * Society of Dutch Composers forms in Amsterdam. [1] February 6 * First old-age home opened in Prescott Arizona. [1] * Great fire destroys downtown Constantinople/Istanbul Turkey. [1] February 8 * Gustaf Fröding Swedish poet (Grabstänk), dies at age 50. [1] * US helps overthrow President Miguel Dávila of Honduras. [1] * Victor Herbert's opera "Natoma" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 11 * Albert von Rothschild baron/Austrian banker, dies at age 66. [1] February 17 * First amphibian flight to and from a ship, by Glenn Curtiss, San Diego. [1] February 20 * Alexander Alexandrovich Kopilov composer, dies at age 56. [1] * Peter Nicolai von Wilm composer, dies at age 76. [1] February 21 * Gustav Mahler conducts his last concerto (Berceuse élégique). [1] February 25 * The opera "Natoma" is produced (Philadelphia). [1]

109

March 1 * Jacobus H van 't Hoff Dutch chemist/physicist (Nobel Prize 1901), dies at age 58. [1] March 3 * First US federal cemetery with Union and Rebel graves opens, Missouri. [1] March 4 * Victor Berger (Wisconsin) becomes first socialist congressman in US. [1] March 7 * Antonio Fogazzarro Italian writer/poet (Il Santo, Leila), dies at age 68. [1] * US sent 20,000 troops to Mexican border. [1] * Willis Farnsworth, Petaluma California, patents coin-operated locker. [1] March 8 * International Women's Day (first celebrated). [1] March 13 * Ivan Caryll's musical "Pink Lady" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Jacob M van Bemmelen Dutch physicist/chemist, dies at age 80. [1] March 18 * North Dakota enacts a hail insurance law. [1] March 20 * Jean-Theodore Radoux composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Winter Garden Theater opens at 1634 Broadway New York City. [1] March 25 * 146 die in a fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, New York. [1] * L D Swamikannu publishes "Manual of Indian Chronology" in Bombay. [1] March 29 * Felix Alexandre Guilmant composer, dies at age 74. [1]

110

March 30 * Lötschberg tunnel in Switzerland (13,735 metre) completed. [1] April 3 * Harry James Smith' "Mrs Bumsted-Leigh", premieres in New York City. [1] April 5 * Waldorf W Aster acquires the Daily Observer. [1] April 10 * Mikolajus Konstantinas Ciurlionis composer, dies at age 35. [1] April 12 * First non-stop London-Paris flight (Pierre Prier in 3 hours 56 minutes). [1] April 13 * Polo Grounds grandstand and left field bleachers go up in flames. [1] April 15 * Georg Knorr German engineer, dies. [1] * Jack Lawrence Theater (Playhouse) opens at 137 W 48th Steet New York City, New York. [1] April 19 * George Bernard Shaw's "Fanny's First Play", premieres in London. [1] April 30 * Portugal approves woman suffrage. [1] May 2 * French troops occupy Fès El Bali Morocco. [1] May 9 * Fire breaks out at Empire Theater in Edinburgh Scotland. [1]

111

May 15 * British house of commons accept Parliament Bill. [1] * Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Indiana University, incorporates. [1] * US Supreme Court dissolves Standard Oil (Sherman Antitrust Act). [1] May 16 * Remains of a neanderthal man found in Jersey United Kingdom. [1] * Zeppelin "Deutscheland" wrecked at Dusseldorf. [1] May 18 * Gustav Mahler Austrian composer (Children's Death Songs), dies at age 50. [1] * President/dictator José Porfirio Diaz of México term ends. [1] May 19 * Maurice Ravel's opera "L'Heure Espagnole" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 23 * New York Public Library building at 5th Avenue dedicated by President Taft. [1] [5] May 25 * Revolution in México overthrows President José Porfirio Diaz. [1] May 28 * Stephanus J du Toit South African theologist/journalist (African Bond), dies. [1] May 29 * William Schwenck Gilbert England, writer (Gilbert and Sullivan), dies at age 74. [1] May 31 * The Titanic first enters the water, with no christening ceremony. [117.39] June 1 * First US group insurance policy written, Passaic, New Jersey. [1] June 6

112

* Nicaragua signs treaty turning over customs to US (not ratified). [1] June 20 * NAACP incorporates (New York). [1] June 22 * King George V of England crowned. [1] June 26 * Nieuport sets an aircraft speed record of 83 mph (133 kph). [1] June 30 * US Assay Office in Saint Louis, Missouri closes. [1] July 3 * Ty Cobb hits in his 40th straight game. Does not get a hit next day. [1] July 4 * Ty Cobb goes 0 for 4 and ends a 40 game hit streak. [1] July 8 * Nan Aspinwall is first woman to make solo transcontin. trip by horse. [1] July 14 * 46" of rain begins to fall in Baguio, Phillipines. [1] July 15 * 46" of rain (begining 7/14) falls in Baguio, Phillipines. [1] July 30 * J Palisa discovers asteroid #716 Berkeley. [1] August 10 * Parliament Act reduces power of House of Lords. [1]

113

August 21 * In Paris, France, the Mona Lisa painting is stolen by former Louvre employee Vincenzo Perugia, by hiding it under his coat. His intention is to sell it to an Italian museum. (The painting is recovered in 1914.) [5] [66.9] (August 22 [1]) September 1 * M Fourny sets world aircraft distance record of 720 km. [1] September 4 * Garros sets world altitude record of 4,250 m (13,944 ft). [1] September 9 * First airmail service (British Post Office). [1] September 14 * Piotr Stolypin Russia's Prime Minister assassinated by Mordka Bogrov. [1] September 17 * First transcontinental airplane flight, NY-Pasadena in 82 hours 4 min. [1] September 18 * Britain's first twin-engine airplane (Short S.39) test flown. [1] September 22 * Cy Young at age 44, wins his 511th and final game. [1] September 25 * Ground breaking begins in Boston for Fenway Park. [1] October 10 * Sun Yat-sen's revolutionaries overthrow Manchus (Taiwan National Day). [1] October * At the British Royal Mint, trial strikings are made of a Canadian 1911 silver $1 coin. These pieces later become Canada's most valuable coins, though not truly coins. [3]

114

October 20 * Roald Amundsen sets out on race to South Pole. [1] October 23 * First aerial operation carried by an airplane in warfare, a reconnaissance mission by Italian military over a Turkish encampment at Azizia. [55.8] October 24 * Robert Scott's expedition leaves Cape Evans for South Pole. [1] October 29 * Joseph Pulitzer American newspaperman, dies in Charleston, South Carolina. [1] November 1 * First air raid, Italian pilot drops a 4.5-pound bomb on Turkish position at Ain Zara. [55.8] November 5 * Calbraith Rodgers arrives in Pasadena completing first transcontinental airplane flight (49 days) (left Sheepshead Bay, New York, Sept 17). [1] * Italy attacks Turkey, takes Tipoli and Cyrenaica. [1] November 6 * Francisco Madeiro inaugurated President of Mexico. [1] November 18 * Britain's first seaplane flies. [1] * The opera "Lobetanz" first American performance. [1] November 23 * Post Hospital at Presidio, San Francisco renamed Letterman General Hospital. [1] December 7 * Leslie J Stuart's musical "Betsy" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

115

December 10 * Calbraith Rogers completes first crossing of US by airplane (84 days). [1] * Joseph D Hooker British botanist, dies at age 94. [1] * Tobias Asser given Nobel Prize for peace. [1] December 11 * Thomas Ball US sculptor/painter/singer, dies at age 92. [1] December 14 * Norwegian Roald Amundsen's team, including Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, become the first to reach the South Pole. [1] [5] December 18 * Alberto Randegger composer, dies at age 79. [1] December 23 * Frank Wedekind's "Oaha, die Satire der Satire" premieres in Munich. [1] * Karl L Hoschna composer, dies at age 34. [1] * The opera "I Giojelli Della Madonna" is produced (Berlin). [1] December 25 * Birth of Burne Hogarth strip-cartoon artist. [1] * Edward Knoblock's "Kismet" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 29 * San Francisco Symphony is formed. [1] December 30 * Sun Yat-sen elected first President of Republic of China. [1] December 31 * Marie Curie receives her second Nobel Prize. [1]

116

1912 January 1 * First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" race (7.63 miles/12.3 km). [1] * Sun Yat-sen forms Chinese Republic. [1] January 2 * Death of Felix Dahn in Hamburg, Germany, age 77; professor of law, writer. [37] (January 3 [1]) January 3 * Southern Pacific Railroad offers to bring Liberty Bell to Exposition, free. [1] January 4 * Smallest earth-moon distance this century, 356,375 km center-to-center. [1] January 6 * New Mexico becomes 47th state. [1] January 7 * Birth of Charles Addams cartoonist (New Yorker, Addams Family). [1] January 9 * US marines invade Honduras. [1] January 10 * Caillaux government in France resigns. [1] * World's first flying boat's maiden flight, (Glenn Curtiss in New York). [1] January 12 * -47 degrees F (-44 degrees C), Washta Iowa (state record). [1] January 13 * -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C), Oakland Maryland (state record). [1]

117

January 14 * Otto Liebmann German philosopher (Kant and Epigones), dies at age 71. [1] * Raymond Poincaré becomes premier of France. [1] January 16 * Georg Heym writer, dies at age 24. [1] January 18 * British explorer Robert Falcon Scott arrives at the South Pole only to find that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had preceded them by just over a month. [5] (January 17 [1]) January 29 * Hermann Bang writer, dies at age 54. [1] * Martial law declared in textile strike in Lawrence Massachusetts. [1] February 2 * Frederick R Law, parachutes from Statue of Liberty (stunt for Pathe). [1] February 7 * Second Dutch 11 city skate (Coen de Koenig wins (11:40)). [1] February 8 * First eastbound US transcontinental flight lands in Jacksonville Florida. [1] February 10 * Joseph Lister first Baron Lister, surgeon (pioneer of antiseptic), dies. [1] February 12 * The Republic of China adopts the Gregorian calendar. [1] [5] * Last Ch'ing (Manchu) emperor of China, Henry P'u-i, abdicates. [1] February 14 * First US submarines with diesel engines commissioned, Groton Connecticut. [1] * Arizona becomes 48th state. [1] * Birth of Oliver Wendell Harrington cartoonist. [1]

118

February 15 * Fram reaches latitude 78 degrees 41' S, farthest south ever by ship. [1] February 16 * Edgar Evans British explorer (Antarctica), dies. [1] February 17 * Aloys von Aerenthal foreign minister (Austria-Hungary), dies at age 57. [1] * L Oates British explorer (Antarctica), dies. [1] February 22 * J Vedrines makes first airplane flight over 100 mph-161.29 kph. [1] * Richard Andree German geographer (Andree's Handatlas), dies at age 76. [1] February 26 * Coal miners strike in England (settle on 03/01). [1] February 27 * Lord Kitchener opens Khartoum-El Obeid (Nyala) railway. [1] March 1 * Albert Berry makes first parachute jump from an airplane. [1] * Isabella Goodwin, first US woman detective, appointed, New York City, New York. [1] March 5 * Spanish steamer "Principe de Asturias" sinks northeast of Spain, 500 die. [1] March 7 * Roald Amundsen announces discovery of the South Pole. [1] March 12 * Captain Albert Berry performs first parachute jump from an airplane. [1] * Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) founded in Savannah, by Juliette Gordon Low. [1] * Helen Hayes Theater opens at 238 W 44th Steet New York City. [1]

119

March 13 * Birth of James Friell political cartoonist. [1] March 14 * King Vittorio Emanuel III of Rome injured during assassination attempt. [1] March 16 * Mrs William Howard Taft plants first cherry tree in Washington DC. [1] March 17 * Camp Fire Girls organization announced by Mrs Luther Halsey Gulick. [1] March 23 * Dixie Cup invented. [1] March 27 * First Japanese cherry blossom trees planted in Washington DC. [1] March 29 * Captain Robert Scott, blizzard-bound in a tent 18 km from the South Pole, makes last entry in his diary "the end cannot be far". [1] * Robert F Scott British pole explorer (Antarctica), dies. [1] March 30 * French protectorate in Morocco established. [1] * Karl May German writer (Winnetou/Kara Ben Nemsi), dies at age 70. [1] April 1 * Greek athlete Konstantinos Tsiklitiras breaks the world record in standing long jump with a 3.47-metres jump. [5] April 2 * Sun Yet Sen forms Guomindang-Party in China. [1] * Titanic undergoes sea trials under its own power. [1]

120

April 4 * The Titanic arrives at Southampton after finishing sea trials. [117.39] * Army fires on striking mine workers at Lena-gold fields Siberia. [1] * Chinese republic proclaimed in Tibet. [1] April 6 * Electric starter first appeared in cars. [1] April 8 * Steamers collide in the Nile, drowning 200. [1] April 9 * Titanic leaves Queenstown Ireland for New York. [1] April 10 * RMS Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England for its first (and last) voyage, with 2207 passengers and crew. [1] [117.40] [260.92] April 11 * Cornerstone of Technion in Haifa Palestine laid. [1] April 12 * Clara Barton organized American Red Cross, dies at age 90. [1] * The Titanic departs Queenstown, Ireland with final passengers and mail, now 1316 passengers, 885 crew, headed for New York. [117.40] April 13 * Royal Flying Corps forms (later RAF). [1] April 14 * Pan American Union forms. [1] * (11:40 PM) The Titanic, on route from Southampton to New York, strikes an iceberg 453 miles southeast of Newfoundland, 37 seconds after warning from the night watchman in the crow's nest. Six of 15 watertight compartments are breached by a 300foot gash. [1] [117.41] [260.92] April 15

121

* (00:05 AM) Captain Smith of the Titanic orders lifeboats to be uncovered, and for passengers to be assembled to abandon ship. [117.41] * (00:15 AM) Telegraph operator aboard the Titanic sends a constant distress call "CQD" and Titanic's call letters "MGY"; then sends out "SOS". Carpathia answers the call. [117.41] * (00:25 AM) Captain Smith of the Titanic orders women and children into lifeboats. [117.42] * (00:45 AM) The first lifeboat from the Titanic is lowered to the sea, with 28 people, of a capacity of 65. [117.42] * (2:27 AM) Titanic sinks at in North Atlantic. An estimated 1522 people die. [1] [260.92] * (4:00+ AM) Carpathia rescues 712 survivors from the Titanic. 1490-1523 die. [117.43] April 16 * Harriet Quimby becomes first woman pilot to cross the English Channel. [1] April 17 * First unofficial gold record (Al Jolson's "Ragging The Baby To Sleep"). [1] April 20 * Bram Stoker Irish theater manager/writer (Dracula), dies. [1] April 24 * Justin M'Carthy politician/novelist (Miss Misanthrope), dies at age 81. [1] April 27 * Relief laws replaces those of 1854, in Netherlands. [1] April 29 * 108 degrees F (42 degrees C), Tuguegarao Philippines (Oceania record). [1] * Frank Wedekind's "Tod und Teufel", premieres in Berlin. [1] April 30 * Frantisek Kmoch composer, dies. [1] May 1

122

* Beverly Hills Hotel opens. [1] May 2 * Birth of Marten Toonder writer/cartoonist (Mr Bommel). [1] May 4 * Italian mariners occupy Turkish Island of Rhodes. [1] May 5 * Soviet Communist Party newspaper Pravda begins publishing. [1] May 7 * Columbia University approves plans for awarding the Pulitzer Prize in several categories The award is established by Joseph Pulitzer. [1] May 13 * Royal Flying Corps is established in England. [1] [241.9] May 14 * August Strindberg Swedish writer (Deaddans), dies at age 63. [1] * Frederik VIII King of Denmark (1906-12), dies at age 68. [1] May 15 * Ty Cobb rushes a heckler at a New York Highlander game and is suspended. [1] May * The Ottawa branch mint strikes Canada's first $5 and $10 gold coins. [3] May 18 * Maurits Binger establishes two Dutch movie companies. [1] May 26 * Jan Blockx Belgian opera composer (Bride of the Sea), dies at age 61. [1] May 29

123

* Fifteen young women fired by Curtis Publishing for dancing the "Turkey Trot" during their lunch break. [1] May 30 * US Marines sent to Nicaragua. [1] * Wilbur Wright, US aviation pioneer, dies. [1] [5] May 31 * US marines land on Cuba. [1] June 4 * Cone of Mount Katmai (Alaska) collapses. [1] * Massachusetts passes first US minimum wage law. [1] June 5 * US marines invade Cuba (3nd time). [1] June 6 * Novarupta in Alaska begins erupting, resulting in the second largest volcanic eruption in historic time. [5] June 7 * Saint Pius X encyclical "On the Indians of South America". [1] * US army tests first machine gun mounted on a plane. [1] July 4 * Detroit Tiger George Mullen no-hits Saint Louis Browns, 7-0. [1] July 12 * First foreign feature film exhibited in US-"Queen Elizabeth"-New York City. [1] July 15 * British National Health Insurance Act goes into effect. [1] July 16 * Naval torpedo launched from an airplane patented by B.A. Fiske. [1]

124

July 20 * Philadelphia Phillies Sherry Magee steals home twice in one game. [1] July 25 * Comoros proclaimed a French colonies. [1] July 31 * US government prohibits movies and photos of prize fights (censorship). [1] August 5 * Japan's first taxicab service begins in Ginza, Tokyo. [5] August 7 * Progressive (Bull Moose) Party nominates Theodore Roosevelt for president. [1] August 14 * 2,500 US marines invade Nicaragua; US remains until 1925. [1] August 20 * Plant Quarantine Act goes into effect. [1] August 21 * Mr Carter-Cotton chosen first chancellor of Univ of British Columbia. [1] August 24 * New York City ticker tape parade for Jim Thorpe and victorious US olympians. [1] * Territory of Alaska organized. [1] * US passes Anti-gag law, federal employees right to petition the government. [1] August 25 * First time an aircraft recovers from a spin. [1] August 27 * Edgar Rice Burroughs' publishes Tarzan. [1]

125

September 3 * World's first cannery opens in England to supply food to the navy. [1] September 9 * J Verdrines becomes first to fly over 100 mph (107 mph/172 kph). [1] September 11 * Philadelphia Athletics Eddie Collins steals six bases in one game. [1] September 22 * Eddie Collins steals six bases in a game, for second time in 11 days. [1] September 23 * First Mack Sennett "Keystone Comedy" movie released. [1] September 28 * "Kiche Maru" sinks off Japan, killing 1,000. [1] October 4 * Nicaraguan General Zeledon, opponent of US occupation, is executed. [1] October 8 * First Balkan War begins. [1] October 9 * Millie and Christine Siamese twins, die at age 61. [1] October 14 * Bull Moose Teddy Roosevelt shot while campaigning in Milwaukee. [1] October 18 * Beginning of the first Balkan War. [1] * Italo-Turkish war ends. [1]

126

October 19 * Tripoli (Libya) passes from Turkish to Italian control. [1] November 3 * First pilot shot down: Bulgarian pilot while making reconnaissance flight over Adrianople. [55.8] November 5 * Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) beats Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive) and President Taft (Republican). [1] November 18 * Albania declares independence from Turkey. [1] November 25 * American College of Surgeons incorporates in Springfield, Illinois. [1] November 27 * Albanian National Flag adopted. [1] * Spanish protectorate in Morocco established. [1] December 3 * Gerrit Brinkman becomes first Dutch traffic officer. [1] * Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece and Bulgaria sign weapons pact. [1] December 6 * China votes for universal human rights. [1] December 7 * Bust of Queen Nefertete found in El-Amarna, Egypt. [1] * George Darwin theorized Moon was pulled out of Pacific Ocean, dies. [1] December 12 * Luitpold von Bayern prince-regent of Bayern, dies at age 91. [1] * R Friml/O Harbachs musical "Firefly" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

127

December 16 * First US postage stamp picturing an airplane, 20-cent parcel post, issued. [1] * Austria-Hungary engage in conflict with Serbia. [1] December 20 * J Hartley Manners' "Peg O' My Heart" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Paul Claudels "L'Annonce Faite à Marie" premieres in Paris. [1] December 21 * Sweden, Denmark, and Norway issue a declaration of agreement on principles of neutrality, pledging to notify each other of any departure from these principles. [1] [7] December 23 * First "Keystone Kops" film, titled "Hoffmeyer's Legacy". [1] * Aswan Dam in Nile begins operation. [1] December 24 * Irving Fisher patents archiving system with index cards. [1] December 28 * National Council of Young Israel convenes. [1] * The first municipally-owned streetcars take to the streets in San Francisco, California. [1] [5] December 30 * Alfred von Kiderlen-Waechter German foreign minister, dies at age 60. [1]

128

1913 January 1 * Post office begins parcel post deliveries. [1] January 2 * Léon P Teisserenc de Bort French meteorologist (stratosphere), dies at age 57. [1] * National Woman's Party forms. [1] January 4 * Death of Alfred Graf von Schlieffen in Berlin, Germany, at age 79; Prussian Generalfield marshal, developed "Schlieffen Plan" used in World War I. [1] [37] January 7 * William M Burton patents a process to "crack" petroleum. [1] January 11 * First sedan-type car (Hudson) goes on display at 13th Auto Show (New York City, New York). [1] * Bread and Roses Strike begins. [1] January 13 * Thomas P Krag Norwegian author/novelist (Jon Graeff, Ulf Ran), dies at age 44. [1] January 16 * British House of Commons accepts Home-Rule for Ireland. [1] January 17 * Carl Baermann composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Raymond Poincaré elected President of France. [1] January 18 * Edmond R H Regout Dutch industrialist/politician, dies at age 49. [1] * Turkish-Greek sea battle near Troy. [1] January 19

129

* David Emlyn Evans composer, dies at age 69. [1] * Raymond Poincaré installed as President of France. [1] January 21 * Aristide Briand forms French government. [1] January 22 * Ferdinand van der Haeghen Flemish librarian/bibliographer, dies at age 82. [1] January 23 * Nazim Pasha Turkey's Prime Minister assassinated. [1] January 24 * Franz Kafka stops working on "Amerika"; it will never be finished. [1] * Gustav Luders composer, dies at age 47. [1] January 29 * Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, at Howard University, incorporates. [1] January 30 * House of Lords rejects Irish Home Rule Bill. [1] February 1 * New York City's Grand Central Terminal opens as the world's largest train station. [5] (February 2 [1]) February 3 * 16th Amendment, federal income tax, ratified. [1] * Golden/Cawthorne's musical "Sunshine Girl" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 4 * Louis Perlman patents demountable auto tire-carrying wheel rim. [1] * National Institute of Arts and Letters founded. [1] February 9

130

* Ten Day Tragedy of Mexico-City; 3,000 die. [1] February 10 * Edward Sheldons "Romance" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 15 * First avant-garde art show in America opens in New York City, New York. [1] * Birth of Willy Vandersteen Belgian cartoonist (Suske and Wiske). [1] February 16 * President Taft agrees not to intervene in Mexico. [1] February 17 * First minimum wage law in US takes effect (Oregon). [1] * New York Armory Show introduces Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp to US public. [1] February 18 * French painting "Nude Descending a Staircase" by Marcel DuChamp displayed at Armory Show in New York City, New York. [1] February 19 * First prize inserted into a Cracker Jack box. [1] * Mexican General V Huerta takes power with US support. [1] February 22 * Ferdinand Mongin de Saussure Swiss linguist, dies at age 55. [1] * Francisco Indalecio Madero Mexican President, assassinated in military coup at age 39. [1] * Lowell High School, San Francisco opens (on its first campus). [1] * Suarez Mexican vice President, assassinated in a military coup. [1] February 25 * 16th Amendment ratified, authorizing income tax. [1] February 26 * Felix Draeseke composer, dies at age 77. [1]

131

February 27 * Adam Sedgwick English zoologist (Peripatus), dies at age 58. [1] February 28 * 6.8-m, 4000-kg elephant seal killed, South Georgia (South Atlantic). [1] March 1 * First state law requiring bonding of officers and state employees, North Dakota. [1] * Federal income tax takes effect (16th amendment). [1] March 3 * Ida B Wells-Barnett demonstrates for female suffrage in Washington DC. [1] March 4 * First US law regulating the shooting of migratory birds passed. [1] * Department of Commerce and Labor split into separate departments. [1] * Gabriel Fauré's opera "Pénélope" premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] * Woodrow Wilson inaugurated as 28th President. [1] March 8 * Internal Revenue Service begins to levy and collect income taxes. [1] March 9 * Eberhard Nestle German biblical scholar, dies at age 61. [1] March 10 * Harriet Tubman abolitionist, conductor on Underground railroad, dies in New York. [1] March 12 * Foundation stone of the Australian capitol in Canberra laid. [1] * Joseph Bayer composer, dies at age 61. [1] March 13 * Kansas legislature approves censorship of motion pictures. [1]

132

March 14 * John D Rockefeller gives $100 million to Rockefeller Foundation. [1] March 15 * First Presidential press conference (Woodrow Wilson). [1] * Cleveland establishes first small claims court. [1] March 18 * George I king of Greece (1861-1913), assassinated by Schinas at age 67. [1] March 19 * John Thomas composer, dies at age 87. [1] March 20 * Christian Barnekow composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Song Jiao-ren leader Chinese Guomindang-Party, dies. [1] March 21 * Flood in Ohio, kills 400. [1] March 24 * Palace Theater opens at 1564 Broadway New York City. [1] March 25 * Great Dayton Flood. [1] * Home of vaudeville, Palace Theatre, opens (New York City, New York) starring Ed Wynn. [1] March 26 * Construction work on the Panama Canal peaks with 44,733 workers on site. [150.62] * Bulgaria captures Adrianople, ending the first Balkan War. [1] * Dayton Ohio almost destroyed when Scioto, Miami, and Muskingum River reach flood stage simultaneously. [1] March 31 * John Pierpont Morgan US banker/CEO (US Steel Corp), dies at age 75. [1]

133

April 3 * British suffragette Emily Pankhurst sentenced to three years in jail. [1] April 6 * Jose Marraco y Ferrer composer, dies on 78th birthday. [1] April 8 * 17th amendment, requiring direct election of senators, ratified. [1] * Opening of China's first parliament takes place in Peking (now Beijing). [1] April 14 * Belgium begins general strike for voting rights. [1] * Karl Hagenbeck German animal trainer (Von Tieren), dies at age 68. [1] April 21 * German passenger ship Imperator runs aground. [1] * Gideon Sundback of Sweden patents the zipper. [1] April 22 * Montenegro troops march into Skoetari, North-Albania. [1] April 26 * Panamá-Pacific International Exposition opens in San Francisco. [1] * Sun Yet San calls for revolt against President Yuan Shikai in China. [1] April 29 * Gideon Sundback of Hoboken patents all-purpose zipper. [1] * Swedish engineer Gideon Sundback of Hoboken patents all-purpose zipper. [1] May 1 * Longacre Theater opens at 220 W 48th Steet New York City, New York. [1] May 6 * King Nikita I of Montenegro vacates Skoetari, North-Albania. [1]

134

May 7 * British House of Commons rejects woman's right to vote. [1] May 9 * 17th amendment provides for election of senators by popular vote. [1] May 13 * First four engine aircraft built and flown (Igor Sikorsky-Russia). [1] May 14 * French Hals museum opens in Harleem Netherlands. [1] May 18 * Otto Reubke composer, dies at age 70. [1] May 19 * Webb Alien Land-Holding Bill passes, forbidding Japs from owning land. [1] May 26 * Actors' Equity Association forms (New York City). [1] May 27 * Birth of Wolfgang Schulze [Wols] German cartoonist/painter. [1] May 28 * Lord Avebury [John Lubbock] British banker/politician, dies. [1] May 30 * First Balkan War ends, Treaty of London. [1] * John McGraw joins Fred Clarke, Cap Anson, Frank Selee, and Connie Mack as managers who have won 1,000 games. [1] * New country of Albania is formed. [1] May 31 * 17th amendment (direct election of senators) declared ratified. [1]

135

June 2 * First strike settlement mediated by US Department of Labor-railroad clerks. [1] June 6 * Rabbit Maranville, is thrown out trying to steal home three times. [1] June 7 * Hudson Stuck, an Alaskan missionary, leads the first successful ascent of the south peak of Mount McKinley, the highest point on the American continent at 20,320 feet. Companions Harry Karstens, Walter Harper, and Robert Tatum follow Stuck to the summit. [129] June 12 * "The Dachshund" by Pathe Freres, early animated cartoon, released. [1] June 21 * Tiny Broadwick becomes first woman to parachute from an airplane. [1] June 29 * Beginning of the second Balkan War. [1] June 30 * Second Balkan War begins. [1] July 3 * Common tern banded in Maine; found dead in 1919 in Africa (first bird. [1] July 10 * 134 degrees F (57 degrees C), Greenland Ranch, California (US record). [1] July 19 * Billboard publishes earliest known "Last Week's 10 Best Sellers. [1] July 30

136

* Conclusion of the second Balkan War. [1] August 10 * Second Balkan War ends, Treaty of Bucharest, Bulgaria loses. [1] August 20 * First pilot to parachute from an aircraft (Adolphe Pégoud-France). [1] August 25 * Birth of Walt Kelly cartoonist, creator of "Pogo". [1] August 27 * Lieutenant Peter Nestrov, of Imperial Russian Air Service, performs a loop in a monoplane at Kiev (first aerobatic maneuver in an airplane). [1] September 6 * First aircraft to loop the loop (Adolphe Pégoud-France). [1] September 9 * Association for Study of Negro Life and History organizes in Chicago. [1] September 10 * Cleveland Call and Post established. [1] * George W Buckner, named minister to Liberia. [1] * Lincoln Highway opens as first paved coast-to-coast highway. [1] September 15 * First US milch goat show held, Rochester, New York. [1] September 21 * First aerobatic maneuver, sustained inverted flight, performed in France. [1] September 22 * Coal mine explosion kills 263 at Dawson New Mexico. [1] September 29

137

* Washington Senator Walter Johnson wins his 36th game. [1] October 3 * Federal Income Tax signed into law (at 1%). [1] October 10 * US President Woodrow Wilson pushes button to remotely blow up Gamboa Dam in Panama Canal, allowing Atlantic and Pacific waters to meet. [1] [150.62] October 31 * The Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across America, is dedicated. [5] November 5 * Ludwig III crowned king of Bavaria. [1] November 6 * Mohandas K Gandhi arrested for leading Indian miners march in South Africa. [1] November 9 * Storm "Freshwater Fury" sinks 8 ore-carriers on Great Lakes. [1] November 17 * First US dental hygienists course established, Bridgeport, Connecticut. [1] * Panama Canal opens. [1] November 18 * Lincoln Deachey performs first airplane loop-the-loop (San Diego). [1] November 25 * Woodrow Wilson's daughter Jessie marries in the White House. [1] December 1 * First drive-up gasoline station opens (Pittsburgh). [1] * Continuous moving assembly line introduced by Ford (car every 2 38). [1]

138

December 2 * Archdiocese of Managua created. [1] * Government-Barthou falls due to overtime conscription. [1] December 8 * Construction starts on Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. [1] December 10 * Kamerlingh Onnes receives Nobel Prize for physics. [1] December 12 * "Mona Lisa", recovered after being stolen from the Louvre Museum in 1911. [1] * Hebrew language officially used to teach in Palestinian schools. [1] December 13 * Mona Lisa stolen in August 1911 returned to Louvre. [1] December 14 * Greece formally takes possession of Crete. [1] December 16 * Charlie Chaplin began his film career at Keystone for $150 a week. [1] December 17 * Stefano Gobatti composer, dies at age 61. [1] December 21 * The first crossword puzzle (Arthur Wynne's "word-cross"), with 32 clues, is published in the New York World newspaper. [1] [5] [55.46] December 22 * Menelik II King of Ethiopia (1896-1913), dies at age 69. [1] December 23 * President Woodrow Wilson signs Federal Reserve Act into law. [1]

139

December 29 * First movie serial, "Adventures of Kathlyn" premieres in Chicago Illinois. [1]

140

1914 January 1 * First scheduled commercial passenger airline service, by St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line of St. Petersburg, Florida. Cost is US$5 for the 20 mile flight. [1] [55.15] * Klaas ter Laan becomes Netherlands' first socialist mayor (Zaandam). [1] * Northern and Southern Nigeria united in British colony of Nigeria. [1] January 2 * Philips installs research department in Eindhoven. [1] January 3 * Kelman/Cushing/Heath' musical "Sari" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Stephane Raoul Pugno composer, dies at age 62. [1] January 4 * Redjâizade M Ekrem Turkish poet/writer, dies at about age 66. [1] * Silas Weir Mitchell US physician/author (Free Quaker), dies at age 84. [1] January 5 * James Cox of Ford Motor Company announces wages will jump from $2.40/9-hour day to $5.00/8-hour day. [1] January 6 * Stock brokerage firm of Merrill Lynch founded. [1] January 7 * First steamboat passes through the Panamá Canal. [1] January 10 * First edition of Hague's Post under San Francisco van Oss, published. [1] January 11 * Ambrose Bierce writer, dies at age 71. [1] January 13

141

* Bernardus H Heldt Dutch Member of Parliament, dies at age 72. [1] * IWW-leader/songwriter Joe Hill arrested "Girl from Utah" East-Prussia. [1] * Valentin de Zubiaurre y Unionbarrenechea composer, dies 76. [1] January 14 * Henry Ford introduces assembly line, for T-Fords. [1] January 16 * Writer Maksim Gorki returns to Russia. [1] January 17 * Gerhart Hauptmann's "Der Bogen des Odysseus" premieres in Berlin. [1] January 20 * Emil Liebling composer, dies at age 62. [1] * Henry Southwick Perkins composer, dies at age 80. [1] January 22 * Frederik Rung composer, dies at age 60. [1] * Paul Claudel's "L'échange" premieres in Paris. [1] January 24 * The opera "Madeleine" is produced (New York City New York). [1] January 26 * 600 Dutch textile workers go on strike. [1] * Vatican puts Belgian Nobel winner Maeterlinck's works in their index. [1] January 28 * Beverly Hills, California, is incorporated. [1] February 1 * Pennsylvania State Board of [motion picture] Censors appointed. [1] * Tanganyika Railway opens. [1] February 2

142

* James Royce Shannon's musical "Shameen Dhu" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 4 * US Congress approves Burnett-anti-immigration law. [1] February 6 * J Albert Neuhuys Dutch painter (Hague School), dies at age 69. [1] February 7 * Charlie Chaplin debuts "The Tramp" in "Kid Auto Races at Venice". [1] * Steel work completed on Exposition (Civic) Auditorium, San Francisco. [1] February 8 * General Zamon becomes President of Haiti. [1] February 13 * American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers-ASCAP forms in New York City, New York. [1] February 14 * High Council of Labor forms in Hague Netherlands. [1] February 16 * First airplane flight from to Los Angeles from San Francisco. [1] February 19 * Riccardo Zandonai's opera "Francesco da Rimini" premieres in Turin. [1] February 21 * White Wolf troops attack Zhanjiang China. [1] February 24 * Birth of David Langdon cartoonist/illustrator. [1] * Frank Craven's "Too Many Cooks" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

143

February 25 * John Tenniel British illustrator (Alice in Wonderland), dies at age 93. [1] February 26 * New York Museum of Science and Industry incorporated. [1] February 28 * Construction begins on Tower of Jewels for the Exposition (San Francisco). [1] March 1 * Dutch Minister of war H Colijn named director of British Petroleum. [1] * Tor Bernhard Vilhelm Aulin composer, dies at age 47. [1] March 7 * Prince Wilhelm von Wied becomes King of Albania. [1] March 9 * Henry Colijn appointed as director of Bataafsche Petroleum Co. [1] * US Senator Albert Fall (Teapot Dome) demands "Cubanisation of Mexico". [1] March 10 * Suffragettes in London damages painter Rokeby's Venus of Velasquez. [1] March 12 * George Westinghouse US engineer (Westinghouse Electric), dies at age 67. [1] March 14 * Serbia and Turkey sign peace treaty. [1] March 16 * Gaston Calmette editor (Le Figaro), killed by Madame Caillaux at age 55. [1] * Sir John Murray piloted HMS Challenger to Christmas Island, dies. [1] March 18 * White Wolf gang beats government army in Jingdezhen China. [1]

144

March 22 * World's first airline, Saint Petersburg Tampa Airboat Line, begins. [1] March 23 * Teunis Stoel actor, dies at age 62. [1] March 25 * Frédéric Mistral French poet (Nobel Prize-1904), dies. [1] March 27 * First successful blood transfusion (in Brussels). [1] March 28 * Hanus Trnecek composer, dies at age 55. [1] March 31 * Ch Morgenstern writer, dies at age 42. [1] April 4 * "The Perils of Pauline" shown for first time in Los Angeles California. [1] April 8 * Jakub Arbes Czechoslovakia, author (Andél Miru), dies at age 73. [1] * US and Colombia sign a treaty concerning the Panamá Canal Zone. [1] April 9 * First full color film shown "The World, The Flesh and the Devil" (London). [1] * Tampico incident - US ship crew arrested in México. [1] April 11 * George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion", premieres. [1] April 12 * Josef Nesvera composer, dies at age 71. [1]

145

April 14 * Paul Ehrenreich German etnologist/mythologist, dies at age 58. [1] * Stacy G Carkhuff patents non-skid tire pattern. [1] April 16 * George W Hill US astronomer (moon orbit), dies at age 76. [1] April 19 * Charles Pierce philosopher/scientist, dies. [1] April 20 * 33 killed by soldiers during mine strike in Ludlow Colorado. [1] April 21 * US marines occupy Vera Cruz México, stay six months. [1] April 22 * México ends diplomatic relations with US. [1] April 28 * 181 die in coal mine collapse at Eccles West Virginia. [1] * W H Carrier patents air conditioner. [1] May 1 * China's first president Yuan Shikai wins dictatorial qualification. [1] May 6 * British House of Lords rejects women suffrage. [1] May 7 * Edward Mollenhauer composer, dies at age 87. [1] * US Congress establishes mother's day. [1] * Woodrow Wilson's daughter Eleanor marries in the White House. [1] May 9

146

* President Wilson proclaims Mother's Day. [1] May 14 * Chicago's Jim Scott no-hits Cleveland, gives up two hits in 10th and loses 1-0. [1] May 15 * Henri Rabauds opera "Marouf, Savetier de Caire" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 16 * American Horseshoe Pitchers Association organizes in Kansas City. [1] * Ewing Field, near Masonic Street, opens. [1] May 17 * Peter Leyten bishop of Breda (1885-1914), dies at age 79. [1] May 21 * Greyhound Bus Company begins in Minnesota. [1] May 25 * British House of Commons passes Irish Home Rule. [1] * Paolo Giorza composer, dies at age 81. [1] May 27 * Joseph Wilson Swan physicist/chemist, dies. [1] May 28 * Adolf Gustaw Sonnenfeld composer, dies at age 76. [1] May 29 * A Norwegian freighter rams Canadian Pacific's liner RMS Empress of Ireland in Saint Lawrence River, Canada, in heavy fog; 1024 die as the ship sinks quickly. [1] [260.94] May 30

147

* Cunard ocean liner RMS Aquitania, largest at 45,647 tons, sails on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England to New York City. [5] June 2 * Glenn Curtiss flies his Langley Aerodrome. [1] June 6 * First air flight out of the sight of land (Scotland to Norway). [1] June 15 * Birth of Saul Steinberg Romania, cartoonist, illustrator (New Yorker). [1] June 24 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #789 Lena. [1] June 27 * US signs treaty of commerce with Ethiopia. [1] June 28 * Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie are shot to death by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. [1] [129] June 29 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #791 Ani. [1] June 30 * Mahatma Gandhi's first arrest, campaigning for Indian rights in South Africa. [1] July 4 * First US motorcycle race (300 miles, Dodge City Ks). [1] July 9 * First US duplicate auction bridge championship held, Lake Placid, New York. [1] July 14

148

* First patent for liquid-fueled rocket design granted (Dr R Goddard). [1] * Robert Hutchins Goddard patents a liquid-fuel rocket motor. [1] July 18 * US army air service first comes into being, in the Signal Corps. [1] July 23 * Austria-Hungary issues ultimatum to Serbia leading to WW I. [1] July 28 * Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. [1] [129] * Foxtrot first danced at New Amsterdam Roof Garden (New York City, by Harry Fox). [1] July 29 * First transcontinental phone link made between New York City and San Francisco. [1] * Austro-Hungarian forces begin to shell the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Russia, Serbia's ally, orders a troop mobilization against Austria-Hungary. [129] July 30 * The New York Stock Exchange closes (stays closed for the next four months). [227] * Jean Jaurés leading socialist, assassinated in Paris. [1] August 1 * Germany declares war on Russia in WW I. [1] * France, allied with Russia, begins to mobilize. [129] August 3 * Germany invades Belgium and declares war on France; France declares war on Germany. [1] [129] August 4 * Germany declares war on Belgium; Britain declares war on Germany. [1] August 5

149

* First electric traffic light is installed, at Euclid Ave. and East 105th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. [1] [5] * US, Nicaragua sign treaty granting canal rights to US. [1] August 6 * Austria-Hungary declares war against Russia. [1] * Ellen Wilson President Wilson's wife, dies at age 54. [1] * Serbia declares war against Germany. [1] August 8 * Sweden and Norway make a common declaration of neutrality. [7] August 11 * Jews are expelled from Mitchenick Poland. [1] August 15 * Panama Canal opens (under cost). [1] [152.14] August 18 * President Wilson issues Proclamation of Neutrality. [1] August 20 * German forces occupy Brussels, Belgium during WW I. [1] * Pope Pius X dies. [1] August 23 * Japan declares war on Germany in World War I. [1] August 26 * Germans defeat Russians in Battle of Tannenberg. [1] August 29 * Arizonan is first vessel to arrive in San Francisco via Panama Canal. [1] September 1 * Martha last known passenger pigeon, dies at Cincinnati Zoo. [1]

150

* Saint Petersburg, Russia changes name to Petrograd. [1] September 3 * Cardinal Giacome della Chiesa becomes Pope Benedict XV. [1] September 5 * Battle of Marne (WW I) begins. [1] September 6 * Battle of the Marne; Germans prevented from occupying Paris. [1] September 7 * New York Post Office Building opens to the public. [1] September 9 * Boston Brave George Davis no-hits Philadelphia Phillies, 7-0. [1] September 15 * Battle of Aisne begins between Germans and French during WW I. [1] September 18 * Battle of Aisne ends with Germans beating French during WW I. [1] September 26 * Federal Trade Commission formed to regulate interstate commerce. [1] September 28 * German forces move into Antwerp Belgium (WW I). [1] October 10 * German forces route Belgians in Antwerp Belgium (WW I). [1] October 15 * ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) founded. [1] * Clayton Antitrust Act passed. [1]

151

October 28 * Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, founded at Howard University, incorporates. [1] November 5 * Britain annexes Cyprus. [1] November 16 * Federal Reserve System formally opens. [1] November 20 * US State Department starts requiring photographs for passports. [1] December 2 * Austria army occupies Belgrade Serbia. [1] December 3 * Netherlands army shoots up geïnterneerde Belgian soldiers: 8 killed. [1] December 6 * Eduard Jacobs Dutch cabaret artist, dies at age 47. [1] * German troops over run Lódz. [1] December 8 * British and German fleets battle at Falkland Island. [1] * Irving Berlin's musical "Watch your Step" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 10 * French government returns to Paris. [1] December 11 * Stockton Street Tunnel (San Francisco) completed. [1] December 12

152

* Watkins Lewis black man lynched in Shreveport Louisiana. [1] * The New York Stock Exchange re-opens (was closed four months). The Dow Jones Industrial Average drops from 71.42 to 54, a drop of 24 percent. [227] December 14 * Giovanni Sgambati composer, dies at age 73. [1] December 15 * American Radio Relay League (organization for hams) founded by Hiram Percy Maxim. [1] * Battle of Lódz ends; Russians retreat toward Moscow. [1] * British fleet forfeits chance to destroy German fleet in North Sea. [1] * Swedish troops over run Belgrade in Austria-Hungary. [1] December 16 * French offensive in Artois (Pétain). [1] * Ivan Zajc composer, dies at age 82. [1] December 17 * Austrian troops beat Russians in Limanova Poland. [1] * Great Britain declares Egypt a protectorate. [1] * Jews are expelled from Tel Aviv by Turkish authorities. [1] December 19 * Johann F Ritter von Schulte German catholic lawyer, dies at age 87. [1] December 21 * First feature-length silent film comedy, "Tillie's Punctured Romance" released (starring Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand and Charles Chaplin). [1] December 24 * German plane drops bombs on Dover England. [1] December 25 * Legendary/unofficial "Christmas Truce" takes place (British and Germans). [1]

153

1915 January 1 * DW Griffith shows "Clansman" at a sneak preview. [1] * Jews of Laibach Austria expelled. [1] January 2 * Karl Goldmark Austria-Hungarian composer (Queen of Saba), dies at age 84. [1] January 3 * James E Flecker British diplomat/novelist (Hassan), dies at age 30. [1] January 4 * First elected Jewish Governor, Moses Alexander, takes office in Idaho. [1] * Trans-Caucausus Russian defeat Turkish troops. [1] January 9 * Exposition (now Civic) Auditorium dedicated, San Francisco. [1] January 12 * House of Representatives rejects proposal to give women the right to vote. [1] January 13 * Earthquake in Avezzano Italy kills 30,000. [1] * W Churchill presents plan for assault on Dardanelles. [1] January 15 * Guillaume Couture composer, dies at age 63. [1] * Japan claims economic control of China. [1] * Sydney, Kern and Smith's musical "Love o' Mike" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 16 * US Congress authorizes $1 and $50 Panamá-Pacific International Expo gold coin. [1] January 17

154

* Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's Hospital in Amsterdam opens. [1] * Russia occupies Bukovina and Western Ukraine. [1] January 18 * Train crashes at Colima-Guadalajara Mexico, about 600 die. [1] January 19 * First German Zeppelin L3s make bombing attack over Great Britain, four die in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. [1] [152.34] * Neon Tube sign patented by George Claude. [1] January 21 * Kiwanis International founded in Detroit. [1] January 24 * German-British sea battle at Doggersbank and Helgoland. [1] January 25 * Giordano, Sardou and Moreau's opera "Madame Sans Gêne" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Transcontinental telephone service inaugurated (New York to San Francisco). [1] January 26 * Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado established. [1] January 27 * US Marines occupy Haiti. [1] January 28 * First US ship lost in WWI, William P Frye (carrying wheat to United Kingdom). [1] * US Coast Guard created from Life Saving and Revenue Cutter services. [1] * US President Wilson refuses to prohibit immigration of illiterates. [1] January 30 * German submarine attack on Le Havre. [1] January 31

155

* First (German) poison gas attack, against Russians. [1] February 3 * Turkish and German army reach Suez Canal. [1] February 4 * Experiments to find cause of pellagra begin at Mississippi Penitentiary. [1] February 7 * First wireless message sent from a moving train to a station received. [1] * Second Battle of Masurian Lakes German armies surrounded a Russian army. [1] * Wladyslaw Gorski composer, dies at age 68. [1] February 10 * Albert J-BJ Thijs Belgian Colonial pioneer (Congo), dies at age 65. [1] February 12 * Charles Emile Waldteufel composer, dies at age 77. [1] * Cornerstone laid for Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. [1] February 16 * Emil Waldteufel [Charles Levy], French composer (Estudiantina), dies. [1] February 17 * Edward Stone, first US combatant to die in WWI, is mortally wounded. [1] February 18 * Germany begins a blockade of England. [1] February 19 * British fleet fire on Dardanellen coast. [1] * Gopal Krishna Gokhale India's social reformer/politician, dies. [1] February 20 * Panamá-Pacific International Exposition opens in San Francisco. [1]

156

February 21 * 20th Russian Army corps surrenders. [1] February 22 * Germany begins "unrestricted" submarine war. [1] February 23 * Germany sinks US ships Carib and Evelyn and torpedoes Norwegian ship Regin. [1] * Nevada enforces convenient divorce law. [1] * Robert Smalls Reconstruction congressman, dies at age 75 in South Carolina. [1] February 25 * George Mimot physician (Nobel Prize-1934), dies. [1] February 26 * Malancourt, Argonnen - first (German) flame-thrower. [1] March 2 * British Vice Admiral Carden begins bombing of Dardanelles forts. [1] * Vladmir Jabotinsky forms a Jewish military force to fight in Palestine. [1] March 3 * National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NASA forerunner) created. [1] March 6 * Greek King Constantine I fires premier Venizelos. [1] March 8 * First US navy minelayer, Baltimore, commissioned. [1] March 10 * British expedition Army in Belgium captures Neuve Chapelle. [1] March 13

157

* Sergei J Witte Dutch count/premier of Russia, dies at age 65. [1] March 14 * German cruiser Dresden blows itself up near coast of Chile. [1] March 15 * Netherlands merchant ship Tubantia torpedoed and sinks in North Sea. [1] March 16 * British battle cruisers Inflexible and Irresistible hit mines in Dardanelle. [1] * Federal Trade Commission organizes. [1] March 17 * Walter Crane English painter/cartoonist/illustrator, dies at age 69. [1] March 18 * Failed British attack in Dardanelles. [1] * French battleship Bouvet explodes, 640 killed. [1] * Turkey's Canakkale (Trojan) Sea Victory against allied powers (USA, Australia, England, Italy) during First World War. [1] March 19 * Pluto photographed for first time (although unknown at the time). [1] March 22 * Birth of Forest Sagendorf cartoonist. [1] March 23 * Zion Mule Corp forms. [1] March 25 * First submarine disaster; a US F-4 sank off Hawaii, killing 21. [1] * German U boat torpedoes Netherlands merchant ship Medea. [1] April 1 * Johann Joseph Abert composer, dies at age 82. [1]

158

April 5 * French begin Woëvre-offensive. [1] * First British newspaper comic strip: "Adventures of Teddy Tail - Diary of the Mouse in Your House", by Charles Folkard in Daily Mail. The strip runs for over 40 years. [55.42] April 14 * Oakland Athletics Herb Pennock is within one out of pitching first Opening Day nohitter. [1] * Dutch merchant navy ship Katwijk sunk by Germany torpedo. [1] * James Hutton Brew "Pioneer of West African Journalism", dies. [1] April 15 * Manuel de Falla's ballet "El Amor Brujo", premieres in Madrid. [1] April 17 * Johannes P Kelly [Kellij] Dutch actor/operetta writer, dies at age 60. [1] April 22 * First military use of poison gas (chlorine, by Germany) in WWI. [1] * Second Battle of Ypres begins. [1] April 23 * ACA becomes National Advisory Council on Aeronautics (NACA). [1] * Rupert Chawner Brooke English poet (Lithuania), dies at age 27. [1] April 24 * German army fires chloroform gas in Ieper. [1] * Massacre of Armenians by Turks (Armenian Martyrs Day). [1] April 25 * 78,000 ANZAC troops land at Gallipoli. [1] * Nicola d' Arienzo composer, dies at age 72. [1] April 26 * Italy secretly signes Pact of London with Britain, France and Russia. [1]

159

April 27 * Alexander N Skriabin Russian pianist/composer (Prometheus), dies at age 43. [1] May 1 * British Lusitania leaves New York, for Liverpool. [1] * German submarine sinks US ship Gulflight. [1] May 2 * Old Fordham Road in the Bronx renamed Landing Road. [1] May 4 * Italy drops Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungaryb and Germany. [1] May 5 * German U-20 sinks Earl of Lathom. [1] May 6 * Allies attack Cape Helles, Hellespont. [1] * German U-20 sinks Centurion SE of Ireland. [1] May 7 * Cunard Line's RMS Lusitania passenger liner is sunk by German submarine in the Atlantic; 1198 lives lost. One crewmember survives, who also survived the Empress of Ireland and Titanic. [1] [118.9] [260.96] * Alfred G Vanderbilt US millionaire, dies aboard Lusitania. [1] * Alfred Scott Witherbee Jr US Lusitania officer, dies. [1] * Charles Frohman dies aboard Lusitania. [1] May 8 * Henry McNeal Turner 1 US black army chaplain, dies at age 82. [1] May 9 * German and French fight the Battle of Artois. [1] May 10

160

* Albert Weisgerber German painter/graphic artist, dies in battle. [1] * Zeppelin drops hundred of bombs on Southend-on-Sea. [1] May 12 * Croatians plunder Armenia, killing 250. [1] * Franklin K Mathiews, presents the idea of "Book Week". [1] May 17 * Chicago Cubs George "Zip" Zabel relieves with two outs in first and winds up with 4-3 19-inning win over Brooklyn in longest relief job ever. [1] * Last liberal British Government of Asquith falls. [1] * National Baptist Convention chartered. [1] May 20 * Bataafsche Petroleum begins oil extraction of Maracaibo. [1] May 22 * Local train collides with troop train killing 226 (Gretna Scotland). [1] May 23 * Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany during WWI. [1] May 24 * Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary. [1] * Thomas Edison invents telescribe to record telephone conversations. [1] May 25 * Second Battle of Ypres ends with 105,000 casualties. [1] May 26 * H H Asquith forms a coalition government in England. [1] May 28 * John B Gruelle patents Raggedy Ann doll. [1] May 31

161

* An LZ-38 Zeppelin makes an air raid on London. [1] June 1 * First Zeppelin air raid over England. [1] June 8 * William Jennings Bryan quits as Secretary of State. [1] June 15 * US government mints first $50 gold pieces, for Panama Pacific Expo. [1] June 24 * 800 die as excursion steamer Eastland capsizes in Chicago. [1] June 27 * 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), Fort Yukon, Alaska (state record). [1] July 1 * Australia begins Commonwealth Lighthouse Service. [1] * Australian Survey Corps becomes part of the Military Forces. [1] July 9 * Germany surrenders South West Africa to Union of South Africa. [1] July 24 * Excursion ship Eastland capsizes in Lake Michigan, 852 die. [1] July 28 * 10,000 blacks march on 5th Ave (New York City) protesting lynchings. [1] * US forces invade Haiti, stays until 1924. [1] July 29 * US marines land in Haiti, stay until 1924. [1] August 12

162

* "Of Human Bondage," by William Somerset Maugham, published. [1] August 17 * Mob lynches Jewish businessman Leo Frank in Cobb County, Georgia after death sentence for murder of 13-year-old girl commuted to life. [1] * Hurricane kills 275 in Galveston, Texas with $50 million damage. [1] [245.4] August 20 * Paul Ehrlich scientist, dies in Hamburg at age 61. [1] September 11 * The Pennsylvania Railroad began electrified commuter rail service between Paoli and Philadelphia. [5] September 16 * US takes control of customs and finances of Haiti for 10 years. [1] September 21 * Anthony Comstock anti-vice crusader, dies at age 71 in New York City. [1] * Stones at Stonehenge, England, sold at auction for £6,600. [1] September 22 * Southern Methodist University (Dallas Texas) holds its first class. [1] September 29 * A hurricane claims 275 in the Mississippi Delta. [1] * Philadelphia Phillies clinch their first pennant. [1] October 12 * English nurse Edith Cavell executed by Germans in Belgium (WW II). [1] * Theodore Roosevelt criticizes US citzens with dual nationalities. [1] October 21 * First transatlantic radiotelephone message, Arlington, Va to Paris. [1] October 23

163

* 25,000 women march in New York City, demanding right to vote. [1] October 25 * Atty James L Curtis named minister of Liberia. [1] November 2 * First US election by proportional representation, Ashtabula, Ohio. [1] November 9 * Italian liner Ancona sinks by German torpedoes, killing 272. [1] November 12 * Britain annexes Gilbert and Ellice Islands. [1] November 14 * Booker T Washington, educator/organizer, dies at age 59 in Tuskegee, Alabama. [1] [5] November 19 * Joe Hill Labor leader, executed for murder. [1] December 2 * Jan Malat composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 4 * F F Fletcher is first admiral to receive Congressional Medal of Honor. [1] * Gustav Hollaender composer, dies at age 60. [1] * Ku Klux Klan receives charter from Fulton County Georgia. [1] * Panamá-Pacific International Exposition closes in San Francisco California (Opened February 20 1915). [1] December 8 * Jean Sibelius' 5th Symphony in E, premieres. [1] December 10 * 10,000,000th model T Ford assembled. [1]

164

* President Woodrow Wilson marries Edith Galt. [1] December 12 * First all-metal aircraft (Junkers J.1) test flown at Dessau Germany. [1] * Aristide Briand forms French war government. [1] * Russian troops overrun Hamadan, Persia. [1] December 16 * Albert Einstein publishes his "General Theory of Relativity". [1] December 18 * President Wilson, widowed the year before, marries Edith Bolling Galt. [1] * Èdouard Vaillant French socialist politician/communard, dies at age 75. [1] December 19 * Alois Alzheimer German neurologist (first described Alzheimer's Disease), dies at age 51. [1] December 20 * Russian troops overrun Qom, Persia. [1] December 21 * 25.83 cm (10.17") of rainfall, Glenora Oregon (state record). [1] December 23 * J Kern/S Greene's musical "Very Good Eddie" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Roland Leighton dies at age 20. [1] December 28 * Gerrit Jan van Heek Dutch textile manufacturer/politician, dies at age 78. [1] * San Francisco City Hall dedicated by Mayor James Rolph. [1] December 29 * Charles Beach Hawley composer, dies at age 57. [1] December 30

165

* Cromarty Harbour, Scottish-British cruiser Natal explodes: 405 die. [1]

166

1916 January 1 * First issue of "Journal of Negro History" published. [1] January 5 * Austria-Hungary offensive against Montenegro. [1] January 7 * German troops conquer Fort Vaux at Verdun. [1] January 10 * Russian offensive in Kaukasus. [1] January 11 * French troops capture/Serbian army flees to Corfu. [1] January 12 * Britain proclaims Gilbert and Ellice Island colony in the Pacific. [1] January 14 * Dutch South Sea dike cracks. [1] * Otto Ammon German anthropologist/sociologist, dies at age 73. [1] January 16 * Arnold Aletrino Dutch physician-criminologist (From Death), dies at age 57. [1] January 22 * Iwan Knorr composer, dies at age 63. [1] January 23 * Temp falls from 44 degrees F (7 degrees C) to -56 degrees F (49 degrees C) night of 23-24, Browning MT. [1] January 25

167

* Montenegro surrenders to Austria-Hungary. [1] January 27 * Communist party "Spartacus Letters" first published in Berlin. [1] January 28 * First Jewish Supreme Court justice, Louis Brandeis, nominated. [1] * German colony of Cameroon surrenders to Britain and France. [1] * The opera "Goyescas" is first performed (New York City New York). [1] January 29 * First bombings of Paris by German Zeppelins takes place. [1] * Edward Hubertus Joannes Keurvils composer, dies at age 62. [1] January 31 * Dutch Girl Guides form. [1] February 1 * Anton Simon composer, dies at age 65. [1] February 3 * Canada's original Parliament building, in Ottawa, burns down. [1] * Tristan Tzar publishes Dada-manifest in Zurich Switzerland. [1] February 5 * Enrico Caruso recorded "O Sole Mio" for the Victor Talking Machine Company. [1] February 6 * Anne C A I van Diest Belgian physician/feminist, dies at age 73. [1] February 8 * French cruiser "Admiral Charner" torpedoed off Syrian coast, kills 374. [1] February 9 * Britain's military service act enforced (conscription). [1] * Hynek Ignac Frantisek Vojacek composer, dies at age 90. [1]

168

February 10 * Conscription begins in Britain. [1] February 11 * Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents its first concert. [1] * Emma Goldman arrested for lecturing on birth control. [1] February 12 * First edition of Joseph Patterson/Sidney Smith strip "Gumps". [1] * J W Richard Dedekind German mathematician, dies. [1] February 14 * Petko J Todorov Bulgaria writer (Zmejova), dies at age 36. [1] February 15 * Nikolay Nikolayevich Lodizhensky composer, dies at age 73. [1] February 16 * Jeltje de Bosch Kemper Dutch feminist, dies at age 79. [1] * Russian troops conquer Erzurum Armenia. [1] * [Gerard] Jan Ligthart Dutch educator (Ot and Sien), dies at age 57. [1] February 17 * Romberg/Hanley/Atteridge/Smith' musical premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 19 * Ernst Mach Austrian physicist/philosopher/psychologist, dies at age 78. [1] February 20 * Klas Pontus Arnoldson Swedish politician (Nobel Prize 1908), dies at age 71. [1] February 21 * Battle of Verdun (WWI) begins (one million casualties). [1]

169

February 23 * US Congress authorizes McKinley Memorial $1 gold coin. [1] * French artillery kills entire French 72nd division at Samogneux Verdun. [1] * George Clement Martin composer, dies at age 71. [1] February 25 * German troops conquer Fort Douaumont near Verdun. [1] February 26 * Germans sink French transport ship Provence II, killing 930. [1] * Mutual signs Charlie Chaplin to a film contract. [1] * Russian troops conquer Kermansjah Persia. [1] February 28 * Henry James US/British writer (Bostonians), dies in London at age 72. [1] February 29 * Edward H J Keurvels Flemish conductor/composer (Parisina), dies at age 62. [1] March 1 * Germany begins attacking ships in the Atlantic. [1] March 2 * Elisabeth OL [Carmen Sylva], Queen of Romania, dies at age 72. [1] March 4 * Franz Marc German painter/co-founder (Blaue Reiter), killed at age 36. [1] March 8 * US invades Cuba for third time, this to end corrupt Menocal regime. [1] March 9 * General Francisco "Pancho" Villa leads Mexican band raid on Columbus, New Mexico (17 killed). [1] * Germany declares war against Portugal. [1]

170

March 12 * French airship sinks British submarine D3. [1] * M v Ebner-Eschenbach writer, dies at age 39. [1] March 14 * Battle of Verdun: German attack on Mort-Homme ridge, West of Verdun. [1] March 15 * General Pershing, 15,000 troops chasing Villa into Mexico, stays 10-months. [1] * University of Gent goes under Dutch control. [1] March 16 * James Barries' "Kiss for Cinderella" premieres in London. [1] * US and Canada sign Migratory bird treaty. [1] March 20 * Allies attack Zeebrugge Belgium. [1] March 21 * JP Van Limburg Stirum succeeds AWF Idenburg as Governor-General of Netherland Indies. [1] * Victor de Stuers Dutch art expert, dies at age 72. [1] March 24 * Enrique y Campina Granados Sp opera composer (Goyescas), drowns at age 48. [1] March 26 * Birdman of Alcatraz receives solitary. [1] March 31 * Dutch government ends all military engagements. [1] April 1 * Gabrielle Petit Belgian resistance fighter, executed. [1] April 2

171

* German troops overtake Bois de Caillette. [1] April 4 * US Senate agrees (82-6) to participate in WWI. [1] April 5 * Birth of Bernard Baily comic artist. [1] * French troops occupy Bois de Caillette. [1] April 6 * German parliament OKs unrestricted submarine warfare. [1] April 8 * Norway approves active and passive female suffrage. [1] April 9 * Vicente Goicoechea Errasti composer, dies at age 62. [1] April 11 * Richard Harding Davis journalist, dies at age 52. [1] April 15 * Alfred Cogniaux Belgian botanist, dies at age 75. [1] April 19 * "Bing Boys are Here" opens in London. [1] * Italians troops conquer Colonel di Lana at Merano. [1] April 20 * German-British sea battle off Belgian coast. [1] April 22 * France battles at Fort Douaumont. [1] April 23

172

* Lord Dunsany's "Night at an Inn", premieres in New York City. [1] April 24 * Easter rebellion of Irish against British occupation begins. [1] April 29 * Irish nationalists set post office on fire in Dublin. [1] May 2 * Second Ave and Bronx Terrace renamed Bronx Boulevard; Seward Place renamed Sycamore Ave; Herald Ave renamed Dickinson Ave; Monroe and Selwyn Avenue named. [1] * US President Wilson signs Harrison Drug Act. [1] May 3 * Pádraic Pearse Irish nationalist, executed by British firing squad. [1] May 4 * At request of US, Germany curtails its submarine warfare. [1] May 5 * US marines invade Dominican Republic, stay until 1924. [1] May 6 * Belgian troop march into Kigali, German East-Africa. [1] * Dirk Bos Dutch Member of Parliament (Liberal), dies at age 53. [1] * Earl Ross Drake composer, dies at age 50. [1] May 8 * German munitions bunker in Fort Douaumont explodes. [1] May 9 * British-France Sykes-Picot meet over division of Turkey. [1] May 10

173

* Disastrous fire in Ellendale ND. [1] * Historic Shipport Museum opens in Amsterdam. [1] May 11 * Einstein's Theory of General Relativity presented. [1] * Karl Schwarzschild German astronomer (s-effect), dies. [1] * Max [Johann] Reger German composer/pianist/organist, dies at age 43. [1] May 13 * First observance of Indian (Native American) Day. [1] * Sholem Aleichem yiddish writer (Fiddler on the Roof), dies. [1] May 15 * Asiago Italy falls when Austrian troops attack the Italian front. [1] May 17 * British Summer Time (Daylight Savings), first introduced. [1] * Gervais Bernard Gaston Salvayre composer, dies at age 68. [1] May 18 * US pilot Kiffin Rockwell shoots down German aircraft. [1] May 19 * Escadrille Américaine (Lafayette) transfered to Verdun. [1] May 20 * Codell Kansas hit by tornado (also on same date in 1917 and 1918). [1] * The Saturday Evening Post publishes its first cover with a Norman Rockwell painting. [1] [5] May 21 * Britain begins "Summer Time" (Daylight Savings Time). [1] May 22 * French troops occupy parts of Fort Douaumont Verdun. [1] May 23

174

* Heavy battles at Fort Douaumont Verdun. [1] May 24 * Conscription begins in Britain. [1] * French driven out of Fort Douaumont after 500 killed or injured. [1] * Last British-Indian contract workers arrive in Suriname. [1] * US pilot William Thaw shoots down a German Fokker. [1] May 27 * Groundbreaking begins on Hugh Grant Circle in the Bronx. [1] * Joseph S Galliéni General/Military Governor of Paris, dies. [1] May 29 * Official flag of President of US adopted. [1] * US forces invade Dominican Republic, stay until 1924. [1] May 31 * (to June 1) Battle of Jutland: British-German sea battle off Denmark (10,000 dead). British battle cruiser Invincible explodes, killing all aboard but six. [1] [118.9] * Horace Hood British spy (Battle of Jutland), dies in battle. [1] June 3 * ROTC established by Act of US Congress. [1] June 5 * Horatio H Kitchener British General (Sudan), dies at age 65. [1] June 10 * Great Arab Revolt begin. [1] June 16 * Boston Brave's Tom Hughes second no-hitter beats Pitts, 2-0. [1] June 29 * Boeing aircraft flies for first time. [1]

175

July 1 * Eisenhower marries Mary 'Mamie' Geneva Doud in Denver Colo. [1] July 3 * First of three fatal shark attacks occurred near New Jersey shore (4 die). [1] July 9 * First cargo submarine to cross the Atlantic arrives in US from Germany. [1] July 11 * First federal grant-in-aid for state roads enacted. [1] July 15 * 22.22" of rain falls in Altapass North Carolina. [1] July 22 * A bomb goes off during a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco killing 10. [1] July 25 * Explosion at Lake Erie and Cleveland Waterworks. [1] July 30 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #951 Gaspra. [1] * German saboteurs blow up a munitions plant on Black Tom Island, New Jersey. [1] August 1 * Hawaii National Park established. [1] August 4 * US agrees to buy Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million. [1] August 25 * National Park Service established in the Dept of the Interior. [1] August 26

176

* Philadelphia Athletics Bullet Joe Bush no-hits Cleve, 5-0. [1] August 28 * Italy declares war against Germany during WW I. [1] August 29 * Steamer 'Hsin Iu' sinks off China coast, 1,000 drown. [1] August 30 * Boston's Dutch Leonard no-hits Saint Louis Browns, 4-0. [1] * Paul Von Hindenburg becomes chief-of-General-Staff in Germany. [1] September 1 * Keating-Owen Act (child labor banned from interstate commerce). [1] September 3 * Allies turned back Germans in WW I's Battle of Verdun. [1] September 14 * Christy Mathewson pitches and wins his final game. [1] September 15 * First tank used in war, "Little Willies" at Battle of Flors, France. [1] October 4 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average expands from 12 to 20 stocks. The index removes National Lead, Peoples Gas, General Motors and U.S. Steel pfd., and adds American Beet Sugar, American Can, American Locomotive, American Smelting, American Telephone & Telegraph, Baldwin Locomotive, Goodrich, Republic Iron & Steel, Studebaker, Texas Company, Utah Copper, Westinghouse, and Western Union. [228] * Market Street's "Path of Gold" lit for first time. [1] October 16 * Margaret Sanger opens first birth control clinic (46 Amboy Street, Brooklyn). [1] October 26

177

* Margaret Sanger arrested for obscenity (advocating birth control). [1] October 27 * First published reference to "jazz" appears (Variety). [1] November 3 * Treaty establishes British suzerainty over Qatar. [1] November 7 * Jeannette Rankin (Montana-Republican-Representative) first woman Representative. [1] * Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) re-elected President. [1] November 21 * Britannic passenger liner strikes a mine and sinks off the coast of Greece; 30 dead. [117.44] * Franz Josef of Austria, dies. [1] November 29 * US declares martial law in Dominican Republic. [1] December 1 * Charles E Vicomte de Foucauld French explorer, dies at age 58. [1] December 2 * Francesco Paolo Tosti composer, dies at age 69. [1] December 5 * Hans Richter composer, dies at age 73. [1] December 6 * German army under General Mackensen occupies Bucharest. [1] December 7 * British government of David Lloyd George forms. [1]

178

* David Lloyd George replaces resigning H H Asquith as British Prime Minister. [1] December 9 * P Paul Leroy-Beaulieu French economist (Economist France), dies at age 73. [1] December 11 * David Lloyd George forms British war government. [1] December 13 * Avalanche kills 10,000 Austrian and Italian troops in 24 hours in Tyrol. [1] * Esme Stuart Lennox Robinsons premieres in Dublin. [1] * French chief of staff Joffre replaced by Nivelle. [1] December 15 * French defeat Germans in WWI Battle of Verdun. [1] December 16 * Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin a powerful Russian monk is murdered at age 45. [1] December 19 * Suriname Bauxite Company forms in Paramaribo. [1] December 20 * Manuel Giro composer, dies at age 68. [1] * William Wallace Gilchrist composer, dies at age 70. [1] December 26 * Bernhard Scholz composer, dies at age 81. [1] * Joseph Joffre becomes marshal of France. [1] December 27 * Nikolay Feopemptovich Solov'yov composer, dies at age 70. [1] December 28 * Eduard Strauss Austrian composer (318 dances), dies at age 81. [1]

179

December 31 * Ernst Rudorff composer, dies at age 76. [1]

180

1917 January 2 * Edward B Tylor English anthropologist, dies at age 84. [1] * Royal Bank of Canada takes over Québec Bank. [1] January 6 * Hendrik P G Quack lawyer/economist (Bank of Netherlands), dies at age 82. [1] January 8 * Austria-Hungarian troops conquer Forlani Italy. [1] January 10 * Buffalo Bill Cody army scout and Indian fighter, dies. [1] January 11 * Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse's "Have a Heart" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 16 * The German minister, Arthur Zimmermann, sends a telegram through the German ambassador in Washington to the German ambassador in Mexico offering Mexico an alliance against the United States. He proposes that Mexico will be assisted in retaking Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The telegram is intercepted and decoded by British intelligence and given to President Woodrow Wilson. The telegram becomes instrumental in forming American public opinion against Germany and for entering the war as Wilson gives it to the press in March. [37] January 17 * Hendrik Goeman Borgesius Dutch politician, dies at age 70. [1] * US pays Denmark $25 million for the Virgin Islands. [1] January 19 * Silvertown Essex's ammunition factory explodes; 300 die. [1] January 29 * English submarine K13 leaves Gaire Loch. [1]

181

* Evelyn Baring Earl Cromer English consul-General in Egypt, dies at age 75. [1] January 30 * First jazz record recorded (Dark Town Strutters Ball). [1] January 31 * Germany notifies US that U-boats will attack neutral merchant ship. [1] February 1 * Admiral Tirpitz announces unlimited submarine war. [1] February 3 * US liner Housatonic sunk by German submarine and diplomatic relations severed. [1] February 4 * Belgium Council of Flanders established. [1] February 5 * US Congress overrides Wilson's veto, curtailing Asian immigration. [1] * Morosco Theater opens at 217 W 45th Steet New York City (demolished 1982). [1] * Paul Rubens composer, dies at age 41. [1] * Present Mexican constitution adopted. [1] February 6 * Edouard A Drumont French anti-semite journalist, dies at age 72. [1] February 10 * Emile Pessard composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Johanna Westerdijk installed as Netherlands first female professor. [1] February 13 * Joel Angel Russian musicologist/composer, dies at age 48. [1] February 15 * Charles A van Ophuysen Dutch orientalist, dies at age 60. [1]

182

* San Francisco Public Library (Main Branch at Civic center) dedicated. [1] February 16 * First synagogue in 425 years opens in Madrid. [1] February 17 * Edmund Bishop English Secretary of Thomas Carlyle, dies at age 70. [1] February 18 * Charles E Barber US chief engraver (1879-1917), dies. [1] February 20 * Ammunitions ship explodes in Archangelsk harbor, about 1,500 die. [1] * Kern, Bolton and Wodehouse's musical "Oh, Boy!" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 21 * British Mendi sinks off Isle of Wight, 627 die. [1] * Train near Chirurcha Romania catches fire and explodes; 100s die. [1] February 22 * German Navy torpedoes 7 Dutch ships. [1] February 23 * February revolution begins in Russia. [1] February 24 * German plan to get Mexican help in WWI exposed (Zimmerman telegram). [1] * Russian revolution breaks out. [1] February 26 * First Annual fair at Utrecht Harbor (Netherlands). [1] February 28 * AP reports México and Japan will ally with Germany if US enters WWI. [1] * Russian Duma sets up Provisional Committee; workers set up Soviets. [1]

183

March 1 * First federal land bank chartered. [1] March 2 * Jones Act: Puerto Rico territory created, US citizenship granted. [1] March 3 * US Congress passes first excess profits tax on corporations. [1] * Great monarch Michael resigns after one day as czar. [1] * Nicholas II, last Russian tsar, abdicates. [1] March 4 * Jeannette Rankin (Representative-Republican-MT) becomes first female member of US Congress. [1] March 5 * First jazz recording for Victor Records released. [1] March 6 * Jules HPFX Vandenpeereboom premier of Belgium (1899), dies at age 73. [1] March 7 * First jazz record "Dixie Jazz Band One Step", recorded by Nick LaRocca Original Dixieland Jazz Band, released by RCA Victor in Camden New Jersey. [1] March 8 * Ferdinand von Zeppelin Dutch count/air pioneer, dies at age 78. [1] * Russian revolution breaks out (in Petrograd/St Petersburg). [1] * US invades Cuba for third time. [1] March 11 * British troops occupy Baghdad. [1] March 12 * Russian Dumas sets up Provisional Committee; workers set up Soviets. [1]

184

* Stalin, Kamenev and Muranov arrive in Saint Petersburg. [1] March 15 * Nicholas II, last Russian tsar, says he will abdicate. [1] March 17 * Tsar Nicolas II of Russia abdicates the throne. [1] March 19 * US Supreme Court upheld 8-hour work day for railroad employees (Adamson Act). [1] March 21 * First female US Navy Petty Officer is Loretta Walsh. [1] March 23 * Four-day series of tornadoes kills 211 in Midwest US. [1] March 28 * Jews are expelled from Tel Aviv and Jaffa by Turkish authorities. [1] * Puccini's "La Rondine" premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] March 29 * Fran Gerbic composer, dies at age 76. [1] March 31 * US purchases Danish West Indies for $25M and renames them Virgin Islands. [1] April 1 * Scott Joplin ragtime composer (Sting), dies at age 48. [1] April 2 * Jeannette Rankin becomes first woman member of US House of Representatives. [1] * President Woodrow Wilson asksUS Congress to declare war against Germany. [1] April 3

185

* Lenin leaves Switzerland for Petrograd. [1] April 6 * US declares war on Germany, enters World War I. [1] April 7 * De Falla's ballet "El Sombrero de tres Picos", premieres in Madrid. [1] * James Barries' "Old Lady Shows Her", premieres in London. [1] * Spyridon Filiskos Samaras composer, dies at age 53. [1] April 9 * Battle of Arras begins. [1] * Edward Thomas poet, killed in WWI. [1] * Vimy Ridge France stormed by Canadian troops. [1] April 10 * Munition factory explosion at Eddystone Pennsylvania, kills 133 workers. [1] April 12 * Bijou Theater opens at 222 W 45th Steet New York City, New York (Demolished in 1982). [1] * Domenico Scarlatti and Jean Cocteau's ballet premieres in Rome. [1] April 14 * Lew [Lejzer L] Zamenhof Polish doc/linguist (Esperanto), dies at age 57. [1] April 16 * Lenin returns to Russia to start Bolshevik Revolution. [1] April 18 * Moritz F Freiherr von Bissing Governor-General of Belgium (1914-17), dies at age 73. [1] April 20 * Pravda (Lenin names Russia "Free land of world"). [1]

186

April 24 * Oskar Blumenthal writer, dies. [1] May 1 * José E Rodo Uruguayan writer (Motivos de proteo), dies. [1] May 3 * First performance of Ernest Bloch's symphony "Israel". [1] May 4 * Arabs sack Tel Aviv. [1] May 10 * Atlantic ships get destroyer escorts to stop German attacks. [1] May 11 * Britain grants Royal Letters Patent to New Zealand. [1] * Otto Adolf Klauwell composer, dies at age 66. [1] May 13 * First appearance of Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. [1] * Ernest Bloch's "Schelomo" premieres. [1] May 18 * Satie/Massine/Picasso's ballet "Parade" premieres in Paris France. [1] * US passes Selective Service act. [1] May 20 * Turkish Government authorizes Jews to return to Tel Aviv and Jaffa. [1] May 21 * Leo Pinckney, first American drafted during WWI. [1] May 23 * Dutch second Chamber okays 1908 conscription draft. [1]

187

May 25 * Leon Felix Augustin Joseph Vasseur composer, dies at age 72. [1] May 27 * Race riot in East Saint Louis Illinois, one black killed. [1] May 31 * First jazz record released (Dark Town Strutters Ball). [1] June 5 * Ten million US men begin registering for draft in WW I. [1] June 8 * Walt Disney graduates from Benton High School. [1] June 12 * Secret Service extends protection of president to his family. [1] June 14 * General Pershing and his headquarters staff arrived in Paris during WW I. [1] June 16 * First Congress of Soviets convene in Russia. [1] June 19 * After WW I King George V ordered members of British royal family to. [1] June 21 * Hawaiian Red Cross founded. [1] June 26 * First American Expeditionary Force arrive in France during WW I. [1] July 1

188

* Race riots in East Saint Louis Illinois (40 to 200 reported killed). [1] July 9 * British warship "Vanguard" explodes at Scapa Flow killing 800. [1] July 10 * Emma Goldman imprisoned for obstructing the draft. [1] July 13 * Vision of Virgin Mary appeared to children of Fátima, Portugal. [1] July 17 * British Royal family changes its name from Hanover to Windsor. [1] July 20 * WW I draft lottery held; #258 is first drawn. [1] July 22 * Alexander Kerensky becomes Russian Prime Minister. [1] * M Wolf discovers asteroids #879 Ricarda, #880 Herba and #881 Athene. [1] August 1 * Frank Little, IWW organizer, lynched in Butte, MT. [1] August 7 * Squadron Commander E.H. Dunning dies. He was the first pilot to land his aircraft on a moving ship. [5] August 14 * China declares war on Germany and Austria at start of WW I. [1] August 23 * Race riot in Houston Texas (two blacks and 11 whites killed). [1] August 28

189

* Ten suffragists arrested as they picket the White House. [1] September 3 * Grover Cleveland Alexander pitches complete wins in a doubleheader. [1] September 14 * Provisional government of Russia established, Republic proclaimed. [1] September 15 * Russia proclaimed a republic by Alexander Kerensky. [1] October 15 * Mata Hari Dutch dancer/German spy executed by firing squad in Paris. [1] October 19 * Love Field opens in Dallas, Texas. [5] October 21 * First Americans to see action on the front lines of WW I. [1] October 26 * Birth of Felix the Cat cartoon character. [1] November 2 * First US soldiers killed in combat in WW I. [1] * Balfour Declaration proclaims support for a Jewish state in Palestine. [1] * Lansing-Ishii Agreement; US recognizes Japan's privileges in China. [1] November 3 * First class mail now costs $0.03. [1] November 5 * General Pershing and US troops see action on Western Front for first time. [1] * US Supreme Court decision (Buchanan v Warley) strikes down Lousiville Kentucky ordinance requiring blacks and whites to live in separate areas. [1]

190

November 6 * Bolshevik revolution begins with the capture of the Winter Palace. [1] November 7 * British capture Gaza Palestine from the Turks. [1] * October Revolution (October 26 Old Style) in Russia, Lenin seizes power. [1] November 8 * The second All-Russian Congress of Soviets approves the Council of People's Commissars, establishing the first Communist Government. [55.43] November 10 * 41 suffragists are arrested in front of the White House. [1] November 17 * Auguste Rodin sculptor, dies in Meudon, France. [1] November 20 * Ukrainian Republic declared. [1] December 1 * Boys Town founded by Father Edward Flanagan, west of Omaha Nebraska. [1] December 2 * Han Yong-woon, found Zen awakening at Osean Monastery Korea. [1] December 6 * Finland declares independence from Russia (National Day). [1] * French munitions ship Mont Blanc explodes in Halifax, kills 1,639+ and injures 9,000+. Most powerful man-made explosion to date. [1] [71.27] December 7 * Leon Minkus composer, dies at age 91. [1] * US becomes 13th country to declare war on Austria during World War I. [1]

191

December 9 * British forces under General Allenby capture Jerusalem. [1] December 11 * Thirteen black soldiers hanged for alleged participation in Houston riot. [1] * German-occupied Lithuania proclaims independence from Russia. [1] December 12 * Reverend Edward Flanagan founds Boys Town outside Omaha Nebraska. [1] * Worst train disaster (derailment near mouth of Mount Cenis tunnel) ever (Modane France-543 French troops killed). [1] December 14 * UFA, "Universal Film AG", forms in Germany. [1] December 15 * Moldavian Republic declares independence from Russia. [1] December 18 * Soviet regiment (Stalin/Lenin) declares Finland Independent. [1] December 20 * Russian secret police in Czechoslovakia forms under Felix Dzerzjinski. [1] December 22 * Flanders declares its independence, under Pieter Tack. [1] * Francesca Saveria Cabrini US saint/patron of immigrant, dies at age 67. [1] December 23 * Three British warships come close to Holland. [1] December 25 * "Why Marry", first drama to win Pulitzer Prize, premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Hirsch/Harbach's musical "Going Up" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

192

December 26 * Federal government took over operation of American railroad for duration of WWI. [1] * Louise J Gautier French poetess/daughter of Théophile G, dies at age 71. [1] December 30 * -32 degrees F (-36 degrees C) in Mountain City Tennessee (state record). [1] * -37 degrees F (-38 degrees C) in Lewisburg West Virginia (state record). [1] December 31 * Dutch Social-democratic trade union NVV counts 159,450 members. [1] Year * Global mean surface temperature at lowest point since 1880, and never again (to at least 2007). [58]

193

1918 January 1 * Last day of the Julian calendar in Finland. [1] January 2 * Sijbe K Bakker vicar/theologist (Christian-Socialism), dies at age 42. [1] January 3 * US employment service opens as a unit of Department of Labor. [1] January 5 * British premier Lloyd George demand for unified peace. [1] January 6 * Georg F L P Cantor German mathematician collection, dies at age 72. [1] January 7 * Death of Julius Wellhausen in Gottingen, Germany; Biblical scholar, professor of Old Testament at the University of Greifswald. [37] January 8 * Michael Hertz composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Mississippi becomes first state to ratify 18th amendment (prohibition). [1] * US President Woodrow Wilson outlines to the American Congress his 14 points for peace after WWI. [1] [37] January 14 * Finland and USSR adopts New Style (Gregorian) calendar. [1] January 19 * Soviets disallows a Constitution Assembly. [1] January 22 * Ukraine proclaimed a free republic (German puppet). [1]

194

January 25 * Russia declared a republic of Soviets. [1] January 26 * US food administrator Hoover calls for "wheatless" and "meatless" days for war effort. [1] January 27 * "Tarzan of the Apes", first Tarzan film, premieres at Broadway Theater. [1] January 28 * John McCrae Canadian poet/physician, dies. [1] * Strike on Berlin ammunitions factory. [1] * Trotsky becomes leader of Reds. [1] January 31 * Russia adopts Gregorian calendar, next day is February 14. [66.54] February 1 * Franz Lehárs opera "Wo die Lerche singt" premieres in Budapest. [1] * Kern, Bolton and Wodehouse's musical premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 3 * Twin Peaks Tunnel longest (11,920 feet) streetcar tunnel begins service. [1] February 5 * First US pilot to down an enemy airplane, Stephen W Thompson. [1] * Separation of church and state begins in USSR. [1] February 6 * Britain grants women (30 and over) the vote. [1] * Gustav Klimt Austrian painter/cartoonist, dies at age 55. [1] February 7 * Alexander Sergeyevich Taneyev composer, dies at age 68. [1]

195

February 8 * "Stars and Stripes", weekly US armed forces newspaper, first published. [1] February 9 * Army chaplain school organized at Fort Monroe Virginia. [1] * Emiel van der Straeten [Delrue], Flemish playwright, dies at age 30. [1] * Sacha Guitry's "Deburan" premieres in Paris. [1] February 10 * Abdül-Hamid II 34th sultan of Turkey (lost Serbia/Egypt), dies at age 65. [1] February 14 * H Atteridge and S Rombergs musical "Sinbad" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Russia adopts New Style (Gregorian) calendar. [1] February 15 * First WWI US army troop ship torpedoed and sunk by Germany, off Ireland. [1] * Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania adopt the Gregorian calendar. [1] February 16 * Lithuania declares independence from Russia and Germany (National Day). [1] February 17 * Wilfrid Laurier Canadian Prime Minister (1896-1911), dies. [1] February 21 * Australians chase Turkish troop out of Jericho, Dutch Palestine. [1] February 22 * Germany claims Baltic states, Finland and Ukraine from Russia. [1] February 24 * Estonia declares independence from Russia. [1] February 26

196

* Stands at Hong Kong Jockey Club collapse and burn, killing 604. [1] [187.219] March 1 * Johan Gustaf Emil Sjogren composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 2 * Birth of Peter O'Sullevan Ireland, horse racing commentator. [1] March 3 * Richard Göring's "Seeschlacht" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Russia withdraws from WWI, signs Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and Austria. [1] March 4 * Eugene D'Harcourt composer, dies at age 58. [1] * Terek Autonomous Republic established in RSFSR (until 1921). [1] March 6 * US naval collier "Cyclops" disappears in Bermuda Triangle. [1] March 7 * H Carroll and J McCarthy's musical "Oh, Look!" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * President Wilson authorizes US Army's Distinguished Service Medal. [1] March 9 * Russian Bolshevik Party becomes the Communist Party. [1] * Ukrainian mobs massacre Jews of Seredino Buda. [1] * Wageningen Agricultural College Netherlands opens. [1] * [Benjamin] Franc[lin] Wedekind German writer/press secretary, dies at age 53. [1] March 11 * Moscow becomes capital of revolutionary Russia. [1] * Save the Redwoods League founded. [1] March 13

197

* American Red Magen David (Jewish Red Cross) forms. [1] * Karel Stecker composer, dies at age 57. [1] * William Courtleigh actor (Susie Snowflake), dies at age 26. [1] March 14 * First concrete ship to cross the Atlantic (Faith) is launched, San Francisco. [1] March 15 * Jose Silvestre de los Dolores White Lafitte composer, dies at age 82. [1] * Juliette Marie Olga Lili Boulanger composer, dies at age 24. [1] * Lili Boulanger composer, dies at age 24. [1] March 16 * Geoffrey O'Hara's "K-K-K-Katy" song published. [1] March 18 * Socialist Youth AJC organizes in Amsterdam. [1] * Willem Coenen composer, dies at age 80. [1] March 19 * US Congress authorizes time zones and approves daylight saving time. [1] * S Potter becomes first US pilot to shoot down a German seaplane. [1] * Willem H de Beaufort Dutch historian/liberal politician, dies at age 73. [1] March 21 * During WWI Germany launches Somme offensive. [1] March 23 * Alick Wickham dives 200' into Australia's Yarra River. [1] * Cesar Cortinas composer, dies at age 27. [1] * Crépy-en-Laonnoise: German artillery shells Paris France, 256 killed. [1] * Lithuania proclaims independence. [1] * Paris bombs "Thick Bertha's Dike" (nickname for the widow Krupp). [1] March 24 * Theophile Ysaye composer, dies at age 53. [1] March 25

198

* Claude A Debussy French composer (Iberia/La mer), dies in Paris France at age 55. [1] March 26 * César A Cui Lithuanian fort builder/composer, dies at age 83. [1] March 31 * First daylight savings time in US goes into effect. [1] April 1 * England's Royal Flying Corps replaced by Royal Air Force. [1] * Henry Miller's Theater opens at 124 W 43rd Steet New York City, New York. [1] * Karl Fritjof Valentin composer, dies at age 64. [1] April 3 * House of Representatives accepts American Creed written by William Tyler. [1] April 4 * Battle of Somme ends. [1] * Food riot in Amsterdam. [1] April 5 * Paul Vidal de la Blanche French geographer, dies at age 73. [1] April 9 * Latvia proclaims independence from Russia. [1] April 13 * Electrical fire kills 38 mental patients at Oklahoma State Hospital. [1] April 14 * Douglas Campbell is first US ace pilot (shooting down 5th German plane). [1] April 15 * Clemenceau publishes secret French/Austrian documents. [1]

199

April 21 * "Red Baron" [Manfred von Richtofen] shot down in WWI at age 25. [1] April 23 * Battle of Zeebrugge ends. [1] * Dover Patrol overthrows Germany U-boat in East Sea. [1] * National Urban League forms. [1] * Percy Thomson Dean Lieutenant-commander, killed at Zeebrugge, dies. [1] April 29 * Gavrilo Princip Bosnian murderer of arch duke Ferdinand, dies at age 22. [1] May 2 * General Motors acquires the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware. [5] May 10 * HMS Vindictive sunk to block entrance of Ostend Harbor. [1] May 13 * First US airmail stamps issued (24 cents). [1] May 15 * First regular airmail service (between New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC) inaugurated. [1] * Greek troops lands at Smyrna. [1] May 16 * Eusapia Palladino Napolitan, dies at age 64. [1] May 18 * Netherlands Indian Volksraad installed in Batavia. [1] * TNT explosion in chemical factory in Oakdale Pennsylvania kills 200. [1] * Toivo Kuula composer, dies at age 34. [1] May 20

200

* First electrically propelled warship (the New Mexico). [1] May 21 * House of Representatives passes amendment allowing women to vote. [1] May 23 * King Oil/Shell refinery on Curaçao officially opens. [1] May 26 * Georgian Social Democratic Republic declares independence from Russia. [1] May 27 * Battle of Aisne. [1] * Henry Adams US literature historian (Esther), dies at age 80. [1] May 28 * Tatars declares Azerbaijan, in Russian Caucasus, independent. [1] May 30 * Georgi V Plechanov Russian revolutionary theorist, dies. [1] June 3 * US Supreme Court rules child labor laws unconstitutional. [1] June 4 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #894 Erda. [1] June 6 * Battle of Belleau Wood, first US victory of WW I. [1] June 8 * Nova Aquila, brightest nova since Kepler's nova of 1604, discovered. [1] June 12 * First airplane bombing raid by an American unit, France. [1]

201

June 15 * 1" of snow falls in Northern Pennsylvania. [1] June 22 * Circus train rammed by troop train kills 68 (Ivanhoe Illinois). [1] * A circus train wreck kills 86 and injures 127 near Hammond, Indiana. [5] June 27 * German submarine U84 torpedoes and sinks Union Castle Line's passenger liner Llandovery Castle between Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Liverpool, England. The ship was serving as a hospital ship for Canadian forces. [152.18] June 28 * First flight between Hawaiian Islands. [1] July 4 * Altar dedicated at full-scale replica of Stonehenge at Maryhill, Washington. [1] July 9 * 101 killed and 171 injured in worst US train wreck, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. [1] * US Army's Distinguished Service Cross authorized. [1] July 10 * Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic established. [1] July 11 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #895 Helio. [1] July 15 * Second Battle of Marne began during WW I. [1] July 16 * Nicholas II Russian tsar, his tsarina and their five kids executed. [1] July 18

202

* US and French forces launch Aisne-Marne offensive in WW I. [1] July 19 * German armies retreat across Marne River in France (WW I). [1] July 22 * Lightning kills 504 sheep in Utah's Wasatch National Park. [1] July 25 * Annette Adams sworn in as first woman district attorney of US, California. [1] * Race riot in Chester Pennsylvania (three blacks and two whites killed). [1] July 26 * Race riot in Philadelphia (three whites and one black killed). [1] July 27 * Socony 200, first concrete barge in US, launched to carry oil, New York. [1] August 8 * Six US soldiers are surrounded by Germans in France, Alvin York is given command and shoots 20 Germans and captures 132 more. [1] August 11 * Battle of Amiens ends in WW I, Allieds beat Germans. [1] August 15 * First full length cartoon (The Sinking of the Lusitania). [1] * US and Russia sever diplomatic ties. [1] August 17 * Samuel Riddle buys Man o'War for $5,000. [1] August 20 * Britain opens offensive on Western front during WW I. [1]

203

August 27 * Dr Joseph L Johnson named minister to Liberia. [1] September 1 * US troops land in Vladivostok, Siberia, stay until 1920. [1] September 3 * Five soldiers hanged for alleged participation in Houston riot of 1917. [1] September 4 * US troops land in Archangel, Russia, stay 10 months. [1] September 12 * During WW I, US forces launch an attack on German-occupied Saint Mihiel. [1] September 26 * Meuse-Argonne offensive against Germany began during WW I. [1] September 29 * Allied forces scored a decisive breakthrough of the Hindenburg Line. [1] October 3 * Boris becomes king of Bulgaria. [1] October 8 * Sgt Alvin York single-handedly kills 25, captures 132 Germans. [1] October 12 * First use of iron lung (Boston's Children Hospital). [1] * Cloquet Minnesota and 25 other communities destroyed by forest fire, 559 die. [1] October 17 * Yugoslavia proclaims itself a republic. [1] October 21

204

* Margaret Owen sets world typing speed record of 170 wpm for one min. [1] October 25 * Canadian steamship "Princess Sophia" hit a reef off Alaska, 398 die. [1] October 28 * Czechoslovakia gains independence as Austria-Hungary breaks up. [1] October 30 * Slovakia asks for creation of Czechoslovakian state. [1] October 31 * Count Stephen Tisza Hungarian Prime Minister assassinated by soldiers. [1] November 1 * 97 die in New York City subway's worst accident. [1] November 3 * Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolves. [1] * Poland proclaims independence from Russia after WW I. [1] November 6 * Republic of Poland proclaimed. [1] November 7 * Goddard demonstrates tube-launched solid propellant rockets. [1] * United Press erroneously reports WW I armistice had been signed. [1] November 9 * Bavaria proclaims itself a republic. [1] * Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates after German defeat in WW I. [1] November 10 * Independence of Poland proclaimed by Jozef Pilsudski. [1]

205

November 11 * (0500 hours) Germany signs an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiegne, France. [129] * (1100 hours) The Great War ends, after Germany, the last of the Central Powers, surrenders to the Allies. [1] [129] November 12 * Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary abdicates, Austria becomes a republic. [1] November 14 * Republic of Czechoslovakia created with T.G. Masaryk as President. [1] November 16 * Hungarian People's Republic declared. [1] November 18 * Latvia declares independence from Russia. [1] December 1 * Danish parliament passed an act to grant Iceland independence. [1] * Serbian-Croatian-Slovic kingdom proclaimed in Belgrade. [1] December 2 * Margit Kaffka writer, dies at age 38. [1] December 4 * Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) proclaimed. [1] * President Wilson sails for Versailles Peace Conference in France, first chief executive to travel outside US while in office. [1] December 5 * Oil refinery on Curaçao opens. [1] December 9 * French troops occupies Mainz. [1]

206

December 11 * Ivan Cankar Slavic author (Hlapec Jernej), dies at age 42. [1] December 13 * US army of occupation crosses the Rhine, enters Germany. [1] * Woodrow Wilson, becomes first to make a foreign visit as President (France). [1] December 14 * Giacomo Puccini's opera "Il Trittico" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Sidonio Pais prince of Portugal, murdered. [1] December 15 * American Jewish Congress holds its first meeting. [1] December 16 * Jack Dempsey knocks out Carl Morris in 14 seconds. [1] December 18 * Henryk Jarecki composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 19 * Robert Ripley began his "Believe It or Not" column (New York Globe). [1] December 20 * Eugene O'Neill's "Moon of the Caribees" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 22 * Albijn van de Abeele Flemish author/mayor/painter, dies at age 83. [1] December 26 * Bertram Luard-Selby composer, dies at age 65. [1] December 28 * George H White last post Reconstruction congressman (Pennsylvania), dies. [1]

207

December 30 * John E Hoover decides to be called J Edgar Hoover. [1]

208

1919 January 1 * Belorussian SSR established. [1] * William W Campbell Canadian poet (Ian of the Orcades), dies at age 60. [1] January 2 * Anti-British uprising in Ireland. [1] * Lithuania gains independence. [1] January 5 * National Socialist Party (Nazi) forms as German Farmers Party. [1] * The insurrection of the communist Spartakus group in Berlin, Germany, begins. It lasts for seven days before it is put down. A few days later the leaders of the group, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg are assassinated. [1] [37] January 6 * Theodore Roosevelt 26th President (1901-09), dies at his home in Oyster Bay New York at age 60. [1] January 8 * Peter Altenberg writer, dies at age 59. [1] * Richard Engländer [Peter Altenberg], Austrian author, dies at age 59. [1] January 11 * Three-year-old German communist party (Spartacus) crushed. [1] * Romania annexes Transylvania. [1] January 15 * Two million gallons of molasses "Tidal wave" Boston Massachusetts, drowning 21. [1] * Frank Wedekind's "Die letzten Tage der Menschheit" premieres. [1] * In Germany, Marxist revolutionaries Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht are murdered. [1] [37] * Pianist and statesman Ignace Paderewski becomes first premier of Poland. [1] * Semana Tragica (Tragic Week) Bloodbath in Buenos Aires. [1] * W Collison and O Harbach's "Up in Mabel's Room" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

209

January 16 * Jaroslav Jeremias composer, dies at age 19. [1] * Prohibition ratified by 3/4 of the states; Nebraska is 36th. [1] January 18 * John C F son of English king George V, dies at age 13. [1] * WWI Peace Congress opens in Versailles, France. [1] January 19 * "Tidal wave" of molasses 15 metres high x 25 metres wide kills dozens, Boston. [1] January 21 * Sinn Fein proclaims parliament of Free Ireland. [1] January 25 * Founding of League of Nations, first meeting one year later. [1] January 27 * Endre Ady Hungarian poet (Margita élni akar), dies at age 41. [1] January 29 * Secretary of state proclaims the 18th amendment (prohibition). [1] January 31 * Paul Lindau German playwright/critic (Estimate), dies at age 79. [1] February 2 * Monarchist riot in Portugal. [1] * Xavier Henry Napoleon Leroux composer, dies at age 55. [1] February 3 * Herbert/Blossom's musical "Velvet Lady" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * League of Nations first meeting (Paris). [1] * Socialist conference convenes (Berne Switzerland). [1]

210

February 4 * City of Bremen's Soviet Republic overthrown. [1] February 5 * Vasili V Rozanov Russian philosopher/writer, dies at age 62. [1] February 6 * First day of 5-day Seattle general strike. [1] * Friedrich W Mengelberg German sculptor/painter, dies at age 81. [1] February 11 * Friedrich Ebert (SPD), elected President of Germany. [1] February 14 * United Parcel Service forms. [1] February 15 * American Legion organizes in Paris. [1] * Pieter K Pel Dutch internist (Pel-Ebstein fever), dies at age 66. [1] February 19 * Pan-African Congress, organized by W E B Du Bois (Paris). [1] February 20 * French premier Clemenceau injured during assassination attempt. [1] February 21 * German National Meeting accepts Anschluss incorporation of Austria. [1] * Giovanni Bolzoni composer, dies at age 77. [1] * Habib Ullah Chan emir of Afghanistan (1901-19), murdered at age 46. [1] * Karl von Hohenzollern Prince of Belgium, dies. [1] * Kurt Eisner premier Bayern (socialist), murdered at age 51. [1] * Revolutionary strike in Barcelona. [1] February 23 * Benito Mussolini founds the Facist party of Italy. [1]

211

February 24 * Josephine McGill composer, dies at age 41. [1] February 25 * League of Nations set up by Paris Treaty. [1] * Oregon is first state to tax gasoline (1 cent per gallon). [1] February 26 * Acadia National Park established (as Lafayette National Park), Maine. [1] * US Congress established Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. [1] February 27 * First public performance of Holst's "The Planets". [1] * American Association for the Hard of Hearing formed (New York City, New York). [1] March 1 * Demonstrations for Korean independence from Japan begin. [1] March 2 * First congress of Communist International opens at the Kremlin. [1] March 3 * First international air mail service from US, Seattle WA-Victoria British Columbia, Canada. [1] * Communist Party in Germany announces a general strike. [1] March 5 * Jozef Surzynski composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Louis Hirsch and Harold Atteridge's musical premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 8 * Auguste Tolbecque composer, dies at age 88. [1] March 11

212

* General strike in Germany, crushed. [1] * Harald Fryklof composer, dies at age 36. [1] March 12 * Austrian National Meeting affirms Anschluss (incorporate into Germany). [1] * George Bernard Shaw's "Augustus Does His Bit" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 15 * American Legion forms (Paris France). [1] March 16 * Frank Wedekind's "Elius Erweckung" premieres in Hamburg. [1] * Sigurd von Koch composer, dies at age 39. [1] March 17 * Dutch steel workers strike for 8 hour day and minimum wages. [1] March 18 * Order of DeMolay is established in Kansas City. [1] March 23 * Bashkir ASSR, in RSFSR, constituted. [1] * Benito Mussolini forms Fascist movement in Milan Italy. [1] * Jean HL Bossard actor/impresario (2 Orphans), dies at age 45. [1] * Moscow's Politburo/Central Committee forms. [1] March 30 * Belgian Army occupies Düsseldorf. [1] * Gandhi announces resistance against Rowlatt Act. [1] * Paul Claudel's "Tête d'Or" premieres in Paris France. [1] March 31 * French Marshal Ferdinand Foch says to leaders of Great Britain and the USA that without the Rhine frontier in French possession, the Versailles settlement would be no more than "the armistice for twenty years". [10] * Strike against Ruhrgebied government of Scheidemann. [1]

213

April 3 * Austria expels all Habsburgers. [1] * Paul Geisler composer, dies at age 62. [1] April 4 * William Crookes English chemist/physicist (Crookes-pipe), dies at age 86. [1] April 5 * Eamon de Valera becomes president of Dail Eireann. [1] * Polish Army executes 35 young Jews. [1] April 6 * Stefan Surzynski composer, dies at age 63. [1] April 7 * First parcel of land is purchased for Cleveland Metroparks. [1] April 8 * Roland baron Eötvös Hungarian physicist, dies at age 70. [1] April 10 * Emiliano Zapata Mexican leader, murdered at age 39. [1] April 12 * British Parliament passes a 48-hour work week with minimum wages. [1] April 13 * Amritsar Massacre - British Army fires on hundreds of Indian Nationalist rioters in India. [1] April 18 * Enny Vrede [Maria M Müller] Dutch actress, drowns at age 35. [1] April 19

214

* André Messager 's opera "Monsieur Beaucaire" is produced (London). [1] * French assembly decides on 8 hour work day. [1] * Leslie Irvin of US makes first parachute jump and free fall. [1] April 20 * Polish Army captures Vilno, Lithuania from Soviet Army. [1] April 22 * Protocols for an alliance among France, Great Britain, and the USA are agreed on: Great Britain and USA make guarantees to France in the event of German aggression. The Rhineland is to be under Allied occupation for fifteen years. The document is signed by US President Woodrow Wilson and British Prime Minister David Lloyd George. [10] April 28 * First jump with Army Air Corp (rip-cord type) parachute (Les Irvin). [1] May 1 * Mount Kelud (Indonesia) erupts, boiling crater lake which broke through crater wall killing 5,000 people in 104 small villages. [1] May 2 * First US air passenger service starts. [1] * Gustav Landauer German socialist, dies. [1] May 3 * Afghanistan Emir Amanoellah begins war against Great Britain. [1] * America's first passenger flight (New York-Atlantic City). [1] May 4 * Protests in China against the humiliation of China by the Versailles treaty which gave German territories in China to Japan. [148.13] May 6 * Frank Lyman Baum, author (The Wizard of Oz), dies at age 62. [1] [5] * Paris Peace Conference disposes of German colonies; German East Africa is assigned to Britain and France, German Southwest Africa to South Africa. [1] May 8

215

* First transatlantic flight take-off by a navy seaplane. [1] May 10 * Race riot in Charleston South Carolina, two blacks killed. [1] May 14 * Pope Benedictus XV publishes encyclical In hac tanta. [1] May 16 * The US Navy aircraft NC-4 commanded by Albert Cushing Read leaves Trepassey, Newfoundland, for Lisbon via the Azores on the first transatlantic flight. [5] May 17 * Bohumil Pazdirek composer, dies at age 80. [1] May 20 * Jacob Verdam philosopher, dies. [1] * Volcano Keluit on Java, erupts killing 550. [1] May 21 * Victor A D Ségalen [Max Anély] French ship's doctor/writer, dies. [1] May 24 * Amado Nervo [Juan C Ruiz de Nervo] Mexican poet, dies at age 48. [1] May 25 * Madame C J Walker wealthy cosmetics manufacturer, dies at age 51. [1] May 27 * The US Navy NC-4 aircraft arrives in Lisbon, Portugal, after completing the first transatlantic flight (11 days). [1] [5] * Charles Strite patents pop-up toaster. [1] May 28 * Armenia declares its independence. [1]

216

May 29 * Charles Strite patents pop-up toaster. [1] * Einstein's light-bending prediction confirmed by Arthur Eddington. [1] May 30 * Lord John Raleigh British physicist (Nobel Prize 1904), dies. [1] May 31 * First wedding held in an aircraft (over Houston Texas). [1] * NC-4 aircraft commanded by AC Read completes first crossing of Atlantic. [1] June 3 * Liberty Life Insurance Company (Chicago) organized by blacks. [1] June 4 * US Senate passes Women's Suffrage bill. [1] * US marines invade Costa Rica. [1] June 11 * Sir Barton becomes first horse to win the Triple Crown. [1] June 14 * First nonstop air crossing of Atlantic (Alcock and Brown) leaves Newfoundland. [1] June 15 * First nonstop Atlantic flight (Alcock and Brown) lands in Ireland. [1] June 17 * "Barney Google" cartoon strip, by Billy De Beck, premieres. [1] June 20 * Roy W. Allen opens his first root beer stand, in Lodi, California. His root beer sells for 5c a glass. (In a few years, he and partner Frank Wright form the A&W Root Beer company.) [2]

217

June 21 * Germans scuttle their own fleet. [1] June 25 * First advanced monoplane airliner flight (Junkers F13). [1] June 26 * First issue of New York Daily News published. [1] June 28 * Harry S Truman married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace in Independence. [1] * In Versailles, France, the peace Treaty of Versailles is signed, formally ending the Great War (World War I). [10] [129] * In Versailles, France, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau sign the Treaty of Guarantee. The treaty calls for Great Britain and the USA to come to France's immediate aid if Germany makes an unprovoked assault on the country. (The treaty is not ratified by the American senate, so does not come into force.) [10] July 4 * M Wolf discovers asteroid #914 Palisana. [1] July 6 * The British dirigible R34 land in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic by an airship (108 hours). [1] [5] July 8 * President Wilson returns to New York City from Versailles Peace Conference. [1] July 10 * President Wilson personally delivers Treaty of Versailles to Senate. [1] July 13 * The British airship R34 lands in Norfolk, England after 182 hours of flight, completing the first airship return journey across the Atlantic. [5] * Race riots in Longview and Gregg counties Texas. [1]

218

July 21 * Dirigible crashes through bank skylight killing 13 (Chicago, Ill). [1] July 24 * Race Riot in Washington DC (6 killed, 100 wounded). [1] July 27 * Chicago race riot (15 whites and 23 blacks killed, 500 injured). [1] August 6 * First air flight over a major body of water in Australia (Harry Butler). [1] August 8 * Treaty of Rawalpindi, British recognize Afghanistan's independence. [1] August 10 * Ukranian National Army massacres 25 Jews in Podolia Ukrane. [1] August 13 * Man o'War's only defeat (Upset wins at Saratoga). [1] August 23 * "Gasoline Alley" cartoon strip premieres in Chicago Tribune. [1] August 25 * First scheduled passenger service by airplane (Paris-London). [1] August 31 * Communist Labor Party of America formed in Chicago. [1] * Petlyura's Ukranian Army kills 35 members of a Jewish defense group. [1] September 2 * Communist Party of America organized in Chicago. [1] September 9

219

* Birth of Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder gambler/sportscaster (lay you 5 to 1). [1] * Boston's police force goes on strike. [1] September 10 * New York City welcomes home General John J Pershing and 25,000 WW I soldiers. [1] September 11 * US marines invade Honduras. [1] September 16 * American Legion incorporated by an act of US Congress. [1] September 18 * Hurricane tides 16 feet above normal drown 280 along Gulf Coast. [1] September 22 * Steel strike begins in US. [1] September 25 * President Wilson becomes seriously ill and collapses after a speech. [1] September 27 * Democratic National Committee votes to admit women. [1] October 1 * World Series #16 begins as a best of 9 affair, Chicago White Sox intentionally throw this series to satisfy gamblers (The Black Sox Scandal). [1] October 2 * President Woodrow Wilson suffers a stroke. [1] October 7 * First London-Amsterdam airline service begins (British Aerial Transport). [1]

220

October 11 * First transcontinental air race ends. [1] October 13 * Race riot at Elaine Arkansas. [1] October 15 * Fourteen horses begin 300-mile race from Vt to Mass for $1000 prize money. [1] October 17 * Radio Corporation of America (RCA) created. [1] October 19 * First Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a woman. [1] October 27 * Axeman of New Orleans claims last victim. [1] October 28 * Volstead Act passed byUS Congress, start prohibition over Wilson's veto. [1] November 10 * First observance of National Book Week. [1] * American Legion's first national convention (Minneapolis). [1] November 12 * Ross and Smith start a one month flight from London to Australia. [1] November 15 * US Senate first invokes cloture to end a filibuster (Versailles Treaty). [1] November 19 * US Senate rejects (55-39) Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations. [1] November 20

221

* First municipally owned airport in US opens in Tucson, Az. [1] November 28 * US-born Lady Astor elected first female member of British Parliament. [1] December 1 * AA Milne's "Mr Pim Passes By" premieres in Manchester. [1] * Lady Nancy Astor sworn-in as first female member of British Parliament. [1] December 2 * Henry Clay Frick built largest coke and steel operation, dies at age 69. [1] December 3 * Pierre A Renoir French painter/sculptor, dies at age 78. [1] December 11 * Boll weevil monument dedicated in Enterprise Alabama. [1] December 13 * Amintore Galli composer, dies at age 74. [1] * Ross and Smith land in Australia from a flight from London. [1] December 15 * Edna Saint Vincent Millay's "Aria da Capo" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Fiume (Rijeka) declares its Independence. [1] December 17 * Austria parliament approves 8-hour day. [1] December 18 * Horatio William Parker composer, dies at age 56. [1] * John Alcock pilot (first non-stop over Atlantic), dies in crash at age 27. [1] December 19

222

* American Meteorological Society found. [1] December 20 * Canadian National Railways established (North America's longest, 50,000 KM). [1] * US House of Representatives restricts immigration. [1] December 21 * J Edgar Hoover deports anarchists/feminist Emma Goldman to Russia. [1] December 22 * Government of Ireland Act of Power (Home Rule for Ireland). [1] * US deports 250 alien radicals, including anarchist Emma Goldman. [1] December 23 * First hospital ship built to move wounded naval personnel launched. [1] * Alice H Parker patents gas heating furnace. [1] December 27 * Achilles Alferaki composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Theodoor H de Meester Dutch liberal premier (1905-08), dies at age 68. [1]

223

1920 January 1 * Paul Adam French writer (L'enfant d'Austerlitz), dies at age 57. [1] January 2 * 10,000 US union and socialist organizers arrested (Palmer Raids). [1] January 3 * Arthur Honegger's "Chant de Nigamon" premieres. [1] January 4 * Amsterdam actors decide to strike for retirement benefits. [1] * Benito Pérez Galdós Spanish writer (Gloria), dies at age 76. [1] January 10 * League of Nations' first meeting, Treaty of Versailles in effect. [1] [37] * Silver reaches record $1.37 an ounce. [1] January 11 * French passenger ship Afrique sinks near La Rochelle; 553 die. [1] January 13 * New York Times editorial (falsely) reports rockets can never fly. [1] January 16 * 18th Amendment, prohibition, becomes the law of the land - one year after ratification; it is repealed in 1933. [1] * First assembly of League of Nations (Paris). [1] * Georgia declares independence. [1] * Reginald De Koven composer, dies at age 60. [1] January 17 * Paul Deschanel elected President of France. [1] January 19

224

* Alexandre Millerand forms French government. [1] * US Senate votes against membership in League of Nations. [1] January 20 * Dutch second Chamber passes school laws. [1] January 23 * Dutch government refuses to turn over ex-Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany to the allies. [1] January 25 * Amadeo Modigliani Italian sculptor/painter, dies at age 35. [1] January 26 * Amadeo Modigliani's mistress jumps out of a window. [1] * Matthias Enzberger German minister of finance, murdered. [1] January 29 * Walt Disney starts first job as an artist; $40 week with Kansas City Slide Co. [1] January 31 * First Ukrainian daily newspaper in US (New York City New York) begins publication. [1] * Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, at Howard University, incorporates. [1] February 1 * First commercial armored car introduced (Saint Paul Minnesota). [1] * Royal Canadian Mounted Police forms as Royal Northwest Mounted Police merge with Dominion Police. [1] February 2 * Estonia declares its Independence from Russia (Dorpat Peace). [1] * France occupies (German) Memel territory. [1] * Tarto/Dorpat peace treaty USSR recognizes Estonian independence. [1] February 4 * First flight from London to South Africa takes-off (1.5 months). [1]

225

February 6 * Saarland administrated by League of Nations. [1] February 7 * Alexander Koltsjak Admiral/leader Russian counter-revolutionary, executed. [1] February 8 * Richard Dehmel writer, dies at age 56. [1] * Swiss men vote against women's suffrage. [1] February 9 * International treaty recognizes Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard. [1] February 12 * 14,000 Rotterdam/Amsterdam harbor workers strike. [1] * Emile Sauret composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Jean Allemane French socialist/communard (allemanisten), dies at age 77. [1] * Ottalee Baker, Frank "Home Run" Baker's wife, dies at age 31. [1] February 13 * League of Nations recognizes perpetual neutrality of Switzerland. [1] * Switzerland rejoins League of Nations. [1] February 14 * League of Women Voters forms in Chicago. [1] February 19 * Netherlands joins League of Nations. [1] February 20 * Robert E Peary US pole explorer (North Pole, 6/4/1909), dies at age 63. [1] February 21 * Darius Milhaud and Jean Cocteau's ballet, "Le Train Bleu" premieres in Paris. [1]

226

February 22 * In Emeryville, New York, the first dog race track to employ an imitation rabbit opens. [1] [5] February 23 * Alexander Alexandrovich Il'yinsky composer, dies at age 61. [1] February 24 * NSDAP begins at Hofbräuhaus Münich. [1] * Peace treaty gives Estonia independence. [1] February 25 * Aloys Liechtenstein nobleman/politician, dies at age 73. [1] February 26 * Ludwig Rubiner writer, dies at age 38. [1] February 27 * Alexandru D Xenopol Romanian historian, dies at age 72. [1] February 28 * Maurice Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin" premieres. [1] March 1 * Austria becomes a kingdom again, under Admiral Horthy. [1] * Joseph Trumpeldor killed defending Tel-Mai against arab attack. [1] March 2 * Karel Capék's "Loupeznik" premieres in Prague. [1] March 4 * Last day of Julian civil calendar in Greece. [1] March 8 * Denmark and Cuba join the League of Nations. [1]

227

* Rafael Obligado Argentine writer (Santos Vega), dies at age 69. [1] March 13 * Wolfgang Kapp's coup attempt in Berlin fails. [1] March 14 * Birth of Hank Ketcham cartoonist (Dennis the Menace). [1] March 16 * 1 Acre Park also known as Baby Park in the Bronx renamed Melrose Park. [1] March 18 * Greece adopts the Gregorian calendar. [1] March 19 * US Senate rejects Treaty of Versailles for second time refusing to ratify League of Nations' covenant (maintaining isolation policy). [1] March 20 * First flight from London to South Africa lands (1.5 months). [1] * Venustiano Carranza President of Mexico (1915-20), murdered at age 60. [1] March 21 * Federigo Tozzi Ital writer/journalist (Torre, Tre Croci), dies at age 37. [1] March 23 * Perserikatan Communist of India (PKI) political party forms. [1] March 24 * First US coast guard air station established (Morehead City North Carolina). [1] March 25 * Greek Independence Day. [1] March 27

228

* Film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks wed. [1] * Hermann Müller becomes German chancellor (SPD). [1] * Johan G Danser Dutch poet (Meetings), dies at age 26. [1] March 28 * Actor Douglas Fairbanks marries actress Mary Pickford. [1] * Thomas Masaryk elected President of Czechoslovakia. [1] March 31 * British parliament accept Irish "Home Rule"-law. [1] April 1 * Church disestablished in Wales. [1] April 3 * Homer Newton Bartlett composer, dies at age 74. [1] April 4 * Arabs attack Jews in Jerusalem. [1] April 6 * French troop attacks Main/Darmstadt/Hanau. [1] April 8 * Charles Tomlinson Griffes US composer (White Peacock), dies at age 35. [1] April 10 * Moritz B Cantor German mathematician, dies at age 90. [1] * Tryggve Andersen Norwegian writer (Mod Kvaeld), dies at age 53. [1] April 13 * First woman US Civil Service Commissioner, Helen Hamilton appointed. [1] April 14 * Tornadoes killed 219 people in Alabama and Mississippi. [1]

229

April 15 * Jacob van Stolk Azn art collector, dies at age 74. [1] * The size of the Canadian 1-cent coin is reduced to a 3/4-inch diameter, similar to the American cent. [3] April 16 * John Conrad Nordqvist composer, dies at age 80. [1] April 20 * Balfour Declaration recognized, makes Palestine a British Mandate. [1] * Big Show ends two year run on NBC radio. [1] * Tornadoes kill 219 in Alabama and Mississippi. [1] April 21 * John Galsworthy's "Skin Game", premieres in London. [1] April 23 * Turkish Grand National Assembly first meets, in Ankara. [1] April 24 * British Mandate over Palestine goes into effect (lasts 28 years). [1] * Polish troops attack Ukraine. [1] April 26 * H Shapley and H D Curtis hold "great debate" on nature of nebulae. [1] * Srinivasa Ramanujan Indian math genius ('pi'/Notebooks), dies at age 32. [1] April 27 * Pogrom leader Petljoera declares Ukraine Independence. [1] April 28 * Azerbaijan SSR joins the USSR (first time). [1] May 1 * Belgian-Luxembourg toll tunnel opens. [1] * Swedish Crown Princess Margareta dies. [7]

230

May 5 * German-Latvian peace treaty signed. [1] * Polish troops occupy Kiev. [1] * US President Wilson makes Communist Labor Party illegal. [1] May 7 * USSR recognizes independence of Georgia. [1] May 10 * John Wesley Hyatt inventor/plastics pioneer, dies. [1] May 11 * William D Howells US author (A Woman's Reason), dies at age 83. [1] May 16 * Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) canonized a saint in Rome. [1] * Spanish bullfighter Joselito is fatally gored fighting his last bull. [1] May 17 * First De Havilland double-decker flight (London) lands in Schiphol. [1] * First flight by Dutch airlines KLM (Koninklijke-Luchtvaart-Maatschappij). [1] May 18 * Birth of Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland; ordained priest (1946), auxiliary bishop of Krakow (1958), cardinal (1967), Pope John Paul II (1978). [129] May 20 * Policemen raid the Chicago Cubs' bleachers and arrest 24 fans for gambling. [1] * Montreal, Quebec station XWA broadcasts the first regularly scheduled radio programming in North America. [5] May 23 * Pope Benedictus XV publishes encyclical Pacem Dei. [1] May 27

231

* Tatar ASSR is established in Russian SFSR. [1] June 5 * First rivet driven on Bank of Italy headquarters at 1 Powell. [1] June 11 * Republicans nominate Warren G Harding for president. [1] June 12 * Farmer Labor Party organized (Chicago). [1] June 24 * Chuvash Autonomous Region formed in RSFSR. [1] July 3 * Royal Air Force holds an air display at Hendon, England. [1] July 12 * Lithuania and USSR sign peace treaty, Lithuuania becomes independent rep. [1] July 16 * General Amos Fries appointed first US army chemical warfare chief. [1] July 23 * Kenya becomes a British crown colony. [1] July 25 * The first transatlantic two-way radio broadcast takes place. [5] July 29 * First transcontinental airmail flight from New York to San Francisco. [1] August 16 * Norman Lockyer editor of NATURE, discoverer of helium in Sun, dies. [1]

232

August 18 * Tennessee ratifies 19th Amendment, guarantees women voting right. [1] August 20 * First US commercial radio, 8MK (WWJ), Detroit began daily broadcasting. [1] * Allen Woodring wins Oympic 200 m dash wearing borrowed shoes. [1] August 26 * 19th amendment passes-women's suffrage granted (about time!). [1] August 31 * The first news radio program is broadcast in Detroit, Michigan. [5] September 4 * Last day of Julian civil calendar (in parts of Bulgaria). [1] September 6 * First radio broadcast of a prizefight. [1] September 8 * US Air Mail service begins (New York City to SF). [1] October 10 * Hudson Stuck dies in Alaska; first to climb to peak of Mount McKinley, highest point in North America. [129] October 12 * Man O'War's last race and win. [1] October 14 * Part of Petsamo province ceded by Soviet Union to Finland. [1] October 27 * League of Nations moves headquarters in Geneva. [1] * Westinghouse radio station in East Pittsburgh, KDKA begins. [1]

233

November 2 * KDKA (Pittsburgh) goes on the air as first commercial radio station. [1] * Warren G Harding elected President. [1] November 3 * "Emperor Jones" opens at Provincetown Theater. [1] November 13 * Hudson River frozen at Albany (1820?). [1] November 15 * Free City of Danzig established under League of Nations protection. [1] * League of Nations holds first meeting, in Geneva. [1] November 16 * Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited), the national airline of Australia, registers as an aerial carrier. [5] * Postage meter first used in US in lieu of postage stamps. [1] December 3 * Turkey and Armenia agree to peace treaty. [1] December 6 * Karel Kovarovic composer, dies at age 57. [1] December 7 * New South Wales make 802 against South Australia, then Mailey takes 8-81. [1] * USPD-KPD parties merge into Vereinigte Communist Party of Germany. [1] December 10 * President Woodrow Wilson receives Nobel Peace Prize. [1] December 12 * Maurice Ravels ballet "La Valse" premieres in Paris. [1] * Olive Schreiner South Africa writer (Healing Imagination), dies at age 75. [1]

234

* Paul Lacome composer, dies at age 82. [1] December 13 * F Pease's interferometer measures first stellar diameter (Betelgeuse). [1] * League of nations establishes International Court of Justice in The Hague. [1] * Netherlands breaks contact with kingdoms of Serbia, Croatia and Slavia. [1] December 16 * Ma Mua-Ming-Hsin the Benovelent, Chinese Muslim rebel (holy war), dies. [1] * Over 180,000 die when 8.6 earthquake destroys 15,000 square miles (Kansu China). [1] December 17 * British Empire receives League of Nations mandate to Nauru. [1] * Japan receives League of Nations mandate over Pacific islands. [1] * South Africa receives League of Nations mandate over SW Africa. [1] December 18 * First US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US. [1] December 20 * Bob Hope becomes an American citizen. [1] December 21 * Jerome Kern/BG DeSylva's musical "Sally" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 23 * Ireland divided into two parts, each with its own parliament. [1] * King George V signs Home Rule Act. [1] December 24 * Enrico Caruso gives his last public performance (New York City, New York). [1] December 29 * The netherlands/Venezuela recover diplomatic relations. [1] * Yugoslav government bans communist party. [1]

235

December 30 * Birth of Aad de Haas Dutch religious painter/graphic artist/cartoonist. [1] December 31 * Albert Roelofs Dutch painter/etcher, dies at age 43. [1] 1921 January 2 * First religious service radio broadcast in US, KDKA-Pittsburgh. [1] * DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park opens. [1] * Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg German chancellor/Prime Minister (Prussia); referred to the international treaty guaranteeing Belgian neutrality as "a scrap of paper", dies at age 64. [1] January 3 * Turkey makes peace with Armenia. [1] January 4 * Eugene O'Neill's "Diff'rent" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 7 * Benno Erdmann German philosopher (Logik I), dies at age 69. [1] January 8 * Luis Villalba Munoz composer, dies at age 48. [1] January 18 * Adolf von Hildebrand German sculptor, dies at age 73. [1] * William Archer's "Green Goddess" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 19 * Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador sign Pact of Union. [1] January 20

236

* British submarine K5 leaves with man and mouse. [1] * Dagestan ASSR forms in RSFSR. [1] * Mountain Autonomous Republic established in RSFSR. [1] * Turkey declared in remnants of the Ottoman Empire. [1] January 23 * Wlasyslaw Zelenski composer, dies at age 83. [1] January 25 * Karel Capék's "RUR" premieres in Prague. [1] * Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych composer, dies at age 43. [1] January 29 * Hurricane hits Washington and Oregon. [1] January 30 * French rapist-murderer Henri-Désiré Landru sentenced to death. [1] February 2 * Luigi Mancinelli composer, dies at age 72. [1] February 3 * Max Wilhelm Zach composer, dies at age 56. [1] February 4 * Xavier Mellery Belgian painter/illustrator, dies at age 75. [1] February 6 * "The Kid", starring Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan, released. [1] February 8 * Peter Kropotkin Russian Prince/geologist/revolutionary anarchist, dies at age 78. [1] February 11 * Ambassador Theater opens at 215 W 49th Steet New York City. [1]

237

February 12 * Soviet troops invade Georgia (theirs, not ours). [1] * Winston Churchill becomes British, minister of Colonies. [1] February 13 * Willem P C Knuttel Dutch bibliography/librarian, dies at age 67. [1] February 14 * Canadian 5-cent nickel coin is authorized. [1] * Little Review faces obscenity charges for publishing "Ulysses", New York. [1] February 15 * Hans Haym composer, dies at age 60. [1] February 17 * Arthur Honegger's "Pastorale D'été" premieres. [1] February 18 * British troops occupy Dublin. [1] February 20 * Riza Khan Pahlevi seizes control of Iran. [1] February 21 * France and Poland make a secret military agreement, specifying that if Germany attacks either nation, the other will assist in defence. If Poland is attacked by Soviet Russia, France is to hold Germany in check on land and at sea. [10] February 23 * First US transcontinental air mail flight arrives in New York City, New York from San Francisco California. [1] February 24 * First transcontinental flight in 24 hours flying time arrives Florida. [1] February 25

238

* Georgian SSR proclaimed. [1] February 26 * Carl Menger Austrian economist, dies at age 81. [1] March 1 * Nicholas Petrovic Njegos King of Montenegro (1910-18), dies at age 79. [1] * Rwanda ceded to England. [1] * Sailors revolt in Kronstadt Russia. [1] March 3 * Petrus Cuypers architect (Amsterdam museum), dies at age 93. [1] March 4 * Hot Springs National Park created in Arkansas. [1] March 6 * Police in Sunbury Pennsylvania issue an edict requiring Women to wear skirts at least four inches below the knee. [1] March 7 * Red Army under Trotsky attack sailors of Kronstadt. [1] March 11 * Sherburne W Burnham US astronomer (binary stars), dies at age 83. [1] March 13 * Birth of Allan Jaffee comic strip cartoonist/illustrator (MAD Magazine). [1] * Mongolia (formerly Outer Mongolia) declares independence from China. [1] March 17 * Dr Marie Stopes opens Britain's first birth control clinic (London). [1] * Lenin proclaims New Economic Politics. [1] * Sailors revolt in Kronstadt (thousands die). [1] March 18

239

* Second Peace of Riga, Poland enlarged. [1] * Steamer "Hong Kong" runs aground off Swatow China killing 1,000. [1] March 21 * "Big Jim" Colisimo US gangster, murdered by Al Capone. [1] * Walter Kerr Theater (Ritz, CBS, NBC, ABC) opens at 223 W 48th Steet New York City. [1] March 24 * Deodat de Severac composer, dies at age 48. [1] March 31 * Albert Einstein lectures in New York on his new theory of relativity. [1] * British coal miners goes on strike. [1] April 2 * Professor Albert Einstein lectures in New York City on his new theory of relativity. [1] April 5 * Alphonsus J M Diepenbrock Dutch composer (Missa), dies at age 58. [1] April 8 * Earnest von Possart German actor/stage manager, dies. [1] April 11 * Augusta Victoria Queen of Prussia/wife of Emperor Wilhelm II, dies. [1] * Iowa imposes first state cigarette tax. [1] * Turkestan ASSR is established in Russian SFSR. [1] * Virginia O'Brien Los Angeles California, actress (Francis in the Navy). [1] April 14 * Prince Henry opens Rotterdam-Amsterdam-Bremen-Hamburg air route. [1] April 15 * Black Friday-Labour Party strike of mine workers fails. [1]

240

April 16 * Liberal Freedom League forms in The Hague. [1] April 18 * Earnest [Bachigaloupi] Tourniaire actor (Inkwartiering), dies at age 70. [1] * Junior Achievement incorporated in Colorado Springs Colorado. [1] * Philip James Barry's "Punch for Judy", premieres in New York City. [1] April 19 * Funeral of last German Emperoress, Augusta Victoria. [1] April 24 * First municipal elections for men and women in Belgium. [1] April 27 * Hadjememaar, [Corn de Gelder] elected in Amsterdam. [1] April 30 * Pope Benedict XV encyclical "On Dante". [1] May 1 * Drusian sultan Pasja al-Atrasj elected Governor of Suwayda. [1] * Louis Campbell-Tipton composer, dies at age 43. [1] May 2 * Begin third anti-German revolt in Upper-Silesia. [1] May 3 * West Virginia imposes first state sales tax. [1] May 5 * First ranger for Cleveland Metroparks hired. [1] * Alfred H Fried Austrian/German pacifist (Nobel Prize 1911), dies. [1] * Miniature newspaper published (Brighton Gazette 10 x 13 cm). [1]

241

May 8 * Sweden abolished capital punishment. [1] May 10 * Luigi Pirandello's "Sei Personaggi in Cerca d'Autore" premieres. [1] May 11 * Tel Aviv is first all Jewish municipality. [1] May 12 * Emilia Pardo Bazan Spanish writer (La sirena negra), dies. [1] * National Hospital Day first observed. [1] May 14 * Florence Allen is first woman judge to sentence a man to death. [1] * Mussolini's fascists obtains 29 parliament seats. [1] May 17 * Belgian-Luxembourg sign customs union. [1] * President Harding opens (via telephone) first Valencia Orange Show. [1] May 19 * US Congress sharply curbs immigration, setting a national quota system. [1] May 21 * Oldest radio station west of Mississippi River licensed in Greeley Colorado. [1] May 22 * Marie E Wilton writer, dies. [1] May 24 * First parliament for Northern Ireland elected. [1] * British Legion is formed. [1] May 27

242

* After 84 years of British control, Afghanistan achieves sovereignty. [1] May 28 * Geo Mestdagh Belgian aviation pioneer, dies. [1] May 30 * Lord Dunsany's "If" premieres in London. [1] * Salzburg Austria votes to join Germany. [1] May 31 * Suffy McInnis (first base) begins an errorless string of 1,700 chances. [1] June 1 * Race riot in Tusla Okla (21 whites and 60 blacks killed). [1] June 3 * A sudden cloudburst kills 120 near Pikes Peak, Colorado. [1] June 20 * 29.2 cm (11.5") of rainfall, Circle, Montana (state record). [1] July 11 * Mongolia gains independence from China (National Day). [1] July 14 * Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti convicted in Dedham Massachusetts, of. [1] July 20 * Air mail service begins between New York City and San Francisco. [5] July 27 * Researchers at the University of Toronto led by biochemist Frederick Banting announce the discovery of the hormone insulin. [5] August 3

243

* First aerial cropdusting, on six-acre catalpa grove infested with leaf caterpillars, at Troy, Ohio. Two days later, found to be 99 percent effective. [1] [55.7] August 6 * Clason Point, Bronx to College Point, Queens municipal ferry system begins. [1] August 10 * Franklin Roosevelt stricken with polio at summer home on Canadian Island of Campobello. [1] August 25 * US signs peace treaty with Germany. [1] August 28 * Second Pan-African Congress meets (London, Brussels and Paris). [1] September 8 * First Miss America crowned (Margaret Gorman of Washington DC). [1] September 15 * WBZ-AM in Boston Massachusetts begins radio transmissions. [1] September 21 * Gas generator explodes at Bradishe Aniline chemical works in Germany. [1] October 5 * Present constitution of Liechtenstein comes into effect. [1] October 9 * Babe Ruth's first World Series homer; only Sunday game ever pitched by Carl Mays. [1] October 26 * Solomon Porter Hood named minister to Liberia. [1] October 29

244

* Birth of William Henry Mauldin US, political cartoonist (Pulitzer-1945, 59). [1] November 9 * Albert Einstein is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work with the photoelectric effect. [5] November 11 * President Harding dedicates Tomb of Unknown Soldier. [1] November 12 * Washington Conference for Limitation of Armaments. [1] November 13 * "The Sheik," starring Rudolph Valentino, is released. [1] * US, France, Japan and British Empire sign a Pacific Treaty. [1] November 15 * KYW-AM in Philadelphia Pennsylvania begins radio transmissions. [1] November 28 * Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Bahá'í festival-Qawl 6, 78). [1] December 1 * First US helium-filled dirigible makes first flight. [1] * US Post Office establishes philatelic agency. [1] December 3 * Birth of Hans G Kresse Dutch cartoonist (Eric the Viking). [1] December 6 * Anglo-Irish Treaty signed; Ireland receives dominion status; partition creates Northern Ireland. [1] December 7 * KWG-AM in Stockton California begins radio transmissions. [1]

245

December 8 * Eamon de Valera publicly repudiates Anglo-Irish Treaty. [1] December 10 * Viktor Jacobi composer, dies at age 38. [1] December 12 * Henrietta Leavitt cepheid period-luminosity relation discover, dies. [1] December 16 * Charles Camille Saint-Saens French composer (Carnival of the Animals), dies at age 86. [1] December 21 * P B S Pinchback major Reconstruction politician, dies at age 84. [1] * US Supreme Court rules labor injunctions and picketing unconstitutional. [1] December 25 * Hans Huber composer, dies at age 69. [1] * Korolenko writer, dies. [1] December 29 * William Lyon Mackenzie King succeeded Arthur Meighen as Canadian Prime Minister. [1] December 31 * József Kiss Hungarian literary (A hét), dies at age 78. [1] * Last San Francisco firehorses retired. [1]

246

1922 January 1 * Vancouver British Columbia, Canada starts driving on the right side of road. [1] January 3 * Canadian Governor General Julian Byng strikes the first two nickel 5c coins of Canada, at the mint in Ottawa. [3] * First living person identified on a US coin (Thomas E Kirby) on the Alabama Centennial half-dollar. [1] * Death of Berthold Delbruck in Jena, Germany; linguist, initiated study of IndoEuropean languages. [37] * Death of Wilhelm Herrmann in Marburg, Germany; Protestant theologian. [37] January 5 * Sir Ernest Shackleton Antarctic explorer (Endurance), dies aboard his ship at age 47. [1] January 6 * Conference of Cannes concerning German retribution payments. [1] January 7 * Antonio Scontrino composer, dies at age 71. [1] January 8 * Colonel Charles R Young dies at age 58, in Lagos Nigeria. [1] January 9 * KQV-AM in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania begins radio transmissions. [1] * Rotterdam metal strike ends. [1] January 11 * Insulin first used in a human patient to treat diabetes (Leonard Thompson, 14, of Canada). [1] [5] January 13 * Buck Weaver, a Black Sox, applies unsuccessfully for reinstatement. [1]

247

* Conference of Cannes concerning German retribution payments ended. [1] * WHA-AM in Madison WI begins radio transmissions. [1] January 15 * Irish Free State forms; Michael Collins becomes first premier. [1] * John Kirk Barry Dr/explorer David Livingstone's companion, dies at age 89. [1] January 18 * Irish author Liam O'Flaherty and others occupy the Rotunda in Dublin. [1] January 19 * Geological survey says US oil supply would be depleted in 20 years. [1] January 20 * Arthur Honegger's ballet "Skating Rink" premieres, Paris. [1] January 21 * First slalom ski race run, Mürren, Switzerland. [1] January 22 * Benedictus XV [Giacomo Markies D Chiesa], pope (1914-22), dies at age 67. [1] January 24 * -54 degrees F (-48 degrees C), Danbury WI (state record). [1] * Eskimo Pie patented by Christian K Nelson of Iowa (not an Eskimo). [1] * Lehman Caves National Monument established. [1] January 26 * Luigi Denza composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Pastoral Symphony" premieres in London. [1] January 27 * Giovanni Verga Italian writer (I Mala Voglia), dies at age 81. [1] January 29 * Union of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador dissolved. [1]

248

January 30 * Ted McDonald takes 8-58 in big Victorian win over New South Wales. [1] * World Law Day, first celebrated. [1] January 31 * Heinrich Reinhardt composer, dies at age 56. [1] February 1 * William Desmond Taylor director/actor (Broken Coin), dies at age 49. [1] February 2 * James Joyce's "Ulysses" published in Paris (1,000 copies). [1] February 3 * Christiaan R de Wet South African Boer General, dies at age 67. [1] February 4 * WGY-AM in Schenectady New York begins radio transmissions. [1] February 5 * Christiaan R de Wet South African Boer General, dies at age 67. [1] * James William Tate composer, dies at age 46. [1] * Reader's Digest magazine first published. [1] February 6 * Cardinal Achille Ratti elected Pope Pius XI. [1] * A treaty limiting naval armament is signed by the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan. The limits set for total tonnage of major naval ships are: USA 525,000, Great Britain 525,000, France 175,000, Italy 175,000, Japan 315,000. [10] February 7 * John Willard's "Cat and the Canary" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 8 * President Warren G. Harding introduces the first radio in the White House. [1] [5]

249

February 9 * Italian government of Bonomi falls. [1] * Snow on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. [1] February 11 * "April Showers" by Al Jolson hits #1. [1] * Gerardus J P Bolland Dutch philosopher (Bolland Society), dies at age 67. [1] * US intervention army leaves Honduras. [1] February 15 * Clara [G Meijer-]Wichmann German/Dutch anarchist/feminist, dies at age 36. [1] * Marconi begins regular broadcasting transmissions from Essex. [1] February 18 * WOC-AM in Davenport Iowa begins radio transmissions. [1] February 19 * Ed Wynn becomes first talent to sign as a radio entertainer. [1] February 20 * Marc Connelly and George Kaufman's "To the Ladies" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Vilnius, Lithuania, agrees to separate from Poland. [1] * WOR-AM in New York City, New York begins radio transmissions. [1] February 21 * Airship Rome explodes at Hampton Roads Virginia; 34 die. [1] * Great Britain grants Egypt independence. [1] * WHK-AM in Cleveland Ohio begins radio transmissions. [1] February 22 * US Congress authorizes Grant Memorial $1 gold coin. [1] February 23 * Henri Landru executed for having 11 wives, in France. [1]

250

February 24 * Alfred Espinas French sociologist (Sociétes Animales), dies at age 77. [1] * Dmitri B Shostakovich father of Russian composer Dmitri D S, dies. [1] February 27 * Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover convenes first National Radio Conference. [1] * G B Shaw's "Back to Methusaleh I/II" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * US Supreme Court unanimously upheld 19th amend woman's right to vote. [1] February 28 * Egypt regains independence from Britain, but British troops remain. [1] * English princess Mary marries viscount Lascelles. [1] * KHQ-AM in Spokane Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] * Vicente Lleo composer, dies at age 51. [1] March 2 * WBAP-AM, Fort Worth Texas, begins broadcasting. [1] * WLW-AM in Cincinnati Ohio begins radio transmissions. [1] March 3 * Italian fascists occupy Fiume and Rijeka. [1] * WWJ-AM in Detroit Michigan begins radio transmissions. [1] March 4 * Bert Williams famous black, dies at age 46, in New York City, New York. [1] March 5 * "Nosferatu" premieres in Berlin. [1] March 6 * George Bernard Shaw's "Back to Methusaleh III/IV" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 9 * Eugene O'Neill's "Hairy Ape" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * KJR-AM in Seattle Washington begins radio transmissions. [1]

251

March 10 * Arthur Hervey composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Horace Wadham Nicholl composer, dies at age 73. [1] * KLZ-AM in Denver Colorado begins radio transmissions. [1] * State of siege proclaimed during mine strike Johannesburg South Africa. [1] March 13 * George Bernard Shaw's "Back to Methusaleh V" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * WRR-AM in Dallas Texas begins radio transmissions. [1] March 14 * KGU-AM in Honolulu HI begins radio transmissions. [1] * KSD-AM in Saint Louis Missouri begins radio transmissions. [1] * WGR-AM in Buffalo New York begins radio transmissions. [1] March 15 * First southern radio station begins radio transmissions (WSB-AM, Atlanta Georgia). [1] March 16 * Sultan Fuad I crowned king of Egypt, England recognizes Egypt. [1] * WKY-AM in Oklahoma City Oklahoma begins radio transmissions. [1] March 18 * British magistrates in India sentence Mohandas K Gandhi to six years for disobedience. [1] * WBT-AM in Charlotte North Carolina begins radio transmissions. [1] March 20 * USS Langley is commissioned, Navy's first aircraft Carrier. [1] * WIP-AM in Philadelphia Pennsylvania begins radio transmissions. [1] March 21 * KGW-AM in Portland Oregon begins radio transmissions. [1] March 22

252

* British court sentences Mahatma Gandhi to six years in prison. [1] * Louis A Ranvier French anatomist/historian, dies at age 86. [1] March 23 * First airplane lands at the US Capitol in Washington DC. [1] * KMJ-AM in Fresno California begins radio transmissions. [1] * WEW-AM in Saint Louis Missouri begins radio transmissions. [1] March 24 * Grand National at Aintree sees only three horses out of 32 starters finish. [1] March 27 * Nikolay Alexandrovich Sokolov composer, dies at age 63. [1] March 28 * First microfilm device introduced. [1] March 30 * KGY-AM in Olympia Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] * WWL-AM in New Orleans Louisiana begins radio transmissions. [1] March 31 * KFI-AM in Los Angeles California begins radio transmissions. [1] * Prince Hendrik opens trade fair building in Amsterdam. [1] April 1 * Charles I emperor (Austria)/King of Hungary (Charles IV), dies. [1] April 3 * Stalin appointed General Secretary of Communist Party. [1] April 4 * WAAB (Baton Rouge Louisiana) becomes first US radio station with "W" calls. [1] April 5 * Charles F A Woeste Belgian count/minister of Justice, dies at age 85. [1]

253

* KOB-AM in Albuquerque New Mexico begins radio transmissions. [1] * WDZ-AM in Decatur Illinois begins radio transmissions. [1] April 7 * Naval Reserve #3, "Teapot Dome", leased to Harry F Sinclair. [1] April 12 * Frantisek Ondricek composer, dies at age 64. [1] April 14 * Republic rebels occupies four government courts in Dublin. [1] April 15 * Poodle Dog Restaurant closes. [1] April 16 * Annie Oakley sets record by breaking 100 clay targets in a row. [1] * German-Russia treaty signed in Italy, Soviet Union recognized. [1] April 22 * South Ossetian Autonomous Region is established in Georgian SSR. [1] April 24 * Richard Batka composer, dies at age 53. [1] April 26 * Hans Sommer composer, dies at age 84. [1] April 27 * Fritz Langs "Dr Mabuse, der Spieler" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Yakut ASSR formed in Russian SFSR. [1] April 28 * WOI (Ames Iowa) country's first licensed educational radio station. [1] April 30

254

* David M Chumaceiro Curaçaos poet, dies. [1] May 1 * Charlie Robertson of Chicago pitches a perfect no-hit, no-run game. [1] May 2 * WBAP-AM begins broadcasting from Fort Worth Texas. [1] May 3 * Salt layer find at Winterswijk. [1] May 4 * KNX-AM in Los Angeles California begins radio transmissions. [1] May 10 * Dr Ivy Williams is first woman to be called to the English Bar. [1] * WHB-AM in Kansas City Missouri begins radio transmissions. [1] May 16 * White Star Line Majestic completes 5.5 day maiden voyage. [1] May 18 * Dutch second Chamber agrees to 48 hour work week (was 45 hours). [1] May 19 * Heinrich I Quincke German internist (postural drainage), dies at age 79. [1] May 20 * "Egypt" sinks off Ushant after colliding with "Seine" killing 90. [1] * Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel, suspended on October 16, 1921, by Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, return to the New York lineup and go hitless. [1] May 21 * "On the Road to Moscow" is first cartoon to receive a Pulitzer Prize. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Eugene O'Neill (Anna Christie). [1]

255

May 23 * "Abie's Irish Rose" first of over 2,500 performances. [1] * Walt Disney incorporates Laugh-O-gram Films, using the remaining assets of Iwwerks-Disney Commercial Artists, and US$15,000 from local investors. (About nine films are produced, but with virtually no revenue, the venture ends in bankruptcy in about a year.) [1] [6] May 24 * Record temperature in Netherlands for May (35.6 degrees C). [1] * Russian-Italian trade agreement signed. [1] May 26 * Lenin suffers a stroke. [1] May 28 * Carl Tieke composer, dies at age 58. [1] May 29 * Ecuador becomes independent. [1] * Jevgeni B Vachtangov Armenian/Russian actor/director, dies at age 39. [1] May 30 * David Mendes Chumaceiro Curaçaos poet (Adelfas), dies at age 45. [1] * Latvia and Vatican sign accord. [1] * In Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial is dedicated. [1] [5] June 2 * Suffy McInnis (first base) ends an errorless string of 1,700 chances. [1] June 16 * Henry Berliner demonstrates his helicopter to US Bureau of Aeronautics. [1] June 22 * Field Marshal Sir Henry H Wilson murdered in London. [1] June 24

256

* Dr Walter Rathenau German foreign minister killed by anti-semites. [1] June 27 * The American Library Association awards the first Newbery Medal, honoring the year's best children's book, to The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon. [1] [129] June 29 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #979 Ilsewa. [1] July 15 * First duck-billed platypus publicly exhibited in US, at New York zoo. [1] July 20 * Togo made a mandate of the League of Nations. [1] July 30 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #983 Gunila. [1] July 31 * 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson rides world's first water skis (Minn). [1] August 22 * Michael Collins Sinn Fein leader, killed by rebels. [1] August 24 * First Phillie to hit for the cycle (Cy Williams). [1] August 28 * WEAF in New York City airs first radio commercial (Queensboro Realty-$100 for 10 mins). [1] September 1 * New York City law requires all "pool" rooms to change name to "billards". [1]

257

September 11 * British mandate of Palestine begins. [1] September 13 * 136.4 degrees F (58 degrees C), El Aziziyah, Libya in shade (world record). [1] September 17 * Radio Moscow begins transmitting (12 KWs-most powerful station). [1] September 21 * President Warren G Harding signs a joint resolution of approval to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. [1] September 28 * Mussolini marches on Rome. [1] October 3 * First facsimile photo send over city telephone lines, Washington, DC. [1] October 11 * First woman FBI "special investigator" appointed (Alaska Davidson). [1] October 14 * First automated telephones-Pennsylvania exchange in New York City. [1] October 18 * Birth of Little Orphan Annie comic strip character. [1] * British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) established. [1] October 20 * Kennelworth in the Bronx renamed Dwight Place. [1] October 22 * Lucerne Street in the Bronx named. [1] * Parsifal Place laid out in Bronx, named for knight in Wagner's Opera. [1]

258

October 27 * First commemoration of Navy Day. [1] October 28 * Benito Mussolini takes control of Italy's government. [1] October 30 * Mussolini forms cabinet in Italy. [1] October 31 * Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) becomes premier of Italy. [1] November 1 * Ottoman Empire abolished. [1] November 4 * In Egypt's Valley of the Kings, Howard Carter and workers uncover a stone stairway leading to an ancient tomb, with seals intact. (The tomb is later determined to be that of King Tutankhamen.) [1] [66.25] November 11 * Largest US flag displayed (150' X 90 feet) expanded in 1939 (270' X 90 feet). [1] November 14 * The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) begins radio service from Marconi House in the United Kingdom. [1] [5] November 22 * Library Ave in the Bronx named. [1] November 26 * At a burial tomb (of King Tutankhamen) in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, Howard Carter views inside a second doorway into the burial chamber, seeing "everywhere the glint of gold". [66.27]

259

November 28 * Captain Cyril Turner (RAF) gave first skywriting exhibition (New York City). Turner spelled out "Hello USA. Call Vanderbilt 7200." 47,000 called. [1] November 30 * The Japanese navy's Honsho aircraft carrier is launched for sea trials. This is the world's first designed and completed aircraft carrier. The ship can carry 21 aircraft, and can travel at a speed of 25 knots. [55.13] December 1 * First skywriting over US-"Hello USA"-by Captain Turner, RAF. [1] * Polish state chief marshal Jozef Pilsudski, resigns. [1] December 3 * First successful technicolor movie (Tall of the Sea), shown in New York City, New York. [1] December 4 * Lucille Atcherson, becomes first woman legation secretary-US foreign service. [1] December 5 * Samuel Muller Fzn Dutch historian/archivist, dies. [1] December 6 * First constitution of Irish Free State comes into operation. [1] * First electric power line commercial carrier in US, Utica New York. [1] December 9 * Gabriel Narutowicz elected Polish President. [1] December 10 * Nobel awarded to Fridtjof Nansen, Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein. [1] December 15 * IVVV (association) peace congress on war forms in Hague. [1]

260

December 16 * Eliezer Ben-Yehuda [Perelmann] Latvia/Palestinian writer, dies at age 67. [1] * Gabriel Narutowicz first President of Poland (December 7-16, 1922), assassinated. [1] December 17 * Last British troops leave Ireland Freestate. [1] December 19 * Mrs Theres Vaughn, 24, confessed in court to being married 62 times. [1] December 20 * Fourteen republics form Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics (USSR). [1] * Polish parliament selects Stanislaw Wojcieckowski as president. [1] December 22 * Belgian parliament rejects Dutch University in Ghent. [1] * In Egypt, the first official press viewing of Tutankhamen's tomb takes place. [66.28] December 23 * BBC Radio began daily newscasts. [1] * Pope Pius XI pleas for peace: encyclical Ubi arcano. [1] December 24 * BBC sends first British radio play "Truth about Father Christmas". [1] * London Coloseum opens. [1] December 25 * Alphonse Goovaerts composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Lenin dictates his "Political testament". [1] December 28 * Birth of Stan Lee, comics artist/creator (Spiderman, Incredible Hulk). [1] [5] December 29 * Revised Netherlands Law proclaims suffrage. [1]

261

December 30 * Soviet Union organized as a federation of RSFSR, Ukrainian SSR, Belorussian SSR and Transcaucasian SSR. [1]

262

1923 January 1 * Union of Socialist Soviet Republics established. [1] January 2 * Ku Klux Klan surprise attack on black residential area Rosewood Florida, 8 killed (compensation awarded in 1995). [1] * Sam Carter black resident of Rosewood Florida, lynched by KKK. [1] January 3 * Jaroslav Hasek Czech writer (Good Soldier Schweyk), dies at age 39. [1] January 4 * First broadcast of "Barn Dance Show" (WBAP - Fort Worth Texas). [1] * Lenin's "Political Testament" calls for removal of Stalin. [1] January 7 * Baltimore Sun warns of Ku Klux Klan. [1] January 8 * Typography strike in Amsterdam. [1] January 9 * Juan de la Cierva makes first autogiro (helicopter) flight, Spain. [1] * Katherine Mansfield New Zealand/British writer (Dove's Nest), dies at age 34. [1] January 10 * Last US troops leave Rhineland (Germany). [1] * Lithuania seizes and annexes country of Memel. [1] January 11 * First Dutch Dada-evening (Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters). [1] * Constantine I king of Greece (1913-17, 20-22), dies at age 54. [1] * French and Belgian troops occupy Ruhr to collect reparations. In protest, Berlin ceases payment of all reparations. [1] [37]

263

January 15 * Lithuania seizes and annexes the country of Memel. [1] January 17 * Belgian Working people Party protest against occupied Ruhrgebied. [1] * Origin of Brown lunation numbers. [1] January 18 * First radio telegraph message from Netherlands to Dutch East Indies. [1] January 19 * WMC-AM in Memphis Tennessee begins radio transmissions. [1] January 22 * Max Nordau [Südfeld], German physician/zionists leader, dies at age 73. [1] January 23 * Taxi strike in Amsterdam begins (through March 9th). [1] January 24 * Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico established. [1] January 25 * NVV donates 100,000 gulden to mine workers of Ruhrgebied. [1] January 28 * First "Reichs Party" (NSDAP) forms in Munich. [1] * Demonstration against a Dutch University in Ghent. [1] * NSDAP first election in Munich. [1] January 29 * First flight of the autogiro (Juan de la Cierva, Madrid Spain). [1] February 1 * Allied ultimatum on Lithuanian occupation of Memel. [1]

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* Fascists Voluntary Militia forms in Italy under Mussolini. [1] * Noël Coward's "Young Idea" premieres in London. [1] February 2 * Ethyl gasoline first marketed, Dayton Ohio. [1] * US signs friendship treaty with Central American countries. [1] February 5 * General mine strike against wage cuts in Saar. [1] * Mass arrests of socialists and communists in Italy. [1] February 6 * Edward E Barnard US astronomer (5th moon Jupiter), dies at age 65. [1] February 8 * Coal mine explosion at Dawson New Mexico kills 120. [1] * German NSDAP Volkischer Beobachter newspaper becomes a daily. [1] February 9 * Soviet Aeroflot airlines established. [1] February 10 * Ink paste manufactured for first time by Standard Ink Company. [1] * Owen Davis' "Icebound" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * SDAP speaks out against allied occupation of Ruhrgebied. [1] * Wilhelm Konrad von Rontgen physicist (Nobel Prize 1901), dies at age 77. [1] February 15 * Josephine B Willson Bruce US black theorist, dies at age 69. [1] February 16 * Allies accept Latvia's occupation of Memel territory. [1] February 18 * Belgium Borinage-mine workers strike for higher wages. [1] February 19

265

* Jean Sibelius' 6th Symphony, premieres. [1] * Jeronimo Gimenez y Bellido composer, dies at age 68. [1] * Philip Barry's "You and I" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 20 * Christy Mathewson becomes president of Boston Braves. [1] February 21 * André Charlot's musical "Rats" premieres in London. [1] February 22 * First successful chinchilla farm in US (Los Angeles California). [1] * The United States begins the first transcontinental air mail route. [1] [5] February 23 * German Republic day with laws against worker. [1] * Great Britain lowers import duty on German products from 26% to 5%. [1] February 24 * Flying Scotsman goes into service. [1] * Mass arrests in US of Mafia. [1] February 25 * Bread in Berlin rises to 2,000 mark. [1] February 26 * Italian nationalist and fascists merge (blue-shirts and black-shirts). [1] February 27 * Charles Francis Abdy Williams composer, dies at age 67. [1] February 28 * Swedish king Gustaaf V begins state visit to Netherlands. [1] March 1

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* Allies occupy Ruhrgebied; killing railroad striker. [1] March 2 * Time magazine debuts. [1] March 3 * Time magazine publishes first issue. [1] * US Senate rejects membership in International Court of Justice, The Hague. [1] March 4 * Lenin's last article in Pravda (about Red bureaucracy). [1] March 5 * Montana and Nevada become first states to enact old age pension laws. [1] March 8 * Johannes S van der Waals Dutch physicist (Nobel Prize 1910), dies at age 85. [1] March 9 * Amsterdam taxi strike ended. [1] * Elmer Rice's "Adding Machine" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 13 * Lee de Forest demonstrates his sound-on-film moving pictures (New York City, New York). [1] March 14 * Allies accepts Vilnus taking East-Galicië in Poland. [1] * German Supreme Court prohibits NSDAP. [1] * President Warren G Harding became first President filing income tax report and pay taxes. [1] March 15 * Lenin is hit with his third stroke. [1] March 16

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* Hugo von Hofmannsthal's "Der Unbestechliche" premieres in Vienna. [1] March 20 * Bavarian minister of Interior refuses to forbid Nazi SA. [1] * Belgian Senate rejects Dutch University in Ghent. [1] March 21 * US foreign minister Charles Hughes refuses USSR recognition. [1] March 22 * Theophile Delcassé French statesman, dies at age 71. [1] March 23 * Frank Silver and Irving Conn release "Yes, We Have No Bananas". [1] March 25 * British government grants Trans-Jordan autonomy. [1] March 26 * Sarah Bernhardt [Henriette-Rosine Bernard] actress (Qn Elizabeth), dies at age 77. [1] March 30 * Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, formed at Howard University in 1920, incorporates. [1] March 31 * First dance marathon-New York City-Alma Cummings sets record of 27 hours. [1] * French soldiers fire on workers at Krupp factory in Essen; 13 die. [1] April 1 * First sound short films shown in New York's Rivoli Theatre. [242.4] April 4 * L Martov [Joulij O Tsederbaum] Russian revolutionary, dies at age 49. [1] April 5

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* Firestone Company puts their inflatable tires into production. [1] * George Edward Stanhope Molyneúx Herbert 5th Earl of Carnarvon/egyptologist, dies at age 56. [1] April 7 * First brain tumor operation under local anesthetic performed (Beth Israel Hospital in New York City) by Dr K Winfield Ney. [1] * Workers Party of America (New York City) becomes official communist party. [1] April 9 * Mauritius H Binger director/producer (Living Ladder), dies. [1] * Sean O'Casey's "Shadow of a Gunman", premieres in Dublin. [1] April 10 * Hitler demands "hatred and more hatred" in Berlin. [1] April 14 * Etienne Oehmichen sets helicopter distance record of 358 metres. [1] April 15 * Insulin first becomes generally available for use by diabetics. [5] * First sound on film public performance shown at Rialto Theater (New York City). [1] April 18 * 74,000 (62,281 paid) on hand for opening of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. [1] [5] * Poland annexes Central Lithuania. [1] April 19 * New Egyptian law allows suffrage for men, except soldiers. [1] * Thomas Paine Westendorf composer, dies at age 75. [1] April 24 * Colonel Jacob Schick patents Schick shavers. [1] * General harbor strike begins in New York City, New York. [1] April 26

269

* English prince Albert (George VI) marries lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. [1] April 27 * Mussolini government italian place in South Tirol/Alto Adige. [1] May 3 * First nonstop transcontinental flight (New York-San Diego) completed. [1] May 4 * Bloody street battles between Nazis, socialist and police in Vienna. [1] * New York state revokes Prohibition law. [1] May 7 * Mine strike at Belgian Borinage railroad. [1] May 10 * Vaslav Vorovsky Russian delegate, assassinated. [1] May 13 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Willa Carter (One of Ours). [1] May 15 * Cooperation of Dutch Molen forms. [1] May 17 * Fire during closing day ceremonies at Grover Cleveland School (South Carolina). [1] May 19 * KPD (communist revolts) in German Ruhr cities occupied by Allies. [1] May 20 * Hans Goldschmidt German chemist, dies. [1] * Stanley Baldwin, becomes Prime Minister of United Kingdom. [1] May 22

270

* Stanley Baldwin succeeds Andrew Bonar Law as British premier. [1] May 23 * Belgium's SABENA airline launches. [5] * First flight of Sabena: Brussel-Lympne, Great Britain. [1] May 25 * Britain recognizes Transjordan with Abdullah as its leader. [1] May 26 * Socialist Workers Youth International forms in Hamburg. [1] May 28 * Attorney General says it is legal for women to wear trousers anywhere. [1] * US unemployment has nearly ended. [1] May 29 * Adolf Oberländer German painter, dies. [1] May 30 * Camille Chevillard composer, dies at age 63. [1] * Howard Hanson's first Symphony "Nordic" premieres. [1] May 31 * China and USSR exchange diplomats. [1] June 8 * S Belyavskij discovers asteroid #995 Sternberga. [1] June 12 * Harry Houdini frees himself from a straitjacket while suspended. [1] June 14 * President Harding is first US president to use radio, dedicating the. [1]

271

June 21 * Marcus Garvey sentenced to five years for using the mail to defraud. [1] June 27 * Birth of Paul F Conrad Cedar Rapids Iowa, cartoonist (Pulitzer 1964, 1971, 1984). [1] * Capt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. John P. Richter perform the first ever aerial refueling in a DH-4B biplane. [5] June 29 * General JC Gomez Venezuala's first Vice President, assassinated. [1] June 30 * New Zealand claims Ross Dependency in Antarctica. [1] July 6 * Union of Soviet Socialist Republics formed. [1] July 7 * University of Delaware invents the "junior year abroad" (at Sorbonne). [1] July 8 * Harding becomes first sitting president to visit Alaska (Metlakahtla). [1] July 10 * 2-pound hailstones kill 23 and many cattle. (Rostov, Russia). [1] * All non-fascist parties disolved in Italy. [1] July 12 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroids #997 Priska and #3682. [1] July 13 * The Hollywood Sign (reading "Hollywoodland") is officially dedicated in Los Angeles. [5] July 19

272

* WRC-AM in Washington DC begins radio transmissions. [1] July 21 * Philadelphia Phillies score 12 in 6th and beat Chicago Cubs 17-4. [1] July 24 * Allied Powers and Turkey sign peace treaty, Lausanne. [1] July 30 * New Zealand claims Ross Dependency. [1] August 2 * President Harding dies at Palace Hotel, San Francisco. [1] August 5 * First American to swim the English Channel (Henry Sullivan). [1] August 9 * New York State Golf Association formed. [1] August 12 * Enrico Tiraboschi is first to swim English Channel westward. [1] August 13 * Mustapha Kemal elected president of Turkey. [1] September 1 * Earthquake strikes Tokyo and Yokohama, kills 106,000. [1] September 3 * Birth of Mort Walker cartoonist (Beetle Bailey). [1] September 4 * The first U.S. airship, the USS Shenandoah, makes its maiden flight. [5]

273

September 5 * Flyweights Gene LaRue and Kid Pancho KO each other simultaneously. [1] September 11 * The ZR-1 (biggest active dirigible) flies over New York's tallest skyscraper, the Woolworth Tower. [1] September 12 * Britain takes over Southern Rhodesia from British South Africa Co. [1] September 14 * Miguel Primo de Rivera becomes dictator of Spain. [1] September 22 * Marquess of Ripon game hunter, dies, after shooting 52nd grouse. [1] September 27 * Lou Gehrig's first homer. [1] September 29 * Steinhart Aquarium in Golden Gate Park opens to public. [1] October 5 * Edwin Hubble identifies Cepheid variable star. [1] October 6 * USSR adopts experimental calendar. [1] October 11 * German mark falls to 10 billion per £, 4 billion per $. [1] October 16 * Walt and Roy Disney, as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, sign a contract with M.J. Winkler Productions, a New York film distributor, to produce six Alice Comedy

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short films, for US$1500 each, with an option for six more. (This date is considered the beginning of the Disney studio.) [6] October 21 * Deutsches Museum, München, first Walther Bauersfeld Zeiss Planetarium. [1] October 27 * Birth of Roy Lichtenstein US, Pop art painter; painted comic book panels. [1] October 29 * "Runnin' Wild" (introducing the Charleston) opens on Broadway. [1] * Turkey proclaimed a republic (National Day). [1] November 3 * Swedish Crown Prince Gustav Adolf marries Lady Louise Mountbatten in the Chapel Royal at St. James' Palace in England, hosted by King George V. [7] November 6 * USSR adopts experimental calendar, with 5-day "weeks". [1] November 9 * Beer Hall Putsch-NAZIs fail to overthrow government in Germany. [1] November 22 * Coolidge pardons WW I German spy Lothar Witzke, sentenced to death. [1] December 2 * Tomas Breton y Hernandez composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 3 * First Congressional open session broadcast via radio (Washington DC). [1] December 4 * Cecil B DeMille's first version of "Ten Commandments" premieres. [1] * WEAF radio begins broadcasting Eveready Hour (variety show). [1] * [Auguste-]Maurice Barrès French writer/parliament leader, dies at age 61. [1]

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December 6 * First presidential address broadcast on radio (President Calvin Coolidge). [1] December 8 * Dom Joseph Pothier French Benedictine/musicologist, dies at age 88. [1] * German-US friendship treaty signed. [1] * Labour/Liberals win British parliament. [1] * Salary and price freeze in Germany. [1] December 10 * Polish government of Grabski, forms. [1] December 12 * Raymond Radiguet French journalist/writer (Ball du Comte), dies at age 20. [1] December 14 * Gerard K "Simon" van het Reve, Dutch writer (Evenings). [1] * Giuseppi Gallignani composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 16 * Pongrac Kacsoh composer, dies at age 50. [1] December 17 * Greek king George II overthrown by army/republic. [1] December 18 * International zone of Tangier set up in Morocco. [1] December 21 * Nepal changes from British protectorate to independent nation. [1] December 22 * Arthur H Bird composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Bill Ponsford and Edgar Mayne make 456 opening stand for Victoria. [1]

276

December 25 * Imperial Theater opens at 249 W 45th Steet New York City. [1] December 27 * Unsuccessful attempt on prince-regent Hirohito of Japan. [1] December 28 * Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel engineer (Eiffel Tower), dies at age 91. [1] * George Bernard Shaw's "St Joan" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 31 * First transatlantic radio broadcast of a voice, Pittsburgh-Manchester. [1] * BBC begins using Big Ben chime ID. [1] * Harry Tierney/Joseph McCarthy's musical "Kid Boots" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

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1924 January 1 * Grossdeutsche Völksgemeinschaft/Völkische Block replaces NSDAP. [1] January 3 * Birth of Andre Franquin cartoonist. [1] January 6 * Poulenc/Nijinska's ballet "Les Biches" premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] January 12 * History of Science Society organized at Boston. [1] January 13 * Georg H Quincke German physicist (Test of Quincke), dies at age 89. [1] * Nationalist Wafd-party wins Egyptian parliament elections. [1] January 14 * Allies direct Fiume (Rijeka) in Italy. [1] * Arne Garborg Norwegian playwright (Mannfolk), dies at age 72. [1] January 15 * Third Dutch government Ruijs de Beerenbrouck forms. [1] * Geza Zichy composer, dies at age 74. [1] January 21 * Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin Russian leader, dies of a stroke at age 54. [1] January 22 * Baldwin government resigns in England. [1] * Dutch Blast Furnace and Steel Factory opens. [1] * KGO-AM in San Francisco California begins radio transmissions. [1] * Maurice du Plessys French poet (Le Feu Sacré), dies at age 59. [1] January 23

278

* Ramsey MacDonald forms first Labour government in Britain. [1] January 24 * Mussolini disallows non-fascists work union. [1] * Russian city of Saint Petersburg renamed Leningrad. [1] * Thephilo Braga Portuguese poet/politician, dies at age 80. [1] January 27 * Egyptian king Foead nominates Saad Zaghloel Pasja premier. [1] * Lenin placed in Mausoleum in Red Square. [1] January 28 * Simon Abramsz Dutch writer (Artist book), dies at age 56. [1] January 29 * Ice cream cone rolling machine patented by Carl Taylor, Cleveland. [1] * Joseph Ludwig composer, dies at age 79. [1] February 1 * Amsterdam's Netherlands Press Museum opens. [1] * New British MacDonald government recognizes USSR. [1] February 2 * International Ski Federation (FIS) founded. [1] February 3 * Alexei Ryko elected as President of People's commission (succeeds Lenin). [1] * Woodrow Wilson 28th President (1913-21), dies at his home in Washington at age 67. [1] February 4 * George Kelly's "Show-Off" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 5 * Alexis Hollander composer, dies at age 83. [1] * The Royal Greenwich Observatory begins broadcasting the hourly time signals known as the Greenwich Time Signal or the "BBC pips." [5]

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February 7 * Mussolini government exchanges diplomats with USSR. [1] February 8 * First coast-to-coast radio hookup: General John Joseph Carty speech in Chicago. [1] * Gee John US mobster (first executed in gas chamber-Nevada), dies. [1] February 9 * Nakhichevan ASSR constituted within Azerbaijan SSR. [1] * Nils Kj'r Norwegian playwright (Det Lykkelige Valg), dies at age 53. [1] February 12 * George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" premieres at Carnegie Hall (New York City, New York). [1] * George Kaufman's "Beggar on Horseback" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Calvin Coolidge becomes the first President of the United States to deliver a political speech on radio. [1] [5] February 13 * King Tut's tomb opened. [1] February 14 * IBM Corporation founded by Thomas Watson. [1] February 15 * Lionel Monckton English composer (Country Girl), dies at age 62. [1] February 17 * Oskar Merikanto composer, dies at age 55. [1] February 18 * US, Minister of Marine Edwin Denby ends term due to Teapot Dome-scandal. [1] February 21

280

* Salvatore Auteri Manzocchi composer, dies at age 78. [1] February 22 * First presidential radio address (Calvin Coolidge). [1] February 23 * Thomas Woodrow Wilson 28th US President (1913-21), dies. [1] February 24 * Edmond Picard French/Belgian writer (Ambidextre journalist), dies at age 87. [1] * Greek parliament proclaims republic. [1] * Mahatma Gandhi released from jail. [1] February 26 * Trial against Hitler in Munich begins. [1] February 27 * Belgium's Theunis government falls. [1] February 28 * US begins intervention in Honduras. [1] March 1 * Germany's prohibition of Communist Party KPD lifted. [1] * Louise-Marie Amélie princess of Belgium, dies at age 66. [1] March 3 * German and Turkish friendship/trade treaty signed. [1] * Sean O'Casey's "Juno and the Paycock" premieres in Dublin. [1] March 5 * Computing-Tabulating-Recording Corp becomes IBM. [1] * King Hussein of Hedzjaz appoints himself kalief. [1] March 6 * British Labour government cuts military budget. [1]

281

* Meyer E van Beem actor (Moittige Janus), dies at age 85. [1] March 8 * Coal mine explosion kills 171 at Castle Gate UT. [1] March 9 * Italy annexes Fiume. [1] * South Slavia aproves Italy's annexation of Fiume (Rijeka). [1] March 11 * Third term of Belgium Theunis government begins. [1] * Eden Phillpotts' "Farmer's Wife" premieres in London. [1] March 12 * Hilaire Comte de Chardonnet inventor (rayon), dies. [1] March 13 * German Republic day. [1] March 17 * Eugene O'Neill's "Welded" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Netherlands and USSR begin talks over USSR recognition. [1] * Sweden and USSR exchange diplomats. [1] March 18 * John Frederick Bridge composer, dies at age 79. [1] March 19 * Charles Villiers Stanford Irish composer/author, dies at age 71. [1] March 20 * Finnair begins scheduled flight of Helsinki-Tallinn. [1] March 21 * First foreign language course broadcast on US radio (WJZ, New York City, New York). [1]

282

* Mass Investors Trust becomes first mutual fund set up in US. [1] March 22 * R G Nivelle French General (Verdun), dies at age 67. [1] March 24 * Greece becomes a republic. [1] March 25 * Greek parliament selects Admiral Paul Koundouriótis as premier. [1] March 26 * Augusto de Oliviera Machado composer, dies at age 78. [1] * Premiere of Bernard Shaw's "Saint Joan" in London. [1] March 27 * Canada recognizes USSR. [1] * New French government of Poincaré begins. [1] * Walter Parratt composer, dies at age 83. [1] March 28 * WGN-AM in Chicago Illinois begins radio transmissions. [1] March 29 * Bayern and Vatican reach accord. [1] * Charles Villiers Stanford Irish composer/writer, dies at age 71. [1] March 31 * Croydon Airport; first British air company merger - Imperial Airways Ltd established. [1] * London public transport strike ends. [1] April 1 * Crown takes over Northern Rhodesia from British South Africa Co. [1] * Hitler sentenced to five years labor but General Ludendorff acquitted. [1] * Imperial Airways is formed in Britain. [1]

283

April 6 * Four planes leave Seattle on first successful around-the-world flight. [1] * Italian fascists receive 65% of vote of parliament. [1] * Völkische Block (Nazi's) receives 17.8% of vote in Bayern. [1] April 11 * Socialists win Denmark's parliamentary elections. [1] * WLS-AM in Chicago Illinois begins radio transmissions. [1] April 13 * Greek plebiscite for a republic. [1] April 14 * Louis H Sullivan architect (Wainwright building Saint Louis), dies at age 67. [1] * Roland Napoleon Bonaparte French officer/explorer (Surinam), dies at age 65. [1] April 15 * Rand McNally publishes its first road atlas. [5] * Eduardo Caudella composer, dies at age 82. [1] * Flemish-Walloon riots in Louvain Belgium, one dead. [1] * WHO-AM in Des Moines Iowa begins radio transmissions. [1] April 16 * First radio-transmission of wireless Matthäus Passion. [1] * Child labor laws strengthened in Holland. [1] April 17 * Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B Mayer Company merged to form MGM. [1] April 18 * First crossword puzzle book published (Simon and Schuster). [1] April 19 * "National Barn Dance" premieres on WLS Chicago. [1] April 21

284

* Eleanora Duse Italian actress (La Gioconda, La Locandiera), dies at age 64. [1] April 22 * Hague Chambers of Commerce forms, Netherlands. [1] April 23 * British Empire Exhibition opens at Wembley. [1] April 26 * Josef Labor composer, dies at age 82. [1] April 28 * 119 die in Benwood West Virginia coal mine disaster. [1] May 1 * Admiral Paul Koundouriótis becomes President of Greece. [1] * August Cuppens Flemish author (Limburgs Driemanschap), dies at age 62. [1] May 2 * Netherlands refuses to recognize USSR. [1] May 4 * German Republic election fascists and communists win. [1] May 5 * Unions terminate Twentse textile strike. [1] May 6 * Carel S Adama van Scheltema poet/writer (socialism), dies at age 47. [1] May 7 * Peruvian Torre forms 004A, Alianza Popular Revolutionaria Americana. [1] May 8

285

* Arthur Honegger's "Pacifica 231" premieres. [1] * Lev N Lunts Russian writer (Outside the Law), dies at age 23. [1] * Memel territories given to Lithuania. [1] * Workers at Werkspoor in Amsterdam strike against third wage cut. [1] May 10 * Adolfo Albertazzi Italian writer (L'ave), dies at age 58. [1] * J Edgar Hoover appointed head of the FBI. [1] May 11 * Cartel des Gauches wins French parliamentary election. [1] * Pulitzer Prize awarded to Robert Frost (New Hampshire). [1] May 12 * Charles Henri Marechal composer, dies at age 82. [1] May 15 * Paul d'Estornelles de Constant French diplomat/pacifist, dies at age 71. [1] May 16 * 108 degrees F (42 degrees C) in Blitzen OR. [1] May 21 * Bobby Franks killed by Leopold and Loeb, at age 14. [1] * Leopold and Loeb kidnap Bobby Franks for fun. [1] May 22 * In Chicago, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb kidnap Robert Franks. [1] May 25 * Theodore Morse composer, dies at age 51. [1] May 26 * German Government of Marx resigns. [1] * Johann Heinrich Beck composer, dies at age 67. [1] * President Coolidge signs Immigration Law (restricting immigration). [1] * Victor Herbert Irish/US cellist/composer/conductor, dies at age 65. [1]

286

May 29 * Pierre-Paul Cambon French diplomat (Madrid/London), dies. [1] May 30 * Socialist Matteotti falls in Italian parliament by fascists. [1] June 2 * US citizenship granted to all American Indians. [1] June 3 * Gila Wilderness Area established by Forest Service. [1] June 6 * S Belyavskij discovers asteroid #1031 Arctica. [1] June 7 * George Leigh-Mallory disappears 775' from Everest's summit. [1] June 10 * First political convention broadcast on radio-Republicans at Cleveland. [1] * Giacomo Matteotti Italian socialist deputy, assassinated by fascists. [1] June 15 * Ford Motor Company manufactures its 10 millionth automobile. [1] * Native Americans are proclaimed US citizens. [1] June 23 * V Albitzkij discovers asteroid #1022 Olympiada. [1] June 25 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #1023 Thomana. [1] June 26 * After 8 years of occupation, US troops leave the Domincan Republic. [1]

287

June 28 * Tornado strikes Sandusky Ohio and Lorain Ohio, killing 93. [1] July 1 * Through regular transcontinental airmail service established, New York City-SF. [1] July 6 * First photo sent experimentally across Atlantic by radio, US-England. [1] July 7 * E Hertzsprung discovers asteroid #1702 Kalahari. [1] July 24 * The World Chess Federation FIDE is founded in Paris. [5] August 5 * Comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," by Harold Gray, debuts. [1] August 23 * Mars' closest approach to Earth since the 10th century. [1] August 25 * Washington Senator Walter Johnson second no-hitter beats Browns, 2-0 in 7 inn. [1] September 2 * Rudolf Friml's "Rose Marie" opens to rave reviews in New York City. [1] September 8 * Alexandra Kollontai of Russia becomes first woman ambassador. [1] September 10 * Leopold and Loeb found guilty of murder. [1] September 25

288

* Malcolm Campbell sets world auto speed record at 146.16 MPH. [1] September 28 * Two US Army planes end around-world flight, Seattle to Seattle, 57 stops. [1] October 7 * 160 consecutive days of 100 degrees at Marble Bar, Australia begins. [1] October 12 * Sokolnicheskaya Radio begins broadcasting from Moscow. [1] October 18 * Notre Dame beats Army 13-7, New York Herald Tribune dubs them (4 Horsemen). [1] October 25 * First appearance of Little Orphan Annie comic strip. [1] October 27 * The Uzbek SSR forms. [1] October 29 * "Dixie to Broadway," opens at Broadhurst Theater. [1] November 4 * Nellie Tayloe Ross elected first US female governor (Wyoming). [1] November 6 * Stanley Baldwin becomes Prime Minister of England. [1] November 9 * Miriam (Ma) Ferguson becomes first elected woman governor (of Texas). [1] November 11

289

* Palace of Legion of Honor dedicated (San Francisco). [1] November 22 * England orders Egyptians out of Sudan. [1] November 26 * Mongolian People's Republic proclaimed. [1] November 29 * Giacomo Puccini Italian composer, dies in Brussels. [1] November 30 * First photo facsimile transmitted across Atlantic by radio. [1] December 1 * Calles becomes President of México. [1] * George/Ira Gershwin's musical "Lady Be Good" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 2 * British-German trade agreement signed. [1] December 7 * German election (Social Democrats win/Nazis and Communists lose). [1] December 8 * Franz X Scharwenka German pianist/composer (Mataswintha), dies at age 74. [1] December 9 * Bernard Zweers Dutch composer (Gisbertus of Aemstel), dies at age 70. [1] * Dutch and Hungary trade treaty signed. [1] * Michael Hainisch re-elected Austrian President. [1] December 10 * Willem Einthoven awarded Nobel for medicine. [1]

290

December 13 * KOA-AM in Denver Colorado begins radio transmissions. [1] * Samuel Gompers organizer (American Federation of Labor), dies at age 74. [1] December 14 * Chiang Kai-shek occupies Hankou. [1] * Respighi's symphony "Pini di Roma" premieres in Paris. [1] December 16 * Noel Coward's "Vortex" premieres in London. [1] December 17 * First US diesel electric locomotive enters service, Bronx New York. [1] December 20 * Adolf Hitler freed from jail early. [1] December 22 * Philip Barry's "Youngest" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 24 * First radio transmission of NCRV in Netherlands. [1] * Albania becomes a republic (ex-premier Ahmed Zogoe's coup). [1] * Richard Rodgers Theater (46th Steet Chanin's) opens at 226 W 46th New York City. [1] * School in Babb's Switch Oklahoma catches fire, 36 die. [1] December 26 * Judy Garland, age 2.5, billed as Baby Frances, show business debut. [1] December 27 * William Archer Scottish critic/playwright (Green Goddess), dies at age 68. [1]

291

1925 January 1 * American astronomer Edwin Hubble announces the discovery of galaxies outside the Milky Way. (December 31, 1924 [1]) [5] * Norway's capital Christiania changes name to Oslo. [1] [88.22] January 2 * Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region established (now in Tadzhik SSR). [1] January 3 * Mussolini dissolves Italian parliament/becomes dictator. [1] January 4 * French psychologist Emil Coué brings his self-esteem therapy to US "Every day in every way I am getting better and better". [1] January 5 * James Gleason and Richard Tabers "Is zat so?" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Nellie Taylor Ross became Governor of Wyoming, first woman governor in USA. [1] * Under Polish control, Danzig establishes Port Gdansk post office. [1] January 7 * Musical "Big Boy" with Al Jolson premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 8 * First all-female US state supreme court appointed, Texas. [1] January 9 * German Postal Minister A Höfle resigns due to corruption. [1] January 10 * France-Saarland forms. [1] * Miriam (Ma) Ferguson sworn in as Texas Governor, nation's second woman governor. [1]

292

January 11 * Franc B Kellogg replaces Charles Hughes on as US Secretary of State. [1] January 12 * John Howard Lawson's "Processional" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Oskar Brefeld German botanist, dies at age 85. [1] January 14 * Alban Berg's atonale opera "Wozzeck" premieres in Berlin. [1] * Willem Devout self employed (V and Dreesmann), dies. [1] January 15 * Hans Luther forms German government, with DNVP. [1] January 16 * General M Froense replaces Trotsky as People's Commissioner of Defense. [1] * Leon Trotsky dismissed as CEO of Russian Revolution Military Council. [1] January 19 * -48 degrees F (-44 degrees C), Van Buren Maine (state record). [1] January 20 * USSR and Japan sign treaty of Peking, Seychelles back to USSR. [1] January 21 * Albanian parliament announces itself a republic; Ahmed Zogoe President. [1] January 22 * Albania Republic proclaimed under President Achmed Zogu. [1] January 24 * Moving picture of a solar eclipse taken from dirigible over Long Island. [1] * Sandler follows Branting as premier of Sweden. [1] January 28

293

* -46 degrees F (-43 degrees C), Pittsburgh New Hampshire (state record). [1] January 29 * British Liberals choose David Lloyd George as party leader. [1] January 30 * Jakab Gyula Major composer, dies at age 66. [1] * John F Mellaerts Flemish social founder (Boerenbond), dies at age 79. [1] * Turkish government throws out Constantine VI of Constantinople. [1] January 31 * Premier Ahmed Zogu (Zogu I) becomes President of Albania. [1] February 1 * First national conference of KPD's Rotfrontkämpferbund in Berlin. [1] February 2 * Antti Aarne Finnish sociologist, dies at age 57. [1] * Belgian episcopacy rejects liberalism, communism and socialism. [1] * Dogsleds reach Nome with emergency diphtheria serum after 1000-km. [1] February 8 * Kaufman and Berlin's "Coconuts" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Marcus Garvey enters federal prison in Atlanta Georgia. [1] February 9 * German Minister Stresemann proposes security treaty with France. [1] * Haifa Technion (Israel), opens. [1] February 10 * First waterless gas storage tank put into service, Michigan City Indiana. [1] February 12 * First federal arbitration law approved byUS Congress. [1] * E Thieffry departs with Handley Page for the Belgian Congo. [1] * Estonia forbids Communist Party. [1]

294

February 13 * US Congress makes Surpreme Court appeal more difficult. [1] February 14 * State of emergency crisis in Bayern ends, NSDAP re-allowed. [1] February 17 * Birth of Fritz Behrendt German/Dutch cartoon character (The Slogan). [1] February 18 * James Lane Allen US writer (Choir Invisible), dies at age 75. [1] February 21 * First issue of "New Yorker" magazine published. [1] * Alfred Baldwin Sloan composer, dies at age 52. [1] * Mass meeting of SPD's Reichsbanner Black-Red-Gold in Magdeburg. [1] February 22 * Georges/Joris Helleputte Belgian Catholic minister, dies at age 72. [1] * Nina David [Mrs Radcliffe N Salomon], poet/author, dies. [1] * Thomas C Allbutt English physiologist, dies at age 88. [1] February 24 * Thermit explosive first used to break up ice jam, Waddington New York. [1] February 25 * Glacier Bay National Monument established in Alaska. [1] * Pedro Miguel Marques y Garcia composer, dies at age 81. [1] February 26 * Jihad-Saint war against Turkish government. [1] February 27 * Hitler resurrects NSDAP political party in Munich. [1] February 28

295

* "Tea For Two" by Marion Harris hit #1. [1] * US Congress authorizes a special handling stamp. [1] * Friedrich Ebert Social-Democrat president of Germany, dies. [1] * Longest win streak in Toronto Maple Leaf history (9 games). [1] * Theater Museum of Amsterdam forms. [1] March 2 * Japan's House of Representatives recognizes male suffrage. [1] * Nationwide road numbering system and US shield marker adopted. [1] * SDAP-Second-Faction (Dutch Socialists) of parliament demands drastic disarmament. [1] March 4 * Moritz Moszkowski Polish/German composer, dies at age 70. [1] * President Coolidge's inauguration broadcast live on 21 radio stations. [1] * Swain's Island (near American Samoa) annexed by US. [1] March 6 * Belgium annexes Eupen, Malmédy and Sankt Vith. [1] March 7 * American Negro Congress organizes. [1] March 10 * Walter Mittelholzer is first to flies over Demawend mountain, Iran. [1] March 11 * Andreas Hallen composer, dies at age 78. [1] March 12 * British government of Baldwin refuses to ratify Geneva agreement. [1] * Sun Yat-Sen Chinese revolutionary president, dies at age 58. [1] March 13 * Tennessee makes it unlawful to teach evolution. [1] March 18

296

* (8) 60-MPH tornadoes speed through Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee killing 689. [1] March 19 * Angelo G Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) becomes a bishop. [1] March 20 * George N Curzon British Foreign minister (1919-22), dies at age 66. [1] March 21 * Iran adopts Khorshidi solar Hijrah calendar. [1] March 23 * Aleksei Kuropatkin Russian General/minister of War, dies at age 76. [1] * Tennessee becomes first state to outlaw teaching theory of evolution. [1] March 24 * KSL-AM in Salt Lake City UT begins radio transmissions. [1] March 27 * Carl G Neumann German mathematician/physicist, dies at age 92. [1] March 30 * Rudolf Steiner Austrian philosopher (anthroposophy), dies at age 64. [1] * Stalin supports rights of non-Serbian Yugoslavians. [1] March 31 * WOWO-AM, Fort Wayne IN begins radio transmission (500 watts). [1] April 1 * First transmission of Danish state radio. [1] * Francis William Davenport composer, dies at age 77. [1] April 3 * Great Britain goes back to gold standard. [1]

297

* Netherlands and Belgium sign accord of Westerschelde. [1] April 5 * Belgian Workers Party wins parliamentary election. [1] April 6 * First film shown on an airplane (British Air). [1] April 9 * Babe Ruth rushed to hospital. [1] April 10 * Czarina re-christens Stalingrad (now Volgograd). [1] * F Scott Fitzgerald publishes "The Great Gatsby". [1] * Scribners publishes "The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald. [1] April 11 * Abd el-Krims Rifkabylen beats French army in Morocco. [1] April 13 * Virginia Theater (ANTA, Guild) opens at 245 W 52nd Steet New York City, New York. [1] April 14 * First regular-season Chicago Cubs game to be broadcast on radio (WGN). [1] * Pieter D van Essen Dutch artillery officer, dies at age 54. [1] April 15 * John Singer Sargent US portrait painter, dies at age 69. [1] April 17 * Paul Painlevé follows Edouard Herriot on as French premier. [1] April 18 * World's fair opens in Chicago. [1]

298

April 21 * Chuvash Autonomous Region in RSFSR becomes Chuvash ASSR. [1] * Noël Coward's "Fallen Angels", premieres in London. [1] April 23 * First London performance of operetta "Fasquita" staged. [1] * André Caplet French composer (Le miroir de Jésus), dies at age 45. [1] * Pastor LH Perquin forms Union of Catholic Dutch Radio (KRO) forms. [1] April 24 * 88 degrees F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland Ohio in April. [1] April 25 * George Stephanescu composer, dies at age 81. [1] * Paul von Hindenburg elected second President of Germany (Adolf Hitler is third). [1] April 26 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Edna Ferber for "So big". [1] April 28 * Kurd rebels surrender to Turkish army. [1] * Louis F J Bouwmeester actor (Shakespeare), dies. [1] * Netherlands and Great Britain return to gold standard. [1] April 29 * Netherlands returns to gold standard. [1] May 1 * Oakland Athletics Jimmie Foxx, 17, first game; he pinch-hits a single. [1] * Cyprus becomes a British Crown Colony. [1] May 3 * Clément Ader French engineer (steam engine airplane), dies at age 84. [1] May 4 * League of Nations conference on arms control and poison gas usage. [1]

299

May 5 * John T Scopes arrested for teaching evolution in Tennessee. [1] May 8 * French colonial army beats Rifkabylen in Morocco. [1] May 9 * Cornerstone for Hebrew University, Jerusalem laid. [1] May 11 * Communist Party of Holland splits. [1] * Kara-Kalpak Autonomous Region constituted in RSFSR. [1] May 12 * Alfred Milner British Governor (Cape Colony)/minister, dies at age 71. [1] * Amy Lowell writer, dies at age 51. [1] * Artur Napoleao dos Santos composer, dies at age 82. [1] * Uzbekistan and Kirgizistan become autonomous Soviet republics. [1] May 13 * Boris V Savinkov Russian writer/terrorist, dies. [1] May 14 * Henry Rider Haggard English writer (Dawn, She), dies. [1] May 17 * Cleveland Indian Tris Speaker gets his 3,000th hit. [1] May 21 * Canadians allow to beer sales. [1] * George Lloyd of Dolobran becomes British High Director of Egypt. [1] * Roald Amundsun leaves Spitsbergen with two seaplanes to North Pole. [1] May 22 * John [Denton Pinkstone] French British field marshall (WWI), dies at age 72. [1]

300

May 26 * Babe Ruth is finally out of bed, five weeks after ulcer surgery. [1] May 30 * British mariners shoot on demonstrators. [1] * Peter DePaolo became first man to average over 100 mph at Indianapolis 500. [1] June 3 * Goodyear airship "Pilgrim" makes first flight (first with enclosed cabin). [1] June 6 * Walter Percy Chrysler founds the Chrysler Corporation. [1] [5] June 15 * B Jekhovsky discovers asteroid #1093 Freda. [1] June 22 * G Shajn discovers asteroid #1058 Grubba. [1] June 23 * Landslides create 3-mile long "Slide Lake" (Gros Ventre Wyoming). [1] July 1 * Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs created in United Kingdom. [1] July 4 * 44 die when the Dreyfus Hotel in Boston collapses. [1] July 10 * In Dayton, Tennessee, the "Monkey Trial" begins with John Thomas Scopes, a high school science teacher, accused of teaching evolution in violation of a Tennessee state law. [1] [129] * USSR's official news agency TASS established. [1] July 13

301

* Walt Disney marries Lillian Bounds at her brother's house, in Lewiston, Idaho. [6] July 19 * V Albitzkij discovers asteroid #1059 Mussorgskia. [1] July 21 * John Thomas Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution in violation of a Tennessee state law, and fined US$100. Scopes' lawyer had recommended a guilty verdict, to allow for an appeal. In 1927, Tennessee Supreme Court overturns the verdict. [129] (July 24 [1]) July 26 * Death of William Jennings Bryan, Christian fundamentalist, five days after public humiliation at the "Monkey Trial" of John Scopes. [1] [129] July 31 * Unemployment Insurance Act passed in England. [1] August 4 * US marines leave Nicaragua after 13-year occupation. [1] August 9 * Only time Babe Ruth pinch-hit for, Bobby Veach flies out. [1] August 12 * KMA-AM in Shenandoah Iowa begins radio transmissions. [1] August 14 * The original Hetch Hetchy Moccasin Powerhouse is completed and goes on line. [5] August 20 * WJR-AM in Detroit Michigan begins radio transmissions. [1] August 25 * Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters organizes (Harlem New York). [1]

302

September 3 * Dirigible "Shenandoah" crashed near Caldwell Ohio, 13 die. [1] September 5 * 112 degrees F (44 degrees C), Centerville, Alabama (state record). [1] September 22 * Yank Ben Paschal hits two inside-the-park homers. [1] September 26 * Italian submarine "Sebastiano Veniero" lost off Sicily with 54 dead. [1] October 5 * WSM-AM in Nashville Tenn begins radio transmissions. [1] October 16 * In Locarno, Switzerland, the Pact of Locarno is signed by Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Italy, Poland, and Czechslovakia. The nations agree to a mutual guarantee of existing borders, and to make peaceful settlements of disputes. [10] * In Locarno, the Treaty of Mutual Guarantee is signed by Great Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy. Germany and Belgium, and Germany and France agree to not attack or invade each other. [10] * France and Poland sign a Treaty of Mutual Guarantee, to immediately aid the other if attacked by Germany. [10] * Texas School Board prohibits teaching of evolution. [1] October 27 * Water skis patented by Fred Waller. [1] October 30 * KUT-AM in Austin Texas begins radio transmissions. [1] November 11 * Louis Armstrong records first of Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings. [1] * Robert Millikan announces discovery of cosmic rays. [1]

303

November 16 * American Association for the Advancement of Atheism formed in New York. [1] November 21 * Red Grange plays final Univ of Illinois game, signs with Chicago Bears. [1] November 22 * Red Grange signs with Chicago Bears directly out of college. [1] December 1 * Treaty of Locarno signed. [1] * Vicente Arregui Garay composer, dies at age 54. [1] December 2 * Julio Garreta composer, dies at age 50. [1] December 5 * German government of Luther falls. [1] * Wilhelmina E Drucker [Lensing] Dutch feminist, dies at age 78. [1] December 6 * Italy, Britain and Egypt sign Jaghbub accord (Italy). [1] December 7 * Biltmore Theater opens at 261 W 47th Steet New York City. [1] * Noel Coward's "Easy Virtue" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 9 * Eugene Gigout composer, dies at age 81. [1] December 10 * George Bernard Shaw awarded Nobel. [1] December 11 * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Quas Primas. [1]

304

December 12 * Arthur Heinman coins term "motel", opens Motel Inn, San Luis Obispo. [1] * Cossack officer/ex-premier Reza Chan becomes shah of Persia. [1] * Last Qajar Shah of Iran deposed; Rexa Shah Pahlavi takes over. [1] December 15 * First road with a depressed trough (Texas) opens to traffic. [1] December 17 * Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell court-martial for insubordination. [1] * Russia and Turkey sign non-aggresion pact. [1] December 19 * Jose Ignacio Quinton composer, dies at age 44. [1] December 20 * Birth of Bob de Moor Flemish comic strip artist (Kuifje, Lion of Flanders). [1] December 21 * Eisenstein's movie Potemkin premieres in Moscow. [1] December 23 * A S C Wallis [Adèle von Antal-Opzoomer] writer (Vorstengunst), dies. [1] * Sultan Ibn Saud of Nedzjed conquers Djeddah. [1] December 25 * Sergei Jessenin writer, dies at age 30. [1] December 26 * New York's Jake Forbes makes 67 saves, Pittsburgh's Ray Waters makes 70. [1] * Turkey adopts Gregorian calendar. [1] December 27 * Louis Dosfel Flemish lawyer/literary (Assault!), dies at age 44. [1]

305

December 28 * George/Ira Gershwin's musical "Tip-Toes" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 29 * Félix E Vallotton Swiss painter/writer (Chaste Susanne), dies at age 60. [1] December 30 * New South Wales score 705 against Victoria, go from 8-475 to 9-701. [1] December 31 * 14th congress of CPSU decides to accelerate industry. [1]

306

1926 January 1 * Flood in Rhine strikes Cologne. [1] January 3 * Greek General Theodorus Pángulos names himself dictator. [1] January 4 * Theodorus Pangalos resigns as Greek dictator. [1] January 6 * Kees Boeke opens first comprehensive school in Holland. [1] * The German airlines Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr unite to become Deutssche Luft-Hansa AG (later Lufthansa). [37] January 8 * Abdul-Aziz ibn Sa'ud becomes king of Hejaz; renames it Saudi Arabia. [1] * Emile Paladilhe composer, dies at age 81. [1] January 15 * Enrico Toselli composer, dies at age 42. [1] January 17 * George Burns marries Gracie Allen. [1] January 20 * Second German government of Luther begins. [1] January 21 * Belgian parliament accepts Locarno treaties. [1] * Camillo Golgi Italian medical research (malaria, Nobel Prize 1906), dies at age 81. [1] January 22 * Belgian chief of staff General Maglinse quits. [1]

307

January 23 * Désiré J Mercier Belgian philosopher/cardinal, dies at age 74. [1] * Eugene O'Neill's "Great God Brown" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Joseph Carl Breil composer, dies at age 55. [1] January 26 * Television first demonstrated (John L Baird, London). [1] January 27 * US Senate agrees to join World Court. [1] February 1 * Kirghiz Autonomous Region in RSFSR becomes Kirghiz ASSR. [1] * Land at Broadway and Wall Street sold at a record $7 per square inch. [1] February 2 * Three men dance the Charleston for 22.5 hours. [1] February 4 * Austrian chancellor Seipel wants to join Germany. [1] February 5 * Andre Gedalge composer, dies at age 69. [1] February 8 * German Reichstag decides to apply for League of Nations membership. [1] * Sean O'Casey's "The Plough and the Stars" opens at Abbey Theatre Dublin. [1] * Walt Disney Studios is formed. [1] February 9 * Teaching theory of evolution forbidden in Atlanta Georgia schools. [1] February 11 * Tokelau (Union) islands in south Pacific transfers to New Zealand. [1]

308

February 15 * Brooks Atkinson Theater opens at 256 W 47th Steet New York City. [1] * Contract air mail service begins in US. [1] February 17 * Avalanche buries 75 in Sap Gulch Bingham Utah, 40 die. [1] February 21 * Heike Kamerlingh Onnes Dutch physicist (Nobel Prize 1913), dies at age 72. [1] February 25 * Francisco Franco becomes General of Spain. [1] * Kwo-Min-Tang (Guomindang) declares war on government/warlords. [1] February 26 * Dark Street in the Bronx renamed Lustre Street. [1] * Frederik Pijper Dutch vicar/church historian (Monasteries), dies at age 67. [1] * Peter Erasmus Lange-Muller composer, dies at age 75. [1] March 1 * Camilo d'Almeida Pessanha Portuguese poet (China), dies at age 58. [1] March 3 * Cyril Metodej Hrazdira composer, dies at age 58. [1] * International Greyhound Racing Association formed (Miami Florida). [1] March 4 * De Geer government in Netherlands takes office. [1] March 6 * China asks for a seat in the Security council. [1] March 7 * First transatlantic telephone call (London-New York). [1] * Jindrich Z Albestu Kaan composer, dies at age 73. [1]

309

March 9 * Bertha Landes elected first woman mayor of Seattle. [1] March 10 * Run on Belgian banks. [1] March 11 * Eamon da Valera ends leadership of Sinn Fein. [1] March 12 * Denmark begins unilateral disarmament. [1] * Pope Pius XI names J E van Roey archbishop of Malines Belgium. [1] March 15 * Belgium's "black monday", franc falls. [1] March 16 * Robert Goddard launches first liquid fuel rocket, goes 184' (56 metre). [1] March 17 * Dutch Calvinists oust Reverend J G Geelkerken over Genesis 3. [1] * Richard Rodgers and L Hart's musical "Girl Friend" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Spain and Brazil prevent Germany joining League of Nations. [1] March 24 * The Beehive in the Hague opens first escalator in Netherlands. [1] March 26 * ACD de Graeff appointed Governor-General of Dutch East-Indies. [1] * Konstantin Fehrenbach German reichs chancellor (1920-21), dies at age 74. [1] * The first lip-reading tournament held in America. [1] March 30 * Feliks E Dzerzjinski Lithuanian organizer (KGB), dies at age 48. [1]

310

March 31 * German Special Court of Justice for state security disbands. [1] April 2 * Riots between Muslims and Hindus in Calcutta. [1] April 3 * First performance of Jean Sibelius' 7th Symphony in C. [1] * Second flight of a liquid-fueled rocket by Robert Goddard. [1] * Italy establishes corp of force in order to break powerful unions. [1] April 4 * Greek dictator Theodorus Pangalos elected president. [1] April 6 * Giovanni Amendola antifascist/editor-in-chief (Il Mondo), dies at age 43. [1] April 7 * Forest fire burns 900 acres and kills two (San Luis Obispo California). [1] * Mussolini's Irish wife breaks his nose. [1] April 11 * Flemish Economic Covenant (VEV) forms in Ghent. [1] April 12 * Dutch Catholic Radio Broadcast (KRO) forms. [1] April 13 * Bicyclists without bicycle-tax-stamp rounded up in Amsterdam. [1] April 16 * Book of the Month Club sends out its first selections "Lolly Willowes" and "Loving Huntsman" by Sylvia Townsend Warner. [1] April 19

311

* Squire Bancroft [Butterfield] actor/manager (Haymarket), dies at age 84. [1] April 20 * First check sent by radio facsimile transmission across the Atlantic. [1] April 22 * Persia, Turkey and Afghanistan sign treaties of security. [1] April 23 * Joseph Pennell artist/author, dies. [1] April 24 * Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Treaty of Berlin. If one country is attacked, the other is to remain neutral. [10] April 25 * Ellen K S Key Swedish author/feminist (Century of the Child), dies at age 76. [1] * Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot", premieres in Milan. [1] * Persian cossack officer Reza Chan crowns himself Shah Palawi. [1] April 26 * Germany and Russia sign neutrality/peace treaty. [1] * Karachai Autonomous Region is established in RSFSR (until 1943). [1] April 29 * France and US reach accord on repayment of WWI. [1] May 1 * British coal-miners go on strike. [1] * Nicolaus Adriani translator (Middle-Celebes Language), dies at age 60. [1] * Satchel Paige makes pitching debut in Negro Southern League. [1] May 2 * US military intervenes in Nicaragua. [1] May 3

312

* British general strike-3 million workers support miners. [1] * Napoleon V Bonaparte French pretender to the throne, dies at age 63. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Sinclair Lewis (Arrowsmith). [1] * US marines land in Nicaragua (9-months after leaving), stay until 1933. [1] May 4 * General strike hits Britain. [1] May 5 * Sinclair Lewis refuses his Pulitzer Prize for "Arrowsmith". [1] May 8 * First flight over North Pole (Bennett and Byrd). [1] * A Philip Randolph organizes Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. [1] * Fire breaks out in Fenway Park. [1] May 9 * Joseph Mallaby Dent publisher, dies. [1] * Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett make first flight over North Pole. [1] May 11 * Airship Norge leaves Spitsbergen for first air crossing of Arctic Ocean. [1] May 12 * British general strike ends. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich's first Symphony, premieres in Leningrad. [1] * General Pilsudski sets coup on premier Witos compared. [1] * Umberto Nobile flies Airship Norge is first vessel to fly over the North Pole. [1] May 13 * German Government of Luther falls. [1] May 15 * British general strike ends, but mine workers go on strike. [1] * Mohammed VI Vahideddin last sultan of Turkey (1918-22), dies. [1] May 16

313

* Mehmed VI Vahideddin (Mohammed Osman) last sultan of Turkey, dies. [1] May 17 * Chiang Kai-shek is made supreme war lord in Canton. [1] * German Government of Marx takes power. [1] * Lucien Herr French leader (Correspondance entre Schiller), dies. [1] May 18 * Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson vanished in Venice CA; She showed up a month later and said she had been kidnapped. [1] May 19 * French air force bombs Damascus Syria. [1] May 20 * Belgian Government of Jaspar takes power. [1] * US Congress passes Air Commerce Act, licensing of pilots and planes. [1] * Railway Labor Act became law. [1] * Thomas Edison says Americans prefer silent movies over talkies. [1] May 21 * Georgy L'vovich Catoire composer, dies at age 65. [1] * Ronald Arthur A Firbank British writer (Prancing Nigger), dies at age 40. [1] May 22 * "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" by Gene Austin hits #1. [1] * Chiang Kai-shek replaces communists in Guomindang China. [1] * Dutch Communist Party expels David Wijnkoop. [1] May 23 * Hans Koessler composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Lebanese constitution is established under French mandate. [1] May 25 * Symon Petlyura leader of Ukraine (pogroms), assassinated at age 47. [1] May 26

314

* Lebanon adopts constitution. [1] * S V Petlura Ukrainain ataman, assassinated by Shalom Schwarzbard. [1] May 28 * Military coup by General Manuel Gomes da Costa in Portugal. [1] * US Customs Court created by congress. [1] May 31 * Portuguese President Bernardino Machedo resigns after coup. [1] * Sesquicentennial Exposition opens in Philadelphia. [1] July 2 * US Army Air Corps created; Distinguish Flying Cross authorized. [1] July 10 * Lake Denmark, New Jersey arsenal explodes, kills 21, $75m damage. [1] July 16 * National Geographic takes first natural-color undersea photos. [1] July 22 * 105 degrees F (41 degrees C), Waterbury, Connecticut (state record). [1] * 108 degrees F (42 degrees C), Troy, New York (state record). [1] July 26 * National Bar Association incorporates. [1] August 5 * Houdini stays in a coffin under water for 1.5 hours. [1] August 6 * New York's Gertrude Ederle becomes first woman to swim the English Channel. [1] * Warner Bros premieres Vitaphone sound-on-disc movie system (New York), Don Juan with John Barrymore shown. [1] August 11

315

* Cleveland Indian Tris Speaker hits his 700th double. [1] August 22 * Charles William Elliot President of Harvard (1869-1909), dies at age 92. [1] August 23 * Rodolpho Alfonzo Rafaello Pietro Filiberto Guglieimi Di Valentina. [1] September 9 * National Broadcasting Company created by the Radio Corporation of America. [1] September 11 * Aloha Tower dedicated in Honolulu. [1] September 18 * Hurricane hits Miami, kills 250. [1] September 25 * Henry Ford announces the 8 hour, 5-day work week. [1] * International slavery convention signed by 20 states. [1] October 4 * Dahlia is officially designated as San Francisco city flower. [1] October 16 * Troop ship sinks in Yangtze River, killing 1,200. [1] October 22 * Wallace Whitehead, student, repeatedly punches magician Harry Houdini in the abdomen, after asking if he had strong muscles, and receiving permission to punch him. (By the end of the month, Houdini will die of a ruptured appendix.) [194.23] October 24 * Magician Harry Houdini performs in Detroit, Michigan, but collapses during intermissions from stomach pain. [194.24]

316

October 25 * Harry Houdini is operated on in Detroit, Michigan, and found to have a gangrenous ruptured appendix. Doctors realize he will die soon. [194.24] October 31 * Erich Weiss, better known as magician Harry Houdini, dies in Detroit, Michigan, USA. [1] [5] [194.24] November 3 * Annie Oakley dies. [1] November 10 * Vincent Massey becomes first Canadian minister to USA. [1] November 15 * NBC on-air debut with a radio network of 24 stations. [1] November 18 * Pope Pius XI encyclical On the persecution of the Church in Mexico. [1] November 24 * KVI-AM in Seattle Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] November 27 * 110,000 watch Army and Navy play a 21-all tie. [1] * KXL-AM in Portland Oregon begins radio transmissions. [1] * Restoration of Williamsburg, Virginia, begins. [1] December 1 * Hans Heinrich XIV Hochberg composer, dies at age 83. [1] December 3 * Manchester Guardian (German Reichswehr/Red Army work together). [1] December 5

317

* Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin" debuts. [1] December 6 * Claude [Oscar] Monet French painter (impressionist), dies at age 86. [1] December 7 * Gas refrigerator patented. [1] December 8 * Jan Six Dutch art historian/collector, dies. [1] December 10 * First radio broadcast in the Springfield Illinois area (WCBS). [1] * Second part of Hitler's Mein Kampf published. [1] December 11 * Josephine Baker performs in Amsterdam. [1] December 12 * Jean Richepin French poet/writer (Contes sans morale), dies at age 77. [1] * Leningrad: premiere of Dmitri Shostakovich's first Pianoconcert. [1] December 14 * Danish Madsen government, forms. [1] * Theo van Rysselberghe Belgian painter (pointillism), dies at age 64. [1] December 15 * Facist national symbol elevated in Italy. [1] December 16 * Darius Milhaud's opera "Le Pauvre Matelot" premieres in Paris. [1] * WOW-AM in Omaha Nebraska begins radio transmissions. [1] December 17 * Alexandr Dmitriyevich Kastal'sky composer, dies at age 70. [1] * German Marx government falls due to cooperation with red army. [1]

318

* KYA-AM in San Francisco California begins radio transmissions. [1] * Lithuanian military state under General Augustine Woldemaras. [1] December 20 * Sidney Howard's "Silver Cord" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 23 * KEX-AM in Portland Oregon begins radio transmissions. [1] December 25 * Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan (1926-1989). [1] * Yoshihito 123rd Emperor of Japan (1912-26), dies at age 47. [1] December 26 * Prince-regent Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan. [1] December 27 * Depot Square in the Bronx renamed Botanical Square. [1] * Latkin Square in Bronx named for first US Jewish soldier to die in WWI. [1] December 28 * Imperial Airways begins England-India mail and passenger service. [1] December 29 * Rainer M Rilke Austrias songwriter/writer (Wise Queen), dies at age 51. [1] * Vatican puts French fascist Charles Maurras' work on the index. [1] December 30 * Paul Eliot Greens "In Abraham's Bosom" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

319

1927 January 1 * Communist uprising in West Java. [1] January 5 * Fox Studios exhibits Movietone. [1] January 6 * US marines sent to Nicaragua. [1] January 7 * Commercial transatlantic telephone service inaugurated between New York and London. [1] January 9 * Dmitri Shostakovich's Octet opus 11, premieres in Moscow. [1] * Fire in Laurier Palace cinema in Montréal, 78 children died. [1] * Houston S Chamberlain British/German race theorist, dies at age 71. [1] January 10 * August(us) Allebé Dutch painter/lithograph, dies at age 88. [1] * Fritz Lang's Metropolis premieres. [1] January 11 * Royale Theater (Golden, CBS Radio Playhouse) opens at 242 W 45th New York City, New York. [1] January 13 * US and Mexico battle over oil interests. [1] January 19 * British government decides to send troops to China. [1] * Charlotte princess of Belgium/Empress of Mexico (1864-67), dies at age 86. [1] January 21

320

* First national opera broadcast from a US opera house (Faust, Chicago). [1] * Floris H Verster Dutch painter/cartoonist/etcher, dies at age 65. [1] January 26 * Maxwell Anderson's "Saturday's Children" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 28 * Serbian-Croatian-Slavic government of Oezonowitsj falls. [1] January 29 * 4th German government of Marx forms. [1] January 30 * Friedrich Ernst Koch composer, dies at age 64. [1] * Left wins national election in Thüringen. [1] January 31 * International allies military command in Germany disbands. [1] February 2 * Harry Tierney/Joseph McCarthy's "Rio Rita" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Ziegfeld Theater (Loew's Ziegfeld) opens at 6th Ave and 54th Steet New York City, New York. [1] February 3 * Uprising against regime of General Carmona in Portugal. [1] February 4 * KGA-AM in Spokane Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] * Thomas Linnemann Laub composer, dies at age 74. [1] February 5 * Buster Keaton's movie "The General" released and bombed. [1] February 6

321

* Daniël F Scheurleer Dutch musicologist/banker, dies at age 71. [1] February 8 * Belgian-Swiss treaty signed. [1] February 10 * President Coolidge asks for second disarmament conference. [1] February 12 * British expeditionary army lands in Shanghai. [1] February 13 * Brooks Adams US philosopher (New Empire), dies at age 78. [1] * Uprising against Portuguese regime of General Carmona defeated. [1] February 16 * Noël Coward's "Marquise" premieres in London. [1] * US restores diplomatic relations with Turkey. [1] February 18 * First US radio broadcast of "Cities Service Concerts". [1] * US and Canada begin diplomatic relations. [1] February 19 * General strike against British occupiers in Shanghai. [1] * Georg Brandes [Cohen], Danish literary-historian/critic, dies at age 85. [1] * Robert Fuchs composer, dies at age 80. [1] February 21 * Franz Lehr's opera "Zarewitsch" premieres. [1] February 22 * Baruch Spinosa's house of mourning opened as a museum. [1] February 23

322

* President Coolidge creates Federal Radio Commission (US Federal Communications Commission predecessor). [1] * Sveinbjorn Sveinbjornsson composer, dies at age 79. [1] February 24 * John Golden Theater (Theatre Masque) opens at 252 W 45th Steet New York City. [1] February 25 * Gdansk and Polish accord concerning traffic through Polish corridor. [1] March 1 * Bank of Italy becomes a National Bank. [1] March 5 * 1,000 US marines land in China to protect American property. [1] March 7 * Earthquake measuring 8 on Richter scale strikes Tango, Japan. [1] March 8 * Pan American Airlines incorporates. [1] March 10 * Albania mobilize by threat of Serbian, Croatian and Slovenes. [1] * Bavaria lifts ban on Hitler's speeches. [1] March 11 * First armored commercial car hold-up in US, Pittsburgh. [1] * Birth of Raymond Jackson [Jaki], British cartoonist. [1] * Samuel Roxy Rothafel opens famous Roxy Theater (New York City, New York). [1] March 17 * James Scott Skinner composer, dies at age 83. [1] * US government doesn't sign league of Nations disarmament treaty. [1] March 19

323

* Bloody battles between communists and Nazis in Berlin. [1] March 21 * Guomindang Army conquerors Shanghai as British marines flee. [1] March 22 * Federico García Lorca's "El Maleficio" premieres in Madrid. [1] March 24 * Cuban chess champion, Jose Capablanca wins 33-day Grand Chess Tournie. [1] * Dutch first Chamber condemns Belgian and Netherlands' Wielingen Treaty. [1] March 26 * Alfred Hugenberg purchases German film company UFA. [1] * Gaumont-British Film Corporation forms. [1] March 28 * Karl Prohaska composer, dies at age 57. [1] * Majestic Theater opens at 245 W 44th Steet New York City. [1] March 29 * Henry O D Segrave races his Sunbeam to a record 203.79 mph at Daytona; first auto to exceed 200 mph (322 kph). [1] April 1 * First automatic record changer introduced by His Master's Voice. [1] April 3 * Interstate Commerce Commission transfers Ohio to Eastern time zone. [1] April 7 * Using phone lines TV is sent from Washington DC to New York City, New York. [1] April 9 * Italy and US anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti given death sentences. [1]

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April 11 * Chilean General Carlos Ibáñez names himself president. [1] April 12 * General Chiang Kai-shek begins counter revolution in Shanghai. [1] April 14 * In Sweden, Volvo produces its first production line car, the Jakob, in Göteborg. The car has a 28-hp 4-cylinder engine, and costs 4800 kronor. About 200 are produced. The company name was chosen because it means "I roll" in Latin. [7] (April 11 [5]) April 15 * Francesco Gaeta Italian poet (Di Giacomo), dies at age 47. [1] * Switzerland and USSR agree to diplomatic relations. [1] April 17 * Japan's Wakarsoeki government falls/Baron Tanaka becomes premier. [1] April 18 * Chiang Kai-shek forms anti-government in China. [1] April 19 * "Vagabond King" opens in London. [1] April 22 * First performance of Roger Sessions' Symphony in E. [1] April 25 * Spain routes 20,000 soldiers to Morocco (uprising Rifkabylen). [1] April 29 * Construction of the Spirit of Saint Louis is completed. [1] April 30

325

* Princess Juliana gets seat in Dutch Council of State. [1] May 1 * First British airliner to serve cooked meals (Imperial Airways). [1] May 2 * International Economic Conference (52 countries including USSR) opens. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Louis Bromfield (Early Autumn). [1] May 4 * First balloon flight over 40,000 feet (Scott Field Illinois). [1] * Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences forms. [1] * Nicaragua agrees to a US supervised presidential election in 1928. [1] May 5 * Charles Boissevain editor in chief (General Trade 1885-1908), dies. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich's first Symphony, premieres in Berlin. [1] May 7 * San Francisco Municipal Airport (Mills Field) dedicated. [1] May 9 * Australian Parliament first convenes in new capital, Canberra. [1] May 11 * General Henry Martyn Robert (Robert's Rules of Order), dies at age 90. [1] * Juan Gris Spanish cubist painter, dies at age 40. [1] * Louis B Mayer forms Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [1] May 13 * "Black Friday" on Berlin Stock Exchange. [1] May 14 * "Ain't She Sweet?" hits #1 on the pop singles chart by Ben Bernie. [1] May 16

326

* US Supreme Court ruled bootleggers must pay income tax. [1] May 18 * "Slide Lake" in Gros Ventre Wyoming collapses. [1] * Grauman's Chinese Theater opens in Hollywood California. [1] * Ritz Hotel opens in Boston. [1] May 20 * At 7:40 AM, Lindbergh takes off from New York to cross Atlantic for Paris. [1] * Saudi Arabia becomes independent of Great Britain (Treaty of Jedda). [1] May 21 * Lindbergh lands in Paris France, after first solo air crossing of Atlantic. [1] May 22 * 8.3 earthquake strikes Nan-Shan China, 200,000 killed. [1] May 25 * Henry Ford stops producing Model T car (begins Model A). [1] May 26 * Ford Motor Company manufactures its 15 millionth Model T automobile. [1] May 27 * The Ford Motor Company ceases manufacturing the Model T and begins retooling plants to make Model A's. [5] * Japanese military intervention in Chinese civil war. [1] * Thomas Masaryk elected Czechoslovakian president. [1] May 28 * Georges Eekhoud Belgian writer (Belgian Kempen), dies. [1] May 31 * Ford Motor Company produces last "Tin Lizzie" (begins Model A). [1] June 13

327

* A ticker-tape parade down 5th Avenue in New York City is held for aviator Charles Lindbergh. [1] [5] June 29 * Wallace Turnbull's variable-pitch propeller is first tested. [5] * First flight from West Coast arrives in Hawaii. [1] June 30 * Augusto Cesar Sandino issues his Manifesto Politico. [1] * US Assay Office in Deadwood, South Dakota closes. [1] July 4 * The Lockheed Vega first flies. [5] July 7 * First disc-jockey presentation of a batch of music recordings, by Christopher Stone, for BBC radio. [55.50] July 9 * Atty William T Francis named minister to Liberia. [1] July 10 * Kevin O'Higgins Irish Free State Vice President, assassinated. [1] July 16 * Augusto Sandino begins 5.5-year war against US occupation of Nicaragua. [1] July 18 * Ty Cobb's 4,000th career hit. [1] July 19 * Ty Cobb gets his 4,000th hit. [1] August 4 * Peace Bridge between US and Canada opened. [1]

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August 7 * Peace Bridge between US and Canada dedicated. [1] August 21 * 4th Pan-African Congress meets (New York City). [1] August 22 * Babe Ruth hits 40th of 60 homers. [1] August 23 * Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti executed in Massachusetts. [1] August 27 * Parks College, America's oldest aviation school, opens. [1] September 4 * Charles Lindbergh visits Boise, Idaho, on his cross-country tour. [1] September 5 * Universal Pictures releases the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film Trolley Troubles to theaters in the USA. This is the first Oswald film release, a series created by the Walt Disney film studio. [5] [6] September 7 * The first fully electronic television system is achieved by Philo Taylor Farnsworth. [1] [5] September 11 * Babe Ruth hits 50th of 60 homers. [1] September 14 * Isadora Duncan dies as her scarf became entangled in her car's wheel. [1] September 17 * Charles Lindbergh visits San Francisco. [1]

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September 18 * Columbia Broadcasting System goes on the air (16 radio stations). [1] [5] September 29 * Tornado strikes Saint Louis Missouri. [1] October 6 * Warner Brothers releases The Jazz Singer to theaters in New York City, the first motion picture with sound. [1] [6] October 12 * Hermann Gorner of Germany raises 24 men weighing 4,123 pounds on a plank with the soles of his feet. [1] October 23 * City of Netanya, Israel founded. [1] November 1 * Florence Mills dancer/singer, dies at age 32 in New York City. [1] November 3 * Tropical storm flooding kills 84 in Winooski River Valley (Vt). [1] November 9 * Giant Panda discovered, China. [1] November 12 * Notre Dame's Fighting Irish changes blue jerseys for green. [1] * Trotsky expelled from Soviet CP; Stalin becomes undisputed dictator. [1] November 13 * The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first Hudson River vehicular tunnel linking New Jersey to New York City. [1] [5] November 17

330

* Tornado hit Washington DC. [1] December 2 * First Model A Fords sold, for $385. [1] December 4 * Dmitri Shostakovich's second Symphony, premieres in Moscow. [1] * Duke Ellington opens at the Cotton Club in Harlem. [1] December 10 * Grand Ole Opry makes its first radio broadcast, in Nashville Tennessee. [1] December 12 * Heinrich Reitsch composer, dies at age 67. [1] December 14 * Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain. [1] December 15 * Ed Hickman kidnaps child he later beheads. [1] December 16 * Hugh Archibald Clarke composer, dies at age 88. [1] December 17 * US submarine 'S-4' sinks after collision kills all 34 aboard. [1] * Victoria score 793 against Queensland, Bill Ponsford 437. [1] December 25 * Sergei D Sazonov Russian Foreign minister (1910-16), dies at age 66. [1] December 27 * Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II's "Show Boat" premieres at the Ziegfeld Theater (New York City, New York). [1] * Philip Barry's "Paris Bound" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

331

* Stalin's faction wins All-Union Congress in USSR, Trotsky expelled. [1] December 28 * George Kaufman and Moss Hart's "Royal Family" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 30 * Japan dedicates first subway in the Orient (route under two miles long). [1]

332

1928 January 1 * First US air-conditioned office building opens, San Antonio. [1] * Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) begins broadcasting (Netherlands). [1] January 6 * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Mortalium animos (against oecumene). [1] January 8 * Dumitru Kiriac-Georgescu composer, dies at age 61. [1] January 9 * Eugene O'Neill's "Marco Millions" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 10 * G/I Gershwin/Romberg/Wodehouse's musical "Rosalie" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Soviet Union orders exile of Leon Trotsky. [1] January 11 * Thomas Hardy novelist (Maddening Crowd), dies at his home near Dorchester at age 87. [1] January 12 * Philip Barry and Elmer Rice's "Cock Robin" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Ruth Snyder first woman to die in electric chair. [1] January 13 * Johan Peter Koch Danish officer/explorer, dies at age 57. [1] January 17 * First fully automatic photographic film developing machine patented. [1] January 23

333

* "Abenteuer of brave Soldier Schwejk" premieres in Berlin. [1] January 27 * Marie Verstraete actress (Frou-Frou/Nora), dies at age 74. [1] January 28 * Christopher Hornsrud chosen Prime Minister of Norway at age 101. [1] January 29 * Douglas Haig first Earl Haig/field marshal (WWI), dies at age 66. [1] January 30 * First radio telephone connection between Netherlands and US. [1] * Douglas Haig British field marshal (Sudan/Boer war/WWI), dies at age 66. [1] * Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 31 * Scotch tape first marketed by 3-M Company. [1] February 4 * Hendrik A Lorentz physicist (L transformation-Nobel Prize 1902), dies at age 74. [1] February 7 * First solo England to Australia flight takes off (Bert Hinkler). [1] February 8 * First transatlantic TV image received, Hartsdale New York. [1] * Scottish inventor J Blaird demonstrates color-TV. [1] February 15 * Hubert H Asquith premier Great Britain (1908-16), dies at age 75. [1] February 22 * First solo England to Australia flight lands (Bert Hinkler). [1]

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February 29 * Adolphe Appia Swiss set designer/theorist, dies at age 65. [1] * Armando V Diaz Italian marshal/minister of War (1922-24), dies at age 66. [1] March 1 * Albert Herbert Brewer composer, dies at age 62. [1] * Jacob Adolf Hagg composer, dies at age 77. [1] * Paul Whiteman and his orchestraestra record "Ol' Man River" for Victor Records. [1] March 3 * Jan [Jean] T Toorop Dutch graphic artist (3 Brides), dies at age 69. [1] March 4 * "Bunion Run" race from Los Angeles California to New York City begins; It is won by Andy Payne. [1] March 5 * Karl Zuckmayer's "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" premieres in Berlin. [1] March 13 * 450 die in Saint Francis Valley Dam burst (California). [1] * Rudolph Friml's musical "Three Musketeers" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 15 * Mussolini modifies Italy electoral system (abolishes right to choose). [1] March 18 * Paul van Ostaijen Flemish writer (Outlawed), dies at age 32. [1] March 19 * "Amos and Andy" debuts on radio (NBC Blue Network-WMAQ Chicago). [1] March 21 * Charles Lindbergh is presented the US Congressional Medal of Honor for his first trans-Atlantic flight. [5]

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March 22 * Noël Coward's musical "This Year of Grace" premieres in London. [1] March 27 * KGB-AM in San Diego California begins radio transmissions. [1] * Leslie Stuart composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 28 * Giuseppe Ferrata composer, dies at age 63. [1] March 29 * Yeshiva College (now University) chartered (New York City, New York). [1] March 31 * Gustave Ador President of Austria (1919), dies at age 82. [1] * Medardo Rosso Italian sculptor (portraits), dies at age 69. [1] April 1 * Chiang Kai-shek's army crosses Yang-tse. [1] April 2 * Theodore Richards US chemist (atomic weight, Nobel Prize 1914), dies. [1] April 5 * Jane Ellen Harrison scholar/archaeologist, dies. [1] April 9 * Eugene O'Neill's "Lazarus Laughed", premieres in Pasadena. [1] * Mae West's New York City debut in a daring new play "Diamond Lil". [1] * Turkey passes separation of church and state. [1] April 12 * Assassination attempt on king Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. [1] April 13

336

* First trans atlantic flight Europe-US (Fitzmaurice-von Hünefeld-Köhl). [1] * Luis Iruarrizaga Aguirre composer, dies at age 36. [1] April 14 * Maddus Airlines starts first regular passenger flights between San Francisco and Los Angeles. [1] April 15 * Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco) forms. [1] April 18 * Henryk Melcer-Szczawinski composer, dies at age 58. [1] April 19 * Japanese troops occupies Sjantung-schiereiland. [1] April 24 * Fathometer, which measures underwater depth, patented. [1] * Ferdinand B Hummel composer, dies at age 72. [1] April 25 * Buddy, a German Shepherd, becomes first guide dog for the blind. [1] * Pjotr N Wrangel Russian baron General, dies at age 49. [1] April 26 * Madame Tussaud's waxworks exhibition opens in London. [1] April 29 * Henrich Federer Switzerland, writer (I Switch Off The Light), dies at age 61. [1] April 30 * Cherkess Autonomous Region is established in RSFSR (until 1957). [1] May 1 * Six children die and 10 injured by hailstones in Klausenburg, Romania. [1]

337

* Birth of Raoul Servais Belgian cartoonist/president (l'ASIFA). [1] * Drunken fascist Erich Wichman attacks VARA-radio transmitter. [1] * Lei Day begun (a Hawaiian celebration). [1] * Pitcairn Airlines (later Eastern) begins service. [1] May 2 * KPQ-AM in Wenatchee Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] May 4 * Barry E Odell Pain English writer (Punch), dies at age 63. [1] May 7 * Alexander Afanasii Spendiaryan composer, dies at age 56. [1] * England lowers age of women voters from 30 to 21. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Thornton Wilder for (Bridge of San Luis Rey). [1] May 9 * Constantin Dimitrescu composer, dies at age 81. [1] May 11 * General Electric opens first TV-station (Schenectady New York). [1] May 12 * Mussolini ends woman's rights in Italy. [1] * Opium laws enforced. [1] May 14 * John McGraw is knocked down by a taxicab and suffers a broken leg. [1] May 15 * Walt Disney's first silent film featuring Mickey Mouse, Plane Crazy premieres as a sneak preview at a theatre on Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. [1] [6] May 16 * Edmund William Grosse poet/author, dies. [1] May 19

338

* "Firedamp" explodes in Mather Pennsylvania coal mine killing 195 of 273 miners. [1] * 51 frogs enter first annual "Frog Jumping Jubilee" (Angel's Camp California). [1] * Henry Franklin Belknap Gilbert composer, dies at age 59. [1] * Max Scheler German philosopher, dies at age 53. [1] May 22 * US Congress accept Jones-White Merchant Naval Act. [1] * William Gairdner English missionary (Nile Mission Press), dies at age 54. [1] May 23 * Bomb attack on Italians embassy in Buenos Aires, 22 die. [1] May 24 * Umberto Nobile flies airship over North Pole again. [1] May 25 * Amelia Earhart (as a passenger) is first woman to fly Atlantic Ocean. [1] May 28 * Dodge Brothers Inc and Chrysler Corp merged. [1] May 29 * Fritz von Opel reaches 200 kph in experimental rocket car. [1] May 31 * First aerial cross of the Pacific takes off from Oakland. [1] * Ludwig Enneccerus German leader, dies at age 85. [1] * Manuel de Oliveira Lima Brazilian historian, dies at age 60. [1] June 8 * First US-to-Australia flight lands (Sir Charles Kingford). [1] June 9 * First aerial cross of the Pacific lands in Brisbane Australia. [1]

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June 14 * Republican National Convention, met in Kansas City, nominated Herbert Hoover. [1] June 17 * Amelia Earhart leaves Newfoundland to become first woman to fly the Atlantic. [1] June 18 * Amelia Earhart is first woman (passenger) to cross Atlantic by air. [1] June 28 * Alfred E Smith (New York-Governor) nominated for president at Democratic Convention. [1] * Friedrich Schmiedl attempted rocket mail in Austria (unsucessful). [1] June 30 * Radio Service Bulletin lists radio stations call signs that are. [1] July 3 * London sees its first color television broadcast. [5] July 6 * First all-talking motion picture shown, in New York (Lights of New York). [1] * World's largest hailstones 1.5 pounds (17 inch diameter) fall in Potter, Nebraska, USA. [1] [5] July 10 * H E Wood discovers asteroid #3300. [1] July 17 * General Alvaro Obregón president of Mexico, assassinated. [1] July 19 * H E Wood discovers asteroid #1305 Pongola. [1] July 21

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* H E Wood discovers asteroid #1096 Reunerta. [1] July 30 * George Eastman demonstrates first color movie. [1] August 27 * Sixteen die in a New York City subway's second worst accident. [1] * The Pact of Paris (Kellogg-Briand Pact) is signed by the USA, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Poland. The countries condemn recourse to war, renouncing it as an instrument of national policy in relations with one another. [10] September 1 * Albania becomes a kingdom, with Zogu I as king. [1] September 11 * First TV drama-WGY's The Queens Messenger. [1] September 12 * Katharine Hepburn's New York stage debut in "Night Hostess". [1] September 13 * KOH-AM in Reno Nevada begins radio transmissions. [1] September 17 * Hurricane hits Lake Okeechobee Florida drowning 1,800-2500. [1] September 27 * US recognizes Nationalist Chinese government. [1] September 28 * Juan de la Cierva makes first helicopter flight over English Channel. [1] October 1 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average is expanded from 20 stocks to 30. A divisor is introduced to adjust for extraneous changes to a stock, such as a split. The initial divisor

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is 16.67. The index removes American Car & Foundry, American Locomotive, American Telephone & Telegraph, American Tobacco, Paramount Famous Lasky, United Drug, U.S. Rubber, and Western Union, and adds American Tobacco B, Atlantic Refining, Bethlehem Steel, Chrysler, General Railway Signal, Goodrich, International Nickel, Nash Motors, North American, Paramount Publix, Postum Incorporated, Radio Corporation, Standard Oil (N.J.), Texas Gulf Sulphur, Union Carbide, Victor Talking Machine, Westinghouse Electric, and Wright Aeronautical. [227] [228] October 3 * French submarine "Ondine" sinks returning to Toulon, drowning 42. [1] October 6 * Chiang Kai-Shek becomes president of China. [1] October 12 * An iron lung respirator is used for the first time at Children's Hospital, Boston. [5] October 15 * German dirigible "Graf Zeppelin" lands in Lakehurst, New Jersey. [1] October 22 * President Hoover speaks of "American system of rugged individualism". [1] November 1 * First celebration of Author's Day. [1] * Graf Zeppelin sets airship distance record of 6384 km. [1] November 3 * Turkey switches from Arabic to Roman alphabet. [1] November 6 * Herbert Hoover (Republican) beats Alfred E Smith (Democrat) for President. [1] November 10 * Hirohito enthroned as Emperor of Japan. [1] November 11

342

* KXO-AM in El Centro California begins radio transmissions. [1] * WGL-AM in Fort Wayne IN begins radio transmissions. [1] * WMT-AM in Cedar Rapids Iowa begins radio transmissions. [1] * WOL-AM in Washington DC begins radio transmissions. [1] November 12 * British steamer "Vestris" capsizes and sinks off Virginia, kills 110. [1] November 18 * The Colony Theater in New York debuts Disney's Mickey Mouse film Steamboat Willie. This is the sound debut of Mickey Mouse, with Minnie Mouse (unnamed) as costar. The film is the first cartoon to feature synchronized sound. [1] [6] November 20 * WGH-AM in Newport News Virginia begins radio transmissions. [1] November 22 * "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel, first performed publicly, in Paris. [1] December 1 * Railroad museum opens in Utrecht Netherlands. [1] December 4 * Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn's musical "Whoopee" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 5 * Johannes F "Johan" Bakker Sr actor/husband of Truus Soete, dies at age 61. [1] * MW Miklas elected President of Austria. [1] December 11 * Buenos Aires police thwart an attempt on President-elect Herbert Hoover. [1] December 12 * Nichols/Brownes "Wings over Europe" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

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December 13 * Clip-on tie designed. [1] * George Gershwin's "An American In Paris" premieres (New York City, New York). [1] December 14 * Theodore Roberts actor (Roaring Road, 10 Commandments), dies at age 77. [1] December 18 * Lucien Capet composer, dies at age 55. [1] December 19 * First autogiro (predecessor of helicopter) flight in US. [1] December 20 * First international dogsled mail leaves Minot Maine for Montréal, Québec. [1] * Ethel Barrymore Theater opens at 243 W 47th Steet New York City. [1] December 21 * Luigi Cadorna Italian fieldmarshal (WWI, Caporetto), dies at age 78. [1] December 23 * NBC sets up a permanent, coast-to-coast radio network. [1] December 24 * George Abbott Theater (Adelphi, 54 St) opens at 152 W 54th Steet New York City. [1] December 25 * New South Wales (v Victoria) go from 8-74 to 9-113 to be 9-367 at stumps. [1] December 28 * Last recording of Ma Rainey, "Mother of the Blues" is made. [1] * Louis Armstrong makes 78rpm recording of "West End Blues". [1] December 30

344

* The Mark Strand Theater in New York City premieres the second released Mickey Mouse film Gallopin' Gaucho, with a soundtrack. [6]

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1929 January 2 * Erich Wichman[n] Dutch fascist painter/sculptor, dies at age 38. [1] * US and Canada agree to preserve Niagara Falls. [1] January 3 * 27-year-old William S Paley becomes CBS president. [1] January 5 * Coup by King Alexander in South Slavia. [1] January 6 * Alexander I establishes a royal dictatorship in Yugoslavia. [1] * Nicolas Nikolayevitch grand-duke of Russia, dies at age 72. [1] January 7 * "Buck Rogers", first sci-fi comic strip, premieres. [1] * "Tarzan", one of the first adventure comic strips, first appears. [1] * First telephone connection between Netherlands and East Indies. [1] * Henry Arthur Jones English playwright (Silver King), dies at age 77. [1] January 8 * First telephone connection between Netherlands and West-Indies. [1] * CBS radio network buys WABC in New York City, New York. [1] January 9 * BG DeSylva and Lew Brown's musical "Follow Thru" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Heiner Müller writer, dies. [1] * KDB-AM in Santa Barbara California begins radio transmissions. [1] January 10 * Elmer Rice's "Street Scene" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 11 * Julio Antonio Mella Cuban revolutionary, murdered at about age 28. [1]

346

January 12 * Dietrich Schäfer German historian (Mein Leben), dies at age 83. [1] * Seatrain (railroad cars on ships) service begins, New Orleans-Havana. [1] January 13 * Humanist Society established, Hollywood California. [1] * Wyatt Earp US marshall (OK Corral), dies at age 80. [1] January 14 * Afghan King Amanullah forced to resign. [1] * Cornelis W Lely Dutch Governor of Suriname (1902-05), dies at age 74. [1] January 17 * Popeye makes first appearance, in comic strip "Thimble Theatre". [1] January 18 * "New York Daily Mirror" columnist Walter Winchell debuts on radio. [1] * Stalin proposes to ban Trotsky from the Politburo. [1] January 19 * Acadia National Park, Maine established. [1] January 20 * First feature talking motion picture taken outdoors, "In Old Arizona". [1] January 21 * Robert Sherriff's "Journey's End" premieres in London. [1] January 24 * Willem Royaards theater director (Adam in Ballingschap), dies. [1] January 26 * Birth of Jules Feiffer New York City, New York, cartoonist (Passionella) author (Little Murders). [1] * Indian National Congress proclaims goal for India's independence. [1]

347

January 29 * Seeing Eye Guide Dog Organization forms. [1] January 31 * Erich Maria Remarque publishes "Im West nieces Neues" in Berlin. [1] * Leon Trotsky expelled from Russia to Turkey. [1] February 1 * First clean and jerk of 400 pounds (182 kg), Charles Rigoulet, 402.5 pounds. [1] * August Otto Halm composer, dies at age 59. [1] February 2 * Albert Steinrück German actor (Golem), dies at age 56. [1] February 3 * Revolutionary Socialist Party forms in Amsterdam. [1] February 5 * Jimmy Hatlo's "They'll Do It Every Time" cartoon debuts in San Francisco. [1] * Siegfried Ochs composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 6 * Rudy Vallee recorded "Deep Night". [1] February 8 * KOY-AM in Phoenix Arizona begins radio transmissions. [1] February 9 * A Protocol (Litvinov Pact) renouncing war as an instrument of national policy is signed by the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Romania. [10] February 11 * Eugene O'Neill's "Dynamo" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Vatican City (world's smallest country) made an enclave of Rome. [1]

348

February 12 * Freiherr Albert von Schrenk-Notzing German para-psychologist, dies at age 66. [1] * Karst Leemburg wins Dutch 11 cities skate (11:30). [1] February 13 * Cruiser Act OKs construction of 19 new cruisers and an aircraft carrier. [1] * Vladimir Mayakofsky's "Klop" premieres in Moscow. [1] February 14 * Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago Illinois, 7 gangsters killed. [1] February 15 * Saint Valentine's Day massacre (Chicago). [1] February 16 * KID-AM in Idaho Falls ID begins radio transmissions. [1] February 19 * Medical diathermy machine first used, Schenectady New York. [1] February 20 * American Samoa organized as a territory of US. [1] February 24 * Andre-Charles-Prosper Messager composer, dies at age 75. [1] February 26 * President Calvin Coolidge establishes Grand Teton National Park. [1] February 27 * Manuel Manrique de Lara y Berry composer, dies at age 65. [1] * Russia and US sign trade agreement. [1] * Turkey signs Litvinov-pact. [1] February 28

349

* Clemens Freiherr von Pirquet Austrian artist (React of P), dies at age 54. [1] * John Ebenezer West composer, dies at age 65. [1] March 2 * US Congress creates Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. [1] March 4 * Charles Curtis (Republican-Kansas) becomes first native American Vice President. [1] * Herbert Hoover inaugurated as 31st President. [1] March 6 * Turkey and Bulgaria sign friendship treaty. [1] March 8 * US worker union commission reports of slavery in Liberia. [1] March 9 * Marcel Pagnol's "Marius" premieres in Paris France. [1] March 15 * Pine-Top Smith jazz pianist (Boogie Woogie Piano), dies at age 24. [1] March 16 * WHP-AM in Harrisburg Pennsylvania begins radio transmissions. [1] March 17 * General Motors acquires German auto manufacturer Adam Opel. [1] * The Mark Strand Theater in New York City premieres the third released Mickey Mouse film Plane Crazy, with a soundtrack. [6] * Spanish dictator Primo de Rivera closes university of Madrid. [1] March 18 * Dmitri Shostakovich's "The New Babylon" premieres in Leningrad. [1] March 20

350

* Ferdinand Foch Marshal of France (WWI), dies at age 77. [1] March 22 * 66 horses run in Irish Grand National Sweepstakes. [1] * Anton Beer-Walbrun composer, dies at age 64. [1] * KIT-AM in Yakima Washington begins radio transmissions. [1] * USCG vessel sank Canadian schooner suspected of carrying liquor. [1] March 23 * First telephone installed in White House. [1] March 27 * ... Shatunovsky mathematician, dies. [1] March 28 * Democratic constitution goes into effect in Ecuador. [1] April 1 * Austrian government of Ignaz Seipel falls. [1] * Doorne's trailer factory in Einsdhoven Netherlands opens. [1] * Louie Marx introduces Yo-Yo. [1] * Luis Buñuel releases "Un Chien Andalou", 24-minute film. [1] * Morehouse College, Spelman College and Atlanta University affiliate to form Atlanta University Center. [1] April 3 * Persia agrees to Litvinov Pact. [1] April 4 * Karl Friedrich Benz, automobile engineer (Mercedes), dies at age 84. [1] [5] April 5 * Lithuania signs Litvinov-pact. [1] April 10 * Edmond Thieffry Belgium, WWI pilot, dies at age 36. [1]

351

April 11 * KLO-AM in Ogden UT begins radio transmissions. [1] * Loetafoon celluloid film system demonstrated in Amsterdam. [1] April 15 * Antonio Smareglia composer, dies at age 74. [1] April 16 * Abraham van Stolk Jzn art collector, dies at age 57. [1] April 18 * Palace for People's industry in Amsterdam devastated by fire. [1] April 22 * Odon Peter Jozsef de Mihalovich composer, dies at age 86. [1] April 23 * Rudolf W Nilsen Norwegian poet (Hverdagen), dies at age 28. [1] April 24 * First non-stop England to India flight takes-off. [1] * Thorvald Stauning becomes premier of Denmark. [1] April 26 * First non-stop England to India flight lands. [1] April 30 * Earnest Streeruwitz becomes chancellor of Austria. [1] * Friedrich Lienhard German publisher (Türmer), dies at age 63. [1] May 1 * Brooklyn's Johnny Finn sets 100 yard sack race in 14.4 seconds. [1] * Farm workers strike begins in East-Groningen. [1] * Police kill 19 Mayday demonstrators in Berlin. [1] May 3

352

* Prussia bans anti-fascists. [1] May 4 * Henry Morton Dunham composer, dies at age 75. [1] May 6 * New York to San Francisco footrace begins. [1] May 7 * Albert Anselmi US gangster, murdered by Al Capone. [1] * John Scalise US gangster, murdered by Al Capone. [1] * Joseph "Top Toad" Giunta US gangster, murdered by Al Capone. [1] May 8 * Jan Mayen island, 500 km NNE of Iceland, incorporated into Norway. [1] May 9 * WJW-AM in Cleveland Ohio begins radio transmissions. [1] May 11 * First regularly scheduled TV broadcasts (3 nights per week). [1] * Dr Annie Webb Blanton forms Delta Kappa Gamma Society in Austin Texas. [1] May 12 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Julia Peterkin (Scarlet Sister Mary). [1] May 15 * Fire in X-ray film stock kills 125 at Crile Clinic (Cleveland Ohio). [1] May 16 * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out its first awards, at a dinner party held in the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California. Host of the ceremony is actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. o Best Picture: Wings, o Best Actor: Emil Jannings, o Best Actress: Janet Gaynor,

353

o Special honorary award: Charlie Chaplin. [129] [1] [5] [12] * Lilli Lehmann soprano, dies. [1] May 19 * General Feng Yu-Xiang of China declares war on Chiang Kai-Shek Government. [1] May 21 * Automatic electric stock quotation board installed, New York City. [1] * Sergei Prokoviev's ballet "Prodigal Son" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 23 * The first talking cartoon of Mickey Mouse (The Karnival Kid) is released. [5] May 28 * First all color talking picture "On With the Show" exhibited (New York City). [1] May 31 * Atlantic City Convention Center opens. [1] June 3 * First trade show at Atlantic City Convention Center (electric light). [1] * Border dispute between Peru and Chile resolved. [1] June 4 * George Eastman demonstrates first technicolor movie (Rochester New York). [1] June 7 * Vatican City becomes a soverign state. [1] June 11 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1147 Stavropolis. [1] June 15 * First time New York curb stock exchange transacts more business than New York Exch. [1]

354

June 25 * President Hoover authorizes building of Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam). [1] June 27 * First color TV demo (New York City). [1] June 29 * First high-speed jet wind tunnel completed Langley Field California. [1] July 4 * AM radio station WOWO, Indiana's transmitter burns down. [1] July 5 * A Deutsch discovers asteroid #1148 Rarahu. [1] * WOWO-AM, Indiana returns to air, one day after transmitter burns down. [1] July 10 * US issues newer, smaller-sized paper currency. [1] July 15 * First airport hotel opens-Oakland California. [1] July 24 * New York to San Francisco footrace ends (2.5 months) winner is 60-year-old Monteverde. [1] * The Treaty of Paris becomes effective, with 31 more countries signing compliance. [10] * President Hoover proclaims Kellogg-Briand Pact which renounces war. [1] August 8 * First airship flight around the Earth flying eastward begins. [1] * German airship Graf Zeppelin begins a round-the-world flight. [1] * Salem Oregon airport dedicated. [1] August 11

355

* Babe Ruth becomes first to hit 500 homers. [1] August 19 * Sergei P Diaghilev Russia, dance master (Imperial Ballet), dies at age 57. [1] August 20 * First airship flight around the Earth flying eastward completed. [1] August 25 * Graf Zeppelin passes over San Francisco for Los Angeles after trans-Pacific voyage. [1] August 29 * German airship Graf Zeppelin ends a round-the-world flight. [1] September 3 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average hits a high point of 381.17. (This pre-crash high is not surpassed until 1954, adjusted for inflation.) [227] September 11 * San Francisco Mayor Rolph inaugurates new pedestrian traffic light system. [1] September 25 * Lieutenant Jimmy Doolittle performs the first blind flight at Mitchell Field in New York, proving that full Instrument Flying from take off to landing is possible. [5] (September 24 [1]) September 30 * First manned rocket plane flight (by auto maker Fritz von Opel). [1] October 3 * Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes changes name to Yugoslavia. [1] October 20 * Bayshore Highway opens (San Francisco). [1]

356

October 23 * The first North American transcontinental air service begins between New York City and Los Angeles, California. [5] October 24 * Song "Happy Days are Here Again" is published in the USA. [247.42] * "Black Thursday," beginning of stock market crash. [1] October 25 * Former Interior Secretary Albert Fall convicted of accepting $100,000 bribe. [1] October 29 * "Black Tuesday," Stock Market crashes triggers "Great Depression". [1] October 30 * The Stuttgart Cable Car is constructed in Stuttgart, Germany. [5] November 1 * Lundy, part of the British Isles, issue their own stamps. [1] November 18 * Large earthquake in Atlantic breaks Transatlantic cable in 28 places. [1] November 28 * Admiral Richard E Byrd makes first South Pole flight. [1] November 29 * Lieutenant Commander Richard E Byrd sends "My calculations indicate that we have reached the vicinity of the South Pole" (He was wrong). [1] December 1 * Game of BINGO invented by Edwin S Lowe. [1] December 2 * First skull of Peking man found, 50 km out of Peking at Tsjoe Koe Tien. [1]

357

December 5 * First US nudist organization (American League for Physical Culture, New York City, New York). [1] December 6 * Turkey introduces female suffrage. [1] December 13 * Knut Algot Hakanson composer, dies at age 42. [1] December 14 * Alexander Zaimis elected President of Greece. [1] December 15 * Walter Mittelholzer flies as first about the Kilimanjaro. [1] December 20 * Emile Loubet French premier (1892)/President (1899-1906), dies at age 90. [1] * Mount Davidson dedicated as a San Francisco city park. [1] December 21 * First US group hospital insurance plan instituted, Dallas Texas. [1] December 29 * Police arrest Sukarno and 100s PNI-leaders. [1] December 30 * Cole Porter's musical "Wake Up and Dream" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority incorporates. [1] December 31 * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Divini illius magistri. [1]

358

1930 January 1 * Earl Claus von Stauffenberg promoted to second lieutenant. [1] * Jurgens and Van den Berg merge with Lever Brothers to form Unilever. [1] January 5 * Mao Tse-tung writes "A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire". [1] January 6 * First diesel engine automobile trip (in a Packard sedan) completed. [1] January 7 * Edwin Justus Mayer's "Children of Darkness" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Rudolf Häpke historian (Entstehung Holländ Wirtschaft), dies at age 45. [1] January 8 * Belgium Princess Marie-José marries Italian's crown prince Umberto. [1] January 9 * Edward W Buck Dutch/US editor (Ladies Home Journal), dies at age 66. [1] January 10 * Mordovian Autonomous Region in RSFSR constituted. [1] January 11 * At 12:00 PM, the first official theater-based Mickey Mouse Club begins, at the Fox Dome Theater in Ocean Park, California. [6] January 13 * The first Mickey Mouse comic strip is published, in the New York Mirror newspaper in the USA. The strip is initially written by Walt Disney, and drawn by Ub Iwerks. [1] [6] * C-E Auguste Rateau French inventor (R-steam turbine), dies at age 66. [1] January 18

359

* -27 degrees F (-33 degrees C), Watts Oklahoma (state record). [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich's opera "The Nose" premieres in Leningrad. [1] January 20 * First radio broadcast of "Lone Ranger" (WXYZ-Detroit). [1] January 22 * -35 degrees F (-37 degrees C), Mount Carroll Illinois (state record). [1] January 23 * Clyde Tombaugh photographs planet Pluto. [1] January 26 * Cleveland's Terminal Tower opens (52 stories). [1] January 27 * Jean Hure composer, dies at age 52. [1] January 30 * Vladimir Mayakovsky's "Banya" premieres in Leningrad. [1] January 31 * First US glider flight from a dirigible, Lakehurst New Jersey. [1] February 1 * Arnold Schönbergs opera premieres in Frankfurt. [1] February 3 * Vietnamese Communistic Party forms. [1] * William Howard Taft, resigns as chief justice for health reasons. [1] February 4 * First tieless, soundless, shockless streetcar tracks, New Orleans. [1] February 5

360

* 5th Aliyah to Israel begins. [1] February 6 * Eva Strittmatter writer, dies at age 17. [1] February 8 * "Happy Days Are Here Again" by Benny Mereoff hits #1. [1] February 10 * Grain Stabilization Corporation authorized byUS Congress. [1] February 17 * French government of Tardieu, falls. [1] February 18 * Cow flown and milked, milk sealed in paper containers and parachuted. [1] * Luigi Pirandello's "Come Tu Mi Vuoi" premieres in Milan. [1] * Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "Simple Simon" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * US astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto. [1] February 21 * Marc Connelly's "Green Pastures" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 22 * Godfried van Daalen Dutch General/governor of Atjeh, dies at age 66. [1] February 23 * Horst Wessel German Nazi lyricist (Fahne Hoch), dies at age 22. [1] * Mabel Normand actress/director (Extra Girl), dies at age 35. [1] February 24 * Jacobus van Looy Dutch writer/painter (Night Cactus), dies at age 74. [1] February 25 * Check photographing device patented. [1]

361

February 26 * "The Green Pastures" opens at Mansfield Theater. [1] * First red and green traffic lights installed (Manhattan New York City). [1] * Raffaele Merry del Val Spanish Cardinal, dies at age 64. [1] February 27 * Bouvet Island declared a Norwegian dependency. [1] March 1 * Aloïs Walgrave Flemish writer/pastor (Peace on Earth), dies at age 54. [1] March 2 * First US indoor glider flight, Saint Louis Terminal Building. [1] * David H Lawrence poet/writer (Lady Chatterley's Lover), dies at age 44. [1] March 4 * Coolidge Dam in Arizona dedicated. [1] March 6 * Brooklyn's Clarence Birdseye develops a method for quick freezing food. [1] March 8 * Mahatma Gandhi starts civil disobedience in India. [1] * William Howard Taft, 27th US President (1909-13)/Chief Justice, dies at age 72. [1] March 11 * President and Chief Justice William Taft buried in Arlington. [1] March 12 * Mohandas Gandhi begins 200 mile (321 km) march protesting British salt tax. [1] March 13 * Clyde Tombaugh announces discovery of Pluto at Lowell Observatory. [1] * Mary E W Freeman US writer (Pembroke), dies at age 77. [1]

362

March 15 * First seaplane glider flown, Port Washington New York. [1] * First streamlined submarine of US navy, USS Nautilus, launched. [1] * Antonio Beltramelli writer, dies at age 51. [1] March 16 * Miguel Primo de Riveray Orbaneja Sp dictator (1923-30), dies at age 60. [1] * USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) floated out to become a national shrine. [1] March 18 * Pluto discovered by Clyde Tombaugh (US). [1] March 19 * Arthur J Balfour British theologist/premier (1902-05), dies at age 81. [1] * Nakagawa Soen accepted as a student of Katsube Keigaku Roshi. [1] March 20 * Clessie Cummins sets diesel engine speed record of 129.39 kph. [1] March 24 * First religious services telecast in US (W2XBS, New York City, New York). [1] * Planet Pluto named. [1] March 26 * US Congress appropriates $50,000 for Inter-American highway. [1] March 27 * First US radio broadcast from a ship at sea. [1] March 28 * First performance of Walter Piston's Suite for orchestra (Boston). [1] * Constantinople and Angora changes names to Istanbul and Ankara. [1] March 29 * Anton Bettelheim writer, dies. [1]

363

March 30 * Birth of Rolf Harris Bassendean Western Australia, Australian/British cartoonist/singer (Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport)/actor (The Little Convict). [1] April 1 * "Blue Angel", starring unknown Marlene Dietrich, premieres in America. [1] * Cosima Liszt wife of Austrian composer Richard Wagner, dies at age 92. [1] * Zawditu first reigning female monarch of Ethiopia, dies. [1] April 2 * First New York-Bermuda airplane flight lands in Bermuda. [1] April 3 * Ras Tafari becomes Emperor Haile Selassie of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). [1] April 4 * Vladimir Majakovski Russian poet, dies. [1] * Queen Viktoria of Sweden dies, in Rome, Italy. [7] April 6 * First transcontinental glider tow completed. [1] * Hostess Twinkies invented by bakery executive James Dewar. [1] April 10 * Synthetic rubber first produced. [1] April 14 * Philip Barry's "Hotel Universe", premieres in New York City. [1] * W Majakowski writer, dies at age 36. [1] April 17 * Abkhazian ASSR established in Georgian SSR. [1] April 21 * Christine [Elizabeth C] Poolman Dutch actress (Mother), dies at age 79. [1] * Fire (set as part of an escape attempt) at Ohio State Penitentiary kills 320. [1]

364

* Robert S Bridges poet laureate (Testament of beauty), dies at age 85. [1] * Vladimir Mayakovsky's "Moskva Golid", premieres in Moscow. [1] April 22 * Jeppe Aakjær Danish journalist/author/poet (Rugens sange), dies at age 63. [1] * US, Britain and Japan sign London Naval Treaty to reduce naval forces. [1] April 29 * North Sea floodgate at Ijmuiden (biggest in world) officially opens. [1] * Telephone connection England-Australia goes into service. [1] May 5 * First woman to fly solo from England to Australia takes-off (Amy Johnson). [1] May 8 * Lvar Henning Mankell composer, dies at age 61. [1] May 10 * First US planetarium opens (Adler-Chicago). [1] May 12 * Pieter Jelles Troelstra Dutch SDAP leader, dies at age 70. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Marc Connelly (Green Pastures). [1] May 13 * Farmer killed by hail in Lubbock Texas; this is the only known fatality due to hail. [1] * Fridtjof Nansen diplomat (Nobel Prize 1922), dies. [1] * Helena Lange German feminist, dies. [1] May 15 * Ellen Church becomes first airline stewardess, United (San Francisco to Cheyenne). [1] May 16 * 6th Walker Cup: US 10-Great Britain/Ireland 2. [1]

365

May 17 * Herbert David Croly US founder (New Republic), dies at age 61. [1] May 18 * Joao Marcellino Arroyo composer, dies at age 68. [1] May 19 * White woman win voting rights in South Africa. [1] May 20 * First airplane catapulted from a dirigible, Charles Nicholson, pilot. [1] * University of California dedicates $1,500 to research on prevention and cure of athlete's foot. [1] May 21 * Max Bishop draws 8 walks in a doubleheader. [1] May 24 * First woman to fly from England to Australia solo, lands (Amy Johnson). [1] May 26 * US Supreme Court rules buying liquor does not violate the Constitution. [1] May 27 * The Chrysler Building opens to the public in New York. At 1,046 feet tall, it is the tallest man-made structure in the world. [5] * Richard Drew invents masking tape. [1] May 28 * Georges Forbes succeeds Joseph Ward as premier of New Zealand. [1] May 30 * Bill Arnold wins Indianapolis 500 car race (161.6 kph). [1] May 31

366

* Building begins on Albert Canal in Belgium. [1] * Comet 73P/1930 (Schwassmann-Wachmann 3) approaches 0.0617 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth. [1] June 2 * Sarah Dickson becomes first woman Presbyterian elder in US, Cincinnati. [1] June 7 * New York Times agrees to capitalize the n in "Negro". [1] June 13 * 22 people killed by hailstones in Siatista Greece. [1] June 24 * First radar detection of planes, Anacostia DC. [1] June 27 * P Parchomenko discovers asteroid #1166 Sakuntala. [1] June 30 * First round-the-world radio broadcast Schenectady New York. [1] July 3 * Veterans Administration created. [1] July 7 * Construction of the Boulder Dam begins, in Boulder Canyon, Colorado. [1] [129] July 13 * Sarnoff reports in New York Times "TV would be a theater in every home". [1] July 18 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average removes American Sugar, American Tobacco B, Atlantic Refining, General Railway Signal, Goodrich, Nash Motors, and Curtiss-Wright from its index, replacing them with Borden, Eastman Kodak Company, Goodyear,

367

Liggett & Myers, Standard Oil of California, United Air Transport, and Hudson Motor. [228] July 20 * 106 degrees F (41 degrees C), Washington, DC (district record). [1] July 21 * US Veterans Administration established. [1] July 22 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1306 Scythia. [1] * H Van Gent discovers asteroids #1666 van Gent, #1752 van Herk. [1] July 28 * 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), Greensburg, Kentucky (state record). [1] August 9 * Betty Boop debutes in Max Fleischer's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes. [1] August 18 * Eastern Airlines begins passenger service. [1] August 20 * Dumont's first TV broadcast for home reception (New York City). [1] September 2 * First non-stop airplane flight from Europe to US (37 hours). [1] September 3 * Hurricane kills 2,000, injures 4,000 (Dominican Republic). [1] September 5 * The Mickey Mouse film The Chain Gang is released to theaters in the USA. This film debuts Pluto the dog, though he is not named. [6] September 8

368

* First appearance of the comic strip "Blondie". [1] * New York City public schools begin teaching Hebrew. [1] September 10 * Charles E Mitchell, named minister to Liberia. [1] September 11 * Stomboli volcano (Sicily) throws 2-ton basaltic rocks two miles. [1] September 14 * Nazis gain 107 seats in German election. [1] September 15 * First international Bridge (card game) match is held in London, England. US team defeats England. [1] [55.28] September 21 * Johann Ostermeyer patents the flashbulb. [1] September 28 * Lou Gehrig's errorless streak ends at 885 consecutive games. [1] September 29 * Boquerón battle ends Paraguay border dispute. [1] October 9 * First transcontinental flight by a woman completed, Laura Ingalls. [1] October 20 * British White Paper restricts Jews from buying Arab land. [1] October 25 * First scheduled transcontinental air service began. [1] October 30

369

* Turkey and Greece sign a treaty of friendship. [1] November 2 * Ras Tafari crowned Haile Selassie I, 225th emperor of Solmonic Dynasty. [1] November 3 * First vehicular tunnel to a foreign country (Detroit-Windsor) opens. [1] * Bank of Italy becomes Bank of America. [1] November 9 * First nonstop airplane flight from New York to Panama. [1] November 24 * First woman pilot on a transcontinental air flight Miss Ruth Nichols (Mineola, New York to California), in a Lockheed-Vega, took 7 days. [1] November 25 * 690 earthquake shocks recorded in one day (Ito Japan). [1] December 1 * Ruth Nichols becomes first woman pilot to cross the continent. [1] December 3 * Air-borne chemicals combine with fog to kill 60 (Meuse Valley Belgium). [1] * Otto Ender forms Austrian government. [1] * Richard Rodgers/L Hart's musical "Evergreen" premieres in London. [1] December 4 * French government of Tardieu falls. [1] * Vatican approves rhythm method for birth control. [1] December 6 * Pablo Neruda marries Marie A Hagenaar Vogelzang in Batavia. [1] December 7

370

* In Boston, Massachusetts, the CBS radio orchestra program is broadcast in video and included the first television commercial in the United States. [5] December 8 * Broadway Theater opens at 1681 Broadway New York City, New York. [1] * Cole Porter's musical "NYCers" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 11 * Bank of the United States opens in New York City, New York. [1] * Friedrich von Bernhardi German war theorist/historian, dies at age 81. [1] December 13 * George Sisler's career ends when Boston Braves release him. [1] * Theodore Steeg forms French government. [1] December 17 * Peter Warlock composer, dies at age 36. [1] December 19 * James Weldon Johnson resigns as executive secretary of NAACP. [1] December 22 * Six West europe lands signs Convention of Oslo. [1] December 23 * Bette Davis arrives in Hollywood under contract to Universal Studios. [1] * Johannes H Been Brielle archivist, dies at age 71. [1] * Police Bureau of Criminal Alien Investigation started in New York City, New York. [1] December 24 * Eduard David German minister (constitution of Weimar), dies at age 67. [1] * Federico García Lorca's "La Zapatera Prodigiosa" premieres in Madrid. [1] * Oskar Nedbal composer, dies at age 56. [1] December 25

371

* First US bobsled run open to the public (Mount Van Hoevenberg bobsled run at Lake Placid New York). [1] * Harvey Worthington Loomis composer, dies at age 65. [1] December 27 * William Courtleigh actor (Madame X, Eyes of Youth), dies at age 63. [1] December 29 * Fred P Newton completes longest swim ever (1826 miles), when he swam in the Mississippi River from Ford Dam Minnesota, to New Orleans Louisiana. [1] December 31 * Pontifical encyclical Casti connubii against mixed marriages. [1] * US tobacco industry produced 123 billion cigarettes in 1930. [1]

372

1931 January 3 * Joseph J C Joffre French marshal, dies at age 78. [1] January 4 * Art Acord western actor (Set Free, Spurs and Saddles), dies at age 40. [1] January 9 * Claude Anet [Jean Schopfer] French writer (La fille perdue), dies. [1] January 11 * Oscar Fetras composer, dies at age 76. [1] January 14 * William Ernst Johnson British mathematician, dies. [1] January 21 * Felix Blumenfeld composer, dies at age 67. [1] January 22 * French government of Steeg falls. [1] * VARA begins experimental TV broadcast in Diamantbeurs Amsterdam. [1] January 23 * Anna Pavlova Russian ballerina (Diaghilew, Dying Swan), dies. [1] January 26 * Hungary-Austria sign peace treaty. [1] * Lynn Riggs' "Green Grow the Lilacs" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 30 * Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" premieres at Los Angeles Theater. [1] January 31

373

* Philip Barry's "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 2 * First siyyum of Talmud celebrated by Daf Yomi students. [1] * First use of a rocket to deliver mail (Austria). [1] * Theodor Batthynyi Hungarian contra-revolutionary, dies at age 71. [1] February 3 * Arkansas legislature passes motion to pray for soul of H L Mencken after he calls the state the "apex of moronia". [1] * Hans Schardt Swiss geologist, dies at age 72. [1] February 5 * Maxine Dunlap becomes first US women to earn a glider pilot license. [1] February 7 * Ion Vidu composer, dies at age 67. [1] * US opera, "Peter Ibbetson", by Deems Taylor premieres at Metropolitan Opera New York City. [1] February 8 * Gas explosion Fire in Fushun-coal mine, Manchuria kills 3,000. [1] February 10 * New Delhi becomes capital of India. [1] * Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Harts premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 11 * Charles Algernon Parsons British inventor (steam turbine), dies at age 76. [1] February 14 * Spanish government of General Damasco Berenguer falls. [1] February 15 * First Dracula movie released. [1]

374

February 16 * Dirk Schäfer Dutch pianist/composer (Klavier), dies at age 57. [1] * Extreme right wing Svinhufvud becomes President of Finland. [1] February 18 * Birth of Johnny Hart cartoonist. [1] February 20 * US Congress allows California to build Oakland-Bay Bridge. [1] February 21 * Alka Seltzer introduced. [1] February 23 * Nellie Melba [Helen Mitchell], Australian soprano, dies. [1] February 26 * Otto Wallach German chemist (Nobel Prize 1910), dies at age 83. [1] February 28 * Oswald Mosley founds his New Party. [1] March 3 * "Star Spangled Banner" officially becomes US national anthem. [1] * Cab Calloway records "Minnie the Moocher" (Jazz's first million seller). [1] March 4 * West Indies beat Australia for the first time, by 30 runs at SCG. [1] March 5 * Gandhi and British viceroy Lord Irwin sign pact. [1] March 7 * Akseli V Gallen-Kallela Finnish painter/illustrator, dies at age 65. [1] * Theo van Doesburg [Christian Kupper], painter/architect, dies at age 47. [1]

375

March 8 * Clara Kathleen Rogers composer, dies at age 87. [1] March 9 * Ida B Wells-Barnett famous black, dies in Chicago at age 78. [1] March 10 * British Labour party removes fascist sir Oswald Mosley. [1] March 14 * First theater built for rear movie projection (New York City, New York). [1] March 16 * Genootschap Onze Taal (Our Language) organizes (Netherlands). [1] March 17 * Stalin throws Krupskaya Lenin out of Central Committee. [1] March 18 * First electric shavers go on sale in US (Schick). [1] * Juan Bautista Aznar becomes premier of Spain. [1] March 19 * Nevada legalizes casino gaming and most other forms of gambling. Nevada Governor Fred Balzar signs into law Assembly Bill 98, allowing faro, monte, roulette, keno, fan-tan, twenty-one, blackjack, seven-and-a-half, big injun, klondike, craps, stud poker, draw poker, or any card, dice, machine, at licensed establishments. Licensing fees for social games is set at US$25 per table per month, $50 for each mercantile game, $10 for each slot machine. Legal gambling age set at 21. [1] [39] [80.303] [86.6] [187.355] March 20 * Bishop Schreiber warns against national-socialism in Berlin. [1] March 21 * KRO-broadcast studio initiated in Hilversum Holland. [1]

376

March 25 * Hal Kemp and his Orchestra record Whistles, with Skinnay Ennis. [1] March 26 * Iraq and Trans-Jordan sign peace treaty. [1] * New Delhi replaces Calcutta as capitol of British-Indies. [1] March 27 * Arnold Bennett novelist, dies. [1] * Charlie Chaplin receives France's distinguished Legion of Honor. [1] April 1 * Earthquake devastates Managua Nicaragua, kills 2,000. [1] April 2 * Teenage girl strikes out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game in Chattanooga Tennessee. [1] April 4 * Andre Michelin CEO (Michelin Tires), dies. [1] * George Whitefield Chadwick composer, dies at age 76. [1] April 6 * First Scottsboro (Alabama) trial begins - 9 blacks accused of rape. [1] * First broadcast of "Little Orphan Annie" on NBC-radio. [1] * Giuseppi Radiciotti composer, dies at age 73. [1] April 8 * "White Horse Inn" opens in London. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich's ballet "The Arrow", premieres. [1] * Eric Axel Karlfeldt poet, dies. [1] April 9 * Chicago's Cy Wentworth beats Montreal Canadiens at 13:50 of the 6th period. [1] * Paul Antonin Vidal composer, dies at age 67. [1]

377

April 12 * Spanish voters reject the monarchy. [1] April 14 * Spain becomes republic with overthrow of King Alfonso XIII. [1] April 15 * The first walk across America backwards began. [1] April 20 * British House of Commons agrees for sports play on Sunday. [1] April 22 * Egypt and Iraq sign peace treaty. [1] April 27 * 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), Pahala HI (state record). [1] April 29 * Cleveland Indian Wes Ferrell no-hits Saint Louis Browns, 9-0. [1] April 30 * Disney completes the Mickey Mouse film The Moose Hunt. Pluto also appears, and is first called by name. Pluto speaks for the first and only time in his career. [6] May 1 * U.S. President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates New York City's Empire State Building. At 102 stories and 1,250 feet high it is the world's tallest skyscraper (a record held until 1972). [1] [129] * Norway claims Peter I Island. [1] * Singer Kate Smith begins her long-running radio program on CBS. [1] May 3 * Frank Hoyt Losey composer, dies at age 59. [1] * Otto Winter-Hjelm composer, dies at age 93. [1]

378

May 4 * Mustafa Kemal Pasja becomes Turkish president. [1] May 8 * Operette "Land of Smiles" premieres in London. [1] May 9 * A[lbert] A[braham] Michelson US physicist (1907 Nobel), dies at age 78. [1] May 10 * Golf ball size hail falls in Burlington New Jersey. [1] May 11 * Credit-Anstalt, Austria's largest bank, fails beginning financial collapse of Central Europe. [1] May 12 * Eugene-Auguste Ysaye composer, dies at age 72. [1] May 13 * Josif Marinkovic composer, dies at age 79. [1] * Paul Doumer elected President of France. [1] May 15 * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Quadragesimo anno. [1] May 17 * Johan [Eliza J] de Master art critic/writer, dies. [1] * Timothy Cole wood engraver, dies. [1] May 19 * Ironclad cruiser Germany launched in Kiel. [1] May 21 * Belgian Government of Jaspar falls. [1]

379

May 22 * Canned rattlesnake meat first goes on sale in Florida. [1] May 23 * Whipsnade Zoo opens in Whipsnade Beds England. [1] May 24 * First air-conditioned train installed-B&O Railroad. [1] May 27 * First full scale wind tunnel for testing airplanes, Langley Field Virginia. [1] * Piccard and Knipfer make first flight into stratosphere, by balloon; first use of pressurized cabin in a balloon. [1] June 6 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1210 Morosovia. [1] June 9 * First showing of a Donald Duck cartoon. [1] * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1197 Rhodesia. [1] * Goddard patents rocket-fueled aircraft design. [1] June 14 * French "St Philbert" overturned off Saint Nazaire France, drowns 450. [1] June 19 * First photoelectric cell installed commercially West Haven Connecticut. [1] June 23 * Wiley Post and Harold Catty took off for flight around world. [1] June 29 * 109 degrees F (43 degrees C), Monticello, Florida (state record). [1] July 1

380

* Ice vending machines introduced in Los Angeles 25 pounds, 15 cents. [1] * Boeing Air Transport begin service (later called United Airlines). [5] July 18 * First air-conditioned ship (Mariposa) launched. [1] July 21 * Reno race track, becomes first in US to use daily double wagering. [1] July 23 * Ashmore and Cartier Island in Indian Ocean transferred to Australia. [1] July 28 * US Congress makes "The Star-Spangled Banner" our second national anthem. [1] August 15 * Ernest Lassy completes longest canoe journey without port (6,102 mi). [1] * Roy Wilkins joined NAACP as assistant secretary. [1] September 15 * British naval force mutinies at Invergordon over pay. [1] September 21 * Britain goes off the gold standard. [1] September 27 * Lou Gehrig completes his 6th straight season, playing in every game. [1] October 2 * Pope Pius XI encyclical On the economic crisis. [1] October 4 * The comic strip Dick Tracy by Chester Gould debuts. [1] October 5

381

* First nonstop transpacific flight, Japan to Washington (Herndon and Pangborn). [1] October 7 * First infra-red photograph, Rochester, New York. [1] October 10 * AJ Bennett hits H Garbarino for first scoring pass in Canada's Big 4. [1] October 12 * First International Conference on Calendar Reform. [1] October 16 * Trunk murderess Winnie Ruth Judd chops first. [1] October 17 * American gangster Al Capone is convicted of US tax evasion, sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined US$80,000. [1] [5] [129] October 18 * Thomas Alva Edison inventor, dies in West Orange, New Jersey, at age 84. [1] October 24 * George Washington Bridge connecting New York to New Jersey opens. [1] November 3 * First commercially produced synthetic rubber manufactured. [1] November 11 * Cornerstones laid for Opera House and Veterans Building. [1] November 13 * Hattie Caraway (Democrat-Alaska) appointed first US woman senator. [1] November 20

382

* Commercial teletype service begins. [1] December 1 * In Canada, the Ottawa branch of the British Royal Mint begins operation as the Royal Canadian Mint, under the control of the Canadian Finance Department. [3] December 2 * Paul-Marie-Theodore-Vincent D'indy French count/composer, dies at age 80. [1] December 3 * Alka Seltzer goes on sale. [1] December 4 * "Frankenstein" opens at Mayfair. [1] December 8 * Coaxial cable patented. [1] December 9 * Benn W Levy's "Springtime for Henry" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Japanese army attacks Chinese province of Jehol. [1] * Spain becomes a republic. [1] December 10 * Jane Addams (first US woman) named co-recipient of Nobel Peace Prize. [1] * Manuel Azaña becomes premier/Niceto Zamora President of Spain. [1] * Max Elskamp Belgian author/poet (Six Chansons), dies at age 69. [1] December 11 * British Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Newfoundland. [1] * Japan leaves the Golden Standard. [1] December 12 * Japanese Government of Imukai forms. [1] December 14

383

* First assembly of Anton Musserts NSB in Utrecht. [1] December 16 * German SPD begins Eiserne Front against fascism. [1] * Gustave J Waffelaert Flemish theologist/bishop of Bruges, dies at age 82. [1] December 18 * John T "Legs" Diamond US gangster, murdered at age 35. [1] December 19 * Joseph A Lyons (Conservative) becomes premier of Australia. [1] December 21 * John-French Cantré Flemish wood carver/painter/cartoonist, dies at age 45. [1] December 25 * New York's Metropolitan Opera broadcasts an entire opera over radio. [1] December 26 * George/Ira Gershwin's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical play "Of Thee I Sing" premieres on Broadway. [1] * SS-Sturmbannführer Reinhard Heydrich marries Lina von Osten. [1] December 27 * Peter Christian Lutkin composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Walter Courvoisier composer, dies at age 56. [1] December 28 * Lin-Sen succeeds Chiang Kai-shek as President of Nanjing-China. [1] December 29 * Identification of heavy water publicly announced, HC Urey. [1] December 30 * Tyrone Power Sr actor (Big Trial, Test of Donald Norton), dies at age 62. [1]

384

1932 January 1 * Jacob Cocey Sr chosen as mayor of Massillon Ohio. [1] * Rasse und Siedlungshauptamt publishes Himmler's wedding laws. [1] January 2 * Young gang shoot dead six police in Springfield Missouri. [1] January 4 * British East Indies Viceroy Willingdon arrests Gandhi and Nehru. [1] * State of siege proclaimed in Honduras. [1] January 7 * Henri Stroethoff Dutch actor (Bright Paradise), dies at age 60. [1] January 8 * Ratification of present San Francisco City Charter. [1] January 10 * The first "Mickey Mouse" color comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. [1] [6] * The first "Silly Symphonies" color comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. The edition is titled "Bucky Bug". [1] [6] * "Pete the Tramp" cartoon strip by C D Russell debuts. [1] January 12 * France's Laval government falls. [1] * Hattie W Caraway elected first woman senator (Democrat-Arkansas). [1] * Philip Barry's "Animal Kingdom" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 14 * First totalisator (to record racetrack bets) in US installed, Hialeah. [1] * Horse racing legend Eddie Arcaro wins his first race. [1] January 15 * Georg Kerschensteiner German educationalist, dies at age 77. [1]

385

January 16 * Birth of Jim Berry cartoonist (Berry's World). [1] January 19 * Charlie Conacher becomes first Toronto Maple Leaf to score five goals in a game, the first coming at 7 seconds of the game. [1] January 21 * Finland and the Soviet Union sign a five-year Pact of Non-Agression. [10] * [Giles] Lytton Strachey British biographer/critic, dies at age 51. [1] January 22 * British Anglicans and Old-Catholic church merge. [1] January 23 * El Salvador army kills 4,000 protesting farmers. [1] January 25 * First commencement exercises at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. [1] January 26 * British submarine M-2 sinks in Channel (60 dead). [1] * William K Wrigley owner (Wrigley Gum, Chicago Cubs), dies. [1] January 28 * First US state unemployment insurance act enacted-Wisconsin. [1] * Franz Xavier Arens composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Japan occupies Shanghai. [1] January 31 * US railway unions accept 10% wage reduction. [1] February 2 * Al Capone sent to prison (Atlanta Georgia). [1] * In Geneva, a World Disarmament Conference begins. [10]

386

* Reconstruction Finance Corp organized. [1] February 4 * Japanese troop occupy Harbin, Manchuria. [1] February 6 * Fascist coup in the Memel territory. [1] February 8 * Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll mobster, killed by Dutch Schultz gang. [1] February 9 * Junnosuke Inouye Japanese minister of Finance, murdered. [1] * US airship Columbia crashes during storm (Flushing New York). [1] February 10 * R H Edgar Wallace British writer/journalist (3 Just Men), dies at age 76. [1] February 11 * 73 degrees F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in February. [1] February 12 * Communist Party of Holland forms Unemployed Combat Committees. [1] February 13 * "Free Eats" introduces George "Spanky" McFarland to "Our Gang". [1] February 15 * George Burns and Gracie Allen debuted as regulars on "Guy Lombardo Show". [1] * John Van Druten's "There's Always Juliet" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Minnie Maddern Fiske actress (Henrik Ibsen's plays), dies at age 66. [1] February 16 * First patent issued for a tree, to James Markham for a peach tree. [1]

387

February 17 * Frans Gailliard Belgian painter/graphic artist (Egina), dies at age 70. [1] * Irving Berlin's musical "Face the Music" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 18 * Frederik Augustus III King of Saxon (1904-18), dies at age 66. [1] * Japan declares Manchuria Independent. [1] February 19 * William Faulkner completes his novel "Light in August". [1] February 20 * Japanese troops occupy Tunhua China. [1] February 21 * André Tardieu becomes premier of France. [1] * Camera exposure meter patented, WN Goodwin. [1] February 22 * Purple Heart award re-instituted. [1] February 24 * Malcolm Campbell drives record speed (253.96 mph) at Daytona. [1] February 25 * Immigrant Adolf Hitler gets German citizenship. [1] February 27 * Explosion in coal mine Boissevain, Virginia, USA (38 dead). [1] February 29 * Failed coup attempt by fascist Lapua Movement in Finland. [1] March 1 * Charles Lindbergh Jr (20 months), kidnapped in New Jersey; found dead May 12. [1]

388

* Dino Campana Italian poet (Canti Orfici), dies at age 46. [1] March 3 * Eugene Francis Charles D'albert composer, dies at age 67. [1] March 5 * Takuma Dan Japanese baron/financier/industrial, murdered. [1] March 6 * John Philip Sousa US composer (Stars and Stripes Forever), dies at age 77. [1] March 7 * Aristide Briand 11 x premier of France (Nobel Prize 1926), dies at age 69. [1] * Riots at Ford-factory Dearborn Michigan, kills 4. [1] March 8 * Jan de Louter Dutch lawyer/tutor of Queen Wilhelmina, dies at age 84. [1] March 9 * Eamon De Valera becomes President of Ireland. [1] * Former Chinese emperor Henry Pu-Yi installed as head of Manchuria. [1] March 12 * Ivar Kreuger, Swedish financier, is found shot dead in his Paris apartment, presumably a suicide. He is estimated to have spent US$400 million of investor money in 15 years. [1] [7] [80.56] [135.115] March 14 * George Eastman, US industrialist (Kodak-camera), suicide at age 77. [1] [5] March 17 * German police raid Hitler's Nazi-headquarter. [1] March 20 * Kara-Kalpak Autonomous Region in RSFSR becomes Kara-Kalpak ASSR. [1]

389

March 24 * First US radio broadcast from a moving train (Belle Baker, WABC from Maryland). [1] March 26 * Jean Cartan composer, dies at age 25. [1] March 29 * Jack Benny debuts on radio. [1] March 30 * Amelia Earhart is first woman to fly solo cross the Atlantic. [1] March 31 * 150 wild swans die in Niagara waterfall. [1] * Ford publicly unveils its V-8 engine. [1] April 1 * In Canada, the RCMP absorbs provincial police of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Alberta. [242.4] April 2 * Charles Lindbergh turns over $50,000 as ransom for kidnapped son. [1] * Hugo Kaun composer, dies at age 69. [1] April 4 * George Bernard Shaw's "Too True to be Good", premieres in New York City. [1] * Ottokar T Czernin von und zu Chudenitz Austrian minister, dies at age 59. [1] * Vitamin C first isolated, C C King, University of Pittsburgh. [1] * Wilhelm Ostwald physical chemist (Nobel Prize 1909), dies. [1] April 5 * Dutch textile strike broken by trade unions. [1] April 7 * Erv A Kelley US policeman, shot to death by Pretty Boy Floyd. [1]

390

April 9 * Birth of Paul Krassner comic strip cartoonist (MAD Magazine)/founder (Yippies). [1] April 10 * André Baillon Belgian/French author (and sabots), dies at age 56. [1] * Paul von Hindenburg re-elected President of Germany. [1] April 12 * Emmanuel Chabriers and Balanchines ballet premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] April 13 * Johannes T de Visser first Dutch minister of Education, dies at age 75 [or 14th]. [1] April 14 * Bizet, Massine and Miró's "Jeux d'Enfants", premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] April 17 * Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia ends slavery. [1] April 19 * President Herbert Hoover suggests five day work week. [1] * Wladyslaw Rzepko composer, dies at age 77. [1] April 20 * Giuseppe Peano mathematician, dies. [1] April 23 * Shakespeare Memorial Theatre opens at Stratford-on-Avon. [1] April 24 * German national election (NSDAP 36.3% in Prussia). [1] April 25

391

* Rose Franken's "Another Language", premieres in New York City. [1] April 26 * Jean Anouilh's "L'Ermine", premieres in Paris France. [1] April 27 * Harold "Heart" Crane US poet (Bridge), commits suicide by jumping from a steamer while sailing from México to New York at age 32. [1] April 28 * First broadcast of "One Man's Family" on NBC-radio. [1] * Yellow fever vaccine for humans announced. [1] May 1 * First Suriname union congress at Paramaribo. [1] * Paul Doumer President of France (1931-32), assassinated by Russia's Paul Gargalov. [1] May 2 * Jack Benny's first radio show premieres (NBC Blue Network). [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Pearl S Buck (The Good Earth). [1] May 3 * 24 tourists begin first air-charter holiday (London-Basle, Switzerland). [1] * Anton Wildgans Austrian writer (Dies Irae)/director Burgtheater, dies at age 51. [1] May 4 * Al Capone, convict of income tax evasion, enters Atlanta Penitentiary. [1] May 5 * Japan and China sign a peace treaty. [1] May 7 * Albert Thomas French social minister of Weapon production, dies. [1] May 8

392

* Albert Thomas French socialist politician. [1] May 9 * Piccadilly Circus, first lit by electricity. [1] * WOC-AM in Davenport Iowa merges with WHO to become WHO-WOC. [1] May 10 * Government declares "Wilhelmus" Netherlands national anthem. [1] * Senate chairman Albert Lebrun becomes President of France. [1] May 12 * Dead body of kidnapped son of Charles Lindbergh is found in Hopewell, New Jersey. [1] * The Mickey Mouse film Mickey's Revue is released to theaters in the USA. Pluto and Horace Horsecollar also appear. Goofy appears for the first time, with the name "Dippy Dawg". [1] [6] May 13 * Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich marries Nina Varsar. [1] May 14 * "We Want Beer!" parade in New York. [1] May 15 * Ki Inukai, premier of Japan (1931-32), murdered. [1] May 16 * William Pember Reeves politician/poet, dies. [1] May 17 * US Congress changes the name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico". [1] May 20 * Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland (landing in Ireland the next day) to become the world's first female to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. [1] [5] * Engelbert Dollfuss becomes chancellor of Austria. [1]

393

May 21 * First Curtis Cup: US, 5.5-3.5. [1] * First transatlantic solo flight by a woman (Amelia Earhart) lands. [1] May 22 * Lady Augusta [Isabella Gregory] playwright (Gold Apple), dies at age 80. [1] May 23 * Sir Hubert Ferdinand Opperman sets 24 hour record of 860 miles, 367 yards. [1] May 26 * Admiral Makoto Saito forms parliament in Tokyo. [1] * The Dow Jones Industrial Average removes Liggett & Myers, Mack Trucks, United Air Transport, Paramount Publix, Radio Corporation, Texas Gulf Sulphur, National Cash Register, and Hudson Motor from its index, replacing them with American Tobacco B, Drug Incorporated, Procter & Gamble Company, Loew's, Nash Motors, International Shoe, International Business Machines, and Coca-Cola Company. [227] [228] May 28 * Dam closed, at current monument (South Seas). [1] June 6 * US Federal gas tax enacted. [1] June 10 * First demonstration of artificial lightning Pittsfield Massachusetts [1] June 11 * E Delporte discovers asteroid #1222 Tina. [1] June 16 * President Hoover and Vice President Charles Curtis renominated by Republican Convention. [1] June 19 * First concert given in SF's Stern Grove. [1]

394

* Hailstones kill 200 in Hunan Province, China. [1] June 24 * Coup ends absolute monarchy in Thailand. [1] July 1 * New York Governor Franklin Roosevelt nominated for president at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. [1] July 2 * Franklin Roosevelt makes first presidential nominating conventional acceptance speech. [1] July 5 * Oliveira Salazar becomes dictator of fascist Portugal. [1] July 8 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average hits a low point of 41.22, 90 percent of its precrash peak. [1] [227] * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1255 Schilowa. [1] July 10 * Jack Burnett gets 9 hits, Eddie Rommel relieves in second and continues to. [1] July 18 * US and Canada signed a treaty to develop Saint Lawrence Seaway. [1] July 23 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1246 Chaka. [1] July 25 * Poland and the Soviet Union sign a five-year Non-Aggression Pact. [10] July 28 * President Hoover evicts bonus marchers from their encampment. [1]

395

July 30 * Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood premieres the Silly Symphony film Flowers and Trees. This is the first full color cartoon. [6] * G Van Biesbroeck discovers asteroid #2253 Espinette. [1] August 2 * Charlie Grimm replaces Roger Hornsby as manager of Chicago Cubs. [1] August 10 * Popular pooch Rin Tin Tin dies. [5] August 22 * The British Broadcasting Corporation begins experimental regular TV broadcasts. [1] [5] August 24 * First transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman, Amelia Earhart. [1] August 25 * Amelia Earhart completes transcontinental flight. [1] September 1 * New York City Mayor James J "Gentleman Jimmy" Walker resigns (graft charges). [1] September 23 * Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd renamed Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1] October 10 * "Betty and Bob" premieres on radio. [1] October 11 * First political telecast (Democratic National Committee) at CBS, New York City. [1] October 20

396

* Swedish Prince Gustav Adolf marries Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. [7] October 22 * Anna Dickinson dies just a week shy of her 90th birthday. [1] October 23 * "Fred Allen Show" premieres on radio. [1] October 29 * French liner Normandie is launched. [1] November 1 * Wernher von Braun named head of German liquid-fuel rocket program. [1] November 8 * Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Democrat) elected President for first time. [1] November 9 * Hurricane storm wave sweeps over Santa Cruz del Sur Cuba kills 2,500. [1] November 15 * Walt Disney Art School created. [1] November 18 * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Honorable Mention Oscar award to Walt Disney Productions for "Distinctive Achievement", the creation of Mickey Mouse. [6] * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Short Subjects, Cartoons) to Disney for the film Flowers and Trees. This is the first Academy Award for a cartoon. [1] [6] November 22 * Pump patented that computes quantity and price delivered. [1] November 29

397

* France and the Soviet Union sign a Pact of Non-Aggression. [10] December 1 * Amadeo Vives composer, dies at age 61. [1] December 2 * "Adventures of Charlie Chan" first heard on NBC-Blue radio network. [1] December 3 * General Kurt von Schleicher becomes chancellor of Germany. [1] December 4 * Gustav Meyrink writer, dies at age 64. [1] December 5 * German physicist Albert Einstein granted a visa. [1] December 7 * First gyro-stabilized vessel to cross the Atlantic arrives in New York. [1] December 10 * King Rama VII (Prajadhipok) grants Thailand a constitution. [1] December 11 * San Francisco's coldest day (27 degrees F) - snow falls. [1] December 12 * Egon Richter writer, dies. [1] * S N Behrmans "Biography" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * USSR and China resume diplomatic relations. [1] December 14 * French government of Herriot falls. [1] December 16

398

* Heavy earthquake ravages Kansu China, 70,000 killed. [1] December 18 * Eduard "Ede" Bernstein German marxist/revisionist, dies at age 82. [1] December 19 * British Broadcasting Corp begins transmitting overseas. [1] December 21 * Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, first joint movie (Flying Down to Rio). [1] December 24 * Arturo Alessandri wins presidental election in Chile. [1] * Eyvind Alnaes composer, dies at age 60. [1] December 25 * During King George V Christmas dinner speech, his chair collapes. [1] December 26 * Earthquake kills 70,000 in Kansu China. [1] December 27 * Radio City Music Hall opens (New York City, New York). [1] December 31 * John P O'Brien sworn-in as mayor of New York City, New York. [1]

399

1932 January 1 * Jacob Cocey Sr chosen as mayor of Massillon Ohio. [1] * Rasse und Siedlungshauptamt publishes Himmler's wedding laws. [1] January 2 * Young gang shoot dead six police in Springfield Missouri. [1] January 4 * British East Indies Viceroy Willingdon arrests Gandhi and Nehru. [1] * State of siege proclaimed in Honduras. [1] January 7 * Henri Stroethoff Dutch actor (Bright Paradise), dies at age 60. [1] January 8 * Ratification of present San Francisco City Charter. [1] January 10 * The first "Mickey Mouse" color comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. [1] [6] * The first "Silly Symphonies" color comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. The edition is titled "Bucky Bug". [1] [6] * "Pete the Tramp" cartoon strip by C D Russell debuts. [1] January 12 * France's Laval government falls. [1] * Hattie W Caraway elected first woman senator (Democrat-Arkansas). [1] * Philip Barry's "Animal Kingdom" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 14 * First totalisator (to record racetrack bets) in US installed, Hialeah. [1] * Horse racing legend Eddie Arcaro wins his first race. [1] January 15 * Georg Kerschensteiner German educationalist, dies at age 77. [1]

400

January 16 * Birth of Jim Berry cartoonist (Berry's World). [1] January 19 * Charlie Conacher becomes first Toronto Maple Leaf to score five goals in a game, the first coming at 7 seconds of the game. [1] January 21 * Finland and the Soviet Union sign a five-year Pact of Non-Agression. [10] * [Giles] Lytton Strachey British biographer/critic, dies at age 51. [1] January 22 * British Anglicans and Old-Catholic church merge. [1] January 23 * El Salvador army kills 4,000 protesting farmers. [1] January 25 * First commencement exercises at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. [1] January 26 * British submarine M-2 sinks in Channel (60 dead). [1] * William K Wrigley owner (Wrigley Gum, Chicago Cubs), dies. [1] January 28 * First US state unemployment insurance act enacted-Wisconsin. [1] * Franz Xavier Arens composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Japan occupies Shanghai. [1] January 31 * US railway unions accept 10% wage reduction. [1] February 2 * Al Capone sent to prison (Atlanta Georgia). [1] * In Geneva, a World Disarmament Conference begins. [10]

401

* Reconstruction Finance Corp organized. [1] February 4 * Japanese troop occupy Harbin, Manchuria. [1] February 6 * Fascist coup in the Memel territory. [1] February 8 * Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll mobster, killed by Dutch Schultz gang. [1] February 9 * Junnosuke Inouye Japanese minister of Finance, murdered. [1] * US airship Columbia crashes during storm (Flushing New York). [1] February 10 * R H Edgar Wallace British writer/journalist (3 Just Men), dies at age 76. [1] February 11 * 73 degrees F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in February. [1] February 12 * Communist Party of Holland forms Unemployed Combat Committees. [1] February 13 * "Free Eats" introduces George "Spanky" McFarland to "Our Gang". [1] February 15 * George Burns and Gracie Allen debuted as regulars on "Guy Lombardo Show". [1] * John Van Druten's "There's Always Juliet" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Minnie Maddern Fiske actress (Henrik Ibsen's plays), dies at age 66. [1] February 16 * First patent issued for a tree, to James Markham for a peach tree. [1]

402

February 17 * Frans Gailliard Belgian painter/graphic artist (Egina), dies at age 70. [1] * Irving Berlin's musical "Face the Music" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 18 * Frederik Augustus III King of Saxon (1904-18), dies at age 66. [1] * Japan declares Manchuria Independent. [1] February 19 * William Faulkner completes his novel "Light in August". [1] February 20 * Japanese troops occupy Tunhua China. [1] February 21 * André Tardieu becomes premier of France. [1] * Camera exposure meter patented, WN Goodwin. [1] February 22 * Purple Heart award re-instituted. [1] February 24 * Malcolm Campbell drives record speed (253.96 mph) at Daytona. [1] February 25 * Immigrant Adolf Hitler gets German citizenship. [1] February 27 * Explosion in coal mine Boissevain, Virginia, USA (38 dead). [1] February 29 * Failed coup attempt by fascist Lapua Movement in Finland. [1] March 1 * Charles Lindbergh Jr (20 months), kidnapped in New Jersey; found dead May 12. [1]

403

* Dino Campana Italian poet (Canti Orfici), dies at age 46. [1] March 3 * Eugene Francis Charles D'albert composer, dies at age 67. [1] March 5 * Takuma Dan Japanese baron/financier/industrial, murdered. [1] March 6 * John Philip Sousa US composer (Stars and Stripes Forever), dies at age 77. [1] March 7 * Aristide Briand 11 x premier of France (Nobel Prize 1926), dies at age 69. [1] * Riots at Ford-factory Dearborn Michigan, kills 4. [1] March 8 * Jan de Louter Dutch lawyer/tutor of Queen Wilhelmina, dies at age 84. [1] March 9 * Eamon De Valera becomes President of Ireland. [1] * Former Chinese emperor Henry Pu-Yi installed as head of Manchuria. [1] March 12 * Ivar Kreuger, Swedish financier, is found shot dead in his Paris apartment, presumably a suicide. He is estimated to have spent US$400 million of investor money in 15 years. [1] [7] [80.56] [135.115] March 14 * George Eastman, US industrialist (Kodak-camera), suicide at age 77. [1] [5] March 17 * German police raid Hitler's Nazi-headquarter. [1] March 20 * Kara-Kalpak Autonomous Region in RSFSR becomes Kara-Kalpak ASSR. [1]

404

March 24 * First US radio broadcast from a moving train (Belle Baker, WABC from Maryland). [1] March 26 * Jean Cartan composer, dies at age 25. [1] March 29 * Jack Benny debuts on radio. [1] March 30 * Amelia Earhart is first woman to fly solo cross the Atlantic. [1] March 31 * 150 wild swans die in Niagara waterfall. [1] * Ford publicly unveils its V-8 engine. [1] April 1 * In Canada, the RCMP absorbs provincial police of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Alberta. [242.4] April 2 * Charles Lindbergh turns over $50,000 as ransom for kidnapped son. [1] * Hugo Kaun composer, dies at age 69. [1] April 4 * George Bernard Shaw's "Too True to be Good", premieres in New York City. [1] * Ottokar T Czernin von und zu Chudenitz Austrian minister, dies at age 59. [1] * Vitamin C first isolated, C C King, University of Pittsburgh. [1] * Wilhelm Ostwald physical chemist (Nobel Prize 1909), dies. [1] April 5 * Dutch textile strike broken by trade unions. [1] April 7 * Erv A Kelley US policeman, shot to death by Pretty Boy Floyd. [1]

405

April 9 * Birth of Paul Krassner comic strip cartoonist (MAD Magazine)/founder (Yippies). [1] April 10 * André Baillon Belgian/French author (and sabots), dies at age 56. [1] * Paul von Hindenburg re-elected President of Germany. [1] April 12 * Emmanuel Chabriers and Balanchines ballet premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] April 13 * Johannes T de Visser first Dutch minister of Education, dies at age 75 [or 14th]. [1] April 14 * Bizet, Massine and Miró's "Jeux d'Enfants", premieres in Monte Carlo. [1] April 17 * Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia ends slavery. [1] April 19 * President Herbert Hoover suggests five day work week. [1] * Wladyslaw Rzepko composer, dies at age 77. [1] April 20 * Giuseppe Peano mathematician, dies. [1] April 23 * Shakespeare Memorial Theatre opens at Stratford-on-Avon. [1] April 24 * German national election (NSDAP 36.3% in Prussia). [1] April 25

406

* Rose Franken's "Another Language", premieres in New York City. [1] April 26 * Jean Anouilh's "L'Ermine", premieres in Paris France. [1] April 27 * Harold "Heart" Crane US poet (Bridge), commits suicide by jumping from a steamer while sailing from México to New York at age 32. [1] April 28 * First broadcast of "One Man's Family" on NBC-radio. [1] * Yellow fever vaccine for humans announced. [1] May 1 * First Suriname union congress at Paramaribo. [1] * Paul Doumer President of France (1931-32), assassinated by Russia's Paul Gargalov. [1] May 2 * Jack Benny's first radio show premieres (NBC Blue Network). [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Pearl S Buck (The Good Earth). [1] May 3 * 24 tourists begin first air-charter holiday (London-Basle, Switzerland). [1] * Anton Wildgans Austrian writer (Dies Irae)/director Burgtheater, dies at age 51. [1] May 4 * Al Capone, convict of income tax evasion, enters Atlanta Penitentiary. [1] May 5 * Japan and China sign a peace treaty. [1] May 7 * Albert Thomas French social minister of Weapon production, dies. [1] May 8

407

* Albert Thomas French socialist politician. [1] May 9 * Piccadilly Circus, first lit by electricity. [1] * WOC-AM in Davenport Iowa merges with WHO to become WHO-WOC. [1] May 10 * Government declares "Wilhelmus" Netherlands national anthem. [1] * Senate chairman Albert Lebrun becomes President of France. [1] May 12 * Dead body of kidnapped son of Charles Lindbergh is found in Hopewell, New Jersey. [1] * The Mickey Mouse film Mickey's Revue is released to theaters in the USA. Pluto and Horace Horsecollar also appear. Goofy appears for the first time, with the name "Dippy Dawg". [1] [6] May 13 * Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich marries Nina Varsar. [1] May 14 * "We Want Beer!" parade in New York. [1] May 15 * Ki Inukai, premier of Japan (1931-32), murdered. [1] May 16 * William Pember Reeves politician/poet, dies. [1] May 17 * US Congress changes the name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico". [1] May 20 * Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland (landing in Ireland the next day) to become the world's first female to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. [1] [5] * Engelbert Dollfuss becomes chancellor of Austria. [1]

408

May 21 * First Curtis Cup: US, 5.5-3.5. [1] * First transatlantic solo flight by a woman (Amelia Earhart) lands. [1] May 22 * Lady Augusta [Isabella Gregory] playwright (Gold Apple), dies at age 80. [1] May 23 * Sir Hubert Ferdinand Opperman sets 24 hour record of 860 miles, 367 yards. [1] May 26 * Admiral Makoto Saito forms parliament in Tokyo. [1] * The Dow Jones Industrial Average removes Liggett & Myers, Mack Trucks, United Air Transport, Paramount Publix, Radio Corporation, Texas Gulf Sulphur, National Cash Register, and Hudson Motor from its index, replacing them with American Tobacco B, Drug Incorporated, Procter & Gamble Company, Loew's, Nash Motors, International Shoe, International Business Machines, and Coca-Cola Company. [227] [228] May 28 * Dam closed, at current monument (South Seas). [1] June 6 * US Federal gas tax enacted. [1] June 10 * First demonstration of artificial lightning Pittsfield Massachusetts [1] June 11 * E Delporte discovers asteroid #1222 Tina. [1] June 16 * President Hoover and Vice President Charles Curtis renominated by Republican Convention. [1] June 19 * First concert given in SF's Stern Grove. [1]

409

* Hailstones kill 200 in Hunan Province, China. [1] June 24 * Coup ends absolute monarchy in Thailand. [1] July 1 * New York Governor Franklin Roosevelt nominated for president at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. [1] July 2 * Franklin Roosevelt makes first presidential nominating conventional acceptance speech. [1] July 5 * Oliveira Salazar becomes dictator of fascist Portugal. [1] July 8 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average hits a low point of 41.22, 90 percent of its precrash peak. [1] [227] * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1255 Schilowa. [1] July 10 * Jack Burnett gets 9 hits, Eddie Rommel relieves in second and continues to. [1] July 18 * US and Canada signed a treaty to develop Saint Lawrence Seaway. [1] July 23 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1246 Chaka. [1] July 25 * Poland and the Soviet Union sign a five-year Non-Aggression Pact. [10] July 28 * President Hoover evicts bonus marchers from their encampment. [1]

410

July 30 * Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood premieres the Silly Symphony film Flowers and Trees. This is the first full color cartoon. [6] * G Van Biesbroeck discovers asteroid #2253 Espinette. [1] August 2 * Charlie Grimm replaces Roger Hornsby as manager of Chicago Cubs. [1] August 10 * Popular pooch Rin Tin Tin dies. [5] August 22 * The British Broadcasting Corporation begins experimental regular TV broadcasts. [1] [5] August 24 * First transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman, Amelia Earhart. [1] August 25 * Amelia Earhart completes transcontinental flight. [1] September 1 * New York City Mayor James J "Gentleman Jimmy" Walker resigns (graft charges). [1] September 23 * Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd renamed Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1] October 10 * "Betty and Bob" premieres on radio. [1] October 11 * First political telecast (Democratic National Committee) at CBS, New York City. [1] October 20

411

* Swedish Prince Gustav Adolf marries Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. [7] October 22 * Anna Dickinson dies just a week shy of her 90th birthday. [1] October 23 * "Fred Allen Show" premieres on radio. [1] October 29 * French liner Normandie is launched. [1] November 1 * Wernher von Braun named head of German liquid-fuel rocket program. [1] November 8 * Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Democrat) elected President for first time. [1] November 9 * Hurricane storm wave sweeps over Santa Cruz del Sur Cuba kills 2,500. [1] November 15 * Walt Disney Art School created. [1] November 18 * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Honorable Mention Oscar award to Walt Disney Productions for "Distinctive Achievement", the creation of Mickey Mouse. [6] * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Short Subjects, Cartoons) to Disney for the film Flowers and Trees. This is the first Academy Award for a cartoon. [1] [6] November 22 * Pump patented that computes quantity and price delivered. [1] November 29

412

* France and the Soviet Union sign a Pact of Non-Aggression. [10] December 1 * Amadeo Vives composer, dies at age 61. [1] December 2 * "Adventures of Charlie Chan" first heard on NBC-Blue radio network. [1] December 3 * General Kurt von Schleicher becomes chancellor of Germany. [1] December 4 * Gustav Meyrink writer, dies at age 64. [1] December 5 * German physicist Albert Einstein granted a visa. [1] December 7 * First gyro-stabilized vessel to cross the Atlantic arrives in New York. [1] December 10 * King Rama VII (Prajadhipok) grants Thailand a constitution. [1] December 11 * San Francisco's coldest day (27 degrees F) - snow falls. [1] December 12 * Egon Richter writer, dies. [1] * S N Behrmans "Biography" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * USSR and China resume diplomatic relations. [1] December 14 * French government of Herriot falls. [1] December 16

413

* Heavy earthquake ravages Kansu China, 70,000 killed. [1] December 18 * Eduard "Ede" Bernstein German marxist/revisionist, dies at age 82. [1] December 19 * British Broadcasting Corp begins transmitting overseas. [1] December 21 * Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, first joint movie (Flying Down to Rio). [1] December 24 * Arturo Alessandri wins presidental election in Chile. [1] * Eyvind Alnaes composer, dies at age 60. [1] December 25 * During King George V Christmas dinner speech, his chair collapes. [1] December 26 * Earthquake kills 70,000 in Kansu China. [1] December 27 * Radio City Music Hall opens (New York City, New York). [1] December 31 * John P O'Brien sworn-in as mayor of New York City, New York. [1]

414

1933 January 2 * Ijmuider fishing strike begins (till July 11th). [1] * US troops leave Nicaragua. [1] January 3 * Wilhelm Cuno German Reich's chancellor (1922-23), dies at age 56. [1] January 4 * Lucas Lindeboom Dutch evangelist (Vredebond), dies at age 87. [1] * In an attempt to gain power, Franz von Papen makes a deal with Adolf Hitler and is able to have him appointed chancellor of Germany. Von Papen believed he would be able to control Hitler and the Nazis. [37] January 5 * French liner L'Atlantique (42,500 tons) burns out in the English Channel, with no passengers, en route to Le Havre. The ship is a total write-off. [260.98] * Calvin Coolidge 30th President (1923-29), dies in Northampton Massachusetts at age 60. [1] * Work on Golden Gate Bridge begins, on Marin County side. [1] January 7 * First edition of People and Fatherland published in Netherlands. [1] January 9 * Amsterdam confectionery worker go on strike against wage reduction. [1] January 12 * US Congress recognize independence Philippines. [1] * Uprising of Guardia Civil in Spain, 25 dies. [1] * Vaclav Suk composer, dies at age 71. [1] January 16 * Bert Oldfield flattened by Larwood delivery in Adelaide Test. [1] January 18

415

* White Sands National Monument, New Mexico established. [1] January 23 * 20th amendment changes date of Presidential Inaugurations to 1/20. [1] January 24 * Noël Coward's "Design for Living" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 27 * Otto Meisnner dines with British ambassador Rumbold. [1] January 28 * French government of Paul Boncour falls. [1] * German government of Von Schleicher falls. [1] * Theodor Birt [Beatus Rhenanus] German classicist/writer, dies at age 80. [1] January 30 * "The Lone Ranger" premieres on ABC radio. [1] * German President Paul von Hindenburg offers Chancellorship to Adolf Hitler, who accepts. [10] * Grimmett takes 7-86 for South Africa in Queensland second inn, 13-135 for match. [1] January 31 * French government of Daladier takes power. [1] * Hitler promises parliamentary democracy. [1] * John Galsworthy England, writer (Forsythe, Nobel Prize 1932), dies at age 65. [1] February 1 * Colonial government arrests Anton de Kom in Paramaribo Suriname. [1] * Dutch bishops forbid membership in non-catholic unions. [1] * German Parliament dissolves, General Ludendorf predicts catastrophe. [1] February 2 * Two days after becoming chancellor, Adolf Hitler dissolves Parliament. [1] * Adolf Hitler meets with a group of generals and admirals at the home of General von Hammerstein. He assures them they could begin a rearmament program, in defiance of the Versailles Treaty. [10]

416

* Göring bans communist meetings/demonstrations in Germany. [1] * Ucicky's "Rotten Morning" premieres in Berlin. [1] February 3 * First interstate legislative conference in US opens, Washington DC. [1] * German Chancellor Adolf Hitler tells his top generals of his determination to conquer land, to the east. [10] * German minister Göring bans social-democratic newspaper Vorwärts. [1] * Marinus van der Lubbe departs to Berlin. [1] February 4 * Crew of Dutch "7 Provinces" mutiny after pay cuts. [1] * German President Von Hindenburg limits freedom of the press. [1] February 5 * Marinus van der Lubbe passes Dutch/German boundary. [1] February 6 * -90 degrees F (-68 degrees C), Oymyakon, USSR (Asian record). [1] * 20th Amendment goes into effect; Presidential term begins in Jan not March. [1] * Highest recorded sea wave (not tsunami), 34 metres (112 feet), in Pacific hurricane near Manila. [1] * President von Hindenburg and von Papen end Prussian parliament. [1] February 7 * Albert György Earl Apponyi Hung minister of Education, dies at age 86. [1] * Colonial troops in Suriname kill two demonstrators. [1] * Social-Democrat meeting in Berlin "As thousands cheer" Marxism is dead. [1] February 8 * -23 degrees F (-31 degrees C), Seminole Texas (state record). [1] * First flight of all-metal Boeing 247. [1] February 9 * -63 degrees F (-53 degrees C), Moran Wyoming (state record). [1] February 10 * -54 degrees F (-48 degrees C), Seneca Oregon (state record). [1]

417

* Delivery of first singing telegram (Postal Telegram Company New York City). [1] * Dutch sea-plane bombs Dutch ship. [1] * Hitler proclaims end of Marxism. [1] * Mutiny on "7 Provinces" ends (began February 4th), 23 killed. [1] February 12 * German vice-chancellor von Papen demands Catholic aid for Nazis. [1] * Henri Duparc French composer, dies at age 85. [1] February 15 * Anton J Cermak (Mayor-Democrat-Chicago), assassinated in Miami. [1] * Karl Radek praises invincible force of German communist party. [1] * President-elect Franklin Roosevelt survives assassination attempt. [1] * Social-democratic newspaper "Vorwärts" banned again in Berlin. [1] February 16 * Catholic newspaper Germania warns against Nazis/communists. [1] * England regains the Ashes, thanks to bodyline tactics. [1] February 17 * First issue of "Newsweek" magazine published. [1] * Blondie Boopadoop marries Dagwood Bumstead; Dagwood's father promptly disinherits him. [1] * Henri[cus A] Viotta Dutch composer (Handbook of Music), dies at age 84. [1] * Marinus van der Lubbe arrives in Glindow, at Potsdam. [1] * US Senate accept Blaine Act ending prohibition. [1] February 19 * Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn composer, dies at age 77. [1] * Prussian minister Göring bans all Catholic newspapers. [1] February 20 * Curom, Curaçaose Broadcast System starts Princess Juliana's speech. [1] * House of Representatives completes congressional action to repeal Prohibition. [1] * Sidney Howard's "Alien Corn" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 22 * Göring forms SA/SS-police, shoots 40-50. [1]

418

February 24 * Final demonstration of German communist party in Berlin. [1] * League of Nations tells Japanese to pull out of Manchuria. [1] * Spottiswoode Aitken actor (Eagle, Home Sweet Home), dies at age 64. [1] February 25 * First genuine aircraft carrier christened, USS Ranger. [1] February 26 * Antonio Nicolau Spanish composer/conductor, dies at age 74. [1] * Golden Gate Bridge ground-breaking ceremony held at Crissy Field. [1] * Marinus van der Lubbe kept overnight in a police cell. [1] February 27 * German parliament building, Reichstag, destroyed by fire (set by Nazis, blamed on communists). [1] * Jean Genet's "Intermezzo" premieres in Paris. [1] February 28 * First female in cabinet Francis Perkins appointed Secretary of Labor. [1] * German President Von Hindenburg abolishes free expression of opinion. [1] * Hitler disallows German communist party (KPD). [1] March 1 * Bank holidays declared in six states, to prevent run on banks. [1] March 2 * "King Kong" premieres at Radio City Music Hall and RKO Roxy New York City. [1] * Most powerful earthquake in 180 years hit Japan. [1] March 3 * German Presidential candidate Earnest Thälmann (KPD) arrested. [1] * Mount Rushmore dedicated. [1] * New York City, New York premiere of "King Kong". [1] March 4 * Chancellor Dollfuss disdolves Austrian parliament. [1]

419

* Franklin Roosevelt inaugrated as 32nd President, pledges to pull US out of Depression and says "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". [1] * Frances Perkins becomes Secretary of Labor, first US woman cabinet member. [1] * Henderson, DeSylva and Brown's "Strike Me Pink" premieres in New York City. [1] * Willie Walker US jazz singer/guitarist (Dupree Blues), dies at age 36. [1] March 5 * Franklin Roosevelt proclaims 10-day bank holiday. [1] * Germany's Nazi Party wins majority in parliament (43.9%-17.2M votes). [1] March 6 * Anton J Cermak US mayor of Chicago, dies. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt declares a nationwide bank holiday. [1] * Maxwell Anderson's "Both your Houses" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Poland occupies free city Danzig (Gdansk). [1] March 7 * Game of "Monopoly" invented. [1] March 9 * Bulgarian communists Dimitrov, Popov and Vassili arrested in Berlin. [1] * US Congress is called into special session by Franklin Roosevelt, and begins its "100 days". [1] March 10 * Major earthquake in Long Beach California. [1] * Nevada becomes first US state to regulate narcotics. [1] March 12 * Franklin Roosevelt conducts his first "fireside chat". [1] March 13 * Banks reopen. [1] * Josef Göbbels becomes German minister of Information and Propaganda. [1] March 14 * Civilian Conservation Corp, begins tree conservation. [1]

420

* In the British House of Commons, Winston Churchill urges creation of an air force adequate to defend the civilian population. [10] March 15 * The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes with a record one-day percentage gain of 15.34 percent. [227] * NAACP begins coordinated attack on segregation and discrimination. [1] March 16 * Alfred Her Hungarian mathematician, dies at age 47. [1] * Hitler names Hjalmar Shaft, president of Bank of Germany. [1] March 17 * Ferdinand Von Alten actor (Champagne), dies at age 48. [1] March 18 * Luigi A duke of the Abruzzi Italian explorer (Ruwenzori), dies at age 60. [1] * Radio Clube de Mocambique's, first radio transmission. [1] March 20 * Dachau, first concentration camp, completed. [1] * Giuseppe [Joe] Zangara electrocuted for assassination attempt on Franklin Roosevelt. [1] March 21 * Hitler, Göring, Prince Ruprecht, Brüning and top army meet in Berlin. [1] March 22 * Franklin Roosevelt makes wine and beer with up to 3.2% alcohol legal. [1] March 23 * Winston Churchill urges the British government not to press for French disarmament while Germany is busy rearming. [10] * Enabling Act: German Reichstag grants Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers. [1] * Kroll Opera in Berlin opens. [1] March 24

421

* Peter I Island incorporated as a Norwegian dependency. [1] March 27 * Farm Credit Administration (US) authorized. [1] * Japan leaves League of Nations. [1] * Polythene discovered by Reginald Gibson and Eric William Fawcett. [1] March 29 * Alexander Schmuller Russian/Dutch violinist/conductor, dies at age 52. [1] March 31 * First newspaper published on pine pulp paper, "Soperton News" (Georgia). [1] * US Congress authorizes Civilian Conservation Corps. [1] * German Republic gives power to Hitler. [1] April 1 * Frederick Lord Chelmsford viceroy of British-India (1916-21), dies at age 64. [1] * Heinrich Himmler becomes Police Commander of Germany. [1] * Nazi Germany begins persecution of Jews boycotting Jewish businesses. [1] April 3 * First airplane flight over Mount Everest. [1] April 4 * US Dirigible Akron crashes off coast of New Jersey, 73 die. [1] April 7 * First two Nazi anti-Jewish laws, bar Jews from legal and public service. [1] * Jan Erik/Eric Jan Hanussen Berlin astrologist/illusionist, murdered. [1] * Prohibition ends, Utah becomes 38th state to ratify 21st Amendment. [1] * University Bridge, Seattle opens for traffic. [1] April 8 * Manchester Guardian warns of unknown nazi terror. [1] April 9 * Sigfrid Karg-Elert composer, dies at age 55. [1]

422

April 11 * Hermann Göring becomes premier of Prussia. [1] April 12 * Moffatt Field commissioned. [1] April 13 * First flight over Mount Everest (Lord Clydesdale). [1] April 19 * Franklin Roosevelt announces US will leave the gold standard. [1] April 22 * Dutch government forbids leftwing radio address. [1] * Frederick Henry Royce motorcar pioneer, dies. [1] April 25 * US and Canada drop Gold Standard. [1] April 26 * Jewish students are barred from school in Germany. [1] April 27 * Karl Jansky reports reception of cosmic radio signal in Washington DC. [1] April 28 * Robin Irvine actor (Easy Virtue), dies at age 31. [1] April 30 * Luis Sanchez Cerro President of Peru, assassinated by Hurtado de Mendoza. [1] May 2 * Scottish newspaper Inverness Courier reports on a couple's claim to have seen "an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface" of Loch Ness. [129]

423

* In Germany, Adolf Hitler bans trade unions. [1] May 3 * First female director (Nellie T Ross) of US Mint takes office. [1] May 4 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Archibald Macleish (Conquistador). [1] May 6 * Italy and USSR sign trade agreement. [1] May 9 * Spanish anarchists call for general strike. [1] May 10 * Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF) forms. [1] * Nazis stage public book burnings in Germany. [1] * Paraguay declares war on Bolivia. [1] * Suriname worker's union leader A de Come banish to Netherlands. [1] May 12 * Federal Emergency Relief Administration and Agricultural Adjustment Administration form to help the needy and farmers. [1] May 13 * Paul Ernst writer, dies at age 67. [1] May 15 * First voice amplification system to be used in US Senate. [1] * Ernest Torrence actor (I Cover the Waterfront), dies at age 54. [1] May 18 * Tennessee Valley Act (TVA) Act signed by Franklin Roosevelt, to build dams. [1] May 21 * John Henry Mackay Scottish/German author (Der Schwimmer), dies at age 69. [1]

424

* Mount Davidson Cross lit by Franklin Roosevelt via telegraph. [1] May 22 * Loch Ness Monster is first reportedly sighted by John Mackay. [1] * World Trade Day/National Maritime Day first celebrated. [1] May 24 * Dmitri Shostakovich's Preludes, premieres in Moscow. [1] May 26 * Second emergency Dutch Government of Colijn forms. [1] * Jimmie Rodgers country singer, dies at age 35. [1] May 27 * Austrian communist party banned. [1] * Century of Progress Exposition opens in Chicago. [1] * Federal Securities Act signed. [1] * Walt Disney's "3 Little Pigs" released. [1] May 30 * Patent on invisible glass installation. [1] June 1 * Century of Progress world's fair opens in Chicago. [1] June 2 * WNJ-AM in Newark New Jersey goes off the air. [1] June 3 * Pope Pius XI encyclical "On oppression of the Church in Spain". [1] June 5 * US goes off gold standard. [1] June 6

425

* Richard Hollingshead opens the first drive-in cinema, in Camden, New Jersey, on a 10-acre site, with room for 400 cars. The screen is 40x30 feet. [1] [5] [55.39] * US Employment Service created. [1] June 13 * First sodium vapor lamps installed (Schenectady New York). [1] * Federal Home Owners Loan Corporation authorized. [1] June 15 * C Jackson discovers asteroids #1278 Kenya and #1279 Uganda. [1] June 16 * National Industrial Recovery Act becomes law (later struck down). [1] * US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created. [1] June 21 * First Great Lakes-to-Gulf of Mexico barge trip completed, New Orleans. [1] June 30 * Card's Dizzy Dean strikesout 17 Chicago Cubs to win 8-2. [1] * US Assay Offices in Helena Montana, Boise Idaho and Salt Lake City Utah closes. [1] July 1 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1590 Tsiolkovskaja. [1] July 4 * Work begins on Oakland Bay Bridge. [1] July 8 * Public Works Administration becomes effective. [1] July 9 * Frankford Yellowjackets sold, rechristened Philadelphia Eagles. [1] July 12

426

* US Congress passes first minimum wage law (33 cents per hour). [1] July 15 * Wiley Post began first solo flight around the world. [1] July 22 * Wiley Post completes first round-the-world solo flight. [1] July 24 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroids #1645 Waterfield, #1668 Hanna. [1] July 27 * G Van Biesbroeck discovers asteroid #1312 Vassar. [1] * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #1284 Latvia. [1] July 28 * First singing telegram delivered (to Rudy Vallee), New York City. [1] August 1 * NRA (National Recovery Administration) established. [1] August 11 * Temp reaches 136 degrees F (58 degrees C) at San Luis Potosí, Mexico (world record). [1] September 4 * First airplane to exceed 300 mph (483 kph), JR Wendell, Glenview, Il. [1] September 12 * Leó Szilárd, waiting for a red light on Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, conceives the idea of the nuclear chain reaction. [5] September 14 * Two billion board feet of lumber destroyed in Tillamook Oregon fire. [1] October 8

427

* Coit Tower dedicated in SF, a monument to firefighters. [1] October 10 * First synthetic detergent for home use marketed. [1] October 12 * Alcatraz becomes a federal prison (unofficially). [1] * John Dillinger escapes from the Allen County, Ohio, jail. [1] October 14 * Germany withdraws from the Disarmament Conference at Geneva, Switzerland. [10] October 17 * Albert Einstein arrives in the US, a refugee from Nazi Germany. [1] October 21 * German Chancellor Adolf Hitler withdraws Germany from the League of Nations. [10] November 4 * Young Park (1) in the Bronx named in honor of James Young. [1] November 5 * Chicago Bears 30 game unbeaten streak ends to Patriots (10-0). [1] November 7 * Pennsylvania voters overturn blue law, by permitting Sunday sports. [1] November 8 * Franklin Roosevelt creates the Civil Works Administration. [1] * King Nadir Shah of Afghanistan, assassinated by Abdul Khallig. [1] November 11 * "Great Black Blizzard" first great dust storm in the Great Plains. [1]

428

November 12 * First known photo of Loch Ness monster (or whatever) is taken. [1] * Nazis receive 92% of vote in Germany. [1] November 13 * First modern sit-down strike, Hormel meat packers, Austin, Minnesota. [1] November 16 * Roosevelt establishes diplomatic relations with USSR. [1] November 21 * First US ambassador to USSR, W.C. Bullitt, begins service. [1] November 25 * First Soviet liquid rocket attains altitude of 261' (80m). [1] November 29 * First state liquor stores authorized (Pennsylvania). [1] December 1 * Rudolf Hess and Earnest Röhm become a minister in Hitler government. [1] December 2 * First transatlantic telephone wedding (Bertil Clason-Sigrid Carlson). [1] * Fred Astaire's first film, "Dancing Lady" is released. [1] * Josef Gruber composer, dies at age 78. [1] December 3 * Richard Henry Warren composer, dies at age 74. [1] December 4 * Franklin Roosevelt creates Federal Alcohol Control Administration. [1] * Jack Kirkland's "Tobacco Road" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Stefan George German poet (Das neue Reich), dies at age 65. [1] December 5

429

* 21st Amendment ratified, only amendment adopted to repeal an earlier amendment [18th Amendment (Prohibition)] (5:32 PM EST). [1] December 6 * Auguste Chapuis composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Ban on James Joyce' "Ulysses" in US, lifted. [1] December 9 * Romania disallows fascist Iron Guard. [1] December 11 * Emile C Wauters Belgian painter (Van der Goes Klooster), dies at age 87. [1] December 12 * Theodore Moses Tobani composer, dies at age 78. [1] December 14 * Josephine Baker performs in Amsterdam. [1] December 16 * Abe de Vries and Sipke Castelein win Elfstedentocht. [1] December 17 * Hans Vaihinger German philosopher (Side-Studies), dies at age 81. [1] * Spain's second Government of Lerroux forms. [1] December 19 * Electric Home and Farm Authority Inc, authorized. [1] December 20 * Bolivia and Paraguay sign weapon cease fire. [1] December 21 * 20th Century Fox signs Shirley Temple, 5, to a studio contract. [1] * Dried human blood serum first prepared, University of Pennsylvania. [1]

430

* Knud J V Rasmussen Danish Pole explorer (Thule), dies at age 54. [1] * Newfoundland reverts to being a crown colony. [1] December 23 * Marinus van der Lubbe sentenced to death. [1] * Train crash in Eastern Paris; 230 die. [1] December 24 * Paris express train derails and kills 160, injures 300 (France). [1] December 25 * Belgian Working people's party accept Henry de Mans Plan of Labor. [1] December 26 * Lunatscharski writer, dies. [1] * US forswears armed intervention in the Western Hemisphere. [1] December 29 * Joh Georghe Duca premier of Romania, murdered. [1] December 30 * -50 degrees F (-46 degrees C) in Bloomfield VT (state record). [1] * Government disallows NSB-membership for civil service. [1]

431

1934 January 1 * Alcatraz officially becomes a federal prison. [1] * Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (US bank guarantor) effective. [1] * International Telecommunication Union established. [1] * Death of Jakob Wassermann in Altausee, Austria at age 60 (born in Furth, Germany); novelist: Die Juden von Zirndorf, Caspar Hauser, Christian Wahnschaffe. [1] [37] January 2 * First state liquor stores open, in Pennsylvania. [1] January 4 * First Dutch talkie movie, Jan Teunissen's "Willem of Orange" premieres. [1] January 5 * Fenway Park catches fire for second time (May 8th 1926 also). [1] January 7 * "Flash Gordon" comic strip (by Alex Raymond) debuts. [1] * Princess Juliana marries German prince Bernhard von Lippe-Biesterfeld. [1] January 8 * Alexandre Stavisky French swindler, dies. [1] * Jaap Speyers "Bluejackets" premieres in Amsterdam. [1] January 10 * Marinus van der Lubbe Dutch communist, beheaded in Berlin at age 24. [1] January 13 * Jean-Baptiste Marchand soldier/explorer (Sudan), dies at age 70. [1] January 15 * 8.4 earthquake in India/Nepal, 10,700 die. [1] * Babe Ruth signs a 1934 contract for $35,000 ($17,000 cut). [1] * Death of Hermann Bahr in Munich, Germany, at age 70; dramatist. [1] [37] * Patrick O'Malley US policeman, killed by John Dillinger. [1]

432

January 16 * Annie Patterson composer, dies at age 65. [1] January 17 * Electric Home and Farm Authority incorporated. [1] January 18 * Eugene O'Neill's "Days Without End" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 19 * Armand Parent composer, dies at age 70. [1] * Kenesaw Mountain Landis denies Joe Jackson's appeal for reinstatement. [1] January 20 * Japan sends Henry Pu Yi as regent to emperor of Manchuria. [1] January 22 * Dmitri Shostakovich's opera "Lady MacBeth" premieres in Leningrad. [1] January 26 * Germany and Poland sign a ten-year Declaration of Non-Aggression. [10] January 27 * French government of Chautemps falls (Stavisky Affair). [1] * VARA refuses to hire after commemoration of Marinus Van de Lubbe. [1] January 28 * First US ski tow (rope) begins operation (Woodstock Vermont). [1] January 29 * Fritz Haber German chemist (Nobel Prize 1918), dies at age 65. [1] January 30

433

* First theatrical presentation sponsored by the US government, New York City, New York. [1] * Bert Ironmonger ends Sheffield Shield career age 51 years 298 days. [1] * Hitler proclamation on German unified states. [1] January 31 * Franklin Roosevelt devalues the dollar in relation to gold at $35 per ounce. [1] February 1 * Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss dissolves all political parties but his own. [1] February 2 * Dutch Roman Catholic Bishops warn against fascism/Nazism. [1] * Ernesto Nazareth composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 7 * First contract for TVA power, Tupelo Mississippi. [1] February 8 * Export-Import Bank organizes in Washington DC. [1] * Gaston Doumergue forms new French government. [1] February 9 * -14.3 degrees F (-25.8 degrees C), coldest day in New York City, New York. [1] * -51 degrees F (-46 degrees C), Vanderbilt Michigan (state record). [1] * Balkan Entente alliance forms (Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey and Romania). [1] February 10 * First Jewish immigrant ship to break the English blockade in Palestine. [1] * Byrd souvenir sheet issued, New York City; first unperforated ungummed US stamp. [1] * Howard Hanson's "Merry Mount" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Stalin ends 17th CPSU-congress, says "Life becomes merrier". [1] * Thomson/Gertrude Stein's opera "Four Saints in Three Acts" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 12 * Export-Import Bank incorporates. [1]

434

* France hit by a general strike against fascists and royalists. [1] February 13 * Austrian Dollfuss government bans socialistic party. [1] February 16 * Eduard Bagritsky [Dzjubin], Russian poet/journalist, dies at age 38. [1] February 17 * First high school auto driving course offered (State College PA). [1] * Albert I LCMM von Saksen-Coburg king of Belgium (1909-34), dies at age 58. [1] February 19 * Bob and Dolores Hope marry. [1] * US contract air mail service canceled, replaced by US army for six months. [1] February 20 * Virgil Thomson's opera "Four Saints in Three Acts" opens in New York City, New York. [1] February 21 * Nicaraguan patriot Augusto Cesar Sandino assassinated by National Guard. [1] February 22 * "It Happened One Night" opens at New York's Radio City Music Hall. [1] * Willem Kes violinist/composer/conductor, dies at age 78. [1] February 23 * Augusto Sandino Nicaraguan patriot, assassinated by National Guard. [1] * Coronation of King Leopold III of Belgium. [1] * Edward William Elgar English composer (Coronation Ode), dies at age 76. [1] February 25 * Daniel Protheroe composer, dies at age 67. [1] March 1

435

* Henry Pu Yi crowned emperor Kang Teh of Manchuria. [1] March 2 * Union Pacific tests light-weight high-speed passenger train, Omaha. [1] March 3 * John Dillinger breaks out of jail using a wooden pistol. [1] * Norman Houstoun O'Neill composer, dies at age 58. [1] March 4 * Easter Cross on Mount Davidson (San Francisco) dedicated. [1] March 5 * Mother-in-law's day first celebrated (Amarillo Texas). [1] March 6 * Sidney Howard and Paul de Kruif's "Yellowjacket" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 8 * Edwin Hubble photo shows as many galaxies as Milky Way has stars. [1] March 10 * Longest undefeated streak in Toronto Maple Leaf history (18 games). [1] March 12 * Acting President Constantine Päts commits coup in Tallinn Estonia. [1] * Josip Broz (Tito) freed from jail. [1] * Paul Hindemith's "Mathis der Maler" premieres in Berlin. [1] March 13 * Fritz Cortolezis composer, dies at age 56. [1] March 15 * US Information Service opens. [1]

436

March 16 * US Congress passes Migratory Bird Conservation Act. [1] March 17 * Dollfuss, Mussolini and Gömbös sign Donau Pact (protocols of Rome). [1] March 19 * Anthony J Block lawyer (Dutch strafproces), dies at age 66. [1] March 20 * A Emma W T von Waldeck-Pyrmont Dutch queen (and regent), dies at age 76. [1] * Test of practical radar apparatus made by Rudolf Kuhnold in Kiel Germany. [1] March 21 * Fire destroys Hakodate Japan, killing about 1,500. [1] * Franz Schreker composer, dies at age 55. [1] * Lilyan Tashman actor (Bulldog Drummond), dies at age 34. [1] March 22 * Fire destroys Hakodate Japan (kills 1,500, injures 1,000). [1] March 23 * US Congress accepts Philippines independence in 1945. [1] March 26 * Driving tests introduced in Britain. [1] * Grete Gulbransson writer, dies at age 51. [1] March 29 * Bank of Travail in Belgium, socialist worker's movement bankrupt. [1] March 31 * Franz Ehrle German jesuit/head of Vatican library, dies at age 88. [1] * Netherlands Indies BC Ltd begain radio transmission (Indonesia). [1] April 1

437

* Bonnie and Clyde kill two police officers. [1] April 4 * Braulio Dueno Colon composer, dies at age 80. [1] April 5 * Salvatore Di Giacomo composer, dies at age 74. [1] April 6 * 418 Lutheran ministers arrested in Germany. [1] April 7 * In India, Mahatma Gandhi suspends his campaign of civil disobedience. [1] * William Monroe Trotter civil rights activist/journalist, dies on 62nd birthday in Boston. [1] April 12 * Highest velocity wind ever recorded on Mount Washington New Hampshire, 231 mph. [1] April 13 * 4.7 million US families report receiving welfare payments. [1] * US Congress passes Johnson Debt Default Act. [1] April 14 * Gerald du Maurier British actor-manager (Unmarried, Escape), dies. [1] * Karl Dane dies at age 57. [1] April 18 * First "Washateria" (laundromat) opens (Fort Worth Texas). [1] * Hitler names Joachim von Ribbentrop, ambassador for disarmament. [1] April 19 * Shirley Temple appears in her first movie, "Stand Up and Cheer". [1] April 20

438

* Heinrich Himmler becomes inspector Prussian secret state police. [1] April 28 * Franklin Roosevelt signs Home Owners Loan Act. [1] * Spanish government of Samper forms. [1] April 30 * Austria gets "Austrian facist" constitution. [1] * Dr William Henry Welch pathologist who played a major role in the introduction of modern medical practice and education dies at age 75. [1] May 1 * Alexander Alexandrovich Davidenko composer, dies at age 35. [1] * Austria signs pact with Vatican. [1] * Philippine legislature accepts US proposal for independence. [1] * Water state kingdom dismisses NSB-leader Anton Mussert. [1] May 2 * Nazi-Germany begins People's court. [1] May 5 * The 1932 non-aggression pact betwen the Soviet Union and Poland is extended to the end of 1945. [10] May 7 * Edward Naylor composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Netherlands Princess Juliana opens Juliana Canal. [1] * Part of Khabarovsk becomes a Jewish Autonomous Region. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Sidney Kingsley (Men in White). [1] * World's largest pearl (6.4 kg) found at Palawan, Philippines. [1] May 11 * Over two days, the most severe dust storm to date in the USA sweeps an estimated 350 million tons of topsoil from the Great Plains across to the eastern seaboard. [129] May 12 * "Cocktails For Two" by Duke Ellington hits #1. [1]

439

May 13 * Great dustbowl storm. [1] May 15 * Department of Justice offers $25,000 reward for Dillinger, dead or alive. [1] * Karlis Ulmanis names himself fascist dictator of Latvia. [1] May 18 * Academy Award first called Oscar in print (Sidney Skolsky). [1] * US Congress approves "Lindbergh Act", makes kidnapping a capital offense. [1] * TWA begins commercial service. [1] May 19 * Military coup by Colonel Damian Veltsjev in Bulgaria. [1] * Sherlock Holmes crossword puzzle in "Saturday Review of Literature"; Males who solved puzzle become members of Baker Street Irregulars. [1] May 21 * Oskaloosa Iowa, becomes first US city to fingerprint its citizens. [1] May 23 * Texas and Louisiana state police shoot to death notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow near Sailes, Louisiana. The Barrow Gang was believed responsible for the deaths of 13 people, including nine police officers. [1] [129] * Wallace Carothers manufactures first nylon (polymeer 66). [1] May 24 * Colombia and Peru sign accord about harbor city Leticia. [1] May 25 * Béla Bartòk's "Enchanted Deer" premieres. [1] * Gustav Theodore Holst English composer (Ode to Death), dies at age 59. [1] May 26 * Century of Progress Exposition reopens in Chicago. [1]

440

May 27 * Meijer Linnewiel [Professor Kokadorus] Amsterdam street hawker, dies. [1] May 29 * Eugenie Besserer actress (Anna Christie, Madame X), dies at age 65. [1] * Heihatjirô Tôjô Japanese Admiral (Russian-Japanese War), dies. [1] June 3 * Dr Frederick Banting co-discoverer of insulin, is knighted. [1] June 4 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #2066 Palala. [1] June 5 * First formal meeting of The Baker Street Irregulars (New York City). [1] June 6 * Securities and Exchange Commission established. [1] June 9 * The Walt Disney Silly Symphony film The Wise Little Hen is released to theaters in the USA. Donald Duck makes his film debut, with a voice supplied by Clarence Nash. [1] [6] June 12 * Black-McKeller Bill passes causes Bill Boeing empire to break up. [1] June 13 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1349 Bechuana. [1] June 14 * WOQ-AM in KC Missouri goes off the air. [1] June 15 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1324 Knysna. [1]

441

* Great Smokey Mountains National Park dedicated. [1] * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #1322 Coppernicus. [1] June 18 * US Highway planning surveys nationwide authorized. [1] June 19 * Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created. [1] June 24 * In Germany, Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, and Reinhard Heydrich begin planning the murders of opponents to prevent a supposed putsch by the SA. [10] June 26 * Franklin Roosevelt signs Federal Credit Union Act establishing credit unions. [1] * W E B Du Bois resigns position at NAACP. [1] June 27 * Federal Savings and Loan Association created. [1] June 30 * In Germany, two days of officially instigated murders begin. Between 100 and 2000 opponents of Adolf Hitler are killed. Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel (SS) kill mostly Sturm Abteilung (SA) leaders, including head Ernst Roehm. The period becomes known as the "Night of the Long Knives". [10] * French Equitorial Africa constituted a single administrative unit. [1] July 1 * First x-ray photo of entire body, Rochester, New York. [1] July 3 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1367 Nongoma. [1] * FDIC pays off first insured depositors, Fon du Lac Bank, East Peoria Illinois. [1] July 4 * Leo Szilard patents the chain-reaction design for the atomic bomb. [5] * Chaim Nachman Bialik zionist poet, dies. [1]

442

July 10 * First sitting US president to visit South America, Franklin Roosevelt in Colombia. [1] July 11 * Franklin Roosevelt became first president to travel through Panama Canal. [1] July 12 * US Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz Island abandoned. [1] July 14 * 116 degrees F (47 degrees C), Orogrande, New Mexico (state record). [1] * C Jackson discovers asteroids #1325 Inanda and #1326 Losaka. [1] July 16 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #1334 Lundmarka. [1] July 20 * 118 degrees F (48 degrees C), Keokuk, Iowa (state record). [1] July 21 * 113 degrees F (45 degrees C), near Gallipolis, Ohio (state record). [1] July 22 * John Dillinger shot dead at Biograph Theater in Chicago. [1] July 25 * Nazis assassinate Chancellor Dollfuss of Austria. [10] July 28 * 118 degrees F (48 degrees C), Orofino, Idaho (state record). [1] August 2 * First airplane train, plane tows three mail gliders behind it. [1]

443

* In Germany, President Paul von Hindenburg dies. [10] * In Germany, following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler assumes the office of Reich President as well. The Wehrmacht oath of allegiance is changed to be directly to Adolf Hitler. [10] * William Franks twirls an indian club overhead 17,280 times in one hour. [1] August 6 * US troops leave Haiti, which had been occupied since 1915. [1] August 7 * US Court of Appeals upheld lower court ruling striking down government's attempt to ban controversial James Joyce novel "Ulysses". [1] August 11 * First federal prisoners arrive at Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay. [1] August 16 * US ends occupation of Haiti (been there since 1915). [1] * US explorer William Beebe descends 3,028' (1922 m) in Bathysphere. [1] August 19 * Plebiscite in Germany approved sole executive power to Adolph Hitler. [1] * The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio. [5] September 3 * Tunisia began its move for independence. [1] September 8 * American luxury liner Morro Castle (11,500 tons) burns off New Jersey, killing 134. The ship is beyond repair. [1] [260.99] September 12 * Baltic Pact signed by Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. [1] September 17 * First 33 1/3 rpm recording released (Beethoven's 5th). [1]

444

September 19 * Bruno Hauptmann arrested for kidnapping the Linbergh baby. [1] September 21 * Typhoon strikes Honshu Island Japan, kills 4,000. [1] September 26 * British ocean liner RMS Queen Mary is launched. [1] [5] September 30 * Babe Ruth's final game as a Yankee, goes 0 for 3. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt dedicates Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam). [1] October 8 * Bruno Hauptmann is indicted for murder of Lindbergh's son. [1] October 9 * King Alexander of Yugoslavia, by Georgief, a Croatian terrorist. [1] October 14 * "Lux Radio Theatre" premieres. [1] October 17 * "The Aldrich Family" premieres on radio. [1] October 22 * Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd shot dead by FBI in Ohio. [1] November 1 * In Great Britain, Winston Churchill speaks to his constituency: "Germany is arming, secretly, illegally, and rapidly.". [10] November 2 * Babe Ruth tours Tokyo Japan. [1]

445

November 11 * WOC-AM in Davenport Iowa splits from WHO-WOC and becomes KICK-AM. [1] November 17 * Lyndon B Johnson marries Claudia Alta Taylor. [1] November 27 * Baby Face Nelson shot by FBI agents. [1] [5] November 30 * The steam locomotive Flying Scotsman becomes the first to officially exceed 100mph. [5] December 1 * Sergei M Kirov Josef Stalin's collaborator, assassinated in Leningrad. [1] December 2 * 5.08-m (200") Mount Palomar Observatory mirror is cast. [1] December 3 * Italian colonial Tripoli and Cyrenaica annexed to Libya. [1] * KYW-AM in Chicago Illinois moves to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. [1] December 7 * Wiley Post discovers the jet stream. [1] December 8 * Bernhard Seklas composer, dies at age 62. [1] * Friedrich Wolf's "Professor Mamlock" premieres in Zürich. [1] December 10 * Fascist dictator of Latvia Ulmanis begins building concentration camp. [1] * Saint-Adelbert cooperation formed by Catholic elite. [1] December 13

446

* Mark Hellinger Theater (Warner Brothers) opens at 237 W 51st Steet New York City, New York. [1] December 14 * First streamlined steam locomotive introduced (Albany New York). [1] December 15 * Fokker F18 Snip flies to Netherlands West Indies. [1] * Maggis Lena Walker first US (black) woman to head a bank, dies at age 69. [1] December 19 * Japan agress to fleet treaty of 1922 and 1930. [1] December 22 * First flight from Netherlands to Curaçao (Christmas flight 1934). [1] December 24 * Grimmett takes 9-180 for South Africa as Queensland make 430. [1] December 25 * Samson Raphaelson's "Accent on Youth" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 27 * First youth hostel in US opens (Northfield Massachusetts). [1] * Shah of Persia declares Persia now Iran. [1] December 29 * Federico García Lorca's "Yerma" premieres in Madrid. [1] * Japan renounces Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and London Treaty of 1930. [1] December 31 * Helen Richey becomes first woman to pilot an airmail transport. [1]

447

1935 January 1 * Associated Press inaugurates Wirephoto. [1] * Eastern Airlines hires Eddie Rickenbacker as GM. [1] * President Mustapha Kemal Pasha names himself "Atatürk Father of Turkey". [1] January 2 * Bruno R Hauptmann trial begins for kidnap-murder of Lindbergh baby. [1] January 4 * Bob Hope first heard on network radio as part of "The Intimate Revue". [1] * Fort Jefferson National Monument, Florida established. [1] January 6 * George P Baker US playwright (Dramatic Technique), dies at age 68. [1] January 7 * Zöe Akins' "Old Maid" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 8 * Spectrophotometer patented, AC Hardy. [1] January 10 * Actress Mary Pickford marries actor Douglas Fairbanks. [1] January 11 * Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo from Hawaii to California. [1] [5] January 13 * Plebiscite in Saar, indicates a desire (90.3%) to join Germany. [1] [37] January 14 * The British Cabinet decides the Rhineland is not a vital British interest. [10] * Oil pipeline Iraq-Mediterranean goes into use. [1]

448

January 15 * 300 Dutch ice cream salesmen protest against Italian competition. [1] * Clifford Odets' "Waiting for Lefty" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 16 * Richard Wetz composer, dies at age 59. [1] January 19 * KLM begins flight path between Curaçao and Aruba. [1] January 21 * The Wilderness Society is founded. [1] * WFI-AM in Philadelphia Pennsylvania merges with WLIT as WFIL (now WEAZ). [1] January 24 * First canned beer, "Krueger Cream Ale", is sold by Kruger Brewing Company in Richmond Virginia. [1] January 28 * Icelandic Law No. 38 legalizes abortion, within first 28 weeks, only if continued pregnancy poses threat to physical or mental health of woman. First country to allow abortion on these grounds. [1] [55.7] * Mikhail Mikhaylovich Ippolitov-Ivanov Russian composer, dies at age 75. [1] January 30 * Ezra Pound meets Mussolini, reads from a draft of "Cantos". [1] January 31 * 30.5 cm (12.0") of rain falls, Quinault RS Washington (state record). [1] February 1 * First "March of Time" newsreel premieres at the Capitol. [1] * James T Farrell finishes his "Studs Lonigan" trilogy. [1] February 2

449

* Lie detector first used in court (Portage Wisconsin). [1] February 6 * First election to allow women to vote in Turkey. [1] * Board game "Monopoly" goes on sale for the first time. [1] February 7 * Monopoly invented by Charles Darrow symbol Rich Uncle Pennybags. [1] February 8 * Max Liebermann German impressionist painter/graphic artist, dies at age 87. [1] February 9 * Karl Nef Swiss musicologist, dies at age 61. [1] February 10 * Pennsylvania railroad begins passenger service on new streamlined electric locomotive. [1] February 11 * -11 degrees F (-24 degrees C), Ifrane, Morocco (African record low). [1] * First US airplane flight with auto slung beneath the fuselage, New York. [1] February 12 * Great airship, USS Macon, crashes into Pacific Ocean. [1] February 13 * First US surgical operation for relief of angina pectoris, Cleveland Ohio. [1] * Bruno Hauptmann found guilty of kidnap and murder of Lindbergh's infant. [1] * Violet Paget British author (Gospels of Anarchy), dies at age 78. [1] February 19 * Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 20

450

* Karoline Mikkelson is first woman on Antarctica. [1] February 22 * Airplanes are no longer permitted to fly over the White House. [1] February 23 * Jan Duiker Dutch architect (Hotel Gooiland), dies at age 44. [1] February 26 * Germany began Luftwaffe operation, under Reichsmarshall H Goering. [1] * In England, British scientists make the first test of radio wave detection of air planes by short-wave transmitter tower and mobile radio receivers (RADAR). The test is a success. [10] February 28 * Alexander W F Idenburg Governor-General of Netherlands Indies (1909-16), dies at age 73. [1] * Amsterdam Hotel of the Red Lion gets sidewalk permit. [1] * Nylon discovered by Dr Wallace H Carothers. [1] March 3 * Dutch Revolutionary Socialist Worker's party (RSAP), forms. [1] March 5 * First premature baby health law in US (Chicago). [1] March 7 * Saar incorporated into Germany. [1] March 10 * Barend Barendse actor/director (Broken Lives), dies at age 82. [1] March 11 * Bank of Canada opens. [1] * Hermann Goering officially creates German Air Force, the Luftwaffe. [1] March 12

451

* England establishes 30 MPH speed limit for towns and villages. [1] March 13 * Driving tests introduced in Great Britain. [1] March 14 * 36-Folsom becomes first line to use one-man streetcars. [1] March 16 * In Germany, Adolf Hitler denounces the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty, and begins open re-armament and conscription of soldiers. [10] * John J R Macleod Scot/Canadian physiologist (Nobel Prize 1923), dies at age 58. [1] March 17 * KSO-AM in Des Moines Iowa call sign is given to KWCR. [1] March 20 * Your Hit Parade makes its debut on radio. [1] March 21 * Jean Anouilh's "Y avait un presonnier" premieres in Paris France. [1] * Persia officially renamed Iran. [1] March 22 * Blood tests authorized as evidence in court cases (New York). [1] March 24 * Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour goes national on NBC Radio Network. [1] March 25 * First Belgium government of Van Zealand resigns. [1] March 26 * "RvJ" Mitchell and Major Sorley discuss armament of Spitfire. [1]

452

March 28 * Goddard uses gyroscopes to control a rocket. [1] March 29 * French liner Normandie begins its maiden voyage. [1] March 30 * Newfoundland changes time to 3.5 hours W of Greenwich, repeats 44 seconds. [1] * Romanos Hovakimi Melik'yan composer, dies at age 51. [1] April 1 * First radio tube made of metal announced, Schenectady New York. [1] April 2 * Mary Hirsch, becomes first woman licensed as a horse trainer. [1] * Sir Watson-Watt patents RADAR. [1] April 5 * Croatian Farmers Party wins Yugoslavian election. [1] * Emil Mlynarski composer, dies at age 64. [1] April 6 * Edward Arlington Robinson US poet, dies. [1] April 8 * Bartóks 5th String quartet premieres in Washington DC. [1] * Edwin Cannan economist, dies. [1] * Works Progress Administration approved byUS Congress. [1] April 10 * Vaughan Williams' 4th Symphony premieres in London. [1] April 12 * Germany prohibits publishing "not-Arian" writers. [1] * Royal Proclamation sets design of Canada's new Jubilee Silver Dollar. [1]

453

April 14 * Sandstorm ravages US midwest (Dust Bowl). [1] April 15 * Another massive dust storm in the USA becomes known as "Black Sunday". [129] April 16 * First radio broadcast of "Fibber McGee and Molly". [1] April 17 * Provincial-National elections (Musserts NSB achieves 7.9%/44 chairs). [1] April 18 * General Sarazen's double eagle on the 15th, wins him his second Masters. [1] * Ignazio Guidi Italian orientalist/archaeologist, dies at age 90. [1] * Netherlands election (Musserts NSB wins 8% of vote). [1] April 20 * Juliaan de Vriendt Flemish painter, dies at age 92. [1] April 21 * King Boris of Bulgaria forbids all political parties. [1] April 24 * Paul Klengel composer, dies at age 80. [1] April 27 * Brussel's World Expo opens. [1] April 28 * Alexander Campbell Mackenzie Scottish composer, dies at age 87. [1] * Moscow underground opens (81 km long). [1] April 29 * Leroy Carr blues singer/songwriter/pianist, dies=. [1]

454

April 30 * World Congress for Women's Rights concludes in Istanbul. [1] May 1 * Boulder Dam completed. [1] * Canada's first silver dollar is made available, struck in 0.8 fine silver. The 1935-dated coin commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of King George V. [3] May 2 * France and the Soviet Union conclude negotiations for a five-year Treaty of Mutual Assistance. [10] May 4 * Lodewijk Scharpé Flemish literature historian, dies at age 65. [1] May 6 * British King George and Queen Mary celebrates silver jubilee. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Audrey Wurdemann (Bright Ambush). [1] May 11 * Edward H Thompson US archaeologist (Mayan civilization), dies at age 78. [1] May 12 * Josef Pilsudski Polish dictator (1926-35), dies. [1] May 13 * Thomas Edward Shaw, "Lawrence of Arabia", is critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Dorset, England. [129] May 14 * Los Angeles' Griffith Planetarium opens, third in US. [1] * Plebiscite in the Philippines ratifies independence agreement. [1] May 16

455

* Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union sign a five-year Treaty of Mutual Assistance. [10] May 17 * Paul A Dukas French composer/tutor of Messiaen (Velléda), dies at age 69. [1] May 19 * Charles Martin Tornow Loeffler French composer, dies at age 74. [1] * Death of Thomas Edward Shaw [Lawrence], "Lawrence of Arabia", from injuries in a motorcycle accident. [1] [129] May 20 * Ivans [Jacob van Schevichaven] lawyer/detective writer, dies at age 68. [1] May 21 * Hugo de Vries botanist Gruppenweise Artbildung, dies at age 87. [1] * Jane Addams a founder of ACLU (Nobel Prize 1973), dies at age 65. [1] May 23 * First scheduled night game, postponed due to rain (Cincinnati). [1] May 24 * Swedish princess Ingrid marries Danish crown prince Frederik (IX). [1] May 25 * Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark marries Ingrid, daughter of King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden. [7] * German Chancellor Adolf Hitler agrees to not intevene in Austria or add Austria to the German Reich. [10] May 27 * US Supreme Court declares Franklin Roosevelt's National Recovery Act unconstitutional. [1] May 29 * Hague local museum opens. [1] * Josef Suk Czechoslovakia, violinist/composer, dies at age 61. [1]

456

May 30 * Lothar Windsperger composer, dies at age 49. [1] May 31 * Quake kills 50,000 in Quetta Pakistan. [1] June 3 * French Normandie sets Atlantic crossing record of 1,077 hours. [1] June 10 * Dr Robert Smith and William Wilson of Akron form Alcoholics Anonymous. [1] June 14 * Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay ends. [1] June 18 * England and Germany sign a naval treaty, limiting the German surface fleet to 35 percent of British tonnage, and submarine fleet to 45 percent. [10] June 30 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1784 Benguella. [1] July 2 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1357 Khama. [1] July 5 * First Hawaii Calls radio program is broadcast. [1] * President Franklin Roosevelt signs the National Labor Relations Act. [1] July 16 * First automatic parking meter in US installed, Oklahoma City, Ok. [1] July 17 * Variety's famous headline "Sticks Nix Hick Pix". [1]

457

July 21 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1358 Gaika. [1] July 22 * C Jackson discovers asteroids #1359 Prieska and #1360 Tarka. [1] * Lester Walton appointed minister to Liberia. [1] July 24 * The world's first children's railway opens in Tbilisi, USSR. [5] July 25 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1641 Tana. [1] July 28 * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1386 Storeria. [1] August 12 * Babe Ruth's final game at Fenway Park, 41,766 on hand. [1] August 13 * Transcontinental Roller Derby begins (Chicago Coliseum). [1] August 14 * Social Security Act became law. [1] August 15 * Wiley Post and Will Rogers killed in plane crash in Alaska. [1] August 31 * Franklin Roosevelt signs an act prohibiting export of US arms to belligerents. [1] September 2 * A hurricane slams the Florida Keys killing 423. [1]

458

September 3 * First automobile to exceed 300 mph, Sir Malcolm Campbell (301.337 mph). [1] September 8 * Huey P Long (Senator-Louisiana) shot at Baton Rouge Capitol building. [1] September 15 * Nuremberg Laws deprive German Jews of citizenship and makes the swastika the official symbol of Nazi Germany. [1] September 30 * Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" premieres in Boston. [1] October 2 * Italy invades Abyssinia (Ethiopia). [1] * New York Hayden Planetarium, the fourth in the US, opens. [1] October 6 * Market Street Railway starts using trackless trolley coaches. [1] October 8 * Ozzie Nelson marries Harriet Hilliard (Ozzie and Harriet). [1] October 10 * George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" opens on Broadway. [1] October * New York gangster Dutch Schultz is killed by an unknown gunman. Schultz was head of the numbers racket, seldom paying winners. [80.247] October 24 * Italy invades Ethiopia. [1] October 25 * Hurricane-produced floods kill 2,000 in Jeremie and Jacmel Haiti. [1]

459

November 3 * George II returns to Greece and regains monarchy. [1] November 5 * Maryland Court of Appeals orders University of M to admit (black) Donald Murray. [1] * Parker Brothers launches game of Monopoly. [1] November 6 * Maiden flight by Canada's Hawker Hurricane military plane. [1] [5] * Before the New York section of the Institute of Radio Engineers, Edwin Armstrong presents his paper, "A Method of Reducing Disturbances in Radio Signaling by a System of Frequency Modulation" (i.e. FM radio). [5] November 9 * US Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) labor union forms. [1] November 11 * Explorer 2 balloon sets altitude record of 72,000 feet over South Dakota. [1] November 14 * Franklin Roosevelt proclaims the Philippine Islands a free commonwealth. [1] November 15 * Commonwealth of Phillipines inaugurated. [1] November 21 * First commercial crossing of Pacific by plane (China Clipper). [1] November 22 * China Clipper (flying boat) took off from Alameda, California, carrying 100,000 pieces of mail on first trans-Pacific airmail flight. [1] December 1 * Austria has world's first Day of Postage Stamp. [1]

460

* Bernard Schmidt inventor (Schmidt camera), dies. [1] December 2 * Albert Kessel first to die in California gas chamber. [1] December 4 * 1,200 at Saint Joseph's College (Philadelphia) enroll in anticommunism class. [1] * Johan Halvorsen composer, dies at age 71. [1] December 5 * First commercial hydroponics operation established (Montebello, California). [1] * Frans [MJ François] Erens literary (Years Gone By), dies at age 78. [1] * National Council of Negro Women forms by Mary McLeod Bethune (New York City, New York). [1] December 10 * John H Aberson first rector of Landbouw high school, dies at age 78. [1] December 14 * Stanley G Weinbaum US, sci-fi writer (Martian Odyssey), dies. [1] December 15 * Max Euwe becomes world champion chess beating Alexander Aljechin. [1] December 16 * Thelma Todd actress (Horse Feathers, Bohemian Girl), dies of 30. [1] December 18 * Edward Benes becomes President of Czechoslovakia. [1] * Juan V Gómez general/dictator of Venezuela (1908-35), dies. [1] December 20 * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Ad Catholici Sacerdotii. [1] December 21 * Kurt Tucholsky German journalist/writer (Panter, Tiger and Co), dies at age 45. [1]

461

December 22 * Yaeko Iwasaki, student of D S Harada Roshi, first awakening in Kamakura. [1] December 24 * Alban Maria Johannes Berg composer, dies at age 50. [1] * National Council of Negro Women forms. [1] December 26 * Stalin views Dmitri Shostakovich's opera "Lady Macbeth". [1] December 28 * Clarence Day writer (Life with Father), dies. [1] * W P A Federal Art Project Gallery opens in New York City, New York. [1] December 30 * Italian bombers destroy Swedish Red Cross unit in Ethiopia. [1] December 31 * CPH becomes Dutch Communist Party. [1] * Charles Darrow patents Monopoly. [1]

462

1936 January 1 * First newspaper to microfilm its current issues, New York Herald Tribune. [1] January 2 * First electron tube to enable night vision described, Saint Louis Missouri. [1] January 4 * Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade. [1] January 5 * Ramón M del Valle-Inclán playwright (Tirano banderas), dies at age 66. [1] January 6 * Barbara Hanley became Canada's first woman mayor (Webbwood, Ontario). [1] January 9 * John Gilbert actor (Love, Downstairs), dies at age 40. [1] * Noël Coward's "Astonished Heart" premieres in London. [1] * Semi-automatic rifles adopted by US army. [1] January 11 * Charles Anderson enters Kentucky House of Representatives. [1] January 14 * L M (Mario) Giannini elected president of Bank of America. [1] January 15 * The first building to be completely covered in glass is completed in Toledo, Ohio. [1] [5] * Non-profit Ford Foundation incorporates. [1] January 16 * First photo finish camera installed at Hialeah Race track in Hialeah Florida. [1] * Screen Actors Guild incorporates with King Vidor as president. [1]

463

* Spanish socialists/communists/anarchists form Unidad Popular. [1] January 18 * Rudyard Kipling author (Gunga Din, Nobel Prize 1907), dies in Burwash England at age 70. [1] January 20 * Edward VIII succeeds British king George V. [1] * King George V of Britain dies at age 70, succeeded by Edward VIII. [1] January 22 * French Laval government falls. [1] * Louis Glass composer, dies at age 71. [1] January 23 * Catholic People's Party (KVP) of Curaçao forms. [1] * Dame Clara Butt alto singer (Country of Hope and Glory), dies at age 62. [1] January 24 * Benny Goodman and orchestra record "Stompin' at the Savoy" on Victor Records. [1] January 28 * Pravda criticizes Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth" opera. [1] January 30 * Fans asked to pick a new name for Boston Braves; they choose "The Bees" it doesn't catch on and is scrapped by 1940 season. [1] January 31 * "Green Hornet" radio show is first heard on WXYZ Radio in Detroit. [1] February 4 * First radioactive substance produced synthetically (radium E). [1] February 5 * National Wildlife Federation forms. [1]

464

February 6 * Pravda criticizes Shostakovich's ballet "Clear Brook". [1] February 7 * A flag is authorized for the Vice President. [1] * Felix the Cat, Cartoon Character, by Van Beuren from Otto Messmer. [1] February 8 * Pandit Jawaharlal follows Gandhi as chairman of India Congress Party. [1] February 9 * Jacques Bainville French historian/essayist/journalist, dies at age 57. [1] February 11 * Pumping begins to build Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. [1] February 12 * Adolf Hitler decides the time is right for Germany to re-occupy the Rhineland. [10] February 14 * National Negro Congress organizes in Chicago. [1] February 15 * -60 degrees F (-51 degrees C), Parshall North Dakota (state record). [1] * Hitler announces building of Volkswagens (starting slug-bug game). [1] February 16 * Spanish Frente Popular (People's Front) wins elections. [1] February 17 * "The Phantom" cartoon strip by Lee Falk debuts. [1] * -58 degrees F (-50 degrees C), McIntosh South Dakota (state record). [1] * Erich Schaeder German theologist (Theozentrische), dies at age 74. [1] * S[amuel] N[athaniel] Behrman's "End of Summer" premieres in New York City, New York. [1]

465

February 19 * Manuel Azaña becomes Spanish premier. [1] February 20 * John Hope president of Atlanta University, dies at age 67. [1] February 22 * Construction on Ypenburg Netherlands airport begins. [1] * Johan M Skjoldborg Danish writer (Dynaes Digte), dies at age 74. [1] February 23 * First rocket air mail flight, Greenwood Lake New York. [1] February 26 * Hitler introduces Ferdinand Porsche's "Volkswagen". [1] * Military coup in Japan. [1] February 27 * Ivan P Pavlov Russian physiologist (reflexes, Nobel Prize 1904), dies at age 86. [1] * The French chamber ratifies the Franco-Soviet pact. [10] * French ministers decide that in the event of German violation of the Rhineland Zone, they would not act alone, but only with co-signatories of the Locarno Pact. [10] February 28 * Pedro Muñoz Seca La Caraba/La oca, dies at age 55. [1] February 29 * Franklin Roosevelt signs second neutrality act. [1] March 2 * Adolf Hitler issues final orders for troops to re-occupy their former garrison posts in Rhineland towns. If French forces take action, the troops are instructed to withdraw. [10] March 4 * First flight of airship Hindenburg, Germany. [1]

466

* Ruben Mattias Liljefors composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 5 * Spitfire makes its first flight (Eastleigh Aerodrome in Southampton). [1] * French Foreign Minister Pierre Flandin tells British Anthony Eden that France will not act alone in the event of German violation of the Rhineland Zone. [10] March 6 * Belgium ends Locarno-pact. [1] * Josef Stransky composer, dies at age 63. [1] * Rubin Goldmark composer, dies at age 63. [1] March 7 * Adolf Hitler denounces the Rhineland provisions of Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Treaty. 14,500 German troops march in to join with 22,000 local police to re-occupy the Rhineland. [10] * German representatives inform foreign ministers and ambassadors of the German reoccupation of the Rhineland, and outline a peace plan including 25-year non-aggression pacts for all countries bordering on Germany. [10] March 8 * Peter H J "Piet" van Doorne director BOVA Red Peppers, executed at age 52. [1] March 12 * The Soviet Union and the Mongolian People's Republic sign a mutual assistance pact, allowing Russian troops to be posted at key locations. The Soviet Union commits to the defence of Mongolia from aggression. [10] March 14 * Federal Register, first magazine of the US government, publishes first issue. [1] March 18 * Egon Friedell Austrian journalist (Kleine Portratgalerie), dies at age 58. [1] March 19 * John Larkin IV actor/writer (Charlie Chan in Panamá), dies at age 63. [1] March 21

467

* Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov composer (Chopiniana), dies at age 70. [1] March 22 * Quote by Adolf Hitler, regarding the re-occupation of the Rhineland: "We and all nations have a sense that we have come to the turning point of an age.". [10] March 23 * Italy, Austria and Hungary sign Pact of Rome. [1] March 26 * First parliamentary debate on New Zealand radio. [1] * Corning Glass Works ships a 20-ton, 200-inch cast Pyrex mirror-blank from Corning, New Tork, to Pasadena, California, to be finished for the Hale telescope. [1] * Mary Joyce ends a 1,000 mile trip by dog in Alaska. [1] March 27 * WOS-AM in Jefferson City Missouri goes off the air. [1] March 29 * 10,000 watch the 200" mirror blank passing through Indianapolis. [1] * Nazi propaganda claims 99% of Germans voted for Nazi candidates. [1] April 1 * Mikhail Vladimirovich Ivanov-Boretsky composer, dies at age 61. [1] * Orissa constitutes a province of British India. [1] April 3 * Bruno Hauptmann, convicted Lindbergh baby killer, executed in electric chair in Trenton, New Jersey, USA. [1] [244.4] April 5 * Tupelo Mississippi virtually annihilated by a tornado, 216 die. [1] April 6 * ANP begins telex service in Amsterdam. [1] * Tornado kills 203 and injures 1,800 in Gainesville Georgia. [1]

468

April 10 * 200" mirror blank arrives in Pasadena. [1] April 11 * Mitya Stillman composer, dies at age 44. [1] * Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "On Your Toes", premieres in New York City. [1] April 13 * Demertzis Greek premier, dies. [1] * Metaxas proclaims himself dictator of Greece. [1] April 17 * Charles J M Ruys de Beerenbrouck Dutch Prime Minister (1918-23, 29-33), dies. [1] April 18 * Ottorino Respighi Italian composer (Belkis), dies at age 56. [1] * Pan-Am Clipper begins regular passenger flights from San Francisco California to Honolulu HI. [1] * Seaborn M Denson composer, dies at age 82. [1] April 19 * Anti-Jewish riots break out in Palestine. [1] April 20 * Jews repel an Arab attack in Petach Tikvah Palestine. [1] April 23 * Carl Hubbell's first start of season is his 17th straight win. [1] April 24 * Alphons Diepenbrock composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Bernard van Dieren composer, dies at age 51. [1] April 26

469

* Dmitri Shostakovitch completes his 4th Symphony. [1] April 27 * Frederik A Stoett linguist (Dutch Proverbs), dies at age 72. [1] * Karl Pearson mathematician, dies. [1] April 28 * Foead I king of Egypt (1922-36), dies. [1] April 29 * Florentinus M Wibaut Amsterdam social alderman, dies at age 76. [1] May 1 * Emperor Haile Selassie leaves Ethiopia as Italian invades. [1] * FBI's J Edgar Hoover arrests Alvin Karpis. [1] May 2 * Peter and the Wolf premieres in Moscow. [1] * Emperor Haile Selassie and family flee Abyssinia. [1] May 3 * French People's Front wins elections. [1] May 4 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Harold L Davis (Honey in the Horn). [1] May 5 * Edward Ravenscroft patents screw-on bottle cap with a pour lip. [1] * Italian troops occupy Addis Ababa. [1] May 6 * Hans Jelmoli composer, dies at age 59. [1] May 8 * Oswald Spengler German philosopher (Underworld of Abendlandes), dies. [1]

470

May 9 * First KLM airplane to land on Bonaire. [1] * Italy takes Addis Ababa, annexing Abyssinia (Ethiopia). [1] May 10 * Manuel Azaña elected President of Spain. [1] * Nahas Pasja becomes premier of Egypt. [1] May 12 * Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Poisoned Kiss" premieres in London. [1] May 13 * Quiroga Government takes office in Spain. [1] May 14 * Edmond Allenby English fieldmarshal in Egypt, dies at age 74. [1] * Samuel Pl'h Naber spy/librarian, dies at age 71. [1] May 15 * Amy Johnson arrives in Croydon England from South Africa in record 4 days 16 hours. [1] May 16 * First British air hostess (Daphne Kearley) flight to France. [1] May 18 * Alick Maclean composer, dies at age 63. [1] May 24 * Dutch bishops forbid membership of Nazi party. [1] May 25 * Jan Levoslav Bella composer, dies at age 92. [1] May 26

471

* First Government of Zealand in Belgium ends. [1] May 27 * RMS Queen Mary leaves Southampton, England, for New York on maiden voyage. [1] [73.42] June 2 * General Anastasio Somoza takes over as dictator of Nicaragua. [1] June 6 * Aviation gasoline first produced commercially Paulsboro New Jersey. [1] June 11 * Presbyterian Church of America founded at Philadelphia. [1] June 12 * First 50 KW US radio station (Pittsburgh Pennsylvania). [1] * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1394 Algoa. [1] June 14 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1490 Limpopo. [1] June 18 * First bicycle traffic court in America established, Racine, Wisconsin. [1] June 22 * Harry Froboess dives 110 m from airship into Bodensee and survives. [1] * Virgin Islands receives a constution from US (Organic Act). [1] June 26 * L Boyer discovers asteroid #2021 Poincare. [1] June 29 * Empire State Building emanates high definition TV-343 lines. [1] * Pope Pius XI encyclical to US bishops "On motion pictures". [1]

472

June 30 * The book Gone with the Wind is published, written by Margaret Mitchell. [1] [129] * 40 hour work week law approved (federal). [1] July 5 * 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), Gannvalley, South Dakota (state record). [1] July 6 * 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), Moorhead, Minnesota (state record). [1] * 121 degrees F (49 degrees C), Steele, North Dakota (state record). [1] July 8 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1949 Messina. [1] July 10 * 109 degrees F (43 degrees C), Cumberland and Frederick, Maryland (state record). [1] * 111 degrees F (44 degrees C), Phoenixville, Pennsylvania (state record). [1] * New Straits Convention allows Turkish rearmament of Dardanelles. [1] July 11 * Triborough Bridge linking Manhattan, Bronx and Queens opens. [1] July 13 * A Midwestern U.S. heat wave sets the all-time highest temperature records for Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. [1] [5] July 16 * First x-ray photo of arterial circulation, Rochester, New York. [1] * K Reinmuth discovers asteroids #1395 Aribeda and #1402 Eri. [1] July 18 * Spanish Civil War begans, General Francisco Franco led uprising. [1] July 24 * 118 degrees F (48 degrees C), Minden, Nebraska (state record). [1]

473

* 121 degrees F (49 degrees C), near Alton, Kansas (state record). [1] July 25 * 115 acre Orchard Beach opens in the Bronx. [1] * G Neujmin discovers asteroid #3761. [1] July 29 * RCA shows the first real TV program (dancing, film on locomotives). [1] August 1 * Benjamin E Mays named president of Morehouse College. [1] August 12 * 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), Seymour, Texas (state record). [1] August 14 * Rainey Bethea hung, last US public execution. [1] August 18 * 106.5 degrees F-Hottest afternoon ever in Iowa. [1] August 24 * Australian Antarctic Territory created. [1] September 2 * First transatlantic round-trip air flight. [1] September 7 * Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam) begins operation. [1] September 11 * Franklin Roosevelt dedicates Boulder Dam, now known as Hoover Dam. [1] September 29 * Radio used for first time for a presidential campaign. [1]

474

September 30 * International Commission of the Straits (Dardanelles and Bosphorus) ends. [1] October 1 * General Francisco Franco establishes the state of Spain. [1] October 2 * First alcohol power plant established, Atchison, Kansas. [1] October 9 * Generators at Boulder Dam begin transmitting electricity from the Colorado River 266 miles to Los Angeles, California. [1] [5] October 11 * "Professor Quiz", first radio quiz show premieres. [1] October 19 * HR Ekins of "NY World-Telegram" beats two other reporters in a race around the world on commercial flights, by 18.5 days. [1] October 22 * First commercial flight from mainland to Hawaii. [1] October 26 * The first electric generator at Hoover Dam goes into full operation. [5] October 28 * Franklin Roosevelt rededicates Statue of Liberty on its 50th anniversary. [1] November 1 * Italian Premier Benito Mussolini coins the term Axis, when referring to the RomeBerlin axis around which European states may work together. [10] * Rodeo Cowboy's Association founded. [1] November 2

475

* The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is established. [5] * The British Broadcasting Corporation initiates the BBC Television Service, the world's first regular, high-definition (then defined as at least 200 lines) service (renamed BBC1 in 1964). [1] [5] November 3 * President Franklin Roosevelt wins landslide victory over Alfred M Landon (Republican). [1] November 6 * RCA displays TV for the press. [1] November 12 * First TV Gardening show. [1] * Oakland Bay Bridge opens. [1] November 18 * Germany and Italy recognized Spanish government of Francisco Franco. [1] * Main span of Golden Gate Bridge joined. [1] November 23 * First issue of Life, picture magazine created by Henry R Luce. [1] [5] [129] November 25 * Germany and Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact, to cooperate in defense against Communistic International. Germany and Japan will share information on Comintern activities, and invite other states to adopt anti-Comintern defensive measures. Secret clause: both agree that if one is attacked or threatened, the other would not relieve the position of the Soviet Union, and both would not conclude political treaties with the Soviet Union that did not conform with spirit of the pact. The pact is in effect for five years. [10] November 30 * London's Crystal Palace (built 1851), destroyed by fire. [1] December 1 * Bell Labs tests coaxial cable for TV use. [1]

476

* EW Brundin and FF Lyon obtain patent on soilless culture of plants. [1] December 5 * Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Georgian SSR, Kazakhstan SSR and Kirghiz SSR becomes constituent republics of the Soviet Union. [1] December 8 * Anastasio Somoza elected President of Nicaragua. [1] * NAACP files suit to equalize the salaries of black and white teachers. [1] December 10 * England replaces King Edward VIII stamp series with King George VI. [1] * King Edward VIII abdicates throne to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson. [1] * Luigi Pirandello Italian writer (Enrico IV, Nobel Prize 1934), dies at age 69. [1] * Stockholm: physicist PBJ Debije receives Nobel Prize for chemistry. [1] December 11 * King Edward VIII abdicates throne to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson; Duke of York becomes King George VI. [1] December 12 * Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek declares war on Japan. [1] December 16 * John Monk and Fred Finklehoff's "Brother Rat" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 17 * Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and dummy Charlie McCarthy, make their radio debut on Rudy Vallee's Royal Gelatin Hour. [1] December 18 * Su-Lin, first giant panda to come to US from China, arrives in San Francisco. [1] December 20 * Baron De Borchgrave Belgian ambassador, murdered in Madrid. [1]

477

December 21 * The Junkers JU-88 bomber prototype first flies. [5] December 22 * First common carrier license issued by ICC, Scranton Pennsylvania. [1] December 24 * First radioactive isotope medicine administered, Berkeley California. [1] December 25 * Belgian bishops condemn fascism and communism. [1] * Pierre Maurice composer, dies at age 68. [1] December 26 * Israel Philharmonic Orchestra forms. [1] December 27 * Hans von Seeckt German general/advisor of Chiang Kai-shek, dies at age 70. [1] December 30 * United Auto Workers stage first sit-down strike, at Fisher Body Plant. [1] December 31 * Miguel de Unamuno Jugo Spanish philosopher/poet (Cancionero), dies at age 72. [1] * William F Ellison Irish clergyman/astronomer, dies at age 72. [1]

478

1937 January 1 * Anastasio Somoza becomes President of Nicaragua. [1] * Count Claus von Stauffenberg promoted to captain. [1] * US Army Air Corps physiological research laboratory completed, Ohio. [1] January 2 * Ross Alexander actor (Captain Blood, Boulder Dam), dies at age 29. [1] January 5 * Only unicameral state legislature in US opens first session (Nebraska). [1] January 8 * -50 degrees F (-45.6 degrees C), San Jacinto Nevada (state record). [1] * John Felix August Korling composer, dies at age 72. [1] January 9 * Italian regime bans marriages between Italians and Abyssinians. [1] * Maxwell Anderson's "High Tor" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 12 * Plow for laying submarine cable patented. [1] January 16 * German cardinals and bishops meet with the ailing Pope, Pius XI seeking help in withstanding the aggression of the Nazi party. Pius XI agrees to issue an encyclical on the plight of the Church in Germany. [37] January 19 * Millionaire Howard Hughes sets transcontinental air record (7h28m25s). [1] January 20 * -45 degrees F (-43 degrees C), Boca California (state record). [1] * First Inauguration day on January 20th, (held every fourth years thereafter). [1] January 23

479

* Karl Radek and 16 others go on trial in Stalin's great purge. [1] January 25 * Miami-to-Tampa bus overturned in a canal, kills 13. [1] * Soap Opera Guiding Light premieres on NBC radio. [1] January 30 * Second of Stalin's purge trials; Pyatakov and 16 others sentenced to death. [1] February 1 * Marguerite Audoux writer, dies. [1] * Stapleton, Staten Island becomes a customs-free port. [1] February 5 * First Charlie Chaplin talkie, "Modern Times", is released. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt proposes enlarging Supreme Court, "court packing" plan failed. [1] * Lou [Andreas-]Salomé Russian/German author (Eroticism), dies at age 75. [1] February 6 * K Elizabeth Ohi becomes first Japanese-US female lawyer. [1] February 7 * Elihu Root US Minister of War/Foreign affairs (Nobel Prize 1912), dies at age 91. [1] February 8 * Maxwell Anderson's "Masque of Kings" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Scato Gocko de Vries Dutch paleographer/librarian, dies at age 75. [1] February 11 * 44-day sit-down strike at General Motors in Flint Michigan ends. [1] February 13 * "Prince Valiant" comic strip appears; known for historical detail. [1] * C A Bernoulli writer, dies. [1]

480

February 14 * Erkki Gustav Melartin composer, dies at age 62. [1] February 16 * DuPont Corp patents nylon, developed by employee Wallace H Carothers. [1] * Jean Anouilh's "Le Voyageur Sans Baggage" premieres in Paris. [1] February 20 * First automobile/airplane combination tested, Santa Monica California. [1] February 24 * First US group hospital-medical cooperative authorized, Washington DC. [1] February 26 * C Isherwood/WH Auden's "Ascent of F6" premieres in London. [1] March 1 * First permanent automobile license plates issued (Connecticut). [1] * Governor Wouters innaugrates the radio station on the Dutch Antilles. [1] * US Steel raises workers' wages to $5 a day. [1] March 2 * Gustav Wohlgemuth composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Mexico nationalizes oil. [1] March 3 * Australia snatch series against England 3-2 after being 2-0 down. [1] March 6 * Frank Vosper actor/writer (Jew Suss), dies at age 37. [1] March 7 * Bucharin, Jagoda and Rykov pushed out of CPSU in USSR. [1] March 8

481

* Albert Verwey Dutch poet/literature historian (Motion), dies at age 71. [1] March 11 * Paul Scheinpflug composer, dies at age 61. [1] March 12 * Charles-Marie-Jean-Albert Widor French organist/composer, dies at age 93. [1] * Jeno Hubay composer, dies at age 78. [1] March 14 * Battle of the Century: Fred Allen and Jack Benny meet on radio. [1] * Pope Pius XI publishes anti-Nazi-encyclical Mit brennender Sorge. [1] March 15 * First blood bank is established (Chicago Illinois). [1] * First state contraceptive clinic opens (Raleigh North Carolina). [1] March 16 * All but one senior fouls out of a scrimmage game between seniors and sophomores, but he holds on to win the game 35-32. [1] * J Austen Chamberlain English Minister of Foreign Affairs (Nobel), dies at age 73. [1] March 18 * Gas explosion in school in New London Texas; 296 die. [1] * The human-powered aircraft, Pedaliante, flies 1 kilometre outside Milan, Italy. [5] March 19 * Horacio Quiroga Uruguayan author/poet, commits suicide at age 58. [1] * Pope Pius XI publishes encyclical Divini redemptoris against communism. [1] March 20 * Franco-offensive at Guadalajara Spain. [1] March 21 * Ponce massacre, police kill 19 at Puerto Rican Nationalist parade. [1] March 23

482

* Helge Rode Danish poet/essayist, dies at age 66. [1] * Los Angeles Railway Company starts using PCC streetcars. [1] March 24 * Bus blew a tire, going out of control, killing 18 (Salem Illinois). [1] * Léopold Courouble Belgian writer (Pauline Flatbread), dies at age 76. [1] * National Gallery of Art established byUS Congress. [1] March 25 * It's revealed Quaker Oats pays Babe Ruth $25,000 per year for ads. [1] * Italy and Yugoslavia sign no-attack treaty (Pact of Belgrade). [1] * John Drinkwater English poet/playwright (Bird in Hand), dies at age 54. [1] * Washington Daily News is first US newspaper with perfumed advertising page. [1] March 26 * Joe DiMaggio takes Ty Cobb's advice and replace his 40 with 36 ounce bat. [1] * Spinach growers of Crystal City Texas, erect statue of Popeye. [1] March 29 * Karol Szymanowski Polish/Ukraine composer (Stabat Mater), dies at age 54. [1] April 1 * Aden becomes British crown colony. [1] April 2 * Nathan Birnbaum Austria philosopher (Zionism), dies at about age 72. [1] April 4 * Frantisek X Salda Czechoslovakia, writer/critic, dies at age 69. [1] April 8 * Arthur William Foote US organist/composer, dies at age 84. [1] * William Henry Hadow composer (Studies in Modern Music), dies at age 77. [1] April 10 * Algernon Ashton composer, dies at age 77. [1]

483

April 15 * Nikolai Artzibushev composer, dies at age 79. [1] April 17 * Cartoon characters Daffy Duck, Elmer J Fudd and Petunia Pig, debut. [1] April 19 * William M Conway English historian/explorer (Spitzbergen), dies at age 81. [1] April 22 * New York City college students stage fourth annual peace strike. [1] April 25 * Clem Sohn air show performer dies at age 26 when his chute fails to open. [1] April 26 * German Luftwaffe destroys Basque town of Guernica in Spain. [1] April 27 * Antonio Gramsci Italian philosopher/marxist theorist, dies at age 46. [1] * US Social Security system makes its first benefit payment. [1] April 28 * First animated cartoon electric sign displayed (New York City, New York). [1] * First commercial flight across the Pacific, Pan Am. [1] April 30 * General Douglas MacArthur marries Jean Faircloth. [1] May 1 * Franklin Roosevelt signs act of neutrality. [1] * Snitz Edwards actor (Phantom of the Opera, College), dies at age 75. [1] May 2

484

* Arthur Somervell composer, dies at age 73. [1] May 3 * Margaret Mitchell wins Pulitzer Prize for Gone With the Wind. [1] May 6 * (1825 hours) Airhsip Hindenburg attempts landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, USA. A sudden explosion and fire destroys the ship, killing 36 people. The Hindenburg was the largest rigid airship ever built; the largest aircraft of any type ever to fly. The US Department of Commerce official investigation finds the cause of the accident to be ignition of hydrogen and air, most likely set off by atmospheric discharge. [1] [32.17] May 9 * Walter Mittelholzer Swiss aviation pioneer, dies in crash at age 43. [1] May 10 * Busmen strike in London. [1] * Johannes Walter German geologist (Die Denudation in Wüste), dies. [1] May 11 * Viliam Figus composer, dies at age 62. [1] May 12 * King George VI's coronation in Great Britain. [1] May 17 * Juan Negrin succeeds Largo Caballero as Spain's premier. [1] May 19 * John Murray/Allen Boretz' "Room Service" premieres in New York City. [1] May 23 * John Davison Rockfeller industrialist, dies at age 97 in Ormond Beach Florida. [1] May 25

485

* First airmail letter to circle the globe returns to New York. [1] * Henry O Tanner artist, dies. [1] May 26 * Dutch Rail Nevada at law forms. [1] * San Francisco Bay's Golden Gate Bridge opens. [1] May 27 * Carl Hubbell wins his 24th consecutive game (since July 17, 1936). [1] * In California, the Golden Gate Bridge opens to pedestrian traffic. [1] [5] May 28 * Alfred Adler Austrian psychiatrist (Individual Psychology), dies at age 67. [1] * Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opens to vehicular traffic. [1] * Neville Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister of England. [1] May 30 * Memorial Day Massacre - Chicago police shoot on union marchers at Republic Steel Plant in Chicago, 10 die. [1] May 31 * First quadruplets to finish college (Baylor University). [1] * German battleships bomb Almeria Spain. [1] June 3 * Duke of Windsor (Edward 8) weds Mrs Wallis Warfield Simpson in France. [1] June 5 * A Bohrmann discovers asteroid #1455 Mitchella. [1] June 8 * World's largest flower blooms in New York Botonical Garden, 12' calla lily. [1] June 11 * Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" released. [1] June 12

486

* USSR executes 8 army leaders as Stalin's purge continued. [1] June 16 * Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" opens in Louisiana. [1] * In London, England, Canadian Prime Minister William King meets with the Japanese ambassador. King accepts Japan's intentions in southern Asia as peaceful. [10] June 17 * Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" opens in New York. [1] July 2 * Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan disappear over Pacific Ocean. [1] * C Jackson discovers asteroids #1429 Pemba and #1456 Saldanha. [1] July 5 * 117 degrees F (47 degrees C), Medicine Lake, Montana (state record). [1] * C Jackson discovers asteroids #1428 Mombasa and #1430 Somalia. [1] July 7 * Japanese and Chinese troops clash, which will become WW II. [1] July 11 * George Gershwin, composer (American in Paris), dies at age 38. [1] [5] July 15 * Japanese attack Marco Polo Bridge, invade China. [1] July 22 * US Senate rejects Franklin Roosevelt proposal to enlarge Supreme Court. [1] July 23 * Isolation of pituitary hormone announced (Yale University). [1] July 28 * Joseph Lee father of Playgrounds movement, dies. [1]

487

August 8 * Bonneville Dam on Columbia River begins producing power. [1] August 26 * Pumping to build Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay is finished. [1] August 27 * George E.T. Eyston sets world auto speed record at 345.49 MPH. [1] August 28 * Toyota Motors becomes an independent company. [5] September 15 * WPA extends the L-Taraval streetcar to the San Francisco Zoo (at Sloat Boulevard). [1] September 21 * J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is published. [1] [5] September 22 * Forest fire kills 14 and injures 50 in Cody Wyoming. [1] September 26 * Bessie Smith singer, dies of injuries sustained in car crash. [1] September 27 * First Santa Claus school opens (Albion New York). [1] September 28 * Franklin Roosevelt dedicates Bonneville Dam on Columbia River (Oregon). [1] October 1 * Pullman Company formally recognizes Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. [1]

488

October 2 * Franklin Roosevelt visits Grand Coulee Dam construction site in Washington State. [1] October 13 * The German Government pledges to respect the neutrality and territorial integrity of Belgium. [10] October 15 * Ernest Hemingway novel "To Have and Have Not" published. [1] November 5 * The Disney Silly Symphony film The Old Mill is released to theaters in the USA. This is the first animated film using a multiplane camera. The camera alone cost US$70,000 to build, and stands 14 feet high. [6] * Adolf Hitler meets with Minister of War Field Marshal von Blomberg, General von Fritsch, Admiral Erich Raeder, General Hermann Göring. He speaks of Germany's objectives in the world, to secure and preserve racial community. He announces his plans for an expansion of Germany over the next five years, in particular, into Austria and Czechoslovakia. [10] November 6 * Italy signs the Anti-Cominterm Pact, joining Germany and Japan. [10] November 13 * NBC forms first full-sized symphony orchestra exclusively for radio. [1] November 15 * First congressional session in air-conditioned chambers. [1] November 17 * Britain's Lord Halifax visits Germany, beginning of appeasement. [1] November 27 * Pro-labor musical revue "Pins and Needles" opens, produced by ILGWU. [1] December 1

489

* Japan recognizes Franco government. [1] December 3 * Prosper Poullet Belgian mayor, dies. [1] December 7 * Dutch Minister Romme proclaims married women are forbidden to work. [1] * Russian chess player Aljechin recaptures world title from Max Euwe. [1] December 11 * Italy withdraws from League of Nations. [1] December 12 * Alfred Abel actor (Dr Mabuse, Metropolis), dies at age 57. [1] * Japanese aircraft shell and sink US gunboat Panay on Yangtze River in China. (Japan apologized and eventually paid US $2.2 million in reparations). [1] * NBC and RCA sends first mobile-TV vans onto the streets of New York. [1] December 14 * Japanese troops conquer/plunder Nanjing. [1] December 17 * Gerard Vissering banker/president of Dutch Bank, dies at age 72. [1] December 20 * Bill O'Reilly takes 9-41 for New South Wales against South Australia. [1] * Erich Ludendorff German general (WWI), dies at age 72. [1] December 21 * The German General Staff's strategy plan, Plan Green, is completed, anticipating an aggressive war with Czechoslovakia. [10] * RKO Radio Pictures world premieres Disney's first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood. It is the industry's first full-length animated movie. The US$1.5 million needed to complete the film nearly bankrupted the company. Two million drawings make up the 83 minute film. (Worldwide gross theater ticket sales of the original release: US$8.5 million.) [1] [6] * Frank Kellog US foreign minister (Nobel Prize 1929), dies at age 80. [1]

490

December 22 * Daito Kokushi Zen founder of Daitokuji, dies in Kyoto at age 55. [1] * Lincoln Tunnel (New York City, New York) opens to traffic. [1] December 24 * Dutch government recognizes Italian king Emanuel III as emperor of Abyssinia. [1] December 25 * Arturo Toscanini conducts first Symphony of the Air over NBC Radio. [1] December 26 * Ivor Gurney composer, dies at age 47. [1] December 27 * Mae West performs Adam and Eve skit that gets her banned from NBC radio. [1] December 28 * Fascist Octavian Goga becomes Prime Minister of Romania/begins spread of Judaism. [1] * Maurice J Ravel Swiss/French composer (Bolero), dies in Paris at age 62. [1] December 29 * Ireland adopts constitution (Irish Free State becomes Eire). [1] * Pan Am starts San Francisco CA-to-Auckland, New Zealand service. [1]

491

1938 January 2 * Book publisher Simon and Schuster founded. [1] January 3 * Arthur Boon Flemish priest/philologist, dies at age 54. [1] * March of Dimes established to fight polio. [1] January 6 * Bronze memorial statue of Henry Hudson erected in the Bronx. [1] January 10 * Eduard van Beinum becomes world's first conductor at Concert Hall. [1] * Jean Anouilh's "La Sauvage" premieres in Paris. [1] * Paul Vincent Carroll's "White Seed" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Willem de Vreese Flemish linguist, dies at age 68. [1] January 11 * Frances Moulton elected first woman president of a US national bank. [1] January 13 * The Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has its New York premiere, at Radio City Music Hall. [6] January 14 * National Society for the Legalization of Euthanasia formed (New York). [1] January 16 * Benny Goodman refuses to play Carnegie Hall when black members of his band were barred from performing. [1] * William Pickering pioneer US stellar spectroscopist, dies. [1] January 17 * Supreme Soviet elects Michail Kalinin as presidium chairman. [1] * William H Pickering astronomer (predicted Pluto), dies at age 79. [1]

492

January 19 * GM began mass production of diesel engines. [1] January 21 * Dutch government starts obligatory unemployment insurance. [1] January 22 * "Our Town", Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer-winner of small-town life in Grover's Corners New Hampshire, performed publicly for first time (New Jersey). [1] January 25 * Ian Hay's "Bachelor Born" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 28 * Bernd Rosemeyer German race car driver, dies at age 28. [1] February 3 * Armando Palacio Valdés Spanish writer (El Cuarto Poder), dies at age 84. [1] * Paul Osborn's "On Borrowed Time" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 4 * "Our Town", by Thornton Wilder opens on Broadway. [1] * Adolf Hitler announces a reorganization of the army, abolishing the post of war minister, appointing General Wilhelm Keitel as chief of the armed forces high command (OKW), and appointing Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. [10] * RKO Radio Pictures generally releases the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to theatres in the USA. [6] February 6 * Marianne V von Werefkin Russian/German/Swiss house painter, dies at age 77. [1] February 9 * Truby King pioneer of mothercraft, dies. [1] February 10

493

* King Carol II of Romania drives out dictator Goga. [1] February 11 * Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg meets with Adolf Hitler in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria. Adolf Hitler demands that Austria become a protectorate of Germany, governed by him. Schuschnigg signs in agreement. [10] February 12 * German troops entered Austria. [1] February 16 * Otto zur Linde German author (Lieder of the Leids), dies at age 64. [1] * US Federal Crop Insurance program authorized. [1] February 17 * First public experimental demonstration of Baird color TV (London). [1] February 18 * Alida J Tartaud-Little actress (Rotterdam Stage), dies at age 64. [1] * Edward Anseele Belgian minister of Rail, dies at age 81. [1] * Louis de la Vallée-Poussin (The Way to Nirvana), dies at age 69. [1] February 19 * Soviet arctic ice research station North Pole 1 evacuated, Denmark. [1] February 20 * United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Eden resigns, says Prime Minister Chamberlain appeased Germany. [1] February 21 * Albert Huybrechts composer, dies at age 39. [1] * George Ellery Hale astronomer, dies. [1] February 24 * Du Pont begins commercial production of nylon toothbrush bristles. [1] February 25

494

* British Lord Halifax becomes Foreign Minister. [1] February 26 * First passenger ship equipped with radar. [1] February 27 * Britain and France recognize Franco government in Spain. [1] March 1 * Gabrielle d'Annunzio Italian poet/fascist (Il fuoco), dies at age 74. [1] March 2 * Landslides and floods cause over 200 deaths (Los Angeles California). [1] * Trials of Soviet leaders begins in the Soviet Union. [1] March 3 * Arthur Koestler writer, dies at age 32. [1] March 9 * Sydney Baynes composer, dies at age 59. [1] March 11 * Artur Seyss-Inquart replaces Kurt von Schuschnigg as Chancellor of Austria. [1] March 12 * German troops march into Austria, annexing the country. [10] March 13 * Clarence S Darrow Scopes Monkey Trial attorney, dies in Chicago at age 80. [1] March 16 * Egon Friedell writer, dies. [1] * Noël Coward's musical "Operette" premieres in London. [1] * Temple defeats Colorado to win first NIT. [1]

495

March 18 * Cyril Rootham composer, dies at age 62. [1] * New York first requires serological blood tests of pregnant women. [1] * President Cardena of Mexico nationalizes US and British oil companies. [1] March 21 * Oscar Apfel actor (Inspiration), dies at age 60. [1] March 24 * Russian Army Commander B.M. Shaposhnikov produces a war plan, proposing a Red Army offensive or counter-offensive either north or south of the Pripet marshes, with a strong defence in the other sector. [10] March 25 * First US bred horse (Battleship) to win Grand National Steeplechase. [1] March 26 * NBC radio performance of Howard Hanson's third Symphony. [1] March 27 * Louis William Stern German/US philosopher/psychologist, dies at age 66. [1] March 31 * Willem J T Kloos Dutch poet/critic (New Guide), dies at age 78. [1] April 2 * Alice Berend writer, dies. [1] April 5 * Anti-Jewish riots break out in Dabrowa Poland. [1] April 6 * Teflon invented by Roy J Plunkett. [1] April 10

496

* Second government of Blum replaced by Daladier government in France. [1] * Austria becomes a state of Germany. [1] * Nana Annor Adjaye Pan-Africanist, dies in West Nzima Ghana. [1] * New York makes syphilis test mandatory in order to get a marriage license. [1] April 12 * First US law requiring medical tests for marriage licenses (New York). [1] * Feodor Chaliapine Russian author (Man and Mark), dies at age 65. [1] * Serafín Alvarez Quintéro Spanish playwright (Piropos), dies at age 67. [1] April 13 * Clifford Goldsmith' "What a Life", premieres in New York City. [1] April 15 * César Vallejo Peru/French poet (Trilce, Russia and 1931), dies at age 46. [1] * Disney's Donald Duck film Donald's Nephews is released to theaters in the USA. Huey, Dewey, and Louie make their film debut. [6] April 16 * Bertram Wagstaff Mills circus proprietor, dies. [1] * Great Britain recognizes Italian annexation of Abyssinia. [1] April 18 * Headless Mad Butcher victim found in Cleveland. [1] * Richard Runciman Terry musicologist, dies. [1] April 19 * Henry John Newbolt poet/author (Studies Green and Gray), dies at age 75. [1] * Marie-Clémentine "Suzanne" Valadon French acrobat/model, dies at age 72. [1] * Phil Emmett Mueller and Dodger Ernie Koy both homer in their first at bat. [1] April 21 * Muhammad Iqbal Brt E Indies lawyer/Pakistan national hero, dies at age 65. [1] April 23 * Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia demand self government. [1] April 25

497

* First use of seeing eye dog. [1] April 26 * Austrian Jews required to register property above 5,000 Reichsmarks. [1] * Edmund Husserl German philosopher (study of phenomenon), dies at age 79. [1] April 27 * Edmond Rubbens Belgian minister to Colonies, dies at age 44. [1] April 28 * King Zog of Albania marries Countess Geraldine of Hungary. [1] May 2 * Ella Fitzgerald records "A-Tisket, A-Tasket". [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Thornton Wilder (Our Town). [1] May 3 * Concentration camp at Flossenbürg goes into use. [1] * Vatican recognizes Franco-Spain. [1] May 4 * Carl von Ossietzky German pacifist/writer (Nobel Prize 1935), dies at age 48. [1] * Douglas Hyde (a protestant) becomes first president of Eire. [1] May 6 * Dutch writer Maurits Dekker sentenced to 50 days for "offending a friendly head of state" (Hitler). [1] May 7 * Dutch Minister of Justice Goseling calls fugitives of Nazi-Germany "undesired strangers". [1] May 8 * Stravinsky's "Dumbarton Oaks" premieres in Washington DC. [1] May 10

498

* Banning speech on anti-fascism demonstration in Amsterdam. [1] May 11 * Alfonsina Storni Argentine poet (El dulce daño/suicide), dies at age 45. [1] * Arnold Sauwen Flemish poet (Hours of Solitude), dies at age 81. [1] May 12 * Sandoz Labs manufactures LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). [1] May 14 * Jacobus C J "Jacques" Hermans actor (Ghetto), dies at age 81. [1] May 15 * Paul-Henri Spak forms red coalition of Belgium. [1] May 16 * First animal breeding society forms (New Jersey). [1] * 38 die in Terminal Hotel fire (Atlanta Georgia). [1] May 17 * US Congress approves Vinson Naval Act, which funds a two-ocean navy. [1] * Radio quiz show "Information Please!" debuts on NBC Blue Network. [1] May 20 * Czech president Eduard Benes orders partial mobilization of the Czech army. [10] May 23 * Philip Kleintjes republic leader, dies at age 70. [1] May 26 * House Committee on Un-American Activities begins work. [1] May 27 * Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway enact a declaration on neutrality. [7]

499

May 28 * Foundation for Tel Aviv harbor laid. [1] * Hindemiths opera "Mathis der Maler" premieres in Zürich. [1] May 30 * Raden Sutomo Indonesian freedom fighter, dies at age 49. [1] June 1 * Superman Comics launched. [1] June 7 * First play telecast with original Broadway cast, "Susan and God". [1] * Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat first flown (Eddie Allen). [1] June 11 * Cincinnati Red Johnny Vander Meer no-hits Boston Braves, 3-0. [1] June 14 * Chlorophyll patented by Benjamin Grushkin. [1] * Dorothy Lathrop wins the first Caldecott Medal (kid books author). [1] June 19 * "Olympian Flyer" express train crashes in Montana, killing 47. [1] June 22 * The German government initiates civil defense measures. [10] June 23 * Civil Aeronautics Authority (US) established. [1] * Marineland opens in Florida-first aquarium. [1] June 24 * A 450 metric ton meteorite strikes the earth in an empty field near Chicora, Pennsylvania. [5]

500

June 25 * Federal minimum wage law guarantees workers 40 cents per hour. [1] June 26 * James Weldon Johnson dies of injuries received in car crash. [1] July 3 * The Mallard reaches 126 mph in England, setting the steam railway locomotive world speed record. [5] July 5 * Herb Caen's first column in San Francisco Chronicle. [1] July 10 * Howard Hughes sets a new record by completing a 91-hour airplane flight around the world. [5] July 17 * Douglas (Wrong Way) Corrigan leaves New York for LA, wound up in Ireland. [1] July 18 * Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan arrives in Ireland-left New York for California. [1] July 23 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1468 Zomba. [1] July 28 * K Reinmuth discovers asteroid #1485 Isa. [1] July 29 * Japanese forces attack Soviet border guards on the Manchurian side of Broad Drum Peak, in a disputed area near the Soviet Union. They push several kilometres into Siberia. [10] * Olympic National Park established. [1] July 30

501

* C Jackson discovers asteroid #1467 Mashona. [1] August 1 * The Japanese-Soviet incident at Broad Drum Peak is resolved, with a return to the border of July 29. [10] August 7 * Two die in a New York City subway accident. [1] August 10 * 119 degrees F (48 degrees C), Pendleton, Oregon (state record). [1] August 18 * Canadian Prime Minister William King and US President Franklin Roosevelt dedicate the Thousand Islands Bridge connecting US and Canada. [1] [250.4] August 27 * German General Ludwig Beck resigns as Chief of General Staff, in opposition to a planned invasion of Czechoslovakia. [10] August 28 * Northwestern University awards honorary degree to dummy Charlie McCarthy. [1] September 7 * (evening) Theodor Kordt, a counselor in the German embassy in London meets secretly with British Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax at 10 Downing Street. He appeals desperately to British government to stand firm against Hitler's planned aggression into Czechoslovakia. He promises action by German army leaders opposed to Nazis. [10] September 12 * German Chancellor Adolf Hitler says the Sudeten problem is an internal matter to the German minority in Bohemia and the Czechoslovak government. [10] September 14 * Graf Zeppelin II, world's largest airship, makes maiden flight. [1]

502

September 15 * British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets with Adolf Hitler in the Berghof in Germany. Chamberlain agrees to Hitler's demand to annex the Sudetenland. [10] * John Cobb sets world auto speed record at 350.2 MPH (lasts one day). [1] September 16 * George E.T. Eyston sets world auto speed record at 357.5 MPH. [1] September 17 * British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets with the Cabinet. He states that Adolf Hitler appears to be "a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word". [10] September 18 * Chicago Bears beat Green Bay Packers 2-0. [1] September 20 * The Czech government refuses to accept the proposal to give up the Sudetenland. [10] September 21 * British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain replies to Czech President Eduard Benes saying the British-French proposal is the only way to avoid war, the Czech reply places full responsibility for war on the Czechs, and that Britain would not fight for Czechoslovakia. The Czech government decides to capitulate. [10] * Winston Churchill warns of the futility of appeasing Adolf Hitler: "The belief that security can be obtained by throwing a small state to the wolves is a fatal delusion.". [10] * Hurricane (winds 183 MPH) in New England kills 700. [1] September 23 * Time capsule, to be opened in 6939, buried at World's Fair in New York City (capsule contained a woman's hat, man's pipe and 1,100' of microfilm). [1] September 26 * The British Foreign Office issues a statement saying if Germany attacks Czechoslovakia, France would assist, and Great Britain and Russia would stand by France. [10]

503

* Adolf Hitler makes speech to the Nazi party in Berlin, saying that once the Czech/German problem is solved, there would be no more territorial problems for Germany. And once Czechs settle with minorities peacefully, he will have no more interest in the Czech state. Quote by Adolf Hitler, on the desire to annex part of Czechoslovakia: "It is the last territorial claim which I have to make in Europe, but it is the claim from which I will not recede.". [10] September 27 * British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain makes a national radio broadcast, essentially saying that Britain would not go to war over Czechoslovakian independence. [10] * Ocean liner Queen Elizabeth launched at Glasgow, Scotland. [1] September 29 * In Germany, a two-day conference begins, held by Adolf Hitler, Italy's Premier Benito Mussolini, Britain's Neville Chamberlain, and France's Édouard Daladier, to discuss German demands on Czechoslovakian territory. Hitler renounces plans to destroy Czechoslovakia; Chamberlain and Daladier agree to allow the German annexation of the Sudetenland. [10] September 30 * (shortly after 0100 hours) The Munich Agreement, allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia, is signed, by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Premier Édouard Daladier, Italian Premier Benito Mussolini, and German Chancellor Adolf Hitler. [10] * In Munich, Germany, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German Chancellor Adolf Hitler sign a document noting the desire of the two peoples to never go to war with another again, and resolve to consult each other on issues of concern, and to contribute to peace in Europe. [10] October 1 * British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returns to London, England, to a hero's welcome. Quote on the Munich Agreement: "This is the second time there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.". [10] October 7 * Germany demands all Jewish passports stamped with the letter J. [1] October 10

504

* Germany completed annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland. [1] October 21 * Adolf Hitler instructs the German armed forces to prepare "the liquidation of Czechoslovakia". [10] October 22 * First Xerox copy made. [1] October 27 * DuPont announces its new synthetic fiber will be called "nylon". [1] October 30 * Orson Welles broadcasts his radio play of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, causing a nationwide (USA) panic. About a million radio listeners believe that a real Martian invasion is underway. [1] [5] [129] November 1 * Seabiscuit beats War Admiral in a match race at Pimlico. [1] November 2 * Babe Ruth applies for the job of Saint Louis Browns' manager. [1] November 5 * Ottawa Roughriders score on 5-man, 4-lateral, 65-yard punt return. [1] * Rutgers beats Princeton first time in 60 years as Rutgers Stad dedicated. [1] November 9 * (evening) Nazis terrorize Jews in Germany and Austria. Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues are looted and burned. 91 Jews are killed, and 20,000 are taken to concentration camps. This becomes known as Reichskristallnacht, Crystal Night, or Night of Broken Glass. [10] * Al Capp, cartoonist of Lil' Abner creates Sadie Hawkins Day. [1] November 10 * Adolf Hitler makes a long speech to several hundred German newspaper editors and publishers in Berlin. He instructs the press to prepare the public for further moves of

505

expansion. He tells them that Germany has the world's largest single group of any race: 80 million, that Germany was the greatest of Empires, became a small power, but now is in a period of regeneration. [10] * Kemal Atarok first President of Turkey, dies. [1] November 12 * Hermann Goering announces he wants Madagascar as a Jewish homeland. [1] November 15 * First telecast of an unscheduled event (fire), W2XBT, New York. [1] November 17 * Italy passes their own version of the anti-Jewish Nuremberg laws. [1] November 20 * First documented anti-Semitic remarks over US radio (by Father Coughlin). [1] November 29 * Flora Disney (Walt Disney's mother) dies of inhaling poison gas fumes from a defective water heater. [6] December 1 * School bus and train collide in Salt Lake City UT. [1] December 3 * AAU's decides to continue linear measuring system over metric. [1] December 4 * Dina Appeldoorn Dutch pianist/composer, dies at age 54. [1] December 5 * Christina "Dina" Koudijs-van Appeldoorn pianist/composer, dies at age 54. [1] December 6 * 117 Spanish knights under Captain Piet Laros return to Netherlands. [1] * French/German non-attack treaty drawn (Ribbentrop-Bonnet Pact). [1]

506

December 7 * Philip Barry's "Here Come the Clowns" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * W9XZY broadcasts facsimile of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch by radio. [1] December 8 * Highest temperature for December in US recorded in La Mesa California. [1] * LP Beria follows Nikolai Jezjov as head of Russian secret police. [1] December 10 * Mario Pilati composer, dies at age 35. [1] * Ruth Fuller Sasaki, Zen teacher, Rinzai line, enters Zen priesthood. [1] December 13 * Los Angeles freezes at 28 degrees F. [1] December 14 * Marie Emmanuel French composer/musicologist (Salamine), dies at age 76. [1] December 15 * Groundbreaking begins for Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC. [1] December 17 * Utrecht Central Station destroyed by fire. [1] December 20 * Vladimir K Zworykin (Pennsylvania) receives patent on the Iconoscope TV system. [1] December 23 * Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West costume catches fire in filming of "Wizard of Oz"; she is severely burned and off the film for over one month. [1] * Robert Herrick US writer (Chimes), dies at age 70. [1] December 25 * George Cukor announces Vivien Leigh will play Scarlett O'Hara. [1]

507

* Karel Capek Czechoslovakian author/antifascist (Bílá Nemoc), dies at age 48. [1] December 27 * Emile Vandervelde Belgian Secretary of State (BWP), dies at age 72. [1] * O Mandelstam writer, dies. [1] December 28 * Florence Lawrence silent screen actress (Confidence), dies at age 48. [1] December 29 * Construction on Lake Washington Floating Bridge, Seattle Washington, begins. [1] December 31 * Dr R N Harger's "drunkometer", first breath test, introduced in Indiana. [1] * Dutch national debt hits 3,986,629,805.70 gulden. [1] * Richard N Roland Holst Dutch artist/painter, dies at age 70. [1]

508

1939 January 1 * William Hewlett and David Packard found Hewlett-Packard. [5] January 3 * Gene Cox becomes first girl page in US House of Representatives. [1] January 4 * Frieda Wunderlich elected first woman dean of a US graduate school. [1] * Hermann Goering appoints Reinhard Heydrich head of Jewish Emigration. [1] January 6 * Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann in Berlin, Germany, announce the discovery of uranium fission. [37] January 7 * US worker's union leader Tom Mooney freed (jailed since 1916). [1] January 9 * Johann Strauss Austrian conductor/Royal ball director, dies at age 72. [1] January 10 * Jameson Thomas actor (Piccadilly, Farmer's Wife), dies at age 50. [1] * Julius Bittner Austria composer (Missa Austriaca, Little Violet), dies at age 64. [1] January 13 * Belgian premier signs Burgos-treaty for trade relations with Franco. [1] January 14 * All commercial ferry service to East Bay ends. [1] * Norway claims Queen Maud Land in Antarctica. [1] January 15 * Municipal Railway and Market Steet railroad begin service to Transbay Terminal. [1]

509

January 16 * Albert Fish mass murderer, executed. [1] * Comic strip "Superman" debuts. [1] January 19 * Ernest Hausen of Wisconsin sets chicken-plucking record-4.4 seconds. [1] January 20 * Charles Ives' first sonata "Concord" premieres. [1] * Hitler proclaims to German parliament to exterminate all European Jews. [1] January 21 * George Kaufman and Moss Hart's "American Way" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 22 * Aquatic Park, near Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco California, is dedicated. [1] * Uranium atom first split, Columbia University. [1] January 24 * 30,000 killed by earthquake in Concepcion Chile. [1] * Spanish government moves to Figueras. [1] January 25 * Earthquake hits Chillán Chile, 10,000 killed. [1] January 26 * Federal Hall National Monument established. [1] * Filming begins on Gone With the Wind. [1] * Franco conquers Barcelona. [1] * Professor Cristescu Romania's iron guard leader, murdered. [1] January 28 * William Butler Yeats Irish poet (Nobel), dies in France at age 73. [1] January 30

510

* Heavy after shocks destroy some of Chile. [1] * Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag, saying that if Jews lead the world into war, it would cause the destruction of Jews in Europe. [10] February 4 * Edward Sapir US linguist/cultural anthropologist (Indian), dies at age 55. [1] * Glenn Cunningham (top miler) says 4-minute mile beyond human effort. [1] * Henri W A Deterding Dutch oil magnate (Royal Oil, Shell), dies at age 72. [1] February 6 * Spanish government flees to France. [1] February 9 * Belgian Spaak government falls. [1] February 10 * Pius XI [Ambrogio D A Ratti], Italian Pope (1922-39), dies at age 81. [1] February 11 * Franz Schmidt Austrian composer, dies at age 64. [1] February 14 * Victor Fleming replaces George Cukor as director of Gone With the Wind. [1] * The German battleship Bismarck is first launched, at Hamburg. [10] [129] February 15 * Foppe G Scheltema Dutch lawyer, dies at age 47. [1] * German battleship Bismarck is launched. [1] * Henri Jaspar premier of Belgium (1926-31), dies at age 68. [1] * Lillian Hellman's "Little Foxes" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 16 * Jura Soyfer writer, dies at age 26. [1] February 18 * Golden Gate International Exposition opens on Treasure Island. [1] * Ludwig Bonvin composer, dies at age 89. [1]

511

February 21 * Belgian government of Pierlot forms. [1] February 22 * Netherlands recognizes Franco-regime in Spain. [1] February 23 * The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Special Award) to Walt Disney for screen innovation for the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Disney is presented one statuette and seven miniature statuettes. [6] February 24 * Roy Harris' third Symphony, premieres in Boston. [1] February 25 * First Anderson bomb shelter in Britain erected in an Islington garden. [1] February 26 * E Fernandez Arbós Spanish violinist/conductor/composer, dies at age 75. [1] February 27 * Belgian government of Pierlot falls. [1] * English Spook house Borley Rectory destroyed in a fire. [1] * Nadezjda K Krupskaya Russian revolutionary/wife of Lenin, dies at age 70. [1] * US Supreme Court outlaws sit-down strikes. [1] February 28 * Great Britain recognizes Franco-regime in Spain. [1] March 2 * Eugenio Pacelli chosen as Pope Pius XII. [1] * Howard Carter British archaeologist/Egyptologist (King Tut), dies at age 65. [1] * Mass Legislature votea to ratify the Bill of Rights; 147 years late. [1] March 6

512

* [Carl L] Ferdinand von Lindemann German mathematician, dies at age 86. [1] March 7 * Amadeo Roldan composer, dies at age 38. [1] * Glamour magazine begins publishing. [1] * Guy Lombardo and Royal Canadians first record "Auld Lang Syne". [1] March 8 * Birth of George William Reed astronomy writer/cartoonist (Dark Sky Legacy). [1] * Lenore Coffee and William Joyce Cowan's "Family Portrait" premieres. [1] March 10 * Seventeen villages damaged by hailstones in Hyderabad India. [1] * Josef Stalin makes a speech to the Eighteenth Party Congress in Moscow. He says Russia would look after her own affairs, not fight anyone else's battles. [10] March 12 * Pope Pius XII crowned in Vatican ceremonies. [1] March 14 * England draw with South Africa at Durban on the 10th day. [1] * Slovakia and Ruthenice declare their independence from the Czech government in Prague. [10] March 15 * German troops occupy the Czech parts of Bohemia and Moravia. [10] * Czech president Emil Hacha accepts Adolf Hitler's demand to surrender the entire country. [10] * German troops enter the capital of Czechoslovakia, Prague. Adolf Hitler declares "Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist". [10] March 16 * Hungary annexes republic of Karpato-Ukraine. [1] March 18 * The Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Maxim Litvinov, suggests to British Ambassador Sir William Seeds that delegates from the United Kingdom, Soviet Union,

513

France, Poland, and Romania should meet to discuss collective action in the event of war with Germany. [10] * American President Franklin Roosevelt imposes punitive tariffs on imports from Germany. [10] March 20 * 7,000 Jews flee German occupied Memel Lithuania. [1] March 21 * Evald Aav composer, dies at age 39. [1] * Nazi-Germany demands Gdansk (Danzig) from Poland. [1] March 22 * Lithuania surrenders Memel to Germany. [10] March 23 * Poland partially mobilizes its armed forces. [10] March 25 * Billboard Magazine introduces hillbilly (country) music chart. [1] March 27 * Constance Lindsay Skinner author (Rivers of America), dies at age 57. [1] March 28 * Dutch hunter shoots English bombers down. [1] * Philip Barry's "Philadelphia Story" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Poland rejects Adolf Hitler's demand that Danzig be ceded to Germany. [10] * Spanish Civil War ends, Madrid falls to Francisco Franco. [1] March 30 * The British and French governments guarantee Poland's independence. [10] March 31 * Indrið Einarsson Iceland playwright (Skipið Sekkur), dies at age 87. [1] April 1

514

* German battleship Tirpitz launched at Wilhelmshaven. [10] * US recognizes Franco government in Spain at end of Spanish civil war Pope Pius XII congratulates Generalissimo Franco's victory in Spain. [1] * Canada begins regular transcontinental air passenger service. [242.4] April 3 * Adolf Hitler issues a directive to the Army High Command to prepare for an attack on Poland, code named Fall Weiss (Case White), to be ready to implement by September 1. [10] April 4 * Faisal II ascends to throne of Iraq. [1] * Ghazi I King of Iraq, dies in car accident. [1] April 5 * Membership in Hitler Youth becomes obligatory. [1] April 6 * Great Britain and Poland sign military pact. [1] * Robert Courtneidge British theater producer, dies. [1] * US and United Kingdom agree on joint control of Canton and Enderbury Islands (Pacific). [1] April 7 * Italy invades Albania. [10] April 8 * King Zog I of Albania, flees. [1] April 9 * Emilio Serrano y Ruiz composer, dies at age 89. [1] * Marian Anderson sings before 75,000 at Lincoln Memorial. [1] April 10 * Alfredo Panzini Italian author (Il Bacio de Lesba), dies at age 75. [1] * Colijn's Dutch government opens camp Westerbork for German Jews. [1] * Grens mobilization due to Italian invasion in Albania. [1]

515

April 11 * Hungary leaves League of Nations. [1] * SS Van Dine [William Huntingdon Wright] detective writer, dies at age 50. [1] April 13 * W Saroyan's "My Heart's in the Highlands", premieres in New York City. [1] April 14 * John Steinbeck novel "The Grapes of Wrath" published. [1] April 15 * Albert Lebrun elected President of France. [1] April 16 * Stalin requests British, French and Russian anti-nazi pact. [1] April 17 * Samuel Nathaniel Behrman's "No Time for Comedy", premieres in New York City. [1] * Stalin signs British-France-Russian anti-nazi pact. [1] April 18 * Franz von Papen becomes German ambassador in Turkey. [1] * Hubert Pierlot forms Belgian government. [1] * Theo Mann actress (Pink Bernd, Hedda Gabler), dies at age 88. [1] April 19 * Connecticut finally approves Bill of Rights (148 years late). [1] April 20 * New York World's Fair opens. [1] April 21 * Herman Finck composer, dies at age 66. [1]

516

April 23 * First performance of Béla Bartók's second Concerto for violin. [1] April 24 * John Foulds composer, dies at age 58. [1] April 28 * Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin, Germany. Hitler denounces the ten-year non-aggression pact with Poland (signed in January 1934), and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June 1935. Hitler calls the Anglo-Polish Agreement an alliance directed exclusively against Germany. Hitler demands the return of Danzig to Germany. [10] April 29 * Whitestone Bridge connecting Bronx and Queens opens. [1] April 30 * NBC/RCA first public TV demo with Franklin Roosevelt at opening of New York World's Fair. [1] * Tropicana ballet of Havana Cuba, forms. [1] May 1 * Pulitzer Prize awarded to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling). [1] * Wilhelm Normann German chemist (harden van oliën), dies. [1] May 3 * [Karl Eduard] Wilhelm Groener German general, dies at age 71. [1] May 4 * Japanese Prime Minister Kiichiro Hiranuma declares to Adolf Hitler that Japan would support Germany and Italy with political, economic, and military aid if one was attacked by a power other than the Soviet Union, but not right away. [10] May 5 * Flash floods kill 75 in Northeast Kentucky. [1] May 6

517

* First performance of Honegger/Claudel's "Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher". [1] * Two warships escort Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on a visit to Canada. Each ship carries about 15 million Pounds Sterling in gold for safekeeping in Canada. [10] May 7 * Germany and Italy announced an alliance known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. [1] May 9 * Catholic church beatified the first Native American, Kateri Tekakwitha. [1] May 11 * The Japanese army attacks Outer Mongolia at Nomonhan (Khalkin Gol). [10] May 12 * Turkey and Great Britain conclude a security pact. [10] May 13 * SS Saint Louis departs Hamburg with 937 Jews fugitives. [1] May 16 * Food stamps are first issued. [1] May 19 * Churchill signs British-Russian anti-Nazi pact. [1] May 20 * "3 Little Fishies" by Kay Kyser hits #1. [1] * Pan Am begins regular transatlantic airmail and passenger service across the North Atlantic. [1] May 22 * Ernst Toller writer, dies at age 45. [1] * At the Reich Chancellory in Berlin, Italian Foreign Minister Count Ciano and German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop sign a ten-year political and military alliance, dubbed the Pact of Steel. [10]

518

* Willem de Mérode poet (Precious Blood), dies at age 51. [1] May 23 * British decoration, George Cross, first presented. [1] * British parliament plans to make Palestine independent by 1949. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich appointed professor at conservatory of Leningrad. [1] * Hitler proclaims he wants to move into Poland. [1] * Submarine Squalis sinks off Portsmouth New Hampshire, 26 die. [1] May 26 * Charles H Mayo US surgeon/co-founder (Mayo Clinic), dies at age 74. [1] * Cornelis J Cutters supreme commander of Navy (1910-18), dies. [1] May 27 * DC Comics publishes its second superhero, Batman. [5] * Joseph Roth Austria, journalist (Fluctuate ohne Ende), dies at age 44. [1] June 1 * British submarine "Thetis" sinks in Liverpool Bay with all 99 aboard. [1] June 3 * British Winston Churchill writes in Collier's magazine: "Unless some change of heart or change of regime takes place in Germany she will deem it in her interest to make war, and this is more likely to happen in the present year than later on." [10] June 7 * First king and queen of England to visit US, George VI and Elizabeth. [1] June 11 * King and Queen of England taste first "hot dogs" at Franklin Roosevelt's party. [1] June 17 * Eugene Weldman last guillotined in France. [1] June 19 * Grace Abbott social worker (US Children Bureau), dies at age 60. [1]

519

June 20 * C Jackson discovers asteroid #1817 Katanga. [1] * Test flight of first rocket plane using liquid propellants. [1] June 23 * France turns over Sanjak of Alexandretta (the Hatay) to Turkey. [1] June 27 * First transatlantic airline service, between Newfoundland and England, by Pan American Airways, 18 hours 42 minutes. Two-way fare is 140 pounds. [1] [55.16] June 30 * Heinkel He. 176 rocket plane flies for first time, at Peenemünde. [1] July 3 * Ernst Heinkel demonstrates 800-kph rocket plane to Hitler. [1] * Lou Gehrig day; Gehrig makes "luckiest man" speech. [1] * The Japanese army launches a powerful surprise attack against Soviet forces at BainTsagan Mountain. [10] July 5 * The Japanese army retreats from its Soviet conflict with heavy losses. [10] July 19 * First use of fiberglass sutures, R.P. Scholz, Saint Louis, Mo. [1] August 2 * Hatch Act prohibits political activity by federal workers. [1] August 13 * Sabotage suspected in crash of the 'City of San Francisco' which fell into the Humboldt River killing 24. (Elko, Nevada). [1] August 15 * "Wizard of Oz" premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood. [1]

520

August 16 * Captain Bertrand of the French Signals Intelligence gives to a British Secret Service Liaison officer a Polish-built copy of the German Enigma coding machine, and much related material. [10] * Baron von Weizsaecker, State Secretary in the German Foreign Office, tells Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador to Berlin, that Russia would give negligible help to Poland, and would join in sharing the spoils. [10] August 17 * "Wizard of Oz" opens at Loew's Capitol Theater in New York. [1] August 18 * German troops occupy Slovakia. [10] August 20 * Soviet forces under Lieutenant General Georgi Zhukov counterattack Japanese invaders at Nomanhan in the Mongolian People's Republic (Outer Mongolia) on the border with Manchukuo. [10] August 21 * Adolf Hitler reads a telegram from Josef Stalin, acknowledging agreement on a nonaggression pact. Hitler responds by banging his fist on the supper table, exclaiming "I have them! I have them!". [10] August 23 * In Moscow, Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Treaty of Non-Aggression. A secret protocol of the pact defines domains of influence, with the Soviet Union to gain eastern Poland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, and the Romanian province of Bessarabia. Germany is to control western Poland and Lithuania. [10] August 24 * Erich Warsitz makes first jet-propelled flight, in a Heinkel He-178 at RostockMarienehe, Germany. [55.10] (August 27 [1]) August 25 * In London, an Agreement of Mutual Assistance is signed by Poland and Great Britain. If Germany attacks either nation, the other will aid in its defence. [10]

521

August 26 * In Canada, the militia is called to duty to protect coastal defences and vulnerable industrial points. [10] August 29 * Chaim Weizmann informs England that Palestine Jews will fight in WW II. [1] August 30 * Adolf Hitler orders German armed forces to begin an attack on Poland. [10] August 31 * In Cairo, Egypt, forty cases are packed with the sarcophagus of King Tut-ankh-Amen and items found in his tombs, and the cases are hidden in bombproof chambers underground to protect them from possible wartime destruction. [10] * In England, full army and navy mobilization is commenced, censorship of all communications to and from the British Isles is imposed, the Stock Exchange is closed, and civil airplanes are banned from flying over half of Britain. [10] September 1 * Physical Review publishes first paper to deal with "black holes". [1] * German planes attack Polish cities of Puck, Gdynia, Cracow, and Katowice. German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opens fire on Danzig. About one million German soldiers begin an invasion into Polish territory toward Upper Silesia and Czestochowa. In Danzig, German Chief of State Albert Forster announces a decree proclaiming the annexation of the city to the German Reich. [10] * German Chancellor Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag in Berlin, with the audio broadcast to nations around the world. Some quotes: "I have offered England friendship and, if necessary, close cooperation. Germany has no interests in the West. The Westwall is and remains our border on the west.", "Neutral powers have assured us of their neutrality and we have assured them they will be respected. We mean this.", "Germany and Russia fought against each other in the World War, and that shall not occur again.". [10] * The British House of Commons passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act, conscripting all men ages 18 to 41 into the armed forces. [10] * The Canadian parliament invokes the War Measures Act of 1914, giving the government extra powers over trade shipping, censorship, and expropriation of private property. The government declares that "a state of apprehended war exists and has existed since Aug. 25, 1939.". Militia forces are placed on active service to defend coasts and vulnerable interior points. [10] * Norway's King Haakon VI proclaims the neutrality of his country. [10]

522

* The Swiss government orders full mobilization its army as of September 2. [10] * Portuguese Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar declares the neutrality of his country. [10] * Cuban President Federico Laredo Bru issues a proclamation declaring the newtral position of Cuba's government. [10] * Latvian president Karl Ulmanis issues a declaration of strict neutrality. [10] * Finland declares strict neutrality. [10] * Yugoslavia announces a declaration of strict neutrality. [10] * The government of Bulgaria issues a declaration of strict neutrality, maintaining close cooperation with Yugoslavia. [10] * Romania proclaims neutrality. [10] * Ireland declares it will endevor to remain neutral in the event of a general war. The immediate mobilization of the army is called for. [10] * (about 1600 hours) The Italian Council of Ministers decides Italy will remain neutral unless attacked. [10] * (sunset) London, England, begins blackout conditions for the duration of the war. [10] * (evening) Ambassadors of the British and French governments issue an ultimatum to the German government to pull out of Poland. [10] * (evening) The Danish government issues a declaration of neutrality. [10] September 2 * Sweden issues a declaration of neutrality. [7] * Brazilian President Getulio Vargas declares his country's neutrality. [10] * Acting Prime Minister Frazer of New Zealand pledges full cooperation with Great Britain. [10] * Chilean Foreign Minister Abraham Ortega declares Chile would remain strictly neutral. [10] * German Ministers at Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, give a declaration that Germany would respect the integrity of Sweden and Norway. [10] * The German-American League for Culture in Cleveland, Ohio, representing 103,000 German-Americans, issues a resolution calling on German people to rise up and defeat Adolf Hitler. [10] * President Konstantin Paets proclaims Estonia will observe strict neutrality. [10] * German forces capture Polish cities of Rawicz and Leszno. [10] September 3 * (0900 hours London time) Sir Neville Henderson, the British Ambassador in Berlin informs the German government that if Germans are not withdrawing from Poland by 11:00 AM London time, that a state of war would exist as of that hour. A short time later, French Ambassador Robert Coulondre delivers a similar ultimatum, with 5:00 PM deadline. [10] * Russia informs France and Britain that if they join in the German-Polish conflict, Russia would be compelled to revise her Western borders. [10]

523

* (1110 hours London time) British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declares the country is at war with Germany. [10] * (1117 hours) The British Admiralty issues orders to all ships to open hostilities against Germany. [10] * (about 1134 hours Berlin time) Joachim von Ribbentrop reads his government's reply to the British ultimatum to British Ambassador Sir Nevile Henderson. The written reply, signed by Adolf Hitler, refuses to accept or fulfill the terms of the ultimatum, and blames Britain for the conditions in Poland and Germany that lead to the conflict. [10] * German forces capture Czestochova in Upper Silesia, and Polish forces retreat from the area. [10] * The Egyptian government proclaims martial law, in order to deport Germans, impose censorship, and arrest persons suspected of espionage. [10] * Polish president Isnaz Moscieki declares Poland is under a state of war with Germany. [10] * Denmark issues a declaration of neutrality. [10] * (1700 hours) France declares a state of war on Germany. [10] * Spanish Generalissimo Francisco Franco declares the neutrality of his country. [10] * The Netherlands Government issues a statement declaring strict neutrality. [10] * (evening London time) Winston Churchill is appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, and a member of the British Inner War Cabinet. [10] * (1930 hours) German submarine U-30 torpedoes and sinks Donaldson Line passenger liner Athenia, 250 miles north of the west coast of Ireland. Of about 1418 passengers, 118 die. Germany denies responsibility, claiming that Great Britain planted a bomb to bring the US into the war. [10] * (2030 hours Paris time) Premier Edouard Daladier announces officially by radio that a state of war exists with Germany. [10] * (2115 hours Melbourne time) Prime Minister Menzies announces that Australia is at war with Germany. [10] * (late evening) Ten Whitley planes from England drop 13.5 tons of leaflets on northern Germany. The 5.4 million leaflets tell Germans that Adolf Hitler's promises are worthless, that Germany is near bankruptcy, and weak compared to Allied forces. This is the start of operation NICKEL. [10] September 4 * (morning Wellington time) Governor General Viscount Galway proclaims New Zealand is at war with Germany. [10] * (early) Polish troops cross into Germany north of Breslau. [10] * British Admiralty orders convoys be organized for all merchant ships, with naval escorts. [10] * Argentina and Uruguay issue decrees declaring their neutrality. [10] * President Jorge Ubico of Guatemala issues a manifesto declaring strict neutrality. [10] * Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas declares the neutrality of his country. [10] * A Protocol of Mutual Assistance is signed between Poland and France. [10] * German forces capture Bydgoszcz and Grudziadz in northern Poland. [10]

524

* (1530 hours) Fifteen Blenheim bombers take off from England to attack the German pocket battleship Admiral von Scheer sighted at the western end of Kiel Canal, near Wilhelmshaven. The few bombs that hit do not explode. Five planes and sixteen crew are lost. [10] * (evening) Yugoslavia, Romania, and Bulgaria officially declare neutrality unless attacked. [10] * The Polish ghetto of Mir is exterminated. [1] September 5 * The Polish government moves from Warsaw to Lublin, 100 miles south-east, as German forces advance to with 31 miles of the city. [10] * German Army Commander-in-Chief Colonel-General von Brauchitsch gives the A-4 rocket project the highest possible priority. [10] * (afternoon) American President Franklin Roosevelt issues a declaration of neutrality. [10] * (evening) Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Renzo Sawada announces that Japan will maintain neutrality in the European war. [10] September 6 * Arthur Racham artist, dies at age 71. [1] * Germans capture Cracow, Poland. [10] * General Jan Christiaan Smuts becomes new Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. He pledges to cooperate with Britain, and declares war on Germany. [10] * Sweden is partially mobilized for war. [10] * (evening) The Iraqi government breaks off relations with Germany, and begins deporting Germans. [10] September 7 * (1100 hours) Polish defenders of Westerplatte Fortress in Danzig Harbor surrender. [10] * Romania declares neutrality. [10] * Radio New York Worldwide-WRUL begins radio transmision. [1] September 8 * (0515 hours) First German troops enter Polish capital Warsaw. [10] * American President Franklin Roosevelt declares a limited national emergency, issuing orders to substantially increase the army, navy, marine corps, and National Guard. [10] * (evening) President Anastasio Somoza declares Nicaragua will maintain strict neutrality. [10] September 9

525

* President Jorge Ubico issues a decree proclaiming the neutrality of Guatemala. [10] * Slovak troops cease their advance into Poland, after occupying all former territory taken by Poland in 1920, 1928, and 1938. [10] * French forces complete the capture of a German salient from Saarbruecken to Saarlautern, taking villages of Karlsbrunn, Lauterbach, Ludweiler, Grossrosseln, and Saint Nikolaus. [10] * German forces capture Lodz, Poland. [10] September 10 * An article in the New York Times newspaper refers to the conflict in Poland as the "Second World War". [10] * (1310 hours) In Ottawa, Canada, the Governor-General of Canada, Lord Tweedsmuir, announces that Parliament has declared war on Germany, as of the start of the day. [10] * The US extends its embargo on arms shipments to Canada. [10] September 11 * The British Ministry of Information announces the British Government would not conclude peace with a German Government headed by Adolf Hitler. [10] * President Juan Arosema of Panama proclaims the neutrality of Panama. [10] September 12 * The official German News Bureau in East Silesia issues a special report saying that "Removal of the Polish Jewish population from the European domain would ... bring a solution of the Jewish question in Europe nearer.". [10] September 13 * French Premier Edouard Daladier assumes functions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Presidency of Council in Ministry of National Defence and War. [10] September 14 * (1015 hours) Polish mayor Skupien surrenders Gydnia city to German General Magnus Eberhardt. [10] * German troops complete the encirclement of Warsaw, Poland. [10] * The Soviet Union calls for one million new recruits for the Red Army. [10] September 15 * Japan calls for a ceasefire in its local conflict with the Soviet Union at Nomonhan near the shared border with Mongolia. During the fighting since mid-May, Japan suffered

526

50,000 casualties. Both sides conclude the Soviet tanks were better in quality and quantity. [10] * Soviet Russia and Japan agree to an armistice in the war on the Manchukuo - Outer Mongolia border. [10] * The government of Paraguay formally declares neutrality. [10] * The Argentine Minister of Marine announces the entire Argentine naval fleet is ordered to patrol the coast to protect the country's neutrality. [10] September 16 * Premier George Kiosseivanoff of Bulgaria officially declares the country's neutrality. [10] September 17 * (0400 hours) Russian armies cross the entire eastern frontier of Poland, claiming the Polish State no longer exists, and "to protect our own interests and to protect the White Russian and Ukranian minorities". [10] * Polish President Ignaz Moscicki and a government party of 57 cross into Rumania. [10] * The Germany Army captures the citadel of Brest-Litovsk, Poland, taking 600 prisoners. [10] * German forces capture the Polish town of Kutno. [10] * (about 2000 hours) German submarine U-29 torpedoes and sinks the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous in the Bristol Channel, with the loss of 518 men. [10] September 18 * Russian forces reach Vilna and Brest-Litovsk in Poland, and meet with German forces. A joint German-Soviet military commission meets to draft plans for partition. [10] September 19 * The five Scandinavian countries make a joint declaration of firm neutrality, cooperating to safeguard their economic life, and continuing trade with all States. [7] * The Polish naval base of Gdynia falls to German forces. [10] * Adolf Hitler makes a speech at Danzig, saying Poland's fate is to be determined by Germany and Russia, and that he has accepted the western border, with no war aims against Britain or France. [10] * Soviet forces capture Vilna, Poland. [10] September 20 * Russians occupy Grodno, Poland, 90 miles southwest of Vilna in northeast Poland near the Lithuanian border. [10]

527

* German Colonel General Walther von Brauchitsch informs the German Army that "operations in Poland are completed". In twenty of days of war, German forces occupied 100,000 square miles of territory, capturing 400,000 prisoners. [10] September 21 * France completes a twenty-day general mobilization, with six million men ready for action. [10] * (1330 hours) In Bucharest, Rumania, six Iron Guards assassinate Prime Minister Armand Calinescu. This is intended as a prelude to a Nazi uprising, but is quickly stopped by police. Nine men are captured and executed before midnight. [10] September 22 * Soviet forces occupy Brest-Litovsk and Bialystok in Poland. [10] * The Rumanian Government executes 100-200 members of the Iron Guard. [10] * Netherlands and Belgium flood part of their territory bordering Germany as a defensive measure. [10] * (late afternoon) Lwow, Poland, surrenders to German troops. [10] September 23 * Sigmund Freud created psychoanalysis, dies at age 83. [1] September 24 * The Soviet Government informs the Finnish Government that passage through Leningrad via Neva River would now be closed to Finnish vessels. The route was allowed by agreement of 1923, allowing for closure in case of war danger. [10] * (2015-2030 hours) Official German radio broadcast declares that with the redrafting of Poland's frontiers, Germany's war is over. [10] September 25 * Guns of the French Maginot Line and German Westwall along the 80-mile front from Lauterbourg to Basle exchange fire for 24 hours. [10] * Versailles Peace Treaty forgot to include Andorra, so Andorra and Germany finally sign an official treaty ending WW I. [1] September 27 * (2010 hours) Warsaw, Poland, surrenders to German troops after a 21-day siege. [10] * Adolf Hitler announces to the commanders of the three military services that he intends to attack the West this year crossing Belgium and Holland to attack France and isolate Great Britain. Despite protests, Adolf Hitler orders that Plan Yellow should be mounted on November 12. [10]

528

* For the first time, German guns of the Westwall fire over the Maginot line on villages behind French fortifications. [10] September 28 * In Moscow, a Pact of Mutual Assistance is signed between the Soviet Union and Estonia, allowing Soviet military bases in Estonia, and Soviet control of naval bases and airports. [10] * Germany and Russia conclude the Treaty of Frontier Regulation and Friendship, to regulate the partition of Poland. The agreement is signed in Leningrad by German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs Vyadieslav Molotov. Russia gains control of Lithuania, in exchange for extension of the German area of Poland. [10] September 30 * Germany and Russia agree to partition Poland. [1] October 1 * Winston Chruchill refers to Soviet policy as "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". [1] October 2 * Birdbaths installed in Union Square, San Francisco. [1] October 5 * In Moscow, Latvia signs a Pact of Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union, granting Soviet bases at Libau and Windau. [10] October 6 * Adolf Hitler announces a peace plan in the Reichstag. [10] October 8 * Germany annexes Western Poland. [1] October 9 * Adolf Hitler issues a memorandum to senior commanders justifying a policy of fullscale attack on Britain and France, if possible, this autumn. [10] * Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 6 "for the Conduct of the War", ordering an offensive planned through Luxembourg, Belgium, and Holland, as soon as armored units

529

are ready and favorable weather conditions allow. The purpose of the offensive is to defeat the French Army, gain territory in Holland, Belgium, and Northern France to serve as a base against England and protect the Ruhr area. Adolf Hitler fears a delay would lead to an invasion of Belgium and possibly Holland by Western forces. [10] October 10 * In Moscow, a Pact of Mutual Assistance is signed between the Soviet Union and Lithuania, allowing Soviet occupation of stations of military importance. [10] October 14 * BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) formed. [1] * (0130 hours) In Scapa Flow, off the northern coast of Scotland, German submarine U-47 torpedoes British battleship HMS Royal Oak. The ship sinks in about 20 minutes. About 800 men are killed. [10] October 15 * LaGuardia Airport opens in New York City. [1] October 16 * Five warships from England arrive in Halifax, Canada, carrying about 10 million Pounds Sterling in gold from Britain and other Allied nations, for safekeeping during the war. [10] * German troops cross the extreme western end of the German frontier to France, losing twenty tanks in the battle. [10] October 19 * In Angora, Turkey signs a Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Great Britain and France. If Turkey enters the war, France and Great Britain commit to providing assistance. [10] October 24 * Benny Goodman records "Let's Dance". [1] * Nylon stockings go on sale for first time (Wilmington Delaware). [1] October 29 * Golden Gate International Exposition closes (first closure). [1] October 30

530

* USSR and Germany agree on partitioning Poland. [1] November 1 * First animal conceived by artificial insemination (rabbit) displayed. [1] * First jet plane, Heinkel He 178, demonstrated to German Air Ministry. [1] November 4 * First air conditioned automobile (Packard) exhibited, Chicago, Illinois. [1] * In the United States, Congress amends the 1937 Neutrality Act, allowing belligerent nations to buy American arms for cash if they provide the transport. [10] November 6 * WGY-TV (Schenectady, New York), first commercial TV station, begins service. [1] November 8 * (2120 hours) In Munich, Germany, a bomb explodes in Bürgerbräukeller, fifteen minutes after Adolf Hitler left the building. Eight are killed, sixty-three injured. George Elser set the bomb in a gap under a wood panel, possibly arranged by Heinrich Himmler. [10] November 11 * Kate Smith first sings Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". [1] November 12 * Jews of Lodz Poland are ordered to wear yellow armbands. [1] November 13 * Finnish delegates return to Helsinki from Moscow after negotiations failed to satisfy Soviet demands for moving the border 30-40 miles and the lease of the Hanko Peninsula for a naval base to protect the Gulf of Finland. [10] November 14 * Oil refinery fire kills 500 and destroys Lagunillas Venezuela. [1] November 15 * Nazis begin mass murder of Warsaw Jews. [1] * Social Security Administration approves first unemployment check. [1]

531

November 26 * Finland rejects the Soviet demand for military bases on her territory. [10] November 30 * Soviet Union forces attack Finland, commencing with air raids on Helsinki. [1] [7] [10] December 1 * Max Fiedler composer, dies at age 79. [1] * SS-Führer Himmler begins deportation of Polish Jews. [1] December 2 * British Imperial Airways and British Airways merge to form BOAC. [1] * New York's La Guardia Airport began operations as an airliner from Chicago lands, one minute after midnight. [1] December 3 * Dmitri Shostakovich's 6th Symphony, premieres. [1] December 6 * Cole Porter's musical "Du Barry was a Lady" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 7 * William Walton's violinist concert premieres in Cleveland. [1] December 8 * Ernest Schelling composer, dies at age 63. [1] December 9 * 27th Grey Cup: Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeats Ottawa Rough Riders, 8-7. [1] * Russian air raid on Helsinki. [1] December 10

532

* Vidkun Quisling of Norway meets with Adolf Hitler and many others in Berlin, over eleven days. They agree that Germany should aid Quisling and his Nazi party to seize control of Norway at a favorable moment. [10] * KNVB celebrates 50th anniversary. [1] * Wilhelm Grosz composer, dies at age 45. [1] December 11 * New anti Jewish measurements in Poland, proclaimed. [1] December 12 * Douglas Fairbanks actor (Zorro, Three Musketeers, Robin Hood), dies at age 56. [1] * Soviet prison ship Indigirka, carrying 2,500 prisoners capsizes in blizzard off Japanese coast; 2,470 die. [1] December 13 * Battle at La Plata - three British cruisers versus German Graf Spee. [1] December 14 * Helene Kröller-Müller Dutch museum founder, dies at age 70. [1] * The League of Nations expels the Soviet Union for aggression. [10] * (1700 hours) Norwegian politician Vidkun Quisling meets with Adolf Hitler in Germany. He suggests Germany launch a pre-enptive strike on Norway. Quisling says he would take control of the Norwegian government through a coup. [10] * (by 1800 hours) Adolf Hitler issues an order that Denmark and Norway be seized and occupied during the upcoming attack on the West, to gain control of Norwegian territorial waters. [10] December 15 * First commercial manufacture of nylon yarn, Seaford DE. [1] * Snip departs for first flight to Paramaribo, Curaçao. [1] * World premiere of Gone With the Wind in Atlanta Georgia. [1] December 17 * (1952 hours) Off the coast of Montevideo, Uruguay, German sailors open seacocks on the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, and set off a series of explosions, scuttling the ship. [10] December 18 * Finnish army recaptures Agläjärvi. [1]

533

* Matthew Brown Journalist, dies at age 51. [1] December 19 * Eric Fogg composer, dies at age 36. [1] * Karl Wagenfeld Low German writer (Lucifer, Death and Devil), dies at age 70. [1] * Russian air and ground attack against Finnish positions near Summa. [1] * Willem Benoy Flemish actor/director (The White), dies at age 57. [1] December 20 * Hans Langsdorff, German captain (Admiral Graf Spee), commits suicide. [1] [10] * Radio Australia begins overseas short-wave service. [1] December 21 * Hitler named Adolf Eichmann leader of "Referat IV B". [1] December 22 * 125 die in train wreck at Magdeburg Germany; 99 die in second wreck at Friedrichshafen Germany. [1] * Finnish counter offensive at Petsamo. [1] * Ma Rainey "Mother of the Blues", US blues singer/composer, dies at age 53. [1] December 23 * Anthony H G Fokker Dutch airplane builder (Spider), dies at age 49. [1] * Finnish counter offensive at Summa. [1] * South Australia score 7-821 against Queensland. [1] December 25 * Grimmett and Ward rip through Queensland except Bill Brown (156). [1] * Montgomery Ward introduces Rudolph the 9th reindeer. [1] December 26 * Earthquake in East Anatolia Turkey. [1] * Mine strikes in Borinage Brussels. [1] December 27 * First American skimobiles (North Conway New Hampshire). [1] * 8.0 Earthquake in Erzincam Turkey, about 50,000 die. [1] * Finns are victorious at Suomosalmi, scattering the Russian 163rd Division. [10]

534

December 28 * The Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber prototype first flies. [5] December 30 * O'Reilly takes 14-45 (8-23 and 6-22) as New South Wales crush Queensland in two days. [1] December 31 * 25 U boats sunk this month (81,000 ton). [1] * Dutch national debt hits 4,218,553,180.99 gulden. [1]

535

1940 January 3 * WPG-AM in Atlantic City New Jersey consolidates with WBIL and WOV as "new" WOV. [1] January 4 * Conrad Weiss German writer/poet (Heart of Words), dies at age 59. [1] January 5 * US Federal Communications Commission hears first transmission of FM radio with clear, static-free signal. [1] * Finnish offensive at Suomossalmi against Russia. [1] * Tina Modotti [Maria del Carmen], Italian/Mexican communist, dies at age 46. [1] January 8 * Britain's first WWII rationing (bacon, butter and sugar). [1] January 9 * Two German officers make emergency landing in Belgium. [1] * J Thurber and E Nugent's "Male Animal" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Finns destroy the remains of the Russian 44th Division at Lake Kianta, taking 1000 prisoners. [10] January 11 * Sergei Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet premieres in Leningrad. [1] January 12 * Erich R Jaensch German psychologist (eidetiek), dies at age 56. [1] January 15 * German U-Boot torpedoes Dutch trade ship Arendskerk (Eagle's Church). [1] January 18 * Kazimierz P Tetmajer Polish writer/poet (Young Poland), dies at age 74. [1] January 21

536

* Foreign correspondents in Netherlands under censorship. [1] January 22 * First radio broadcast of "Road to Happiness" on CBS. [1] January 23 * Pianist Ignaz Paderewski becomes premier of Polish government in exile. [1] January 24 * Emile van Bosch revue/operetta-artist, dies at age 52. [1] January 25 * Nazi decrees the establishment of Jewish ghetto in Lodz Poland. [1] January 26 * Nazis forbid Polish Jews to travel on trains. [1] January 27 * -17 degrees F (-27 degrees C), CCC Camp F-16, Georgia (state record). [1] January 30 * Benjamin Britten's "Lesson Illuminations" premieres in London. [1] * Hassett's second 122 of the game for Victoria can't stop a New South Wales win. [1] January 31 * 40 U boats sunk this month (111,000 ton). [1] * C Turney and J Horwin's "My Dear Children" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * René "Sascha" Schickele German writer (Erbe am Rhein), dies at age 56. [1] February 1 * Russia begins new offensive against Finland. [1] February 2 * Birth of Alan "Tea" Caddy rock guitarist (Tornados-Globetrotter). [1]

537

* Frank Sinatra's singing debut in Indianapolis (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra). [1] February 5 * General Winckelman replaces General Reijnders as Dutch supreme commander. [1] * Glenn Miller and his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction". [1] February 7 * British railroads nationalized. [1] * RKO Radio Pictures world premieres Disney's second animated feature film, Pinocchio, at the Central Theatre in New York City, USA. [1] [6] February 8 * Lewis and Hamilton's musical "Two for the Show" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Lodtz, first large ghetto established by Nazis in Poland. [1] February 10 * "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller hits #1. [1] * Tom and Jerry created by Hanna and Barbera debut by MGM. [1] February 11 * John Buchan first Baron Tweedsmuir, Governor-General of Canada (1935-40), dies. [1] * Russian forces breach the main Finnish defensive line. [10] February 14 * British merchant vessel fleet is armed. [1] February 16 * British search plane finds German Altmark off Norway. [1] February 17 * British destroyers board German Altmark off Norway. [1] February 19 * Finns defeat and disperse the Soviet 18th Division northeast of Lake Ladoga. [10]

538

February 20 * Larry Clinton and his Orchestra record "Limehouse Blues". [1] February 22 * Finnish troops vacate Koivisto island. [1] * Australian Prime Minister Menzies writes to High Commissioner Stanley Bruce in London, England, suggesting it is vital that a German defeat include "soft" peace terms, foreseeing a possible new alignment of nations including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy against Russia. [10] * German air force sinks two German destroyers, killing 578. [1] February 23 * Russian troops conquer Lasi Island. [1] * RKO Radio Pictures releases Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio to theaters in the USA. [6] February 24 * Frances Langford records "When You Wish Upon a Star". [1] February 26 * US Air Defense Command established at Mitchell Field, Long Island New York. [1] February 27 * Peter Behrens German architect, dies. [1] February 28 * Johan C Braakensiek Dutch political cartoonist, dies at age 81. [1] * Richard Wright's "Native Son" published. [1] * US population at 131,669,275 (12,865,518 blacks (9.8%)). [1] February 29 * Gone With the Wind wins 8 Oscars. [1] * 45 U boats sunk this month (170,000 ton). [1] * Edward Frederic Benson novelist, dies. [1] * Frederic from G and S "Pirates of Penzance" finally released by pirate. [1] March 1

539

* 12th Academy Awards: Gone With the Wind, Robert Donat and Vivien Leigh win. [1] * Adolf Hitler issues a Directive for "Case Weser exercise". He orders preparations be made for the occupation of Denmark and Norway, to secure iron ore from Sweden, and provide naval and air bases for operations against England. The objective is to occupy by peaceful means, designed to protect the arms of the neutrality of the Northern countries. General Nickolaus von Falkenhorst is to be Commander of Group XXI in charge of the operation. The crossings into Denmark and Norway are to be simultaneous. [10] * Josef Swickard actor (Lost City, Tale of Two Cities), dies at age 73. [1] * Richard Wright's novel "Native Son" is published. [1] March 2 * First intercollegiate track meet telecast, Madison Square Garden, New York City. [1] * Soviet armies conquer Tuppura Island Finland. [1] March 3 * Artie Shaw records "Frenesi" on RCA Victor label. [1] March 5 * The Finland Government decides to accept peace terms of the Soviet Union. [10] March 6 * First US telecast from an airplane, New York City, New York. [1] March 10 * First US opera telecast, W2XBS, New York City, New York, I Pagliacci. [1] * Louis de Vries Dutch actor (Merchant of Venice), dies at age 68. [1] March 12 * In Finland, Soviet forces breach the Mannerheim Line. [10] * Finland and the Soviet Union conclude a peace treaty, the Treaty of Moscow. Finland retains independence but gives up the Karelian Isthmus, Viipuri, and a small band of land north of Lake Ladoga. The Soviets are granted a 30-year lease of Hangö for a naval base, and a right-of-way to Sweden. [10] March 14 * 27 killed, 15 injured when truck full of migrant workers collides with a train outside McAllen Texas. [1]

540

March 15 * Göring says 100-200 church bells enough for Germany, smelt the rest. [1] March 16 * German air raid on British fleet base Scapa Flow. [1] * Selma O Lagerlöf Swedish author (Nils Holgersson, Nobel Prize-09), dies at age 81. [1] March 18 * Mussolini joins Hitler in Germany's war against France and Britain. [1] March 19 * Failed British air raid on German base at Sylt. [1] * French government of Daladier, falls. [1] * Gustaaf Sap Belgian minister of Economic Affairs, dies at age 54. [1] March 20 * Paul Reynoud becomes French premier. [1] March 23 * First radio broadcast of "Truth or Consequences" on CBS. [1] * All-India-Muslim League calls for a Muslim homeland. [1] March 25 * Ion Nonna Otescu composer, dies at age 51. [1] March 26 * Ernest Hemingway and Benjamin Glazer premiere in New York City, New York. [1] March 27 * Himmler orders building of Auschwitz concentration camp, at Katowice. [1] March 31 * Karelo-Finnish SSR becomes 12th Soviet republic (until 1956). [1] April 2

541

* Walt Disney Productions first offers shares in the company to the public. 155,000 shares of preferred stock are offered at US$25 per share, and 600,000 of common stock for US$5 per share. US$3.5 million is raised from the stock offering. [6] April 3 * Winston Churchill becomes director of Britain's armed forces. [244.4] * Earl of Athlone is appointed Governor-General of Canada. [244.4] April 4 * R Rodgers/Lorenz Hart's "Higher and Higher", premieres in New York City. [1] April 6 * Andres Isasi composer, dies at age 49. [1] April 7 * First black to appear on US stamp (Booker T Washington). [1] April 8 * Germany battle cruisers sink British aircraft carrier Glorious. [1] April 9 * German cruiser Blücher torpedoed/capsizes in Oslofjord, 1,000 die. [1] * (0410 hours) Germany launches Operation Weserubung, invading Denmark. Motorized troops cross the border into Denmark, as amphibious landings are made on Danish islands and on the waterfront of Copenhagen. The German envoy informs the Danish government that Denmark would be protected for the duration of the war, and no interference by German military authorities would be made in the country's internal affairs. Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning orders cessation of hostilities, twelve hours after the start. [10] * German forces land on Norway with six different forces at widely separated points on the coast. The German government claim the invasion is made to forestall a British invasion. [10] * (0620 hours) Danish King Christian X broadcasts to the nation that the government has surrendered to Germany. [10] * (0630 hours) In Norway, Vidkun Quisling speaks on Oslo Radio, urging Norwegians to cease further resistance. He deposes the legal government, and appoints himself Prime Minister. [10] * In Norway, German forces control Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, and Stavanger. [10] * Mrs Patrick Campbell English actress (Outcast Lady, Riptide), dies. [1]

542

April 10 * Vidkun Quisling forms Norwegian "national government". [1] April 12 * Italy annexes Albania. [1] April 13 * Second battle of Narvik-8 German destroyers, destroyed. [1] * Cornelious Warmerdam becomes the first man to pole vault 15 feet, Berkeley California. [1] April 14 * British troops land in Norway near Trondheim and Narvik. [10] * RCA demonstrates its new electron microscope in Philadelphia. [1] April 15 * British troops land at Narvik Norway. [1] April 16 * Heitor Villa-Lobos' opera "Izaht", premieres in Rio de Janeiro. [1] April 18 * Florrie Forde music hall artist, dies. [1] * Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher historian, dies. [1] April 19 * "Lake Shore Ltd" derails, killing 34 near Little Falls New York. [1] * Dutch prime minister De Geer declares state of siege. [1] April 20 * First electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia Pennsylvania. [1] April 21 * First $64 Question, "Take It or Leave It", on CBS Radio. [1]

543

April 22 * Rear Admiral Joseph Taussig testifies before US Senate Naval Affairs Committee that war with Japan is inevitable (He was right). [1] April 23 * Dance hall fires kills 198 (Natchez Mississippi). [1] April 26 * Carl Bosch German chemist (BASF, IG Farben, Nobel Prize 1931), dies at age 65. [1] April 27 * Himmler orders establishment of Auschwitz Concentration Camp. [1] April 28 * Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000". [1] * Rudolf Hess becomes commandant of concentration camp Auschwitz. [1] April 29 * First radio broadcast of "Young Dr Malone" on CBS. [1] * Norwegian King Haakon and government flees to England. [1] * Robert Sherwood's "There Shall be No Night", premieres in New York City. [1] May 1 * 140 Palestinian Jews die as German planes bomb their ship. [1] May 3 * (0215 hours) The Allied Expeditionary Force in Norway completes its withdrawal from Namsos and Andalsnes. [10] May 4 * 21 "not neutral" Nazis and communists arrested in Netherlands. [1] May 5 * Norwegian Government in exile forms in London. [1]

544

May 6 * Pulitzer prize awarded to John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath). [1] May 10 * British Local Defense Volunteers (Home Guard) forms. [1] * Dutch torpedo boat Johan van Galen sinks. [1] * Dutch-Indies Governor Van Starkenborch proclaims end to state of siege. [1] * Euphemia "Phemia" Molkenboer Dutch author/poster artist, dies at age 56. [1] * French marines stationed on Aruba. [1] * French troops arrive in Zealand/Brabant Netherlands. [1] * (0400 hours) German parachute and airborne forces begin landing to secure key bridges in Holland at Rotterdam, Dordrecht, and Moerdijk, and in Belgium at Maastricht. Some parachutists are disguised as Netherland soldiers, farm boys, and Roman Catholic nuns. [10] * (0530 hours) 76 German divisions cross a 175-mile front into Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. [10] * (just after sun-up) Twenty-one 10-man DFS230 gliders descend over Dutch territory, having been pulled by Junker 52 transport planes from airfields near Cologne, Germany. Ten gliders land near key bridges, nine others landing on the roof of Belgium's Fort Eban Emael. Engineers quickly set explosive charges in gun barrels, casemates, and exit passages, sealing in the 650-man garrison. [10] * The government of the Netherlands declares a state of war with Germany. [10] * (0700-0800 hours) British and French troops enter Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to counter the German attack. [10] * British forces occupy Iceland. [10] * Switzerland orders general mobilization for defence for the following day, and declares a "precautionary state of war" as of midnight. [10] * (early evening) Britain's Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns. [10] * (1800 hours) At Buckingham Palace, London, England, King George VI asks Winston Churchill to form a new government. [10] * German forces complete overrunning Luxembourg, and taking Maastrich in the Netherlands, and Malmedy in Belgium. [10] * (midnight) British Prime Minister Winston Churchill completes the forming of his government. Clement Attlee is made Lord Privy Seal, Arthur Greenwood is made Minister Without-Portfolio. Anthony Eden is made Secretary of State for War. Sir Archibald Sinclair is made Air Secretary. [10] May 11 * New York World's Fair reopens. [1] * (afternoon) Belgian Fort Eben Emael surrenders to German infantry. About 1000 prisoners are taken. [10] May 12

545

* French mariners occupy Saint Maarten. [1] * German forces break through the Maastricht-Hasselt defence line in Belgium. [10] * German tanks conquer Moerdijkbrug. [1] * Nazi blitz conquest of France began by crossing Meuse River. [1] May 13 * British bomb factory at Breda. [1] * German 9th Panzer Division breaks through the frontier with Netherlands, and rushes to bridges in the Dordrecht - Moerdijk - Rotterdam area, cutting the Netherlands in two. [10] * Churchill says I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. [1] * Dutch Queen Wilhelmina flees to England. [1] * German breakthrough at Grebbelinie. [1] May 14 * Admiral Furstner departs to England. [1] * Eddy [Charles E] du Platform writer/poet, dies. [1] * Emma Goldman US anarchists/feminist/author (Living My Life), dies. [1] * German breakthrough at Sedan. [1] * Jacob van Gelderen economist/sociologist/SDAP-2nd-Chamber, dies at age 49. [1] * Lord Beaverbrook appointed British minister of aircraft production. [1] * Menno ter Braak Dutch writer (Forum, New Elite), suicide at age 38. [1] * (2000 hours) Netherlands Commander in Chief General Henri Gerard Winkelman orders the cessation of hostilities around Rotterdam and Utrecht. About 25,000 men of the army of 100,000 were killed in the fighting. Fighting in Zeeland is to continue. [10] May 15 * First successful helicopter flight in US: Vought-Sikorsky US-300. [1] * German armour division moves into Northern France. [1] * (morning) French Premier Paul Reynaud phones British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, telling him, "We have been defeated; we have lost the battle". [10] * (about 1130 hours) In Rijsoord, a suburb village of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Commander in Chief of Netherlands land and sea forces General Henri Winkelman signs formal capitulation of Netherlands armed forces to Germany. [10] * Joseph Limburg liberal second-Member of parliament (1905-19), dies at age 75. [1] * Nazis capture General Dutch Persbureau (ANP). [1] * Nylon stockings go on sale for first time (US). [1] * Willem A Bonger Dutch criminologist (Race and Crime), suicide at age 63. [1] * Winston Churchill flies to Paris France. [1] May 16

546

* Nazis forbid non-professional auto workers. [1] * Prime Minister Winston Churchill returns to London from Paris. [1] * German troops enter The Hague and Amsterdam, Netherlands. [10] May 17 * German forces in Belgium continue westward in Belgium, advancing to Brussels, capturing the city by the evening. [10] * Nazis bombs Middelburg/B IJzerdrat begins illegal defiance. [1] May 18 * The German 18th Army, lead by Georg Küchler, pierce the outer ring of fortresses of Antwerp, Belgium, in two places, quickly capturing the city. [10] * The Netherlands commander of the Zeeland Islands offers capitulation to Germany. [10] May 19 * Amsterdam time becomes MET (Middle European Time). [1] * French counter attack at Péronne under General De Gaulle. [1] * French Premier Paul Reynaud appoints General Maxime Weygand to replace General Maurice-Gustave Gamelin as Chief of General Staff and Allied commander in chief. [10] May 20 * A battalion of German 2nd Panzer Division passes through Noyelles, reaching the sea near Abbéville, France, splitting Allied forces and trapping much of it in a northern pocket. This battalion is the first German unit to reach the Atlantic coast, just ten days after the start of the offensive. [10] * Igor Sikorsky unveils his helicopter invention. [1] * Joris [Georges] van Severen Flem fascist/Member of parliament, dies. [1] * Trailing 7-1 in the 9th to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia wins 8-7. [1] May 21 * AVRO-chairman Willem Vogt fires all Jewish employees. [1] * Allied counter attack at Atrecht North-France. [1] * Reynaud forms French Government. [1] May 22 * Dutch Premier De Geer begins working with Nazis. [1] * Prime Minister Winston Churchill flies to Paris. [1] May 23

547

* First great dogfight between Spitfires. [1] * Andrej N Rimsky-Korssakov Russian musicologist/son of Nikolai, dies. [1] * Paul Nizan French journalist/writer (Ce Soir/Aden Arabia), dies at age 35. [1] May 24 * Dutch Queen Wilhelmina speaks on BBC radio. [1] * Dutch army demobilizes. [1] * German tanks reach Atrecht France. [1] * Hitler affirms General von Rundstedts "Stopbevel". [1] * The Allied Expeditionary Force withdraws completely from Norway. [10] May 25 * German troops conquer Boulogne. [1] * Golden Gate International Expo reopens. [1] May 26 * German forces take Boulogne and Calais, France. [10] May 27 * Evacuation of Allied troops begins, from Dunkirk, France, across the English Channel. [10] May 28 * Adriaan J Enschedé director (Dutch printers Joh Enschedé), dies at age 50. [1] * (0400 hours) King Leopold III of Belgium surrenders the army unconditionally to German forces. [10] * British-French troops capture Narvik Norway. [1] * Irving Berlin's musical "Louisiana Purchase" premieres in New York City. [1] * Randle Ayrton actor (Manx Man), dies at age 70. [1] * Theodor Streicher composer, dies at age 65. [1] * Walter Connolly actor (It Happened One Night, Good Earth), dies at age 53. [1] May 29 * Arthur Seyss-Inquart installed as Reich Commissioner of Hague Netherlands. [1] * In WWII, Germans capture Ostend and Ypres in Belgium and Lille in France. [1] May 30 * Y de Smit-Rog eldest Dutchman, dies at age 104. [1]

548

May 31 * General-Major Bernard Montgomery leaves Dünkirchen. [1] * Prime Minister Winston Churchill flies to Paris. [1] June 4 * Evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, across the English Channel ends. A total of 338,000 men were evacuated to England, including 120,000 French, on 860 vessels. German Luftwaffe planes sunk six British destroyers, eight transport ships, and over 200 small craft. [10] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes his "We shall fight on the beaches ... we shall never surrender." speech to Parliament. [10] * German forces enter Paris. [1] June 5 * First synthetic rubber tire exhibited Akron Ohio. [1] * American Negro Threater organizes. [1] * Battle of France begins in WW II. [1] June 7 * The Norwegian government ceases hostilities with Germany. [10] June 8 * Discovery of element 93, neptunium, announced. [1] * The last British and French forces leave Norway. [10] June 9 * Norway falls to German forces. King Haakon VI flees to London, England. [10] June 10 * Italy declares war on England and France. [10] June 12 * Siam and Japan sign a non-aggression pact. [10] June 13

549

* Spain's Generalissimo Francisco Franco changes Spain's status from neutral to nonbelligerent. [10] * Paris evacuated before the German advance. [1] June 14 * German forces occupied Paris during WW II. [1] * Soviet Premier Josef Stalin sends an ultimatum to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, making territorial demands. [10] June 15 * Soviet forces occupy Lithuania. [10] * French fortress of Verdun captured by Germans. [1] June 16 * Communist government installed in Lithuania. [1] * Soviet forces occupy Latvia. [10] * Soviet Premier Josef Stalin demands Romania cede Bessarabia and northern Bucovina. Romania gives in to the demands. [10] * Paul Reynaud resigns as Prime Minister of France. Marshal Henri Pétain takes over the government, and immediately calls for a ceasefire. [10] June 17 * Soviet occupation of Estonia begins. [10] * France asks Germany for terms of surrender in WW II. [1] June 18 * Sweden receives a reply from Britain regarding expectations in Norway, indicating that Britain might have to make peace with Germany. [7] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a speech in the House of Commons, including "The while fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war.". [10] June 19 * "Brenda Starr," first cartoon strip by a woman, appears in Chicago. [1] June 22 * France formally surrenders to Germany. The signing ceremony is held in the Forest de Compiègne, in the same rail car in which Germany had surrendered to France in 1918.

550

General Charles Huntziger signs for France. Field marshal Wilhelm Keitel signs for Germany. [10] June 24 * France signs an armistice with Italy. [10] June 26 * End of USSR experimental calendar; Gregorian readopted 6/27. [1] June 27 * USSR returns to the Gregorian calendar. [1] June 28 * "Quiz Kids?" premieres on radio. [1] * Soviet troops occupy Bessarabia and north-east Bukovina. [10] June 29 * US passes Alien Registration Act requiring Aliens to register. [1] June 30 * "Brenda Starr" cartoon strip, by Dale Messick, first appears. [1] * US Fish and Wildlife Service established. [1] July 2 * Lake Washington (Seattle) Floating bridge dedicated. [1] * In Montreal, Canada, a train with sealed cars delivers to the Bank of Canada 30 million Pounds Sterling of gold bars and 200 million Pounds Sterling in marketable securities. This had been transferred from the Bank of England to Halifax, Nova Scotia, via the HMS Emerald battleship, for safekeeping during the war. This is the largest single transfer of wealth in world history to date. [10] July 3 * A British naval group arrives at Oran and Mers-el-Kebir in Algeria, requesting the surrender of the French fleet. The French refuse, and the British ships open fire. Battleship Bretagne blows up, Dunquerque is run aground, battleship Provence is beached, and torpedo cruiser Magador explodes. 1300 French sailors die. [10] July 5

551

* Diplomatic relations broken between Britain and Vichy government in France. [1] July 10 * 64 German airplanes fly for Britain. Five squadrons of RAF Fighter Command are launched to intercept them. Twelve German planes are shot down, at a cost of three British planes. This is considered the start of the Battle of Britain. [10] July 14 * Lithuania becomes the Lithuanian SSR. [1] July 15 * First betatron placed in operation, Urbana, Il. [1] * Robert Wadlow world's tallest man (8'11.1"), dies at age 32. [1] July 18 * First successful helicopter flight, Stratford, Connecticut. [1] July 19 * Samuel H Chang American newspaper magnate murdered in Shanghai. [1] * In the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a peace offer to Britain. [10] July 20 * Singles record charts first published by Billboard-Tommy Dorsey #1. [1] July 21 * The People's Assembly of Lithuania declares entry of country into the USSR. [10] July 23 * "Blitz" begins, all-night raid on London. [1] July 25 * John Sigmund begins swimming for 89 hours 46 mins in the Mississippi R. [1] July 27

552

* The animated short "A Wild Hare" is released, introducing the character of Bugs Bunny. [5] * Billboard magazine starts publishing bestseller charts. [1] July 31 * Adolf Hitler meets with Wilhelm Keitel, Alfred Jodl, Walther von Brauchitsch, and Franz Halder. Hitler announces his intention to launch an attack on Russia in the spring of 1941. [10] August 3 * The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic is officially incorporated into the Soviet Union. [10] August 7 * Largest amount paid for a stamp ($45,000 for 1-cent 1856 British Guiana). [1] August 8 * Battle of Britain began as Germany launches air attacks. [1] August 13 * Adolf Hitler's "Eagle Day" commences, with 1485 plane sorties against British ports and airfields, attempting to eliminate British air forces as an obstacle to invasion. [10] August 17 * US President Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister William King meet at Ogdensburg, New York for a conference on hemispheric defence. They announce a joint defence commission on North American defence. [1] [245.4] August 20 * British Prime Minister Churchill says of the Royal Air Force, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few". [1] * Leon Trotsky icepicked by Frank Jackson. [1] August 21 * Leon Trotsky dies of wounds inflicted by an assailant the day before. [1] August 25

553

* First parachute wedding. [1] August 27 * Caproni-Campini CC-2, experimental jet plane, maiden flight (Milan). [1] September 2 * The US and Great Britain sign a deal in which the US will gain the lease of naval and air bases in Newfoundland, islands of Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Antigua, and British Guiana, in exchange for fifty naval destroyers. [10] September 3 * First showing of high definition color TV. [1] * US gives Britain 50 destroyers in exchange for Newfoundland base lease. [1] September 4 * Adolf Hitler announces that British cities will be bombed night after night, in retaliation for their bombing of Berlin. [10] * In Japan, a meeting is held of four principal ministers to establish guidelines for negotiating joining an alliance with Germany and Italy. They establish that Japan's sphere of influence would encompass China, Manchuria, former German-mandated islands, French Indochina and Pacific islands, Siam, British Malaya and Borneo, Netherlands East Indies, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, and possibly India. [10] September 7 * German Air Force blitz London for first of 57 consecutive nights. [1] September 11 * George Stibitz pioneers the first remote operation of a computer. [5] September 12 * Cave paintings are discovered in Lascaux, France. [5] * 49 die and 200 injured when Hercules Powder Company plant explodes (New Jersey). [1] September 13 * The Italian 10th Army of over 200,000 men, commanded by Marshal Graziani, crosses the Libyan frontier into Egypt, to gain control of the Suez Canal. They venture

554

fifty miles in, and set up defences at Sidi Barrani. This act begins the war in North Africa. [10] September 14 * US Congress passes first peace-time conscription bill (draft law). [1] September 15 * Tide turns in Battle of Britain in WW II, RAF beats Luftwaffe. [1] September 16 * Samuel T Rayburn of Texas elected speaker of the House. [1] September 17 * Adolf Hitler gives orders to postpone indefinitely invasion plans of Great Britain. The invasion fleet and troops are ordered dispersed from the area. [10] September 18 * Soviet Minister of Defence Marshal S.K. Timoshenko and Chief of General Staff K.A. Meretskov submit a war plan to Josef Stalin and Prime Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, proposing an attack on Germany north of the Pripet marshes, with a strong defence to the south, or vice-versa. [10] September 19 * Nazi decree forbids gentile women to work in Jewish homes. [1] September 23 * Japanese forces march into northern French Indochina, taking Tonkin Province quickly. [10] * British and Free French forces commence a joint operation under Charles de Gaulle to try to seize Dakar in French West Africa. [10] September 25 * Operation Menace ends at Dakar in French West Africa, as the occupation force withdraws at night. [10] September 27 * Black leaders protest discrimination in US armed forces. [1]

555

* Floyd Giebells, first game, 2-0 pennant clinching beating Bob Feller. [1] * In Berlin, Germany, Japanese premier Prince Fumimaro Konoye and Italian and German officials sign the Tripartite Pact defensive alliance. Each nation pledges mutual support in the event of attack by a power not presently involved in the European or Chinese-Japanese conflict. The intent is to keep the United States out of the war. [10] September 29 * First US merchant ship "Booker T Washington" commanded by a black captain (Hugh Mulzac), launched at Wilmington Delaware. [1] October 1 * Pennsylvania Turnpike, pioneer toll thruway, opens. [1] October 2 * British liner Empress loaded with refugees for Canada, sunk. [1] October 4 * Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini confer at Brenner Pass in the Alps. [1] October 6 * Zoological Gardens opens on Sloat and Skyline in San Francisco. [1] October 8 * German troops enter Romania to protect its oilfields. [10] October 11 * French Marshal Pétain announces his intention of collaborating with Germany. [10] October 12 * Tom Mix dies. [5] October 16 * Lottery for first US WW II draftees held; #158 drawn first. [1] * Warsaw Ghetto established. [1] October 24

556

* Adolf Hitler meets with Marshal Pétain at Montoire, France. Pétain agrees to collaborate against Britain, in return for compensation in Africa and a high place in the New Europe. [10] * 40 hour work week goes into effect (Fair Labor Standards of 1938). [1] October 26 * The P-51 Mustang makes its maiden flight. [5] October 28 * Italy launches an attack on Greece from Albania. [10] * Greece successfully resists Italy's attack. [1] October 29 * Secretary of War Henry L Stimson drew first number-158-in first peacetime military draft in US history. [1] October 31 * Deadline for Warsaw Jews to move into the Warsaw Ghetto. [1] November 1 * First US air raid shelter, Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. [1] November 5 * President Franklin Roosevelt (Democrat) wins unprecedented third term beating Wendell Willkie (Republican). [1] November 7 * Tacoma Narrows (Galloping Gertie) Bridge collapses, Washington. [1] November 11 * (evening) British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious launches 21 Swordfish planes, attacking the Italian naval fleet at Taranto. Four major ships are sunk or put out of action. Two attacking aircraft are shot down. [10] * Blizzard strikes midwestern US killing over 100. [1] November 12 * Blizzard strikes midwest, 154 die (69 on boat on Great Lakes). [1]

557

November 13 * RKO Radio Pictures world premieres Disney's third animated feature film, Fantasia, at New York's Broadway Theater. The film introduces stereophonic sound to motion pictures via a special sound system called Fantasound. This is Mickey Mouse' feature film debut, in the segment The Sorcerer's Apprentice. [6] November 14 * During WW II, German planes destroyed most of Coventry, England. [1] November 15 * First 75,000 men called to armed forces duty during peacetime. [1] November 18 * George Matesky Mad Bomber's first time bomb. [1] November 20 * Hungary signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany, Japan, and Italy. [10] November 23 * Romania joins the Tripartite Pact. [10] November 25 * Patria steamer sinks killing 200, outside of Haifa. [1] * University of Michigan retires Tom Harmon's #98. [1] November 26 * Nazis force 500,000 Warsaw Jews to live in walled ghetto. [1] November 30 * First game of only two-game Grey Cup (Ottawa 8, Toronto Balmy Beach 2). [1] December 5 * Jan Kubelik composer, dies at age 60. [1] December 6

558

* Gestapo arrest German resistance fighter/poster artist Helen Ernst. [1] * Pietro Badoglio resigns as viceroy of Ethiopia. [1] December 7 * North Africa: British counter offensive under General O'Connor. [1] December 9 * British assault on Banghazi Libya. [1] * British troops first major offensive in North Africa (Libya) during WWII. [1] * Illegal Jewish immigrants to Haifa are deported to Mauritius. [1] * Maletti Italian general, dies in battle. [1] December 10 * British anti-offensive in Libya (Sidi Barrani). [1] December 11 * Russian General Zhukov warns of German assault. [1] December 12 * British troops conquer Sidi el-Barrani. [1] December 15 * British forces drive Italians out of Egypt, and invade Libya. [10] December 16 * British air raid on Mannheim. [1] * M Eugène F T Dubois geologist/paleontologist (Wadjakmens), dies. [1] * William Wallace composer, dies at age 80. [1] December 17 * British troops occupies Sollum. [1] December 20 * Connie Mack acquires controlling interest in the Athletics for $42,000. [1] December 21

559

* Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, author (Great Gatsby, Zelda), dies of a heart attack in Hollywood at age 44. [1] [5] December 22 * Nathanael West [Weinstein] US writer (Cool Million), dies at age 37. [1] December 23 * John Van Druten's "Old Acquaintance" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 25 * Agnes Ayres actress (Johnny Belinda, Sheik), dies at age 42. [1] * Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "Pal Joey" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 26 * JA Fields/J Chodorov's "My Sister Eileen" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 29 * Germany begins dropping incendiary bombs on London (WWII). [1] December 30 * California's first freeway (Arroyo Seco Parkway) opens. [1] * Fritz Volbach composer, dies at age 79. [1] December 31 * 37 U boats sunk this month (213,000 ton). [1]

560

1941 January 1 * Netherlands begins taxing wages. [1] * Russian General Zhukov appointed chief of General staff. [1] January 2 * Mischa Levitzki composer, dies at age 42. [1] January 3 * Canada and US acquire air bases in Newfoundland (99 year lease). [1] * British forces assault the Italian army at Bardia, inside the Libyan frontier. They capture 45,000 troops, 129 tanks, 400 guns, and 706 trucks. [10] * Italian counter offensive in Albania. [1] * Sergei Rachmaninov's "Symphonic Dances" premieres in Philadelphia. [1] January 4 * Henri Bergson French philosopher (Le Rire, Nobel Prize 1928), dies at age 81. [1] * Resistance fighters counter d'Estienne d'Orves/Jan Doornik, first meet. [1] * Sergey Rachmaninov's "Symphonie Dances" premieres in Philadelphia. [1] January 5 * British/Australian troops conquer Bardia Lybia. [1] January 6 * Franklin Roosevelt's "4 Freedoms" speech (speech, worship, from want and from fear). [1] * Franz Hessel writer, dies at age 60. [1] January 8 * British Air Marshal Richard Peirse resigns. [1] * Lord Robert Baden-Powell founder of the Boy Scout movement, dies at age 83. [1] January 9 * 6,000 Jews exterminated in pogrom in Bucharest Romania. [1] * Ko Boezeman Dutch resistance fighter, dies. [1] * Maiden flight by Canada's Avro Lancaster military plane. [1]

561

January 10 * Frank Bridge English violinist/composer (Sea), dies at age 61. [1] * Joseph Kesselring's "Arsenic and Old Lace" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Joseph Schmidlin German church historian, murdered at age 67. [1] * Seyss-Inquart begins registration of Jews. [1] * Graf von Schulenburg of the German Government and V. Molotov of the USSR sign a secret protocol transferring a small piece of Lithuanian territory to the USSR for 31.5 million reichmarks (US$7.5 million). [10] January 11 * Princess Irene Brigade established in Congleton. [1] January 13 * James Joyce novelist (Ulysses), dies in Zürich Switzerland, at age 58. [1] January 16 * US vice admiral Bellinger warns of an assault on Pearl Harbor. [1] * War Department forms first Army Air Corps squadron for black cadets. [1] January 17 * José Leite de Vasconcelos Portuguese scholar (Etnografia), dies at age 82. [1] * (morning) French forces with one old light cruiser and four old gunboats, attack Siam along the Koh-Chang island anchorage. They sink the new battleship Dhonburi, force the new battleship Ayuthia to run aground, and sink three small destroyers. [10] January 19 * British offensive in Eritrea. [1] * British troops occupy Kassalaf Sudan. [1] January 20 * Béla Bartók's 6th string quartet, premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 21 * First anti-Jewish measures in Bulgaria. [1] * First commercial extraction of magnesium from seawater, Freeport Texas. [1] * Australian infantry with 16 Matilda tanks attack Tobruk, Libya, forcing the surrender of 25,000-30,000 Italians and 87 tanks. [10]

562

* British communist newspaper "Daily Worker" banned. [1] January 22 * First mass killing of Jews in Romania. [1] * British/Australian troops capture Tobruk from Italians. [1] January 23 * Dobri Khristov composer, dies at age 65. [1] * Ground breaking for NACA (now NASA) Lewis Research Center. [1] * WOR-AM in Newark New Jersey moves to New York City. [1] January 24 * British troops march into Abyssinia. [1] January 27 * Iver Paul Fredrik Holter composer, dies at age 90. [1] * Peruvian agent Rivera-Schreibér warns of Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor. [1] January 28 * Vichy France ceases hostilities with Siam. [10] January 29 * Greek Prime Minister General Ioannis Metaxas dies unexpectedly. The new Greek prime minister invites British forces in for protection against Germany and Italy. [1] [10] January 30 * Australian troops conquer Derna Libya. [1] January 31 * 21 U boats sunk this month (127,000 ton). [1] * Anti-German demonstration in Haarlem Netherlands. [1] * A formal armistice is signed by Siam and Indochina. [10] February 2 * Johannes Schlaf writer, dies at age 78. [1] February 3

563

* US Supreme Court upheld Federal Wage and Hour law, sets minimum wages and maximum hours. [1] February 4 * British tanks occupy Maus Libya. [1] * Former Dutch premier De Geer flies to Berlin. [1] * Johann Peter Kirsch Luxembourg church historian, dies at age 79. [1] * United Service Organization (USO) founded. [1] February 5 * Dutch Premier De Geer returns from Lisbon to Netherlands. [1] February 6 * Battle of Beda Fomm Italian 10th army destroyed. [1] * British troops conquer Bengazi, Libya. [1] * Adolf Hitler puts Erwin Rommel in command of the new Deutsches Afrika Korps (German Africa Corps) with 15th Panzer Division and 5th Light Motorized Division, to rescue the Italians in North Africa. [10] * Maximilien Luce French painter, dies at age 82. [1] February 7 * Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey Orchestra record "Everything Happens to Me". [1] February 8 * Japanese armored barges cross Strait of Johore to attack Singapore. [1] * NSB'er Max Blokzijl begins Nazi propaganda on Dutch radio. [1] February 9 * British troops conquer El Agheila. [1] * Nazi collaborators destroy pro-Jewish café Alcazar Amsterdam (Alcazar refused to hang "No Entry for Jews" signs in front of cafe). [1] February 10 * First highway post office makes first trip, Washington DC-Harrisonburg, Virginia. [1] * Anti-Nazi "Het Parool" begins publishing in Netherlands. [1] February 11

564

* First Gold record presented (Glenn Miller-Chattanooga Choo Choo). [1] * Lieutenant-General Erwin Rommel arrives in Tripoli. [1] * Rudolf Hilferding German economist/Minister of Finance (SPD), suicide at age 63. [1] * Sicherheitsdienst complains about Dutch anti German sentiments. [1] February 12 * Jewish Council for Amsterdam forms, under Ascher/Cohen. [1] * Occupation Police arrest "Jewish Foursome". [1] February 13 * Naomi Uemura Japanese mountain climber, dies on Mount McKinley. [1] * Nazi leaders attack Dutch Jewish Council. [1] February 14 * 1,000,000th vehicle traverses the New York Midtown Tunnel. [1] * Carson McCuller's "Reflections in a Golden Eye" published. [1] * Cebrie Park in the Bronx renamed Halsey Street. [1] * German Africa Corps lands in Tripoli, Libya. [1] February 15 * Duke Ellington first records "Take the A Train". [1] February 19 * Hamilton Hamilton Harty composer/conductor, dies at age 61. [1] * Nazis raid Koco Amsterdam and round up 429 young Jews for deportation. [1] February 20 * First transport of Jews to concentration camps leave Plotsk Poland. [1] * Nazis order Polish Jews barred from using public transportation. [1] * Romania breaks relations with Netherlands. [1] February 21 * US Senate accepts Omar Bradley's demotion to Brigadier-General. [1] February 22 * Arthur T "Bomber" Harris becomes British Air Marshal. [1] * German assault on El Agheila Libya. [1]

565

* I G Farben decides building Buna-Werke in Auschwitz Concentration Camp. [1] * Nazi SS begin rounding up Jews of Amsterdam. [1] * Paul Creston's first Symphony, premieres. [1] * Roy Harris' "Ballad of a Railroad Man" premieres. [1] February 24 * 43 Geuzen resistance fighter trial opens in the Hague. [1] * Anti Nazi meeting at Noordermarkt Amsterdam. [1] * Oskar Loerke German director (Longest Day-1926), dies at age 56. [1] February 25 * February strike against persecution of Jews, in Amsterdam. [1] February 26 * Cowboys' Amateur Association of America organized (California). [1] * Jan Keizer Zaanse February striker, shot to death. [1] * Utrecht and Zaandam strike against raid on Jews. [1] * Vichy-France makes religious education in school mandatory. [1] February 28 * 39 U Boats (197,000 ton) sunk this month. [1] * Alfonso XIII de Borbón King of Spain (1902-31), dies. [1] * British-Italian dogfight above Albania. [1] March 1 * "Captain America" appears in a comic book. [1] * First US commercial FM radio station goes on the air, Nashville Tennessee. [1] * Bulgaria formally agrees to adhere to the Tripartite Pact of the Axis powers. German troops enter the country. [10] * Himmler inspects Auschwitz concentration camp. [1] March 3 * Constant W L Scheurleer archaeologist/banker/art expert, dies at age 59. [1] * Ernst Cahn owner of Amsterdam Koco ice cream parlor, executed. [1] * Netherlands NSB-leader Mussert visits Göring in Berlin. [1] March 4 * Eighteen Geuzen resistance fighters sentenced to death in The Hague. [1] * Edoardo Mascheroni composer, dies at age 81. [1]

566

* Serbian Prince Paul visits Hitler. [1] * British commandos make a large-scale raid on Lofoten Islands, Norway. The raid is a complete success, capturing 225 prisoners and evacuating 315 Norwegian volunteers. [10] March 5 * Ludwig Quidde German historian/politician (Nobel Prize 1927), dies at age 82. [1] March 6 * John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum sculptor (Mount Rushmore), dies at age 73. [1] * Leen Schijvenschuurder Dutch February strike leader, executed. [1] March 7 * Third largest snowfall in New York City, New York history (18.1"). [1] * 50,000 British soldiers lands in Greece. [1] * Arnold Schering German musicologist, dies at age 63. [1] * British troops invade Abyssinia (Ethiopia). [1] * Günther Prien German commandant (U-47), dies in battle. [1] March 8 * Jose Serrano Simeon composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Sherwood Anderson US writer/publisher (Winesburg Ohio), dies at age 64. [1] March 9 * Carlos Pedrell composer, dies at age 62. [1] March 11 * In the United States, Congress passes "An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States", known as the Lend-Lease Act, authorizing the President to sell, lease, lend, transfer, or exchange war supplies to any nation deemed vital to defence of the US. Total value is US$1.3 billion. [10] * Walford Davies British organist/composer, dies at age 71. [1] March 12 * Charles Sanford Skilton composer, dies at age 72. [1] * German occupiers confiscate AVRO studios in Netherlands. [1] March 13

567

* A Bougne forms AGRA (Amis du Grand Reich Allemand). [1] * A Coenradi Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] * Bernard Ijzerdraat Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] * E Hellendoorn Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] * Isaak E Babel Russian writer (Zakat, Marija), executed at age 46. [1] * J Eyl Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] March 14 * Nazi occupiers of Holland forbid Jewish owned companies. [1] * Xavier Cugat and his Orchestraestra record "Babalu". [1] March 15 * Blizzard in North Dakota kills 151. [1] March 16 * Blizzard hits North Dakota and Minnesota killing 60. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich receives the Stalin Prize. [1] * John Murray Canada oceanographer (Challenger), dies at age 73. [1] * National Gallery of Art opens in Washington DC. [1] March 17 * Isaak Emmanuilovich Babel Russian writer (Crvena Konjica), executed at age 46. [1] * Joachim Schepke German commandant (U-100), dies in battle. [1] * National Gallery of Art, Washington DC opens. [1] March 19 * Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestraestra record "Green Eyes" and "Maria Elena". [1] March 20 * D A van den Bosch anti-Nazi clergyman (Amersfoort Camp), dies. [1] * Nazi-German/Yugoslav pact drawn. [1] March 21 * Robert Liefmann German economist (Kartelle und Trusts), dies at age 67. [1] March 22 * Grand Coulee Dam in Washington goes into operation. [1]

568

March 24 * British troops defeat British Somalia. [1] * German troops occupy El Agheila Libya. [1] * Glenn Miller begins work on his first movie for 20th Century Fox. [1] * Richard Wright and Paul Green's "Native Son" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 25 * Carolina Paprika Mills, Dillon South Carolina, incorporated. [1] * In Vienna, Austria, Yugoslav premier Prince Paul and foreign minister sign on to the Tripartite Pact in the presence of Adolf Hitler and Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. [10] March 26 * (0020 hours) A military revolt in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, lead by General Dusan Simovic, overthrows the Regency and pro-Axis government. [10] March 27 * Britain leases defense bases in Trinidad to US for 99 years. [1] * Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 25, ordering the military annihilation of Yugoslavia in retaliation for its coup. Operation Barbarossa, the planned attack on the Soviet Union, is postponed from May 15 for at least a month. Yugoslavia and Greece are to be attacked on April 6. [10] March 28 * Sea battle at Cape Matapan: British fleet under Cunningham defeats Italy. [1] * Virginia [Adeline] Woolf-Stephen; author (To Lighthouse), commits suicide at age 59. [1] [5] March 29 * First performance of Benjamin Britten's "Symphony da Requiem". [1] * WPAT radio in New Jersey begins broadcasting (country music format). [1] March 30 * German counter offensive in North-Africa. [1] March 31 * Ground broken for Union Square Garage, San Francisco. [1]

569

April 1 * Hippolyte Delehaye Flemish historian, dies at age 81. [1] * Lillian Hellman's "Watch on the Rhine", premieres in New York City. [1] * Navy takes over Treasure Island (San Francisco Bay). [1] * Nazi's forbid Jews access to cafés. [1] * Pro-German Rashid Ali al-Ghailani grabs power in Iraq. [1] April 2 * German occupier disallows Dutch scouting association. [1] * Paul Teleki premier Hungary, dies. [1] * USS Hornet with Jimmy Doolittles B-25 departs from San Francisco. [1] * Hungarian Prime Minister Count Teleki kills himself, rather than agree to Adolf Hitler's demand to allow passage of German troops to Yugoslavia. However, the Hungarian Chief of General Staff accedes to the demand. [10] April 3 * André Michelin French tire manufacturer, dies at age 88. [1] * Churchill warns Stalin of German invasion. [1] * Pal Teleki-von Szek Prime Minister Hungary (1920-21, 39-41), suicide at age 61. [1] * Rasjid al-Gailani forms pro-German regime in Iraq. [1] * The El Rancho Vegas hotel/casino opens on the Los Angeles Highway outside Las Vegas, Nevada. This starts the "Las Vegas Strip". [187.391] * Waltons overture "Scapino", premieres in Chicago. [1] April 4 * General Olof Thörnell, commander of Swedish forces, issues a report to government, stating that Sweden should prepare to participate in a war against the Soviet Union, for the sake of Finland, Sweden's future position, and prestige in northern Europe. [7] * German troops conquer Banghazi. [1] * Max Frisch writer, dies at age 29. [1] April 5 * In San Francisco, Castro and Fillmore streetcars replaced by buses. [1] April 6 * (early) Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union sign a treaty of friendship, providing for "amicable relations" in the event of foreign attack. [10] * (0500 hours) The first wave of German Stuka bombers cross into Yugoslavia, beginning a three-day bombardment of Belgrade. [10]

570

* German forces invade Greece. [10] * British General Gambier-Parry caught in North Africa. [1] * German bombardment on Piraeus (munitions ship explodes). [1] * Italian-held Addis Ababa capitulates to British and Ethiopian forces. [1] April 7 * British Generals O'Connor and Neame captured in North Africa. [1] April 8 * Eugène-Marcel Prévost novelist, dies. [1] April 10 * German troops conquer Libyan county Cyrenaica. [1] * In Washington, USA, a treaty is signed with the Danish government for the US to take over protection of Greenland. [10] April 11 * Germany blitzes Conventry, England. [1] * Jewish Weekly newspaper taken control by Nazi's. [1] * Nazi occupiers in Netherlands confiscate Jewish assets. [1] April 12 * Vichy-France's head of government Admiral Dalan consults with Hitler. [1] April 13 * Annie Jump Cannon US astronomer (Henry Draper catalogues), dies at age 77. [1] * Heavy German assault on Tobruk. [1] * The Yugoslav capital of Belgrade is occupied by German forces. [10] * Japan and the Soviet Union sign a five-year non-aggression pact. [10] April 14 * First massive German raid in Paris France, 3,600 Jews rounded up. [1] * Jack Edmonson Australian corporal in Tobruk (Victoria Cross), dies. [1] * King Peter leaves Yugoslavia. [1] April 15 * First helicopter flight of one hour duration, Stratford Connecticut. [1]

571

April 16 * Josiah Charles Stamp first baron/statisician, dies. [1] * Little Theater at Adelphi Strand closes. [1] April 17 * Yugoslavia signs an armistice with Germany. [10] * British troop land in Iraq. [1] * Office of Price Administration established (to handle rationing). [1] April 18 * Alexander Korysis Prime Minister of Greece, commits suicide. [1] April 19 * Bertolt Brecht's "Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder", premieres in Zürich. [1] * Bulgarian troops invade Macedonia. [1] * Johanna Muller-Hermann composer, dies at age 63. [1] * Milk rationed in Holland. [1] April 20 * 100 German bombers attack Athens. [1] * Barend ter Haar Dutch lawyer, dies in Buchenwald at age 49. [1] April 21 * Greece surrenders to Nazi-Germany. [1] April 23 * Greece surrenders to Italy. [10] April 24 * The Greek government surrenders to Germany. [10] * British army begins evacuation of Greece. [1] * Dutch Prince Bernhard becomes an RAF pilot. [1] April 25 * Operation Merkur Hitler orders conquest of Kreta. [1] April 26

572

* Jean Demoor Belgian physician/physiologist/educationalist, dies at age 74. [1] * Potatoes rationed in Holland. [1] April 27 * German troops occupy Athens Greece. [1] April 28 * Last British troops in Greece surrenders. [1] April 30 * Spread of Judaism begins in Croatia. [1] May 1 * "Citizen Kane", directed by and starring Orson Welles, premieres in New York. [1] * General Mills introduces Cheerios. [1] * German assault on Tobruk. [1] * John R Locksmith de Brown vicar/CHU-politician, dies at age 71. [1] May 2 * US Federal Communications Commission approves regular scheduled commercial TV broadcasts to begin July 1. [1] * Martin Bormann succeeds Rudolf Hess as Hitler's deputy. [1] * Nazi occupied Netherlands layoff Jewish journalists. [1] * Ted Williams lowest average (.308) in the year he hit over .400. [1] May 3 * German air raid on Liverpool. [1] May 5 * Two Fokker's employees flee Nazi occupied Netherlands to England. [1] * Haile Selassie returns to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reclaim his throne. [10] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Robert E Sherwood (There shall be no night). [1] May 6 * Joseph Stalin became premier of Russia. [1] * At California's March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show. [5]

573

May 7 * British House of Commons votes for Churchill (477-3). [1] * Cornerstone of Bank of America building at 300 Montgomery laid. [1] * David Wijnkoop revolutionary socialist, dies. [1] * French Deputy Premier Jean Darlan concludes a secret treaty with Germany, allowing German arms shipments across Syria to Iraq. [10] * Glenn Miller records "Chattanooga Choo Choo" for RCA. [1] May 8 * German Q-ship Pinguin sinks in Indian Ocean. [1] * Heinrich Zollner composer, dies at age 86. [1] * HMS Bulldog captures German submarine U-110 off Iceland. An Enigma encoding machine is captured, and captain Fritz-Julius Lemp (responsible for sinking passenger liner Athenia at start of war) taken prisoner. [10] May 9 * A peace treaty is signed between Vichy France and Siam, granting large areas of Cambodia and Laos to Siam. [10] * English Army breaks German spy codes. [1] May 10 * (1745 hours) Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's deputy, leaves in a plane from Augsburg, landing near Glasgow, Scotland, where he is captured. [10] * England's House of Commons and Holborn Theater destroyed in a blitz. [1] * Queen Wilhelmina on Radio Orange warns against treason. [1] May 11 * First Messerschmidt 109F shot down above England. [1] May 12 * Great British convoy marches into Alexandria. [1] May 13 * Martin Bormann is named head of Nazi Party Chancellery in Germany. [1] * Trial against resistance fighter comte d'Estienne d'Orves begins. [1] * Willy Lewis' US jazz band performs in Switzerland. [1] May 14

574

* 3,600 Parisian Jews arrested. [1] May 15 * First British turbojet flies. [1] * British attack Halfaya-pass and Fort Capuzzo in Egypt and Libya. [1] * Nazi occupiers in Netherlands forbid Jewish music. [1] May 16 * Italian army under Aosta surrenders to Britain at Amba Alagi Ethiopia. [1] * Last great German air attack on Great Britain (Birmingham). [1] * Nazis forbid Dutch Organization of Actors (NOT). [1] May 17 * Pennsylvania declares legal holiday to honor Athletics manager Connie Mack. [1] May 18 * An Egyptian steamer sinks. [1] * Italian army under General Aosta surrenders to Britain in Ethiopia. [1] * Jewish veterans honor their dead. [1] May 19 * German occupiers in Holland forbid bicycle taxis. [1] * New Nazi battleship Bismarck leaves Gdynia, Poland. [1] * Werner Sombart Marxist economist (Händler und Heroes), dies at age 78. [1] * Soviet NKGB agent Richard Sorge in Japan warns Josef Stalin that nine German armies with 150 divisions are preparing for war with the Soviet Union. Stalin rejects the credibility of the information. [10] May 20 * Archer's "The Christian Calendar and the Gregorian Reform" published. [1] * Former Dutch Prime Minister Colijn says Netherlands Indies not ready for independence. [1] * (just after dawn) Operation Mercury is launched, as German gliders and 7th Airborne Division paratroopers land near principal airports on Crete, with the mission of securing them for transport of 5th Division troops. Many gliders crash, and many paratroopers are shot in the air. [10] May 21 * First US ship sunk by a U-boat (SS Robin Moore). [1]

575

* German airforce occupies airport at Maleme Kreta. [1] * Singer Johan Heesters visits Dachau concentration camp. [1] May 22 * British troops attack Baghdad. [1] May 23 * Lord Herbert Austin motor manufacturer, dies. [1] * Slavko Osterc composer, dies at age 45. [1] May 24 * (0601 hours) The fifth shot from the Bismarck hits the Hood, penetrating the deck to the main ammunition magazine and explodes, destroying the ship. Only three of a crew of 1422 survive. [10] * Lancelot Holland British Vice-Admiral ((WWII/Hood), dies in battle. [1] May 25 * 5,000 drown in a storm at Ganges Delta region in India. [1] * Ted Williams raises his batting average over .400 for first time in 1941. [1] May 26 * American Flag House (Betsy Ross' Home) given to city of Philadelphia. [1] * Ark Royal airplane sights German battleship Bismarck. [1] * German occupiers begin youth labor. [1] * Swordfish planes launch torpedo attacks on the Bismarck. Two hits are scored, one knocking out the steering gear, jamming the rudder at 15 degrees to port. Another torpedo strikes amidships, doing little damage. [10] May 27 * AH Borgesius tutor/experimentator/amateur astronomer, dies at age 76. [1] * Allied troops begin evacuating Kreta. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt proclaimes an "unlimited national emergency" due to Germany's sinking of Robin Moor. [1] * (1040 hours) The German battleship Bismarck sinks, in the North Atlantic near France, either from British shells and torpedoes, or from the German sailors scuttling it. 115 survive from a crew of over 2200. [10] [129] * Günther Lütjens German Admiral (Bismarck), dies. [1] May 28

576

* British army begins evacuation of Kreta. [1] May 29 * 293 Disney animators, members of the Screen Cartoonists Guild, stage a strike of the Disney Studios in the USA. More than 1000 picketers appear in the first hour. [6] May 30 * First anti semitic measures in Serbia. [1] * English Army enters Baghdad, chasing pro-German coup government. [1] * German capture Kreta. [1] May 31 * First issue of "Parade" goes on sale. [1] * 32.0 cm rain falls on Burlington Kansas (state record). [1] * 41 U boats sunk this month (325,000 ton). [1] * British troops vacate Kreta. [1] * German occupiers forbids Jews access to beach and swimming pools. [1] June 1 * 31.98 cm (12.59") rainfall, Burlington, Kansas (state 24-hr record). [1] * Germany bans all Catholic publications. [1] * Evacuation of Crete ends; the remaining 9,000 British and 1,000 Greek soldiers surrender. Total losses of manpower in the fight for the island: British army 12,000; navy 2,000; Greek 5,000; German 6,000. [10] June 3 * Author Irving Wallace marries writer Sylvia Kahn. [1] June 6 * First navy vessel constructed as mine layer Terror launched. [1] June 10 * Marcus Garvey dies at age 52 in London England. [1] June 14 * Ground broken for Boeing Plant II (ex-AFLC Plant 13) Wichita KS. [1] June 16

577

* First US federally owned airport opened Washington DC. [1] June 18 * Turkey and Germany sign a Treaty of Non-Aggression. [10] June 22 * Finland invades Karelia. [1] * (0316 hours) Germany launches Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union along an 1100-mile front, with three million soldiers, the largest invasion in history. Army Group Center, commanded by Fedor von Bock, attacks north of the Pripet Marshes from Brest-Litovsk. Army Group North, commanded by Wilhelm von Leeb, attacks through Baltic states heading to Leningrad. Army Group South, commanded by Gerd von Rundstedt, attacks south of Pripet Marshes toward Kiev. In the south, the 11th Army of Romanians and Germans attack across the Pruth River into Bessarabia. German planes begin bombing and strafing Soviet airfields. By the end of day, 1200 Russian aircraft are destroyed. [10] June 25 * Franklin Roosevelt issues Executive Order 8802 forbidding discrimination. [1] June 26 * Finland enters WW II against Russia. [1] June 29 * Ignace Paderewski Polish statesman pianist, dies in New York at age 80. [1] 1941 July 1 * First commercial TV licenses granted-W2XBS-WNBT (NBC) and WCBW (CBS), New York City. [1] * Bulova Watch Co. pays $9 for first ever network TV commercial. [1] * Joe Dimaggio on way to 56, ties Willie Keeler's 44 game hit streak. [1] July 2 * DiMaggio breaks Willie Keeler's 44 game hitting streak (45th of 56). [1] July 4

578

* Howard Florey and Norman Heatley meet for the first time, 11 days later. [1] July 7 * US forces land in Iceland to forestall Nazi invasion. [1] July 10 * Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton pioneer jazz pianist, dies at age 56 in Louisiana. [1] July 15 * In the Soviet Union, Smolensk falls to German Army Group Centre. [10] * Florey and Heatley present freeze dried mold cultures (Pencillin). [1] July 16 * 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) highest temperature ever recorded in Seattle Washington. [1] * Joe Dimaggio goes three for 4, hitting in his 56th straight game. [1] * A large pocket of about 300,000 Soviet forces surrender in Smolensk. [10] July 17 * Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak ends. [1] July 19 * First US Army flying school for black cadets dedicted (Tuskegee Ala). [1] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill launched his "V for Victory" campaign. [1] * President Roosevelt appointed FEP Committee. [1] July 26 * Marx Dormoy French socialist, killed by a time bomb. [1] July 27 * Japanese forces land in Indo-China. [1] August 1 * The first Jeep is produced. [5] August 2

579

* Jews are expelled from Hungarian Ruthenia. [1] August 4 * A large pocket of about 100,000 Soviet forces surrender in Uman. [10] August 7 * 551 Jews are shot in Kishnev ghetto in Romania. [1] August 12 * French Marshal Henri Petain gave full support to Nazi Germany. [1] August 14 * US President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill create the Atlantic Charter, the basis for their wartime alliance. They pledge that they seek to gain no territory, they desire no territory changes outside of the choices of people, they respect the right of people to choose their own form of government, and that sovereign rights are to be restored and self-government given to those forcibly deprived of it. [10] August 21 * Adolf Hitler decides against concentrating attacks on Moscow, and orders central forces south to help capture Kiev. [10] August 29 * American animator Walter Lantz marries Broadway and screen actress Grace Stafford. [36.39] August 30 * Siege of Leningrad by Nazi troops began during WW II. [1] August 31 * Great Gildersleeve, a spin-off of Fibber McGee and Molly debuts on NBC. [1] September 1 * Yellow star becomes obligatory for Jews in the Reich to wear. [1]

580

September 5 * German Army Group North completes occupation of Estonia. [10] September 6 * All Jews over age 6 in German territories ordered to wear a star. [1] * Jews of Vilna Poland are confined to a ghetto. [1] September 8 * Entire Jewish community of Meretsch, Lithuania is exterminated. [1] * In Russia, German forces cut off and set siege to Leningrad. [10] September 11 * Ground is broken for construction of The Pentagon. [5] * Charles Lindbergh, charges "the British, the Jewish and the Roosevelt administration" are trying to get the US into WW II. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt orders any Axis ship found in American waters be shot on sight. [1] September 12 * First German ship in WW2 captured by US ship (Busko). [1] September 15 * German armored columns meet up at Lokhutsa, 125 miles east of Kiev, surrounding about 500,000 Soviet forces inside. [10] * Nazis kill 800 Jewish women at Shkudvil Lithuania. [1] September 19 * In the Grand Harbor of Gibraltar, the British naval tanker Denbydale, cargo ship Durham, and tanker Fiona Shell explode from charges attached by midget submarines of the Italian navy. [10] * In the Soviet Union, Kiev falls to German Army Group South forces. 665,000 men are captured, the largest number of prisoners ever captured in one battle, and the largest single military success in history. Kiev was defended for 72 days. [10] September 24 * Nine Allied governments pledged adherence to Atlantic Charter. [1] September 27

581

* First WW II liberty ship, freighter Patrick Henry, launched. [1] September 29 * Adolf Hitler issues an order regarding the future of Leningrad. The entire city and all inhabitants are to be "wiped from the face of the earth". [10] September 30 * 3,721 Jews are buried alive at Babi Yar ravine (near Kiev) Ukraine. [1] * Operation Typhoon begins, an attack by German forces on Moscow. Field Marshal Fedor von Bock commands 70 divisions of Army Group Center with Günther Von Kluge's 4th Army and Strauss' 9th Army. [10] October 2 * Six Parisian synagogues are bombed. [1] October 5 * Louis D Brandeis first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, dies at age 84. [1] * Soviet Premier Josef Stalin receives a radio message from spy Richard Sorge in Tokyo, Japan, that Japan would go to war with the United States soon. Stalin orders twelve divisions (1700 tanks, 1500 planes, 2,500,000 men) from eastern Siberia and Outer Mongolia to come to the defense of Moscow. [10] October 6 * A large pocket of about 100,000 Soviet forces surrender near Kharkov and the Donets river. [10] October 12 * Russian government moves from Moscow to Volga as Nazis close in on Moscow. [1] October 15 * Jews caught outside the Polish Ghetto walls could be put to death. [1] October 16 * "Gordo" comic strip (by Gus Arriola) first appears in newspapers. [1] * Germany advances within 60 miles (96 K) of Moscow. [1] * In Japan, Prince Fumimaro Konoye resigns his cabinet. War minister General Hideki Tojo becomes new prime minister. [10]

582

October 17 * First US destroyer (Kearney) torpedoed in WW II, off Iceland. [1] * In the Soviet Union, German forces capture Odessa. [10] October 20 * Soviet resistance surrounded in Bryansk ceases. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners are taken. [10] October 23 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film Dumbo to theaters in the USA. [6] October 26 * US savings bonds go on sale. [1] October 27 * Chicago Daily Tribune editorialize there will not be war with Japan. [1] October 31 * German submarine U-562 torpedoes American destroyer USS Reuben James while escorting a British convoy west of Ireland. 115 Americans die. [10] * The Mount Rushmore monument is completed. [5] November 1 * The US extends a lend-lease loan of US$1 billion to the Soviet Union. [10] November 12 * Germany's drive to take Moscow halted. [1] November 13 * (1538 hours) In the Mediterranean, German submarine U-81 fires three torpedoes at British aircraft carrier Ark Royal. One hits the ship below the superstructure, cutting off all communication from the bridge. One crewman dies in the blast. [10] November 14

583

* (0613 hours) British carrier Ark Royal rolls over, and sinks. [10] November 15 * German forces in Russia make a final push for Moscow before winter sets in. The German 4th Army makes a frontal assault, while Panzer groups attack toward the north and south-east. [10] * Cow Palace opens in San Francisco. [1] November 18 * British forces in North Africa launch Operation Crusader, a major effort to take Libya. [10] November 21 * Juanita Spellini first woman executed in California. [1] * German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's army group seizes Rostov on the Don river. [10] November 26 * US President Franklin Roosevelt signs a bill officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. [129] * A Japanese task force of six aircraft carriers, two battleships, and several destroyers and cruisers begins sailing from northern Japan to Hawaii. [10] * Lebanon gains independence from France. [1] November 27 * The German Panzer group attacking to the north of Moscow advances within 18 miles of the city. The southern group advances to within 32 miles of Kolomna, sixty miles south-east of Moscow. The offensive is halted by winter weather and Russian counterattacks. [10] * US Secretary of War Stimson, acting for President Franklin Roosevelt, sends a general war warning to all US commands. US Chief of Naval Operations signals to Atlantic and Pacific fleet commanders "an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days". [10] November 29 * Soviet forces begin major counterattacks in the Moscow area. [10] * The Soviet Red Army recaptures Rostov. [10] November 30

584

* 101-year-old Nyack-Tarrytown (New York) ferry makes its last run. [1] December 1 * British cruiser Devonshire sinks German submarine Python. [1] * Japanese emperor Hirohito signs declaration of war. [1] * US Civil Air Patrol (CAP) organizes. [1] December 2 * Largest roller skating rink (outside of New York City) opens in Peekskill New York. [1] * Naval Intelligence ceases bugging Japanese consul. [1] * Yamamoto sends his fleet to Pearl Harbor. [1] December 3 * Hitler views Poltava Ukraine. [1] * Johann Christian August Sinding composer, dies at age 85. [1] December 4 * Nazi ordinances places Jews of Poland outside protection of courts. [1] December 5 * Patrick Hamilton's "Angel Street" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Russian anti offensive in Moscow drives out nazi army. [1] * Sister Elizabeth Kenny new treatment for infantile paralysis approved. [1] * US aircraft carrier Lexington/5 heavy cruisers leave Pearl Harbor. [1] December 6 * The British government declares war on Finland, Hungary, and Romania. [10] * Anthony G Kröller entrepreneur/government advisor, dies. [1] * Dutch and British pilots see Japanese invasion fleet at Singapore. [1] * King Leopold of Belgium marries Lilian Baels. [1] * New York City Council agrees to build Idlewild (Kennedy) Airport in Queens. [1] December 7 * First Japanese submarine sunk by a US ship (USS Ward). [1] * Australian bombers land on Timor/Ambon. [1] * Cecil Forsyth composer, dies at age 71. [1] * Futshida's air fleet passes coastline of Oahu. [1] * German siege of Tobruk after 8 months ends. [1]

585

* Iida Japanese pilot/lieutenant, dies in battle at age 28. [1] * (before 0800 hours) Japan attacks the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. [10] * (0810 hours) In Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona is stuck by a 1760-pound aerial armor-piercing bomb, which detonates over one million pounds of gunpowder in the ship's forward deck, killing 1177 crewmen. [10] * (0945 hours) Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor end. 2403 Americans are dead, with 1178 wounded. Eighteen major fighting ships are sunk, and 188 aircraft are destroyed. [10] * Within hours of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the British War Cabinet meets, and declares war on Japan. [10] * Canada declares war on Japan. [10] * Nacht and Nebel Erlass, resistance fighter sent to concentration camps. [1] December 8 * (0800 hours) Japanese forces begin an assault on Hong Kong. Japanese aircraft attack the Kai Tak airport on Hong Kong, destroying or damaging all six Royal Air Force aircraft in the first few minutes. [10] * Destruction Camp Chelmo opens. [1] * London: Dutch government declares Japan the war. [1] * Russian 16th army recaptures Krijukovo. [1] * San Francisco first blackout, at 6:15 PM. [1] * American President Roosevelt makes a speech in Congress, declaring December 7 "a date which will live in infamy". Congress declares war on Japan. [10] * Japanese bombers and fighters attack Luzon in the Philippine Islands. They destroy many Curtiss P-40 fighters, B-17 bombers, and one of two operational radar stations. [10] December 9 * First US WWII bombing mission in the Far East, Luzon, Philippines. [1] * 300 Montgomery, San Francisco opens as new Bank of America headquarters. [1] * China declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy. [1] * Citizen Register reports "Hostile planes reported nearing Westchester". [1] * Hitler orders US ships torpedoed. [1] * Leonard "Leo" Polak Dutch philosopher, dies in Sachsenhausen at age 61. [1] December 10 * Japanese bombers sink British battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse in the Gulf of Siam. [10] * Japanese troops land on northern Luzon in the Philippines. [1] * Japanese forces capture Guam. [10] December 11

586

* Dutch government in London declares war on Italy. [1] * In the Reichstag in Germany, Adolf Hitler announces his declaration of war on the United States. [10] * Italy declares war on the United States. [10] * The U.S. Congress declares war on Germany and Italy. [10] * Japanese attack Wake Island (only failed WWII-landing). [1] * A peace treaty is signed between Japan and Siam. Japan grants to Siam former Siamese territories in Laos, part of northern Malaya, and part of Burma. The Japanese 15th Army crosses Siam into Burma. [10] * Germany, Italy, and Japan sign an agreement on joint prosecution of the war. Each promises to pursue the war against Great Britain and the United States, and to make peace only by mutual agreement. [10] December 12 * European reservists on Java mobilizes. [1] * German occupying army do a house search in Paris looking for Jews. [1] * Russian 20th army recaptures Soljetsjnogorsk. [1] December 13 * German occupiers forbid National Front and Netherlands Union. [1] * Lawine battlers destroy Haaraz, Peru; about 3,000 die. [1] * U-81 torpedoes British aircraft carrier Ark Royal. [1] * Bulgaria declares war on Great Britain and the United States. [10] * Hungary declares war on Great Britain and the United States. [10] December 14 * Prime Minister Winston Churchill travels to US on board HMS Duke of York. [1] * U-557 torpedoes British cruiser Galatea. [1] December 15 * Gas/electrical use restricted in Holland. [1] * German submarine U-127 sinks. [1] * Nazi's transfers 100 Czechoslovakian citizens/Heinrich Himmler falls faint. [1] * North Africa: allied assault up Italians Gazala-posing. [1] * USS Swordfish becomes first US submarine to sink a Japanese ship. [1] December 16 * Sarawak occupied by the Japanese. [1] December 17

587

* Dutch and Australian troops lands on Portuguese-Timor. [1] * German submarine U-31 sunk. [1] * Japanese forces invade Borneo, landing at Sarawak on the north-west coast. [10] * German troops led by Rommel begin retreating in North Africa. [1] December 18 * German submarine U-434 sinks. [1] * Japanese forces begin the invasion of Hong Kong Island, crossing the strait of Lye Mun Passage. [10] * In the Alexandria harbor, torpedoes explode under British battleships Valiant and Queen Elizabeth, planted by Italian navy divers. [10] December 19 * German submarine U-574 sinks. [1] * Hitler takes complete command of German Army. [1] * L M Dovator Russian general, dies in battle. [1] * US Office of Censorship created to control info pertaining to WWII. [1] December 20 * Free France under Admiral Muselier occupies St-Pierre et Miquélon. [1] * Japanese troops lands on Mindanao. [1] December 21 * David Diamond's first Symphony, premieres. [1] * Siam enters into an alliance with Japan. [10] * German submarine U-567 sinks. [1] December 22 * Japan's invasion leader lands on Luzon, Philippines. [1] * Leopoldo Mugnone composer, dies at age 83. [1] * Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrives in Washington DC for a wartime conference. [1] * Tito establishes first Proletarian Brigade in Yugoslavia. [1] December 23 * American forces on Wake Island surrender to Japanese. [1] * British troops overrun Benghazi Libya. [1] * Japan begins assault on Rangoon Burma. [1] December 24

588

* First ships of Admiral Nagumo's Pearl Harbor-fleet return to Japan. [1] * (about 0930 hours) US forces on Wake Island surrender to the Japanese. [10] December 25 * (1515 hours Hong Kong) Hong Kong, with Canadian and British troops, surrenders to Japan. Nearly 2000 died in the fight. [10] * Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi/Kagu back in Kure, Japan. [1] December 26 * Winston Churchill becomes first British Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of Congress, warning that the Axis would "stop at nothing". [1] December 27 * Japan bombs Manila even though it was declared an "open city". [1] * Siberia: Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 7th Symphony. [1] December 28 * State of siege goes into effect in Bohemia/Moravia. [1] December 29 * Japanese forces begin an attack on Corregidor, Philippines. [10] December 30 * Al Capone's son Sonny marries in Miami Beach. [1] * Nazis require Dutch physicians to join Nazi organization. [1] * Winston Churchill addresses Canadian parliament. [1] December 31 * Sigwart Aspestrand composer, dies at age 85. [1] * American Admiral Chester Nimitz takes command of the US Pacific Fleet. [10] * Young Park (2) in the Bronx named in honor of Samuel Young. [1]

589

1942 January 1 * Jaroslav Jezek composer, dies at age 35. [1] * In Washington, D.C., representatives of 26 countries sign the Declaration of United Nations. [10] * Japanese forces enter Manila in the Philippines. [10] January 2 * The 28 nations at war with the Axis pledge no separate peace. [1] [37] * German troops in Bardia surrender. [1] * Japanese troops occupy Manila Philippines. [1] January 3 * American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command forms. [1] * Pauline Beersmans [PLJM van Cuyck], Flemish actress, dies at age 70. [1] January 4 * Leon Jessel composer, dies at age 70. [1] * Premier Churchill and General Marshall fly to Florida. [1] January 5 * 55 German tanks reach North-Africa. [1] * Yves Paringaux French chief of staff, murdered. [1] January 6 * First around world flight (Pan Am "Pacific Clipper"). [1] * Bob Feller, enlists in Navy and reports for duty to Norfolk Virginia. [1] January 7 * Henry Count of Baillet-Latour, president of International Olympic Committee (192542), dies at age 63. [1] * WWII siege of Bataan starts. [1] January 8 * Arvo Hannikainen composer, dies at age 44. [1] January 9

590

* US Joint Chiefs of Staff created. [1] January 10 * Japan invades North-Celebes, Dutch East Indies. [1] January 11 * -23 degrees F (-31 degrees C), Kingston RI (state record). [1] * Japanese forces invade the Netherlands East Indies on Borneo. [10] * Japan conquers Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. [1] January 12 * British troops reconquer Sollum. [1] * Dutch troops on Tarakan surrender. [1] * National War Labor Board created. [1] January 13 * Allied Conference for war trials. [1] * German submarines begin harassing shipping on US east coast. [1] [37] * Henry Ford patents a method of constructing plastic auto bodies. [1] * Interallied war trial conference publishes Saint James Declaration. [1] * The Dutch garrison surrenders Borneo to the Japanese. [10] January 14 * Japanese troops land at oil center Balikpapan in Borneo. [1] January 15 * Chicago Cubs, drop plans to install lights at Wrigley due to WWII. [1] January 16 * Barbara Lynn [Ozen], US singer (You'll Lose a Good Thing), dies. [1] * Carole Lombard actress, (Bolero), killed in plane crash (along with her mother and 20 others) at age 32. [1] * William Knudsen becomes first civilian appointed a General in US army. [1] January 17 * Frederick Jerome Work composer, dies at age 61. [1]

591

January 18 * Nazis arrest journalists Frans Goedhart and Wiardi Beckman. [1] January 19 * Japanese forces invade Burma. [1] * Titus Brandsma (Carmelite priest) arrested by German occupiers for speaking out against Nazism as a "lie" and "pagan". [1] January 20 * Japanese air raid on Rabaul New Britain. [1] * Japanese forces cross the Thai border into Burma, making a major thrust toward Rangoon. [10] * Nazi officials hold notorious Wannsee conference in Berlin deciding on "final solution" calling for extermination of Europe's Jews. [1] January 21 * Bronx magistrate rules all pinball machines illegal. [1] * Count Basie records "One O'Clock Jump". [1] * Henryk Opienski Polish composer/musicologist/conductor, dies at age 72. [1] * Japanese air raid on Rabaul New Britain. [1] * Tito's partisans occupy Foca. [1] January 22 * Japanese air raid on Rabaul, New Britain. [1] * Reimond Tollenaere leader Flemish National Front, dies at age 81. [1] * Sietze de Groot wins 8th Dutch 11 city skate (8 44 06). [1] * Walter Richard Sickert British painter (Free House!), dies at age 81. [1] January 23 * Japanese troops occupy Rabaul New Britain. [1] * Tank battle at Adzjedabia, African corps versus British army. [1] January 24 * Musical "Star and Garter" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 25 * Eugene Samuel-Holeman composer, dies at age 78. [1] * Siam declares war on the United Kingdom. [10]

592

January 26 * First US force in Europe during WWII goes ashore in Northern Ireland. [1] * Gerard L F Philips Dutch manufacturer (Philips), dies at age 83. [1] * Italian supreme command demands dismissal of German marshal Rommel. [1] January 27 * -19 degrees F (-27.4 degrees C), Netherlands' coldest day since 1850. [1] January 28 * General Timoshenko's troops move into Ukraine. [1] * German troops occupy Benghazi Libya. [1] * Pablo Luna y Carne composer, dies at age 61. [1] January 29 * First broadcast of Roy Plomley's "Desert Island Discs" on BBC. [1] * German and Italian troops occupy Benghazi. [1] * Ladislao Joseph Philip Paul Zavrtal composer, dies at age 92. [1] * Peru and Ecuador sign Protocol of Rio (boundary determination). [1] January 30 * Japanese troops land on Ambon. [1] * Vasily Pavovlich Kalafati composer, dies at age 72. [1] January 31 * 62 U boats sunk this month (327,000 ton). [1] February 1 * Second Norwegian government of Quisling forms. [1] February 2 * Los Angeles Times urges security measures against Japanese-Americans. [1] * US auto factories switch from commercial to war production. [1] February 3 * First Japanese air raid on Java. [1]

593

February 4 * Clinton Pierce becomes first US General wounded in action in WWII. [1] February 5 * "Woman of the Year", starring Hepburn and Tracy, opens at Radio City. [1] February 6 * Wobbe de Vries Dutch linguist, dies at age 78. [1] February 7 * First indoor 15' pole vault (Cornelius Warmerdam 15' 3/8"). [1] February 8 * US Congress advises Franklin Roosevelt that, Americans of Japanese descent should be locked up en masse so they wouldn't oppose the US war effort. [1] * Fritz Todt German Reichs minister (Organization Todt), dies at age 50. [1] * Stravinsky's "Danses Concertantes" premieres in Los Angeles. [1] * (evening) Japanese assault troops cross from Johore and land on Singapore, attacking along an eight-mile stretch. [10] February 9 * In New York harbor, the USS Lafayette (formerly Normandie) is accidentally ignited by a welding torch during conversion for troopship use. While fighting the fire, too much water poured into the ship capsizes it, setting it on its side in the harbor. (Salvaging and pumping out water takes 15 months and US$5 miliion.) [260.99] * Daylight Savings War Time goes into effect in US. [1] * Japanese troops land near Makassar, South Celebes. [1] February 11 * "Archie" comic book debuts. [1] February 12 * Three German battle cruisers escape via Channel to Brest N Germany. [1] * Grant Wood US painter (American Gothic), dies at age 49. [1] February 13 * Hitler's Operation Seelöwe (invasion of England) cancelled. [1]

594

February 14 * Japanese parachutists land near oil center Palembang Sumatra. [1] * Rotterdam's Maas tunnel opens. [1] February 15 * German U-boat shells at Antillian oil refinery. [1] * Guido Adler Austrian musicologist, dies at age 91. [1] * Japanese troops march into Palembang, South Sumatra. [1] * On Singapore, 130,000 British, Indian, and Australian men surrender to 35,000 Japanese forces, the greatest mass capitulation in British history. Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita accepts surrender of Singapore from British Lieutenant General A.E. Percival. [10] * Stanislav Binicki composer, dies at age 69. [1] February 16 * German submarines attack Aruba oil refinery. [1] February 18 * Japanese troop land on Bali. [1] February 19 * Over 100 Japanese planes attack Darwin, Australia, to destroy its usefulness as a reinforcement base for the East Indies. [10] * Dutch actors protest obligatory membership of Culture Chamber. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt orders detention and internment of all west-coast JapaneseAmericans. [1] * Japanese troop land on Timor. [1] * Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded "I'll Take Tallulah". [1] February 20 * Guido Gasperini composer, dies at age 76. [1] * Lieutenant E H O'Hare single-handedly shoots down five Japanese heavy bombers. [1] February 23 * Japanese submarine fires on oil refinery in Ellwood California. [1] * Stefan Zweig Austrian writer (Die Welt von Gestern), dies at age 60. [1]

595

February 24 * Voice of America begins broadcasting (in German). [1] February 25 * Leo Ascher composer, dies at age 61. [1] February 26 * German battle cruiser Gneisenau deactivated by bomb. [1] * Radio Orange calls for March 1 day of prayer in Dutch Indies. [1] * WWII Navy flier Don Mason sends message "Sighted sub sank same". [1] * Werner Heisenberger informs Nazis about uranium project "Wunderwaffen". [1] February 27 * First transport of French Jews to Nazi-Germany. [1] * Battle of Java Sea began 13 US warships sunk-2 Japanese. [1] * J S Hey discovers radio emissions from the Sun. [1] * Karel WFM Doorman Dutch Rear Admiral (Java Sea), KIA at age 52. [1] February 28 * First weapon drop on Netherlands. [1] * Japanese land in Java, last Allied bastion in Dutch East Indies. [1] * Race riot, Sojourner Truth Homes, Detroit. [1] March 1 * Three day Battle of Java Sea ends, US suffers a major naval defeat. [1] * J Milton Cage Jr's "Imaginary Landscape No 3" premieres in Chicago. [1] * Japanese troops occupy Kalidjati airport in Java. [1] * Suriname camp for NSB people opens to save Jews. [1] * Tito establishes second Proletarit Brigade in Bosnia. [1] March 2 * 14th Academy Awards: "How Green was My Valley", Gary Cooper and Joan Fontaine win. [1] * Admiral Helfrich departs Java for Ceylon. [1] March 3 * First combat flight for Canada's Avro Lancaster military plane. [1] * Amedeo Duke of Aosta, viceroy (Ethiopia), dies at age 43. [1]

596

March 4 * Yuliya Lazarevna Veysberg composer, dies at age 62. [1] March 5 * Bosnia Tito establishes third Proletarit Brigade in Bosnia. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich's 7th Symphony, premieres in Siberia. [1] * Japanese troop march into Batavia. [1] March 7 * Fifteen Mk-VB Spitfires reach Malta. [1] * First cadets graduated from flying school at Tuskegee. [1] March 8 * Rangoon, Burma, falls to Japanese forces. [10] * José R Capablanca Cuban chess player (world champion 1927), dies at age 53. [1] * KNIL, Dutch colonial army on Java, surrenders to Japanese armies. [1] March 9 * Dutch colonial authorities surrender the islands of the Netherlands East Indies. All Allied forces in the Netherlands East Indies surrender unconditionally to Japan. [10] * Construction of the Alaska Highway began. [1] March 11 * First deportation train leaves Paris France for Auschewitz Concentration Camp. [1] * General MacArthur leaves Corregidor (Bataan) for Australia. [1] * Japanese troop land on North-Sumatra. [1] March 12 * British troops vacate the Andamanen in Gulf of Bengal. [1] * Enrique Morera composer, dies at age 76. [1] March 13 * Julia Flikke, Nurse Corps, becomes first woman colonel in US army. [1] March 14

597

* John Bumstead and Orvan Hess become the first in the world to successfully treat a patient using penicillin. [5] March 15 * Alexander van Zemlinsky Austrian/US composer (African Dance), dies at age 70. [1] March 16 * Alexander van Zemlinsky Austrian composer (African Dance), dies at age 69. [1] March 17 * Belzec Concentration Camp opens-30,000 Lublin Polish Jews transported. [1] * General Doug MacArthur arrives in Australia to become supreme commander. [1] March 18 * Illegal Free Netherlands announces boycott of theaters. [1] March 19 * Franklin Roosevelt orders men between 45 and 64 to register for non military duty. [1] * Thoroughbred Racing Association of US formed in Chicago. [1] March 20 * Convoy PQ13 departs Reykjavik Iceland to Russia. [1] * General MacArthur vows, "I shall return". [1] * Major German assault on Malta. [1] * Theodoro Valcarcel composer, dies at age 41. [1] March 21 * Captain Morávec Czechoslovakian resistance fighter, commit suicide. [1] * Convoy QP9 departs Great Britain to Murmansk. [1] * Heavy German assault on Malta. [1] March 22 * Heavy German assault on Malta. [1] March 23 * 2,500 Jews of Lublin massacred or deported. [1]

598

* Japanese forces occupy Andaman Islands in Indian Ocean. [1] * US move native-born of Japanese ancestry into detention centers. [1] March 25 * 700 Jews of Polish Lvov-district reach Belzec Concentration camp. [1] March 26 * First "Eichmann transport" to Auschwitz and Birkenau Camps. [1] * First 700 Jews from Polish Lvov-district reach concentration camp Belzec. [1] * 20 tons of gelignite kills 21 in a stone quarry in Easton Pennsylvania. [1] * German offensive in North-Africa under Colonel-General Rommel. [1] March 27 * A British commando raid is staged on St. Nazaire, France. A huge dry dock is destroyed, the only one capable of servicing German battleships on the Atlantic. [10] * Japan forces Java to use "Tokyo time" 1.5 hour forward. [1] March 28 * Herman A van Karnebeek Dutch foreign minister (1918-27), dies at age 67. [1] * Miguel Hernadez Gilabert Spanish poet (Viento del Pueblo), dies at age 31. [1] * (evening) 234 British aircraft attack Lübeck, Germany. 12 planes are shot down. One-third of the area is burned, leaving 16,000 homeless. The central power station and several factories are destroyed. This raid is the first to have a major impact on the German homeland. The port is closed for three weeks. A week later Joseph Goebbels writes in his diary: "The damage is enormous. It is horrible." British Deputy Chief of Air Staff Arthur Harris writes of the attack, ". . . the first German city went up in flames". [10] March 29 * British cruiser Trinidad torpedoes itself in the Barents Sea. [1] * British destroyer Campbeltown explodes in St-Nazaire; 400 Germans die. [1] * German submarine U-585 sinks. [1] March 30 * First RSHA-transport from France arrives in camp Birkenau. [1] * Alfred Coville French historian (Lesson premier Valois), dies at age 81. [1] * SS murders 200 inmates of Trawniki labor camp. [1] April 1

599

* Allied air raid on harbor city Kupang Timor. [1] * México changes from three time zones to 2. [1] April 3 * Albert Siklos composer, dies at age 63. [1] * Paul Gilson composer, dies at age 76. [1] April 5 * The Japanese Combined Fleet of Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo attacks Colombo, Ceylon, with 91 bomber and 36 fighter aircraft. They sink armed merchant cruiser Hector and destroyer Tenedoes in the harbor. They damage the submarine depot vessel Lucia and merchant ship Benledi. Nineteen Hawker Hurricanes, six Fairey Swordfish, one Fairey Albacore, and one Consolidated Catalina are destroyed. The Japanese force loses six Aichi D3A1 dive bombers, and one Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero fighter. Fifteen other aircraft are damaged. [10] * (1340 hours) Near Ceylon, 53 D3A1 planes from Japanese carriers Akagi, Soryu, and Hiryu attack British heavy cruisers Cornwall and Dorsetshire, sinking both in fifteen minutes. [10] April 7 * Heavy German assault on Malta. [1] April 8 * A Schoenberg and Tudor's ballet "Pillar of Fire", premieres in New York City. [1] * Alfred Mombert writer, dies. [1] April 9 * American General Jonathan Wainwright's American and Filipino forces on Bataan, Philippines, surrender to the Japanese. [10] April 10 * Cigarettes and candy rationed in Holland. [1] April 11 * Distinguished Service Medal for Merchant Marines authorized. [1] April 12 * Japan kills about 400 Filipino officers in Bataan. [1]

600

* Johannes E Akkeringa Dutch painter/etcher, dies at age 80. [1] April 13 * Henk Sneevliet leader of Dutch RSAP/Spartacus, executed at age 58. [1] April 14 * Destroyer Roper sinks German U-85 of US east coast. [1] April 15 * The British George Cross is awarded to the Island Fortress of Malta for their endurance and defiance against enemy forces. [10] * Robert Musil Austrian writer (Mann ohne Eigenschaften), dies at age 61. [1] April 16 * Japanese occupying army on Java installs film censorship. [1] * King George VI awards George Cross to Island of Malta. [1] April 17 * Twelve Lancasters bombs MAN-factory in Augsburg. [1] * Operations begin to destroy Sobibor Concentration Camp. [1] April 18 * "Stars and Stripes" paper for US armed forces starts. [1] * (about 1215 hours) Sixteen American B-25 bombers lead by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle bomb Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe, Japan. The planes were launched from the carrier Hornet 668 miles off Tokyo. 73 of the 80 crew survive as the planes land in China. [10] April 20 * German occupiers forbid Dutch access to their beach. [1] * Heavy German assault on Malta. [1] April 23 * 4-day allied bombing on Rostock begins. [1] * Luftwaffe bombs Exeter. [1] * Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear President of Argentina (1922-28), dies at age 73. [1] April 24

601

* Luftwaffe bombs Exeter. [1] April 25 * Luftwaffe bombs Bath. [1] * Paul Kornfeld writer, dies at age 52. [1] April 26 * Colliery explosion kills 1,549 at Honkeiko Manchuria. [1] * Luftwaffe bombs Bath. [1] * (evening) British Bomber Command launches a fourth and final attack on Rostock, Germany. Over the past four nights of attacks, 70% of the city is destroyed. Of 521 sorties in total, only 11 planes are shot down. The Heinkel aircraft factory is hit, but is back in production in a few weeks. Joseph Goebbels and Adolf Hitler agree to retaliatory attacks on British cultural, resort, and civilization centers, to "bring the English to their senses". Goebbels writes in his diary: "They belong to a class of being to whom you can talk only after you have first knocked out their teeth." [10] April 27 * Belgium Jews are forced to wear stars. [1] * Tornado destroys Pryor Oklahoma killing 100, injuring 300. [1] April 28 * "WWII" titled so, as result of Gallup Poll. [1] * Nightly "dim-out" begins along the East Coast. [1] April 29 * Japanese troops march into Lashio, cut off Burma Road. [1] * Jews forced to wear a Jewish Star in Netherlands and Vichy-France. [1] April 30 * First submarine built on Great Lakes launched, (Peto), Manitowoc Wisconsin. [1] * Catherine Murphy Urner composer, dies at age 51. [1] * J van Hoddis writer, dies at age 54. [1] May 1 * Radio Orange calls to defy order to wear "Jewish star". [1] May 2

602

* Japanese troops occupy Mandalay Burma. [1] May 3 * Japanese troop attack Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo, Solomon Islands. [1] * Johan H Westerveld Lieutenant-Colonel/leader Order Service, executed. [1] * Luftwaffe bombs Exeter. [1] * Nazis execute 72 OD'ers in reprisial in Sachsenhausen, Netherlands. [1] * Nazis require Dutch Jews to wear a Jewish star. [1] May 4 * Battle of Coral Sea begun (first sea battle fought solely in air). [1] * Food first rationed in US. [1] * German occupiers imprison 450 prominent Dutch as hostages. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Ellen Glasgow (In this our Life). [1] May 5 * British assault on Diego Suarez Madagascar. [1] * US begins rationing sugar during WWII. [1] May 6 * Corregidor surrenders to the Japanese, putting all of the Philippines under Japanese control. [10] May 7 * (1135 hours) Torpedo planes from US carrier Yorktown put five torpedoes into Japanese carrier Shoho, sinking it. [10] * Felix Paul von Weingartner Austria conductor/composer, dies at age 79. [1] * Nazi decree orders all Jewish pregnant women of Kovno Ghetto executed. [1] May 8 * Battle of Coral Sea ends; Aircraft carrier Lexington sunk by Japanese air attack. [1] * German General Erich von Manstein's army launches a thrust into the Kerch peninsula of the Crimea, shattering three Russian armies, capturing 169,000 prisoners. [10] May 10 * Joseph M Weber comedian/singer (Weber and Lewis Fields), dies at age 74. [1]

603

May 11 * Japanese troops conquer Kalewa. [1] May 12 * Extermination of Jews begins at Auschwitz. [10] * David Ben-Gurion leaves Jewish state in Palestine. [1] * Nazi U-boat sinks American cargo ship at mouth of Mississippi River. [1] * Russia occupies Crackow, until August 23, 1943. [1] May 13 * Helicopter makes its first cross-country flight. [1] * Hyam Greenbaum composer, dies at age 41. [1] May 14 * US Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is founded. [1] May 15 * Gasoline first rationed in US (17 Eastern States). [1] * Nazi occupiers in Netherlands arrests 2,000 Dutch officers. [1] May 16 * First transport of British/Dutch prisoners to South Burma. [1] * Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski anthropologist, dies. [1] May 17 * Dutch SS vows loyalty to Hitler. [1] May 19 * [Nicoline] Magdalene Anchor-Roll Norwegian author (Enken), dies at age 69. [1] May 20 * US Navy first permitted black recruits to serve. [1] May 21 * Great Britain convoy PQ16 departs to Russia. [1]

604

May 22 * México declares war on Nazi-Germany and Japan. [1] May 26 * Great Britain and the Soviet Union conclude an alliance for twenty years. [10] * Belgian Jews are required by Nazis to wear a Jewish star. [1] * Tank battle at Bir Hakeim: African corps versus British army. [1] May 27 * Dorie Miller, awarded navy cross for deeds at Pearl Harbor. [1] * Italian army begin siege of French western Fort Bir Hachim. [1] * Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik, part of a Czechoslovak commando team from England, make an assassination attempt on Reinhard Heydrich in Prague. Heydrich is wounded by grenade shrapnel, and later dies of the wound. [10] May 28 * 1,800 Czechoslovakians murdered by Nazis during attack on Heydrich. [1] * Jean F van Royen German secretary PTT (Camp Amersfoort), dies. [1] May 29 * Bing Crosby records "White Christmas" greatest selling record to date. [1] * John Barrymore US actor (Beloved Rogue, Dinner at 8), dies at age 60. [1] May 30 * Operation Millennium begins, the first British 1000 bomber attack on a German city. Arthur Harris gambles all available aircraft in his command: front line, reserves, and much of the training organization. 95 fighters and Blenheim bombers begin with attacks on airfields, losing three aircraft in the process. Then 1047 bombers attack Cologne, dropping 915 tons of incendiaries and 840 tons of high explosives. Total loss of British planes is 41 aircraft. Over 600 acres are devastated, including 328 large factories, hundreds more smaller factories, some 2500 fires started, 469 people killed, 12,840 buildings destroyed, and 45,132 made homeless. This is the first bombing/reconnaissance mission of the Mosquito aircraft. [10] * Reichsführer Himmler arrives in Prague. [1] * US aircraft carrier Yorktown leaves Pearl Harbor. [1] May 31 * Luftwaffe bombs Canterbury. [1]

605

June 4 * (1030 hours) American planes pull away from their attack on the Japanese First Carrier Fleet off Midway Island. They leave carriers Kaga, Akagi, and Soryu burning uncontrollably. [10] [129] * Reinhard Heydrich dies of his wounds from an assassination attempt. Adolf Hitler appoints Karl Herman Frank as new protectorate of Czechoslovakia, and demands the execution of 10,000 Czechs. [10] * Capitol Record Company opens for business. [1] * (1700 hours) Near Midway Island, an American aerial attack by planes from the Enterprise and Yorktown against Japanese carrier Hiryu leaves it badly damaged. [10] June 5 * (0900 hours) Japanese carrier Hiryu is scuttled, near Midway Island. [10] * Elwood Ordnance Plant near Joliet Illinois kills 54. [1] June 6 * First nylon parachute jump (Hartford Connecticut-Adeline Gray). [1] * Nazis burn village of Lidice Bohemia, as reprisal of killing Heydrich. [1] June 7 * (morning) The US aircraft carrier Yorktown sinks near Midway Island. [10] * Losses at the Battle of Midway: US forces: 307 men, one aircraft carrier, one destroyer, 150 planes; Japanese forces: 2500-3500 men, 4 aircraft carriers, one cruiser, 322 planes. [10] [129] June 10 * German troops destroy the village of Lidice in Czechoslovakia, in retribution for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. The men are killed, the women taken to internment camps, and children taken to be raised by German families. The city is burned to the ground, 400 graves are dug up, and new roads are built. [10] June 11 * US and USSR sign Lend-Lease agreement during WW II. [1] June 12 * Tornado kills 35 in Oklahoma City. [1] June 13

606

* First V-2 rocket launch, Peenemünde, Germany; reached 1.3 km. [1] * (evening) George Dasch, Ernest Burger, Heinrich Heinck, and Richard Quirin, all American citizens of German birth, and members of the German Nazi party, land on the beach of Long Island, New York, from a small row boat. Their mission is to sabotage industrial installations producing war material. [10] June 14 * First bazooka rocket gun produced Bridgeport, Connecticut. [1] * Walt Disney's "Bambi" is released. [1] June 17 * First WW II American expeditionary force lands in Africa (Gold Coast). [1] June 18 * Eric Nessler of France stays aloft in a glider for 38h21m. [1] June 21 * 129 degrees F (54 degrees C), Tirat Zevi, Israel (Asian record). [1] * German General Erwin Rommel's army captures Tobruk in Libya, taking 30-35,000 prisoners. [10] June 25 * British RAF staged a 1,000 bomb raid on Bremen Germany (WW II). [1] June 27 * FBI captures 8 Nazi saboteurs from a submarine off New York's Long Island. [1] June 28 * Dumont TV network begins (WABD New York). [1] June 30 * US Mint in New Orleans ceases operation. [1] July 6 * In Amsterdam, Holland, 13-year-old Anne Frank and her family take refuge in a secret sealed-off area of a warehouse. [129]

607

July 17 * 3' of rain falls on Pennsylvania, flooding kills 15. [1] * Estimated 87.5 cm (34.5") of rainfall, Smethport, Pennsylvania. (state record). [1] July 18 * First legal New Jersey horse race in 50 years; Garden State Park track opens. [1] * German Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, first jet fighter, takes first flight. [1] [5] July 20 * Legion of Merit Medal authorized by congress. [1] * Women's Army Auxiliary Corps began basic training at Fort Des Moines. [1] July 21 * Eight die as coal waste heap slides in river valley near Oakwood, Virginia. [1] July 22 * Gasoline rationing begins in US during WW II. [1] July 23 * The Russian city of Rostov falls to German forces. [10] July 28 * Nazis liquidate 10,000 Jews in Minsk Russia. [1] July 29 * Eastern Boulevard in the Bronx renamed Bruckner Boulevard. [1] July 30 * Franklin Roosevelt signs bill creating women's Navy auxiliary agency (WAVES). [1] * German SS kills 25,000 Jews in Minsk, Belorussia. [1] August 7 * First American offensive in Pacific in WW2, Guadalcanal, Solomon Is. [1] August 8

608

* Six convicted Nazi saboteurs who landed in US executed in Washington DC. [1] August 9 * British arrests Indian nationalist Mohandas K Gandhi. [1] August 13 * RKO Radio Pictures premieres the Disney film Bambi in the US at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. [6] August 15 * The United States 101st Airborne Division is officially activated, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. [10] August 17 * US bombers staged first independent raid on Europe attack Rouen, France. [1] August 19 * The Allies launch a major raid on the French port of Dieppe. 5000 of the 6000 troops are part of the Canadian 2nd Division. Original code name of the operation is Rutter, but was changed to a different plan code-named Jubilee. Primary objectives are to see if it is possible to seize and hold a major continental port, obtain intelligence from prisoners, documents, and equipment, and to see the German reaction to major attack on the French coast. Secondary objectives are to draw the Luftwaffe into battle, show the USSR that Britain is seriously trying to help distract the Germans, and to give Canadian forces in Britain something to do. [10] * (about 1310 hours) The last Allied troops are evacuated from Dieppe. At the end of the attack, 4384 Allied officer and soldiers are dead, wounded, or taken prisoner, of which 3379 are Canadian. 108 British aircraft were shot down; 46 German aircraft were lost. The British navy lost one destroyer and 13 major landing craft. [10] * First American offensive in Pacific in WW2, Guadalcanal, Solomon Is. [1] August 20 * Dim-out regulations implemented in San Francisco. [1] August 22 * Brazil declares war on Germany. [10] August 24

609

* The Walt Disney animated feature film Saludos Amigos world premieres in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [6] August 26 * 7,000 Jews rounded up in Vichy Free Zone of France. [1] August 27 * Soviet long-range bombers make an air raid on Berlin, from bases 1000 miles away. [10] September 7 * Birth of Richard Roundtree actor (Shaft, Earthquake). [1] September 9 * First bombing on continental US soil, Mount Emily Oregon (WW2). [1] September 13 * German forces attack Stalingrad. [1] September 18 * Canadian Broadcasting Corporation authorized for radio service. [1] September 21 * The B-29 Superfortress makes its maiden flight. [5] October 1 * Bell P-59 Airacomet fighter, first US jet, makes maiden flight. [1] October 2 * Queen Mary liner slices cruiser Curacao in half, killing 338. [1] * First self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction demonstrated, Chicago. [1] October 3 * German scientists make the first successful test launch of an A-4 (V-2) rocket, from Peenemünde. Supersonic speed is achieved for the first time by a liquid-propelled rocket.

610

The rocket reaches a height of 60 miles, travelling 120 miles at over 3000 MPH, landing 2.5 miles wide of the target. [10] October 12 * US navy defeats Japanese in WW II Battle of Cape Esperance. [1] October 16 * Cyclone in Bay of Bengal kills some 40,000 south of Calcutta India. [1] October 20 * "Durham Manifesto" calls for fundamental changes in race relations. [1] October 23 * During WW II, Britain launches major offensive at El Alamein, Egypt. [1] October 26 * US ship Hornet sunk in Battle of Santa Cruz Islands during WW II. [1] October 28 * Train crashes into bus, killing 16 and injuring 20 (Detroit Michigan). [1] October 29 * 16,000 Jews killed in Pinsk Russia. [1] * Alaska highway completed. [1] November 1 * John H Johnson publishes first issue of Negro Digest. [1] November 2 * Montgomery (Br) defeats Rommel (Ger) in battle of Alamein (WW II). [1] November 3 * William L Dawson elected toUS Congress from Chicago. [1] November 5

611

* Pro-British Clandestine Radio Diego Suarez's final transmission. [1] November 7 * First US President to broadcast in a foreign language-Franklin Roosevelt in French. [1] November 8 * Operation Torch begins, as Allied forces land in Northern Africa. The Western Task Force with 24,500 Americans under Major General George Patton land at Fedala (15 miles north of Casablanca), Mehdia (55 miles south of Casablanca), and Safi (140 miles south of Casablanca). The Center Task Force with 18,500 Americans under Major General Lloyd Fredenall land near Oran. The Eastern Task Force with 9000 British and 9000 Americans and 2000 British Commandos under American Major General Charles Ryder land at Algiers. [10] November 11 * Admiral François Darlan, senior French officer in North Africa, signs a cease-fire ending French fighting in the area. [10] * Adolf Hitler launches Operation Anton, with German forces occupying the remainder of France and the island of Corsica. [10] * Spain mobilizes its army along the French border. [10] November 13 * Minimum draft age in the USA lowered from 21 to 18. [1] * In North Africa, the British 8th Army takes Tobruk. [10] November 19 * Soviet counteroffensives with one million soldiers north and south of Stalingrad break through the German and Romanian armies. [10] November 23 * Soviet forces complete encircling German forces in Stalingrad, holding 250,000 Germans and Romanians in 22 divisions in a 25 by 30 mile oval. [10] * Coast Guard Woman's Auxiliary (SPARS) authorized. [1] * Steward Poon Lim set adrift for 133 days after his boat was torpedoed. [1] November 27 * French navy at Toulon scuttles ships and subs so Nazis don't take them. [1]

612

November 28 * Nearly 500 die in a fire that destroyed Coconut Grove nightclub in Boston Massachusetts. [1] December 1 * Gasoline rationed in US. [1] December 2 * Scientists at the University of Chicago in the US induce a nuclear chain reaction, proving an atomic bomb to be possible. [10] December 3 * Wilhelm Peterson-Berger composer, dies at age 75. [1] December 4 * First US citizenship granted an alien on foreign soil (James Hoey). [1] * Franklin Roosevelt orders dismantling of Works Progress Administration. [1] * US bombers struck Italian mainland for first time in WWII. [1] December 5 * Buck Jones Hollywood's last cowboy hero actor (Headin' East), buried. [1] * Seyss-Inquart orders students in Nazi-Germany to go work. [1] * West Indies chocolate/coffee drop above Netherlands. [1] December 6 * Queen Wilhelmina announces Dutch Commonwealth. [1] * RAF bombs Philips factory (150 die). [1] December 10 * Hitler names Mussert "leader of Netherlands people". [1] * North Africa: 5th German pantser army forms under Colonel-General von Arnim. [1] December 11 * Australian/Dutch guerrilla troops evacuated to Timor near Australia. [1] December 12

613

* German offensive in South Western Stalingrad. [1] December 13 * Eleanor Everest Freer composer, dies at age 78. [1] * Seyss-Inquart allows Dutch Nazi Anton Mussert to call himself Leader. [1] December 14 * Eduard C "Edo" Fimmen Dutch trade union leader, dies at age 61. [1] December 15 * Massachusetts issues first US vehicular license plate tabs. [1] December 16 * Hitler orders combat against partisans in Russia and Balkan. [1] December 17 * Allies in London sentence German war criminals. [1] December 20 * First Japanese bombing of Calcutta. [1] * Jean Gilbert [Max Winterfield] German composer, dies at age 63. [1] December 21 * Leendert Round sculptor (Giraffen, Blijdorp), dies at age 63. [1] * US Supreme court declares Nevada separation legal. [1] December 23 * Allies air attack on Den Helder. [1] December 24 * First powered flight of V-1 buzz bomb, Peenemünde, Germany. [1] * French Admiral Jean Darlan is assassinated in Algiers. [10] * Friedrich Klose composer, dies at age 80. [1] * Jean Darlan French admiral, murdered by gaullists. [1] * Konstantin Dmitrieyevich Balmont Russian poet, dies at age 75. [1] * Red army occupies German airports at Tasjinskaja and Morozowsk. [1]

614

December 25 * Admiral Dalans, murderer of Bosinier de la Chapelle, sentenced to death. [1] * British Colonel S W Bailey reaches Mihailovics headquarters. [1] * Russian artillery/tank battle on German armies at Stalingrad. [1] * Vojislav Vuckovic composer, dies at age 32. [1] December 26 * Bosinier de la Chapelle French murderer of Admiral Darlan, executed at age 24. [1] December 27 * First Japanese women camp (Ambarawa) goes into use. [1] December 28 * Oberkommando Wehrmacht orders strategist flight out of Kaukasus. [1] * Robert Sullivan becomes first pilot to fly the Atlantic 100 times. [1] December 29 * Frank D Adams Canadian geologist, dies at age 83. [1] December 31 * 60 U boats sunk this month (330,000 ton). [1] * Battle in Barents Sea. [1] * Potatoes rationed in Holland. [1]

615

1943 January 1 * Count Claus von Stauffenberg promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. [1] * Adolf Hitler decides to scrap the High Seas Fleet, to use the men, guns, and armorplating for better uses. [10] January 3 * First missing persons telecast (New York City New York). [1] * Canadian Army troops arrive in North Africa. [1] January 4 * Thomas Mann completes his tetralogy, "Joseph and His Brothers". [1] January 5 * George Washington Carver famous black American agricultural scientist dies at age 81. [1] * Teams agrees to start season later due to WWII. [1] * William H Hastie, civilian aide to secretary of war, resigns to protest segregation in armed forces. [1] January 7 * Nikola Tesla Yugoslavian physicist (tesla motor), dies at age 86. [1] January 9 * Japanese government in Java limits sale and use of motorcars. [1] * Robin G Collingwood English philosopher (Roman Britain), dies at age 53. [1] January 10 * First US President to visit a foreign country in wartime-Franklin Roosevelt leaves for Casablanca, Morocco. [1] * Agustin P Justo y Rolon President of Argentina (1931-38), dies at age 66. [1] * J Arthur S Berson Austrian meteorologist, dies at age 83. [1] * The Soviet Red Army breaks into Stalingrad. [10] January 11 * Carlo Tresca New York's Italian newspaper editor/anti-fascist, murdered. [1] * US and Britain relinquish extraterritorial rights in China. [1]

616

January 12 * Frankfurters replaced by Victory Sausages (mix of meat and soy meal). [1] * Jan R T Campert Dutch resistance fighter/poet (18 Dead), dies at age 40. [1] January 13 * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrives in Casablanca. [1] * Hitler declares "Total War". [1] * Russian offensive at Don under General Golikov. [1] * Sophie Taeuber/Täuber-Arp Swiss sculptor, dies at age 53. [1] * US infantry captures Galloping Horse-ridge Guadalcanal. [1] January 14 * Adolf Sandberger composer, dies at age 78. [1] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt meet at Casablanca, Morocco, over eleven days. The decision is made to attack the island of Sicily. British Bomber Command is directed to focus on submarine bases on the Biscay coast in the short term, and submarine construction yards as long term targets. [10] * Heinrich Himmler views Warsaw. [1] January 15 * 1,000 workers complete the air conditioning system for the Pentagon. [1] * The world's largest office building, The Pentagon, is dedicated in Arlington, Virginia. [5] * First transport of Jews from Amsterdam to concentration camp Vught. [1] * Japanese driven off Guadalcanal. [1] January 16 * -60 degrees F (-51 degrees C), Island Park Dam ID (state record). [1] * First US air raid on Ambon. [1] * Franz Courtens Flemish painter (Sunny Lane), dies at age 88. [1] * German second SS-Pantzer division evacuates Charkow. [1] * Red Army recaptures Pitomnik airport at Stalingrad. [1] January 17 * Tin Can Drive Day. [1] January 18

617

* Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto begin resistance of Nazis. [1] * Presliced bread sale banned to reduce bakery demand for metal parts. [1] * Soviets announce they broke the long Nazi siege of Leningrad. [1] January 19 * Joint Chiefs of Staff decide on invasion in Sicily. [1] January 20 * Giacomo Benvenuti composer, dies at age 57. [1] * Lead South Dakota, temp is 52 degrees F, while 1.5 miles away Deadwood South Dakota records -16 degrees F. [1] * Operation-Weiss Assault of German, Italian, Bulgarian and Croatian. [1] January 21 * Otakar Sini composer, dies at age 61. [1] * Soviet forces reconquer Gumrak airport near Stalingrad. [1] * Soviet forces reconquer Worosjilowsk. [1] * Vice-Admiral Cunningham appointed British Admiral of fleet. [1] January 22 * Joint Chiefs of Staff determine invasion in Sicily for July 10th. [1] * Temperature rises 49 degrees F (9 degrees C) in two minutes in Spearfish South Dakota. [1] January 23 * 66.34 cm (26.12"), Hoegees Camp California (state precipitation record). [1] * Alexander Woollcott critic, dies of a heart attack on radio, at age 56. [1] * In North Africa, British 8th Army forces capture Tripoli. [10] * Japanese Mount Austen on Guadalcanal captured. [1] January 24 * Hitler orders nazi troops at Stalingrad to fight to death. [1] * Jewish patients/nurses/doctors incinerated at Auschwitz-Birkenau. [1] * John Burns English minister of Local Government (1905-14), dies. [1] * The Casablanca Conference ends. The British persuaded the Americans to postpone the cross-Channel invasion. US President Franklin Roosevelt announces to the press the Allied policy of requiring the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy, and Japan. [10] January 26

618

* Nikolai Vavilov geneticist, Saratovv labour camp, dies. [1] January 27 * First US air attack on Germany (Wilhelmshafen). [1] January 29 * New Zealand's Kiwi cruiser collides with Japanese submarine I-1 at Guadalcanal. [1] * Sidney Kingsley's "Patriots" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 30 * Six British Mosquito's daylight bomb Berlin. [1] * German assault on French in Tunisia. [1] * German under officers shot down in Haarlem Netherlands. [1] * Hitler promotes Friedrich von Paul to General - field marshal. [1] * Illegal opposition newspaper Loyal begins publishing. [1] * Adolf Hitler names Karl Dönitz as Grand Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the navy. [10] * USS Chicago sinks in Pacific Ocean. [1] January 31 * 39 U boats sunk this month (203,100 ton). [1] * Chile breaks contact with Germany and Japan. [1] * German 6th Army commander Friedrich Paulus and almost 250,000 German troops surrender at Stalingrad. [10] February 1 * German occupiers make Vidkun Quisling Norwegian premier. [1] * Mussert forms pro Nazi shadow cabinet (Netherlands). [1] February 2 * The remainder of the German 6th Army surrenders at Stalingrad. About 150,000 Axis soldiers died in the battle, another 150,000 were taken prisoner. In total, about 450,000 on both sides died. [10] * Chicago Cubs return to original uniform after experimenting with a vest. [1] February 3 * Four chaplains drown after giving up their life jackets to others. [1] * Alexander Goode rabbi who surrendered his life jacket, drowns. [1]

619

February 4 * Bertolt Brecht's "Der gute Mensch von Sezuan" premieres in Zürich. [1] February 5 * Amsterdam resistance group CS-6 shoots Nazi General Seyffardt. [1] * Clandestine Radio Atlantiksender, Germany, first transmission. [1] * Wim Gertenbach Dutch resistance fighter (Slogan), shot by Nazis. [1] February 6 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film Saludos Amigos to theaters in the USA. It includes the animated short films: Lake Titicaca (with Donald Duck), Pedro, El Gaucho Goofy (with Goofy), and Aquarela do Brasil (with Donald Duck). [6] * First Spitfire in action above Darwin, Australia, Mu Ki-46 shot down. [1] * HA Seyffardt Dutch Lieutenant-General/NSB "minister", dies at age 71. [1] * Singer Frank Sinatra debuts on radio's "Your Hit Parade". [1] February 7 * Shoe rationing begins in US (may purchase up to three more pairs in 1942). [1] * Japanese forces evacuate Gualcanal. [10] February 8 * Red Army recaptures Kursk. [1] February 9 * Wife of General Reydons shot to death by resistance. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt orders minimal 48 hour work week in war industry. [1] * German riots at "plutocratenzoontjes", 1,200 in Vught Camp. [1] * Japanese evacuate Guadalcanal, epic battle ends. [1] * Nazis arrest Dutch sons of rich parents. [1] February 10 * "Manifesto of Algerian People" calls for equality and self-determination. [1] * 8th Army sweeps through North Africa to Tunisia. [1] * Spanish and German governments sign a secret protocol, in which Spain will resist entry of Anglo-American forces on any Spanish territory, in exchange for German supplies of war material. [10] * Van der Veen Resistance starts fire in Amsterdam employment bureau. [1]

620

February 11 * General Eisenhower selected to command the allied armies in Europe. [1] * Transport nr 47 departs with French Jews to Nazi-Germany. [1] * Karkov is recaptured by the Soviet Red Army. [10] February 12 * General Eisenhower departs Algiers to Tebessa. [1] February 13 * German assault on Sidi Bou Zid Tunisia, General Eisenhower visits front. [1] * William Walraven journalist/writer (Neglected Grouser), dies at age 55. [1] * Women's Marine Corps created. [1] February 14 * David Hilbert German mathematician (Hilbert Space), dies at age 81. [1] * Frieda Reiss French 11 month old baby, murdered in Auschwitz. [1] * German offensive through de Faid-pass Tunisia. [1] * Soviets recapture Rostov. [1] February 15 * Thomas "Fats" Waller US jazz pianist (Hot Chocolate), dies at age 38. [1] * William Victor Harris composer, dies at age 73. [1] * Women's camp Tamtui on Ambon (Moluccas) hit by allied air raid. [1] February 16 * -32 degrees F (-36 degrees C), Falls Village Connecticut (state record). [1] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gets pneumonia. [1] * Red army conquers Kharkov. [1] * Sign on Munich facade "Out with Hitler! Long live freedom!" done by "White Rose" student group. [1] * Withdrawing Africa Corps reaches Mareth-line in North-Africa. [1] February 17 * Dutch churches protest at Seyss-Inquart against persecution of Jews. [1] * General-Major Bradley flies to Washington DC. [1] * Hitler visits field marshal von Mansteins headquarters in Zaporozje. [1] February 18

621

* First edition of Dutch resistance newspaper "Trouw". [1] * Augusto Pinochet Ugarte (Chilean General/dictator) marries Lucia Hiriart. [1] * Henri Polak Dutch union leader/politician (Social-Democrat), dies at age 74. [1] * Munich resistance group "White Rose" captured by Nazis. [1] February 19 * German tanks under Brigadier General Buelowius attack Kasserine Pass Tunesia. [1] February 20 * Allied troops occupy Kasserine pass in Tunisia. [1] * New volcano Paracutin erupts in farmer's corn patch (México). [1] February 21 * Dutch Roman Catholic bishops protest against persecution of Jews. [1] * German offensive at Western Dorsalgebergte Tunisia. [1] February 22 * Christoph Probst German resistance fighter (That Weisse Rose), dies. [1] * Hans Scholl German resistance fighter (White Rose), beheaded at age 24. [1] * Sophie Scholl German resistance fighter (Die Weisse Rose), beheaded. [1] February 23 * General-Major Bradley arrives in Dakar and Marrakesh. [1] * German troops pull back through Kasserine-pass Tunisia. [1] February 24 * General-Major Bradley flies to Algiers. [1] * Texas League announces it will quit for the duration of WWII. [1] February 25 * Vietminh forms Indo Chinese Democratic Front. [1] February 26 * German assault moves to Beja North Tunisia. [1] February 27 * Kostís Palamis Greek poet/scholar (Flogera tou Basília), dies at age 84. [1]

622

February 28 * "Porgy and Bess" opens on Broadway with Anne Brown and Todd Duncan. [1] * 63 U Boats (359,300 ton) sinks this month. [1] March 1 * Jewish old age home for disabled in Amsterdam raided. [1] March 2 * First transport from Westerbork Netherlands to Sobibor concentration camp. [1] * Alexandre Yersin Swiss bacteriologist (bacteria plague), dies at age 79. [1] * Sea battle in Bismarck Sea finishes, US and Australia win. [1] March 3 * Bomb fleeing crowd falls into London shelter; 173 die. [1] * F Ryerson and Cohn Claues' "Harriet" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * US defeats Japan and wins Battle of Bismark Sea. [1] March 4 * Nikolaos "Sokrates" Politis Greek foreign minister, dies at age 71. [1] * Pieter C Boutens Dutch poet (Beatrijs), dies at age 73. [1] * Transport nr 50 departs with French Jews to Maidanek/Sobibor. [1] March 5 * Anti fascist strikes in Italy. [1] * (evening) British Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris begins "The Battle of the Ruhr", with a major attack on Essen and its Krupps factories. About 438 bombers attack in several waves, with yellow, green, and red flares and bombs helping mark targets. Oboe and H2S navigation aids also help direct bombers to their target areas. 160 acres of the town are devastated. 450 more acres suffer extensive damage. 14 aircraft do not return to their bases. [10] March 6 * Battle at Medenine, North-Africa; Rommels assault attack. [1] * Sukarno asks for cooperation with Japanese occupiers. [1] March 7 * General-Major Patton arrives in Djebel Kouif Tunisia. [1]

623

March 8 * 335 allied bombers attack Neurenberg. [1] * Limited gambling legalized in Mexico. [1] March 9 * Delft opposition group-Pahud de Mortanges overthrown. [1] * Greek Jews of Salonika are transported to Nazi extermination camps. [1] March 10 * Tully Marshall actor (Let's Go, Red Dust), dies at age 78. [1] March 11 * Nazi Militia forms in Netherlands. [1] March 12 * Soviet troops liberate Wjasma. [1] March 13 * In Smolensk, a bomb disguised as two bottles of brandy is put on board Adolf Hitler's personal Focke-Wulf 200 Condor plane. The detonator activates, but due to cold temperature, the plastic explosives do not detonate. [10] * Frank Dixon wins Knights of Columbus mile (4:09.6). [1] March 15 * Allied reconnaissance flight over Java. [1] * Red Army evacuates Kharkov. [1] March 16 * Elin K (No) and Zaanland (Netherlands) torpedoed and sinks. [1] March 17 * Aldemarin (Ned) and Fort Cedar Lake (US) torpedoed and sinks. [1] * F Hugh Herbert's "Kiss and Tell" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] March 18

624

* James Oglethorpe (US) and Terkolei (Netherlands), torpedoed and sinks. [1] * Red Army evacuates Belgorod. [1] March 19 * Airship Canadian Star torpedoed and sinks. [1] * Vicente Ripolles composer, dies at age 75. [1] March 20 * British offensive against Mareth-line. [1] * German U-384 bombed and sinks. [1] March 21 * Assassination attempt on Hitler fails. [1] * British 8th army opens assault on Mareth line, Tunisia. [1] March 22 * Dutch work week extended to 54 hour. [1] * Obligatory work for woman ends in Belgium. [1] * SS police chief Rauter threatens to kill half Jewish children. [1] March 23 * André Lichtenberger French Sudan writer (Le Petit Roi), dies at age 72. [1] * German counter attack on US lines in Tunisia. [1] * Joseph Moiseyevich Schillinger composer, dies at age 47. [1] March 25 * 97% of all Dutch physicians strike againt Nazi registration. [1] * Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore premiere on radio. [1] March 26 * First woman to receive air medal (US army nurse Elsie S Ott). [1] * Battle of Komandorski Islands, Pacific Ocean. [1] March 27 * Assassination attempt on Van de Peat at Amsterdams census bureau. [1] * Blue Ribbon Town (with Groucho Marx) first heard on CBS Radio. [1] * Grigori Yakovlevich Bakhchivangi test pilot (BI-1), killed in crash. [1] * US begins assault on Fondouk-pass, Tunisia. [1]

625

March 28 * Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff Russian composer/pianist, dies at age 69. [1] March 29 * Meat, butter and cheese rationed in US during WWII (784 gram/week, two kilogram for GI's). [1] March 30 * British first army recaptures Sejenane. [1] March 31 * Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" opens on Broadway. [1] * US errantly bombs Rotterdam, kills 326. [1] April 3 * Conrad Veidt German/US actor (Cabinet of Dr Calgary), dies at age 50. [1] * Jan Dieters (leader of illegal CPN) arrested. [1] April 4 * Oskar Schlemmer German painter/sculptor, dies at age 54. [1] * Raoul Laparra composer, dies at age 66. [1] April 5 * Allies bomb Mortsel. [1] * Poon Lim found after being adrift 133 days. [1] April 6 * British and US offensive at Wadi Akarit, South-Tunisia. [1] * Lou Jansen, leader of illegal Dutch political party (CPN) arrested. [1] April 7 * Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini meet for an Axis conference in Salzburg. [1] * British/US troops make contact at Wadi Akarit, South-Tunisia. [1] * Jovan Ducic Serbian poet (Blue Legends), dies at age 72. [1] * Lieutenant Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg seriously wounded in allied air raid. [1]

626

April 8 * Hakuun Yasutani Roshi, founder of Sanbo Kyodan, receives dharma. [1] * Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya convicted of involvement with Mau Mau. [1] * Paul Colin Belgian journalist/collaborator, executed. [1] April 10 * Twelve Jewish patients of Herren Loo-Lozenoord escape Nazi's. [1] * General Montgomery occupies Sfax Tunisia. [1] April 11 * Frank Piasecki, Vertol founder, flies his first (single-rotor) craft. [1] April 12 * Allies conquer Soussa, North-Africa. [1] * Dutch Catholic University Nijmegen closed. [1] April 13 * Catholic University Nijegen closes. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt dedicates Jefferson Memorial. [1] * Nazi's discover mass grave of Polish officers near Katyn. [1] April 14 * Asser B Kleerekoper SDAP-Second-Member of parliament, dies at age 62. [1] * Generals Alexander/Eisenhower/Anderson/Bradley discuss assault on Tunis. [1] * Geoffrey Turton Shaw composer, dies at age 63. [1] * James Gow and A d'Usseau's "Tomorrow the World", premieres in New York City. [1] April 15 * Metropolitan Life Insurance issues a $225 million check to Chase. [1] * Raffaele Casimiro Casimiri composer, dies at age 62. [1] April 16 * 40 New Zealand bombers attack Haarlem Netherlands (85 killed). [1] April 17 * Admiral Yamamoto flies from Truk to Rabaul. [1]

627

* SS-Lieutenant-General Jürgen Stoop arrives in Warsaw. [1] April 18 * Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down over the Solomon Islands. [10] April 19 * Alexander Schmorell German resistance fighter, beheaded. [1] * Gustave Doret composer, dies at age 76. [1] * A Jewish uprising in the Warsaw, Poland, ghetto results in over 50,000 deaths over several weeks. [10] * Kurt Huber German resistance fighter, beheaded. [1] * Willy Graf German resistance fighter, beheaded. [1] April 20 * Atlanta Braves manager Casey Stengel is struck by a taxi, fractures a leg. [1] April 22 * German counter attack in North-Tunisia. [1] * RAF shoots down 14 German transport planes over Mediterranean Sea. [1] April 23 * British and US offensive directed at Tunis/Bizerta. [1] * Fréderic baron d'Erlanger French composer/banker, dies at age 74. [1] April 24 * Gerardus H de Hare socialist vicar, dies at age 63. [1] April 25 * Vladimir Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko playwright/director, dies. [1] April 27 * Lou Jansen and Jan Dieters arrested, lead illegal CPN party in Holland. [1] * Soviet Union breaks contact with Polish government exiled in London. [1] April 28 * First performance of Marc Blitzstein's "Freedom Morning". [1]

628

* German-Italian counter offensive in North-Africa. [1] * US 34th Division occupies Djebel el Hara North Tunisia. [1] April 29 * Dietrich Bonhöffer arrested by Nazi's. [1] * Joseph Achron Latvian violinist/composer (Golem suite), dies at age 56. [1] * Karl Adrian Wohlfart composer, dies at age 68. [1] * Noël Coward's "Present Laughter", premieres in London. [1] * Sidney A K Keyes English poet (Foreign Gate), dies at age 20. [1] * US 34th Division occupies Hill 609, North Tunisia. [1] April 30 * Beatrice Potter Webb British writer (My Apprenticeship), dies at age 85. [1] * Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp for Jews forms. [1] * Dutch strike against forced labor in Nazi Germany's war industry. [1] * Etty Hillesum Dutch diarist, dies in Auschwitz. [1] * Noël Coward's "This Happy Breed", premieres in London. [1] May 1 * First edition of illegal "The Free Artist" appears in Amsterdam. [1] * Food rationing begins in US. [1] * German Wehrmacht deployed in order to break Dutch strikes. [1] * German plane sinks boat loaded with Palestinian Jews bound for Malta. [1] * Rauter signs unofficial death sentence. [1] May 2 * German troops vacate Jefna Tunisia. [1] May 3 * Leslie Heward composer, dies at age 45. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Upton Sinclair (Dragon's Teeth). [1] * Strike against obligatory labor camps ends, after 200 killed. [1] * US first armour division occupies Mateur Tunisia. [1] May 5 * Postmaster General Frank C Walker invents Postal Zone System. [1] May 6 * British first army opens assault on Tunis. [1]

629

May 7 * American and British forces capture Tunis and Bizerte in North Africa. 160,000 German and Italian soldiers surrender at Tunis. [10] * Dutch men 18-35 obliged to report to labor camps. [1] * Liberty Ship George Washington Carver, named after scientist, launched. [1] * US first Armour division occupies Ferryville Tunisia. [1] * US 9th Infantry division occupies Bizerta/Bensert Tunisia. [1] May 8 * Admiral Cunningham of British fleet: "Sink, burn and destroy; let nothing pass". [1] * Mordicai Anielewicz commander of Warsaw ghetto uprising, killed. [1] May 9 * 5th German Panser army surrenders in Tunisia. [1] * Rotschild-Haddassh University Hospital opens. [1] May 10 * André Bertulot Belgian resistance fighter, hanged. [1] * Arnaud/Armand Fraiteur Belgian resistance fighter, hanged. [1] * Maurice-Albert Raskin Belgian resistance fighter, hanged. [1] May 11 * Hermann Goering-division in Tunisia surrenders. [1] * US 7th division lands on Attu, Aleutian, (first US territory recaptured). [1] May 12 * Albert Stoessel composer, dies at age 48. [1] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrives in US. [1] May 13 * In Tunisia in North Africa, German Afrika Korps commander General Dietloff Juergen von Arnim surrenders 275,000 troops. [10] * German and Italian forces in Africa surrender. [1] * German occupiers confiscate all radios. [1] May 15 * Halifax bombers sinks U-463. [1]

630

* Warsaw ghetto uprising ends, in its destruction. [1] May 16 * German troops destroy synagogue of Warsaw. [1] * Jewish resistance in the Warsaw ghetto ends after 30 days of fighting. [1] * Nine British Lancaster bombers fitted with dam-busting mines take off from Scampton, England, headed for the Möhne and Eder dams in Germany. After four unsuccessful tries, the fifth plane succeeds in breaching the Möhne dam. Six planes with three bombs head over to the Eder dam. The third hit breaches the dam 30 feet below the top. Five planes return to home base. Two more waves of bombers attack other dams, causing a small breach in the Sorpe dam. In total, 19 aircraft take off, and 11 return. 34 awards are given out. Extensive damage is done by the flooding and loss of hydroelectric power. 1000 houses are destroyed or damaged, 125 factories destroyed/damaged, 1294 people killed, 2822 hectares of farmland ruined, 6316 animals killed, 35 road bridges destroyed/damaged, etc. Germans add more defenses to other dams. Manpower is diverted from the West Wall to repair the dams. [10] May 17 * Montagu Love actor (Wind), dies at age 65. [1] May 18 * Allied bombers attack Pantelleria in the Mediterranean Sea. [1] May 19 * Berlin is declared "Judenrien" (free of Jews). [1] * Churchill pledges England's full support to US against Japan. [1] May 20 * French, British and US victory parade in Tunis Tunisia. [1] May 22 * First jet fighter is tested. [1] * RAF scatters first copies of "The Flying Hollander". [1] * Stalin disbands Komintern. [1] May 23 * 826 Allied bombers attack Dortmund. [1] * In Dr Faustus, Serenus Zeitblom begins his biography of Adrian Leverkühn. [1]

631

May 24 * Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy Karl Dönitz withdraws submarines from the North Atlantic, due to heavy losses. [10] * U-441 shoots Sunderland seaplane down over Gulf of Biskaje. [1] * Vladimir I Nemirovitch-Dantshenko Russian playwright, dies at age 84. [1] May 25 * Riot at Mobile Alabama shipyard over upgrading 12 black workers. [1] * Trident conference in Washington DC (operation plan '43 against Japan). [1] May 26 * First president of a black country to visit US (Edwin Barclay, Liberia). [1] * Edsel Ford owner (Ford Motor Company), dies at age 49. [1] * Jews riot against Germany in Amsterdam. [1] * At Peenemünde, comparison tests are made of the flying bomb (Fi.103 or FZG 76, later called V-1) and the A-4 rocket (V-2) in the presence of Nazi ministers and generals. Two rockets perform perfectly, flying 160 miles. Two flying bombs crash in the Baltic after travelling a mile or two. The Long-Range Bombardment Commission accepts the recommendation of putting both into production, top priority. [10] * Premier Churchill and General Marshall fly from US to North Africa. [1] May 27 * French defiance under Jean Moulin meets secretly in Paris. [1] * US forbids racial discrimination in war industry. [1] May 28 * British militia reaches Tito. [1] May 29 * Confederacy of Algiers (Churchill-Marshall-Eisenhower). [1] * Hermann Hans Wetzler composer, dies at age 72. [1] * Meat and cheese rationed in US. [1] May 30 * French General De Gaulle arrives in Algiers. [1] * US troops reconquer Attu Aleutians. [1] May 31

632

* "Archie" comic strip first broadcast on radio. [1] June 2 * 99th Pursuit Squadron flies first combat mission (over Italy). [1] * Leslie Howard actor killed, when Nazis shot down his plane. [1] June 9 * US Congress passes "pay-as-you-go" income tax. [1] June 10 * A patent is issued in Argentina for a ball-point pen. [55.22] * Franklin Roosevelt becomes first US president to visit a foreign country during wartime. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt signs withholding tax bill into law (this is W-2 Day!). [1] June 11 * (evening) 783 British bombers attack Düsseldorf, Germany. 130 acres of the city are destroyed, in 882 separate fires. 1300 people are killed, and 140,000 made homeless. [10] June 16 * Race riot in Beaumont Texas (two die). [1] June 18 * The British "RDF" or "radiolocation" technology is renamed "radar". [10] June 20 * National Congress of Racial Equality organizes. [1] * New Québec (Chubb) Crater discovered in northern Québec (3.5 km dia). [1] * Sweden's Gunther Hagg beats favorite Greg Rice by 35 yards in. [1] June 21 * Federal troops put down racial riot in Detroit 30 dead. [1] July 1 * First withholding tax from paychecks. [1] July 5

633

* German Central Army Group and Southern Army Group, about 900,000 troops, begin Operation Citadel, an attack around the Kursk salient in the Ukraine. Size of the opposing forces at the start of the battle: German: 900,000 men, 10,000 cannons, 2000 aircraft, 2000 tanks; Soviet: 1.9 million men, 20,800 cannons, 2000 aircraft, 5100 tanks. [10] July 10 * (0245 hours) Operation Husky begins, with an Allied invasion of Sicily. Four British divisions of the British 8th Army under General Sir Bernard Montgomery land on a 40mile stretch on the southeast corner around Syracuse and Cape Passero. Four American divisions of the United States 7th Army under Lieutenant-General George Patton land on a 40-mile front to the west, around Scaglitti, Gela, and Licata. (In total, 478,000 troops land on the island.) [10] July 12 * In the Kursk battle, German SS Panzer Corp with 400 tanks reaches Prokhorovka Station. Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army under P.A. Rotmistrov with 800 tanks counterattacks. By the end of the day, 320 German tanks and over 400 Soviet tanks are destroyed. (This is the greatest tank battle in history.) [10] July 17 * United Artists releases Disney's animated and live-action feature film Victory Through Air Power to theaters. [6] July 19 * Allied air forces raid Rome during WW II. [1] July 22 * Allied forces captured Palermo, Sicily. [1] July 25 * In Italy, King Victor Emmanuel III has Premier Benito Mussolini arrested, and appoints Marshal Pietro Badoglio as premier. [10] * (0103 hours) The first wave of British bombers arrive at Hamburg, Germany, dropping 1000- to 8000-pound bombs. Within minutes much of the city is a raging firestorm. 1346 tons of high explosives and 931 tons of incendiaries are dropped, setting 55 miles of streets ablaze. 1500 are killed, and over 20,000 made homeless. 12 bombers are shot down. [10]

634

July 26 * 120 degrees F (49 degrees C), Tishmoningo, Oklahoma (state record). [1] July 28 * Italian Facist dictator Benito Mussolini resigns. [1] * President Franklin Roosevelt announces end of coffee rationing in US. [1] * (0057 hours) 722 British bombers attack Hamburg, Germany, dropping 2326 tons of bombs, creating nine square miles of firestorm, reaching 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds up to 150 MPH feeding the fire. About 40,000 are killed. [10] July 29 * Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels writes in his diary about the destruction of Hamburg: "A city of one million inhabitants has been destroyed in a manner unparalleled in history...". [10] July 30 * Last Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movie released (Girl Crazy). [1] August 1 * Race riot in Harlem New York City. [1] * 164 American B-24 bombers attack Ploesti, Romania. Due to several factors, some planes take a wrong course, alerting defences. 41 planes are lost during the attack, two collide on the return trip, eight land in Turkey, 23 land at Allied bases in the Mediterranean, and 90 return to Benghazi, many too damaged to fly again. Three hundred American airmen are killed during the operation. (Despite considerable damage done at Ploesti, it is temporary, with production exceeding pre-attack levels within a few months.) [10] August 2 * PT-109 rammed and sunk. [1] * (evening) British Bomber Command makes one last air raid on Hamburg, Germany, this time with 737 bombers. Over the four evening raids, 8500 tons of bombs were dropped, and 87 planes lost. 6200 acres of a total 8383 are made uninhabitable for months, half of the city's living areas destroyed, 900,000 people made homeless, over one million forced to leave the city, 186 of 574 large industrial works destroyed, 4118 of 9068 smaller factories destroyed, 180,000 tons of shipping sunk in the harbor or destroyed by fire, 26 or 27 submarines destroyed or delayed in construction. [10] August 16

635

* Sicily is conquered by Allied forces. [10] August 18 * Final convoy of Jews from Salonika Greece arrive at Auschwitz. [1] * (0017-0043 hours) Operation Hydra takes place, 597 British bombers in three waves attack the German rocket research site at Peenemünde targeting scientists' housing, the rocket-production plant, and the Experimental Works. 40 planes are shot down during the raid. Eight Mosquito planes make a diversionary attack on Berlin, dropping "Window" reflective strips to fool radar operators into reporting a major attack there. (The extensive damage results in Germans moving the rocket testing to Poland, and production to central Germany. The damaged buildings are successfully used as camoflage for continued work. An estimated two months of V-2 rocket output is lost, about 720 rockets, potentially saving 3600 lives.) [10] August 19 * In Quebec, Canada, a conference is held by representatives of Canada, Great Britain, and the USA, over six days. British and American Chiefs of Staff approve outline plans for operation Overlord, an invasion of France across the English Channel. Target date is set for May 1, 1944. Discussions are held on atomic research and use of an atomic bomb. [10] August 23 * Soviet forces recapture Kharkov, ending the Battle of Kursk. [10] August 25 * US forces overran New Georgia in Solomon Islands during WW II. [1] August 30 * Birth of R Crumb cartoonist (Father Time). [1] August 31 * The USS Harmon, the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for an African-American, is commissioned. [5] September 3 * Operation Baytown begins, as the British 8th Army begins an assault on Italy, from Sicily across the Strait of Messina, landing near Reggio di Calabria. (This is the first Allied landing on the continent with intent to stay since the retreat at Dunkirk in 1940.) [10]

636

* Near Syracuse, Sicily, Italian Guiseppe Castellano signs capitulation of Italy. General Dwight Eisenhower's chief of staff Walter Bedell Smith signs on behalf of the Allies. [10] September 6 * "Congressional Limited" train derails near Frankfort Pennsylvania, kills 79. [1] September 7 * Fire in decrepit old Gulf Hotel kills 45 (Houston Texas). [1] September 8 * (1830 hours) On Algiers radio, General Dwight Eisenhower announces the surrender of Italy. An hour later, Italian Premier Marshal Badoglio also announces the surrender. [10] September 9 * Allied forces launch Operation Avalanche, with amphibious landings of 55,000 troops at Salerno, Italy. US 6th Corps under Ernest Dawley lands on the right, 25 miles south of Salerno. British 10th Corps under Sir Richard McCreery lands on the left, just south of Salerno. [10] * Allied forces launch Operation Slapstick, as the British 1st Airborne Division lands at Taranto, Italy, seizing the naval base. [10] September 11 * The Italian Navy surrenders its warships to the Allies at Malta. [10] September 12 * (1400 hours) Eight German gliders land at Campo Imperiale Hotel in the Abruzzi, Italy. Seventy parachutists and Waffen-SS commandos take over, and rescue Mussolini. The operation is over within twenty minutes. [10] September 13 * Chiang Kai-shek became president of China. [1] September 17 * Load of "ammunition in transit" explodes at Norfolk Naval Air Station. [1] September 21

637

* Lynch Triangle (Square) in the Bronx named. [1] September 22 * British Midget submarines X6 and X7 penetrate anti-submarine net defences at Kaafjord, northern Norway, and plant mines under the hull of German battleship Tirpitz. In the following explosions, the hull is severely damaged, the port engine is destroyed, and the propeller shaft bent. [10] September 25 * Soviet forces re-capture Smolensk. [10] September 29 * Eisenhower and Italian Marshal Pietro Badoglio sign an armistice. [1] October 1 * Allied forces captured Naples during WW II. [1] October 10 * Chiang Kai-shek takes oath of office as president of China. [1] October 13 * Italy declares war on Germany. [10] October 14 * 60 B-24 Liberator bombers and 291 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of the US 8th Air Force in England begin Mission 115, an attack on ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, Germany. Due to bad weather, none of the Liberators is able to participate. 26 B-17s turn back due to mechanical difficulties. American P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes provide escort protection up to Aachen, Germany. Beyond that, German planes knock out 37 bombers before they reach their target. The remaining planes complete their bombing successfully. The factories are hit hard, resulting in a loss of 67% of ball-bearing production. Another 23 bombers are downed on the return trip. 200 bombers return, but only 60 survive with little damage. Due to the high losses, the day becomes known to the 8th Air Force as Black Thursday. [10] October 16 * Chicago Mayor Ed Kelly opens city's new subway system. [1]

638

October 19 * Researchers at Rutgers University isolate Streptomycin, the first antibiotic remedy for tuberculosis. [5] * Theater Guild presentation of "Othello" opens at Shubert. [1] October 22 * (evening) British bombers attack Kassel, Germany, creating a firestorm. 155 industrial buildings are destroyed or damaged, three Henschel factories making V-1 flying bombs are damaged, 26,000 residential buildings destroyed, 9,000 people killed or missing, and 100,000 people made homeless. [10] October 24 * Anti-nazi Clandestine Radio Soldatsender Calais begins transmitting. [1] October 31 * The F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception. [5] November 1 * Dim-out ban lifted in San Francisco Bay area. [1] November 6 * Kiev is liberated by Soviet forces. [10] November 18 * First US ambassador to Canada, Ray Atherton, nominated. [1] * 444 British heavy bombers attack Berlin, Germany, in the first attack of the Battle of Berlin. Nine British planes are lost. Little damage is done, mainly due to much cloud cover. [10] November 20 * US forces land on Tarawa and Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Island. [1] November 22 * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, American President Franklin Roosevelt, and Chinese President Chiang Kai-shek meet at Cairo, Egypt, over five days. They agree on military strategy against Japan. [10] * Lorenz Hart lyricist, dies in New York. [1]

639

November 23 * US forces seized control of Tarawa and Makin from Japanese. [1] * (evening) British bombers again attack Berlin, Germany, doing great damage. In this and the past night, over 30 major industrial complexes are destroyed, 9,000 people are killed or injured, and 200,000 are made homeless. [10] November 28 * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, American President Franklin Roosevelt, and Soviet Premier Josef Stalin meet at Teheran, Iran, over four days. Discussions include: European strategy, Far East strategy, Russia and Japan, United Nations, Turkey, Italy, Russian frontiers, Poland, and Germany's eastern frontier. [10] December 1 * Franklin Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agree to Operation Overlord (D-Day). [1] December 2 * First RSHA transport out of Vienna reaches Birkenau camp. [1] * Nordahl Grieg writer, dies. [1] * (0730 hours) Several German JU-88 bombers attack the Italian seaport of Bari. After 20 minutes, four ships have been damaged. One, a gasoline ship, explodes. Then an ammunition ship explodes. Sixteen cargo ships sink, with 1000 men killed. One ship containing 100 tons of mustard gas in 100-pound bombs sinks. 559 men suffer greatly from the gas poisoning, with a further 69 dying within two weeks. [10] December 3 * Battle of Monte Cassino, Italy begins. [1] * Howard Hanson's 4th Symphony, premieres. [1] December 4 * Second conference of Caïro: Franklin Roosevelt, Churchill and Turkish President Inönü. [1] * Carlo Mierendorff German politician/antifascist, dies at age 46. [1] * Yugoslavian resistance forms provisionary government under Dr Ribar. [1] December 6 * Firmin Baes Flemish painter, dies at age 69. [1] * Hermann Lohr composer, dies at age 72. [1]

640

December 7 * Cairo: President Roosevelt travels back to the US. [1] * John Bouber [Blom] actor/author (Bluejackets), dies at age 22. [1] December 8 * John Van Druten's "Voice of the Turtle" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 10 * British 8th Army occupies Orsogna/Ortona Italy. [1] December 13 * 150 US Marauders bomb Schiphol. [1] December 15 * Thomas W "Fats" Waller jazz pianist, dies in Kansas City Missouri at age 39. [1] December 16 * "Tamiami Champion" trains collide, kills 73 and injures 200. [1] December 17 * Transport 63 departs with French Jews to Nazi-Germany. [1] December 19 * Military coup in Bolivia. [1] December 20 * "International" is no longer USSR National Anthem. [1] December 23 * First telecast of a complete opera (Hansel and Gretel), Schenectady New York. [1] * General Montgomery told he is appointed commandant for D-day. [1] * Theo[dorus J] Thijssen Dutch writer (Kees de Jongen), dies at age 64. [1] December 24

641

* Franklin Roosevelt appoints General Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces. [1] * Terence Rattigan's "While the Sun Shines" premieres in London. [1] December 25 * Ilona Durigo Hungarian singer, dies at age 62. [1] * Raymond Huntington Woodman composer, dies at age 82. [1] December 26 * British sink German battle cruiser Scharnhorst. [1] December 27 * France transfers most of her powers in Lebanon to Lebanese government. [1] * German warship "Scharnhorst" sinks in Barents Sea. [1] * Montgomery discusses Overlord with Eisenhower and Bedell Smith. [1] December 28 * All inhabitants of Kalmukkie deported, about 70,000 killed. [1] December 29 * William H Singer US painter/collector (Singer Museum), dies at age 75. [1] December 30 * Hobart Bosworth actor (Woman of Affairs, Big Parade), dies at age 76. [1] December 31 * New York City's Times Square greets Frank Sinatra at the Paramount Theater. [1]

642

1944 January 1 * Lebanon gains full independence. [240.174] * First feature-length foreign movie, African Journey, shown on TV, New York City, New York. [1] * General Clark replaces General Patton as commander of 7th Army. [1] January 2 * First use of helicopters during warfare (British Atlantic patrol). [1] January 4 * Henri "Hans" Flu Indonesian/Dutch family doctor/anti-fascist, murder. [1] * Kaj Munk [Harald Leininger], anti-fascist writer (Kaj Munk), dies. [1] * Ralph Bunche appointed first Negro official in US State Department. [1] January 5 * Adolph Goldschmidt German/Swiss art historian, dies at age 80. [1] January 7 * Air Force announces production of first US jet fighter, the Bell P-59. [1] * J Verleun Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] January 10 * First mobile electric power plant delivered, Philadelphia. [1] * British troops conquer Maungdaw, Burma. [1] January 11 * Crakow-Plaszow Concentration Camp established. [1] * Galeazzo count of Cortellazzo Ciano Italian politician, dies. [1] January 12 * Churchill and de Gaulle begin a two-day wartime conference in Marrakesh. [1] * Failed resistance raid on distribution office of Borgerstraat Amsterdam. [1] January 14 * Mohammed Emin Yurdakul Turkish poet, dies at about age 74. [1]

643

* Soviet army begins offensive at Oranienbaum/Wolchow. [1] January 15 * European Advisory Commission decides to divide Germany. [1] * Dwight Eisenhower begins his command of Operation Overlord. [10] * Vught Concentration Camp puts 74 women in one cell, 10 die. [1] January 16 * General Eisenhower took command of Allied Invasion Force in London. [1] January 17 * Corvette Violet sinks U-641 in Atlantic Ocean. [1] January 18 * First Chinese naturalized US citizen since repeal of exclusion acts. [1] January 19 * Harold Fraser-Simson composer, dies at age 71. [1] January 20 * RAF drops 2300 ton bombs on Berlin. [1] * The Soviet Red Army captures Novgorod. [10] * The German siege of Leningrad is lifted. [10] January 21 * 447 German bombers attack London. [1] * 649 British bombers attack Magdeburg. [1] * Gustaaf DFL Schamelhout Flemish physician/writer, dies at age 74. [1] * US General Dwight Eisenhower accepts the revised plan for Operation Overlord, with five divisions landing on fifty miles of Normandy beaches. Americans are to land on the west, aiming for Chrebourg, Brest, and ports around the Loire estuary. British and Canadian forces are to land on the east near Caen, seizing Caen on the first day. D-Day is set for June 5. [10] * Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein German major/pilot, shot down. [1] January 22 * Battle of Anzio (Italy); Allies stopped on the beach. [1]

644

January 23 * Arnold Schoenberg's "Ode to Napoleon" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Edvard Munch Norwegian painter (The Scream), dies at age 80. [1] January 24 * Allied troops occupy Nettuno Italy. [1] January 27 * Casey Stengel, manager of the Boston Braves since 1938, resigns Lou Perini, Guido Rugo, and Joseph Maney buy control of Boston Braves. [1] * Leningrad liberated from Germany in 880 days with 600,000 killed. [1] January 28 * 683 British bombers attack Berlin. [1] * Leonard Bernstein's "Jeremiah" premieres in Pittsburgh. [1] * U-271 and U-571 sunk off Ireland. [1] January 29 * 285 German bombers attack London. [1] * William Allen White US journalist (Emporia Gazette), dies at age 75. [1] January 30 * US invades Majuro, Marshall Islands. [1] January 31 * Operation-Overlord (D-Day) postponed until June. [1] * U-592 sunk off Ireland. [1] * US forces invade Kwajalein Atoll. [1] February 1 * Martin Lunssens composer, dies at age 72. [1] * Piet Mondrian abstract painter (Composition in Blue), dies at age 71. [1] * Supreme Soviet enlarges soviet republics' autonomy. [1] * US 7th Infantry/25th Marine Division lands on Kwajalein/Roi/Namur. [1] February 2 * 4th US marine division conquerors Roi, Marshall Islands. [1]

645

* Allied troops first set foot on Japanese territory. [1] * Edward Chodorov's "Decision" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 4 * Jean Anouilh's "Antigone" premieres in Paris. [1] * US 7th Infantry Division captures Kwajalein. [1] February 5 * 358 RAF-bombers attack Stettin. [1] * Robert E Park sociologist (human ecology, marginal man), dies at age 79. [1] February 7 * Bing Crosby records "Swinging on a Star" for Decca Records. [1] * Germans launch counter-offensive at Anzio Italy. [1] February 8 * U-762 sunk off Ireland. [1] February 9 * U-734/U-238 sunk off Ireland. [1] February 10 * Belgium resistance fighter/author Kamiel van Baelen arrested. [1] * U-666/U-545/U-283 sink off Ireland. [1] February 11 * German troops re-conquer Aprilia Italy. [1] * Ivan Sollertinski friend of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, dies. [1] * U-424 sunk off Ireland. [1] February 12 * Wendell Wilkie (Republican) enters presidential race. [1] February 14 * Anti-Japanese revolt on Java. [1] * Carl Wick publishes "Salmon Trolling for Commercial and Sport Fishing. [1]

646

February 15 * 891 British bombers attack Berlin. [1] * (about 0945 hours) In Italy, about 230 Allied B-17 bombers based at Foggia drop 257 tons of 500 pound bombs and 59 tons of incendiaries on the monastery atop Monte Cassino. (In the afternoon, a further 283 1000-pound bombs are dropped. No German troops were based in the monastery, but the immediate area was used for tank patrols, observation post to direct fire, and an ammunition dump.) [10] February 16 * Edmund von Borck composer, dies at age 37. [1] February 17 * Battle of Eniwetok Atoll begins; US victory on February 22. [1] * Fausto Agnelli Swiss painter, dies at age 64. [1] * US begins night bombing of Truk. [1] February 18 * Maastricht resistance fighter JAJ Janssen arrested. [1] February 19 * 823 British bombers attack Berlin. [1] * Siegfried Garibaldi Kallenberg composer, dies at age 76. [1] * U-264 sinks off Ireland. [1] February 20 * Batman and Robin comic strip premieres in newspapers. [1] * US takes Eniwetok Island. [1] February 21 * The War As It Happens televied news show premieres on NBC (New York City only). [1] February 22 * US 8th Air Force bombs Enschede, Arnhem and Nijmegen by mistake/800+ die. [1] February 23 * Leo Hendrick Baekeland inventor (Bakelite), dies. [1]

647

February 24 * Argentina coup by Juan Peron minister of war. [1] * Leo H A Baekeland Belgian/US chemist (bakelite), dies at age 80. [1] February 25 * US first Army completes invasion plan. [1] February 26 * First female US navy captain, Sue Dauser of nurse corps, appointed. [1] February 29 * Five leaders of Indonesia Communist Party sentenced to death. [1] * US troop land on Los Negros, Admirality Islands. [1] March 1 * ... Formans director Milos Formans mother, dies in Auschwitz. [1] * Massive strikes in Northern Italian towns. [1] * U-358 sinks in Atlantic. [1] March 2 * 16th Academy Awards: "Casablanca", Jennifer Jones and Paul Lukas win. [1] * Fumes from locomotive stalled in a tunnel suffocates 521 in Italy. [1] March 3 * First performance of corporal Samuel Barber's second Symphony. [1] March 4 * First US bombing of Berlin. [1] * Anti-Germany strikes in North Italy. [1] March 5 * First performance of Walter Piston's second Symphony. [1] * Max Jacob French writer, dies in Nazi concentration camp at age 67. [1] March 6

648

* (evening) 267 British bombers attack the railway centre at Trappes, south-west of Paris. Enormous damage is inflicted, with no loss of planes. This is the first attack of the Allied Transportation Plan, to disrupt German reinforcement routes prior to an amphibious landing. [10] * USAF begins daylight bombing of Berlin. [1] March 7 * Japans begins offensive in Burma. [1] March 8 * US resumes bombing Berlin. [1] March 10 * David Vogel Ukrainian author, dies in Auschwitz at age 52. [1] March 11 * Dutch resistance fighter Joop Westerweel arrested. [1] * Hendrik W van Loon Netherlands/US radio commentator/writer, dies at age 62. [1] March 13 * USSR recognizes Italian Badoglio government. [1] March 14 * Pavel Grigor'yevich composer, dies at age 66. [1] March 15 * Allies launch another attack on Cassino. Over eight hours, 1000 tons of bombs are dropped, and 190,000 shells are fired on the town. By nightfall, two-thirds of the town is in Allied hands. [10] * Otto von Below German commandant (WWI), dies at age 86. [1] March 16 * Vichy Internal minister Pucheu sentenced to death. [1] March 18 * 2,500 women trample guards and floorwalkers to purchase 1,500 alarm clocks announced for sale in a Chicago Illinois department store. [1]

649

* Benjamin Delmonte theater director/actor, dies at age 79. [1] March 19 * Tippett's oratorium "Child of Our Time" premieres in London. [1] * German troops enter Budapest, Hungary. [10] March 20 * Bus falls off bridge into Passaic River New Jersey, killing 16. [1] * Felix Woyrsch composer, dies at age 83. [1] * Operation Anvil is cancelled. The plan was for a landing in south France simultaneously with the landing in north France. [10] * Mount Vesuvius, Italy explodes. [1] March 21 * General Eisenhower postpones S France invasion until after Normandy. [1] March 22 * Pucheu, French Internal minister to Vichy, executed. [1] * 600+ 8th Air Force bombers attack Berlin. [1] March 23 * Bomb assassination against Southern Tirol congregation in Rome, 33 die. [1] * Nicholas Alkemade falls 5,500 metre without a parachute and lives. [1] * O C Wingate British General-Major (Burma), dies in air crash. [1] March 24 * 76 Allied officers escape Stalag Luft 3 (Great Escape). [1] * (evening) 811 British bombers attack Berlin, Germany. 72 planes are shot down, killing 392 crew members, and leaving 131 as prisoners. This is the final British air assault of the Battle of Berlin. Since August 1943, Bomber Command had flown over 10,000 sorties and dropped over 30,000 tons of bombs, making it the longest and most sustained bombing offensive against a single target in the war. (The British official history of the Battle of Berlin declares it an operational defeat for Britain.) [10] * (night) The SS unit of Captain Erich Priebke rounds up 335 Italians, and machineguns them in the Ardentine caves on the outskirts of Rome. The massacre is in reprisal for the killing of 33 German soldiers two days earlier by Italian resistance fighters. [10] March 25 * Germany troop executes 335 residents of Rome. [1]

650

* RAF Sergeant Nickolas Alkemade survives a jump from his Lancaster bomber from 18,000 feet without a parachute. [1] March 26 * 705 British bombers attack Essen. [1] * Benjamin Crémieux French author (In Buchenwald), dies at age 55. [1] March 27 * 1,000 Jews leave Drancy France for Auschwitz Concentration Camp. [1] * 2,000 Jews are murdered in Kaunas Lithuania. [1] * 40 Jewish policemen in Riga Latvia ghetto are shot by the gestapo. [1] * Children's Aktion-Nazis collect all the Jewish children of Lovno. [1] March 28 * Astrid Lindgren sprains ankle and begins writing Pippi Longstocking. [1] * Rabbi Chayyim Most Maggid of Kovono, killed by Nazis. [1] * Stephen Butler Leacock writer/economist (Literary Lapses), dies at age 75. [1] March 30 * 781 British bombers attack Neurenberg. [1] March 31 * Hungary orders all Jews to wear yellow stars. [1] * Mineichi Koga Admiral of Japanese fleet, dies. [1] April 1 * German Abwehr ends England spiel, after 132 killed. [1] * Japanese troops conquer Jessami, East-India. [1] April 2 * CPI-leader Palmiro Togliatti returns to Italy. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovitch's 8th Symphony, premieres in New York. [1] * Mikulas Moyzes composer, dies at age 71. [1] * Soviet Army marches into pro-German Romania. [1] April 3 * British dive bombers attack battle cruiser Tirpitz. [1] * US Supreme Court (Smith versus Allwright) "white primaries" unconstitutional. [1]

651

April 4 * British troops capture Addis Ababa Ethiopia. [1] * De Gaulle forms new regime in exile, with communists. [1] * John Peale Bishop US poet (Undertaker's Garland), dies at age 51. [1] * Karel Weis composer, dies at age 82. [1] April 5 * 140 Lancasters bomb airplane manufacturer in Toulouse. [1] * Isolde Kurz German writer/poetess (Meine Mutter), dies at age 90. [1] * Willy Derby [Dieben] singer (Hello Bandoeng), dies. [1] April 6 * Jewish nursery at Izieu-Ain France overrun by Nazi's. [1] April 7 * General Montgomery speaks to Generals about invasion plan. [1] April 9 * Boleslaw Wallek-Walewski composer, dies at age 59. [1] * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Orientals Ecclesiae. [1] April 10 * Patrolling the Ether is shown on three TV stations simultaneously. [1] * Soviet forces liberate Odessa from Nazi's. [1] April 11 * RAF bombs census bureau in The Hague. [1] April 12 * Lillian Hellman's "Searching Wind", premieres in New York City. [1] April 13 * Cecile Chaminade composer, dies at age 86. [1] * Paul Hazard French literature historian, dies at age 65. [1] * South Carolina rejects black suffrage. [1] * Transport nr 71 departs with French Jews to Nazi-Germany. [1]

652

April 14 * First Jews transported from Athens arrive at Auschwitz. [1] * In the harbor in Bombay, India, American cargo ship SS Fort Stikine explodes. It was carrying 1395 tons of explosives, and gold for the Indian Treasury. Ten nearby ships are destroyed, 500 people are killed, and 8000 injured. [10] * General Eisenhower becomes head commander of allied air fleet. [1] * Greek Colonel Venizelos forms government. [1] April 18 * Cécile Chamindale composer, dies. [1] * Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins' ballet "Fancy Free" premieres in New York City. [1] April 19 * Allied fleet attack Sabang Sumatra. [1] April 20 * Dutch Communist Party-resistance fighter John Postma sentence to death. [1] April 22 * Allies land near Hollandia, New-Guinea. [1] * Hitler and Mussolini meet at Salzburg. [1] * Mezio Agostini composer, dies at age 68. [1] April 24 * First Boeing B-29 arrives in China "over the Hump". [1] * RAF bombs Munich. [1] April 25 * United Negro College Fund incorporates. [1] April 26 * First B-29 attacked by Japanese fighters, one fighter shot down. [1] * Papandreou government in Greece forms. [1] April 28

653

* Exercise "Tiger" ends with 750 US soldiers dead in D-Day rehearsal after their convoy ships were attacked by German torpedo boats. [1] * Stalin meets Polish/US priest S Orlemanski. [1] April 29 * Surprise attack by Van de Peat on General Landsdrukkerij in the Hague. [1] May 1 * Messerschmitt Me-262 Sturmvogel, first operational jet aircraft (twin-jet fighter), makes first flight. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Martin Flavin (Journey in the Dark). [1] * Surprise attack on Weteringschans Amsterdam, fails. [1] May 3 * "Meet Me in Saint Louis" opens on Broadway. [1] * Meat rationing ends in US. [1] May 5 * Gandhi freed from prison. [1] * Russian offensive against Sebastopol Krim. [1] May 6 * KJR-AM in Seattle Washington swaps calls with KOMO. [1] May 7 * German assault on Tito's hideout in Drvar Bosnia. [1] May 8 * First eye bank opens (New York City). [1] * 33 communist resistance fighter sentenced to death. [1] * U-575 sinks Asphodel. [1] May 9 * Country singer Jimmie Davis becomes Governor of Louisiana. [1] * Dutch resistance fighter Gerard Musch arrested. [1] * Ethel Mary Smyth composer, dies at age 86. [1] * Russians recapture Crimea by taking Sevastopol. [1]

654

May 10 * Chinese offensive in West-Yunnan. [1] * Smith v Allwright (excluding Blacks from primary voting) is illegal. [1] May 11 * Henk Hos resistance fighter, executed at age 37. [1] * Slomp Resistance fighter (Frits de Zwerver) freed from Arnhem prison. [1] May 12 * 900+ 8th Air Force bombers attack Zwikau, Bohlen and Brüx. [1] * Arthur T Quiller-Couch [Q] British author/critic, dies at age 80. [1] * Krim purged of Nazi troops. [1] * Secret Police arrest Gerrit Van de Peat. [1] May 14 * 91 German bombers harass Bristol. [1] * British troops occupy Kohima. [1] May 15 * 14,000 Jews of Munkacs Hungary deported to Auschwitz. [1] * Eisenhower, Montgomery, Churchill and George VI discuss D-Day plan. [1] * Sergei Aleksi becomes guardian of Patriarch Throne. [1] May 16 * First of 180,000+ Hungarian Jews reach Auschwitz. [1] * George Ade US novelist/playwright (Counsel Widow), dies at age 78. [1] * Leone Sinigaglia composer, dies at age 75. [1] * Max Brand [Frederick Schiller Faust] western author, dies. [1] * Military police attack gypsies. [1] May 17 * Allied air raid on Surabaja, Java. [1] * Chinese/US arm forces take Myitkyina Airport, Burma. [1] * General Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5th. [1] * Operation Straightline: Allies land in Netherlands New-Guinea. [1] May 18

655

* Expulsion of more than 200,000 Tartars from Crimea by Soviet Union begins, they are accused of collaborating with the Germans. [1] * Polish second Army corps captures convent of Monte Cassino Italy. [1] May 19 * 240 gypsies transported to Auschwitz from Westerbork Netherlands. [1] * German defense line in Italy collapsed. [1] May 20 * US Communist Party dissolves. [1] May 21 * Hitler begins attack on English/US "terror pilots". [1] May 23 * British/Canadian troops occupy Pontecorvo Italy. [1] * Chinese counter offensive at Hunan front. [1] * Operation-Buffalo: Allied jailbreak out Anzio-bridgehead. [1] * Polo Grounds host first New York City night game since 1941. [1] May 24 * Enver Hoxha becomes head of Albania anti fascists. [1] * Icelandic voters severe all ties with Denmark. [1] May 25 * Partisan leader Tito escapes Germans surrounding Bosnia. [1] May 26 * 82nd Airborne division D-day-landing at La Haye du Puits to Ste Mère Eglise. [1] May 27 * Allies land on Biak, Indonesia (operation Horlicks). [1] * Japanese advance in Hangkhou China. [1] * Jean-Paul Sartre's "Huis Clos" premieres in Paris France. [1] May 28 * Katri Vala Finnish poet, dies at age 42. [1]

656

May 29 * British troops occupy Aprilia Italy. [1] May 30 * Jessie Ralph actress (Good Earth, San Francisco), dies at age 79. [1] * Transport nr 75 departs with French Jews to Nazi-Germany. [1] May 31 * In Italy, retreating Germans burn two ships in a special museum near Lake Nemi outside Rome. The ships had been used in the lake as floating entertainment palaces in time of Caligula, about year 12-41. [10] * Allied breakthrough in Italy. [1] June 4 * First submarine captured and boarded on high seas-U 505. [1] * In Italy, American forces take Rome. [10] June 5 * First B-29 bombing raid; one plane lost due to engine failure. [1] * (evening) 1047 British bombers drop over 5,000 tons of bombs on French coastal batteries. This is the heaviest bombing of any night to date. Nine of ten main batteries are knocked out by a combination of American and British air and naval bombardment. [10] June 6 * (0000-0100 hours) Pathfinders of the United States 101st Airborne Division begin parachute landing in Normandy to set up the Drop Zones for the following main force. [10] * (about 0230 hours) 822 C-47 Dakota aircraft drop the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions on Normandy, France. [10] * (about 0630 hours) 300 men of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Division, US 1st Army, land at Utah Beach, the first company of the Allies to land. They land a mile south of their target, and encounter little opposition. Twenty-eight of 32 Dual-Drive tanks reach the beach. (By noon, the beach is cleared at a cost of six men killed, 39 wounded.) [10] * (about 0630 hours) The first tanks come ashore at Omaha beach, between Pointe de la Percée and Port-en-Bessin. [10] * (0720 hours) The British 2nd Army under Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey begins landing on the beaches "Gold", "Juno", and "Sword", toward the River Orne. [10]

657

* (1500 hours) A group of British men of the 50th Division cross highway N-13, running from Caen to Cherbourg. This is the furthest penetration of any Allied unit during D-Day. [10] * Alaska Airlines commences operations. [5] * Theodore Roosevelt Jr receives congressional medal of honor. [1] * Over 90 km of Normandy coastline during the day, about 155,000 Allied troops landed, incurring 11,000 casualties (2500 dead). 69,000 British soldiers landed, with about 2,000 casualties. 14,000 Canadians landed, with about 1,000 casualties, of which 350 are dead. American casualties total about 3,200. [10] [129] June 10 * In the town of Oradour-sur-Clone near Limoges, France, German SS units lock men in barns, women and children in a church, fire machine-guns on both, then set fire to them. About 1000 are killed; only six escape. This was done to deter the population from helping the Maquis. [10] June 11 * First Serbian Orthodox cathedral in US, Cathedral of Saint Sava, New York City. [1] June 12 * (night) Germany launches the first V-1 flying bombs against Britain. From 55 launch sites, seven are able to launch a total of ten flying bombs during the night, of which three reach England. One destroys a railway bridge. [10] June 14 * First B-29 raid against mainland Japan. [1] June 15 * US forces begin invasion of Saipan in Pacific. [1] * American B-29 Super Fortress bombers based in China begin bombing the Japanese home island of Northern Kyushu. [10] June 17 * Republic of Iceland proclaimed at Thingvallir, Iceland. [1] [5] June 19 * The Battle of the Philippine Sea takes place, over two days. Allied ships sink three Japanese aircraft carriers, damage two more, and destroy 426 of 473 planes. [10]

658

June 22 * Franklin Roosevelt signs "GI Bill of Rights" (Servicemen's Readjustment Act). [1] * Soviet forces launch Operation Bagration, on German Army Group Centre. The Soviet force comprises about 1.2 million men, 166 rifle divisions, 2715 tanks, 24,000 guns, 5327 aircraft, and 700 heavy bombers. [10] June 23 * Four tornadoes strike Appalachia, killing 153. [1] * Thomas Mann becomes a US citizen. [1] June 27 * The German garrison at Cherbourg destroys the port facilities and surrenders. 6000 soldiers are taken prisoner. (This is the first major French city liberated.) [10] 1944 July 1 * Bretton Woods Conference starts, establishing IMF and World Bank. [1] July 5 * Harry Crosby takes first rocket airplane, MX-324, for maiden flight. [1] July 6 * 170 die in a fire at Ringling Bros Circus in Hartford Conn. [1] July 9 * In France, Canadian forces capture the airfield at Carpiquet. [10] * Canadian and British troops enter Caen, France. (The city was a first-day objective of the June 6 landing.) [10] * World's largest circus tent catches fire at Ringling Brother's. [1] July 11 * Bill Boggs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; TV host/producer (Midday, Morton Downey Jr Show). [1] July 12

659

* (evening) Soviet forces commence a great new summer offensive against German Army Group North, opening a huge gap in the German front line. [10] July 15 * Greenwich Observatory damaged by WW II flying bomb. [1] July 17 * Two ammunition ships explodes at Port Chicago, California kills 322. [1] July 20 * President Franklin Roosevelt nominated for an unprecedented fourth term at Democratic convention. [1] * US invades Japanese-occupied Guam in WW II. [1] * (1242 hours) In Rastenburg, East Prussia, a bomb explodes in the Gästebaracke of Adolf Hitler's war headquarters. Hitler receives only minor injuries. Hitler's double, Heinrich Berger, dies a few hours later. Three others die later of injuries: Hitler's stenographer General Schmundt, Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe General Korten, and Colonel Brandt, aide to General Heusinger. [10] * (about 1800 hours) Berlin Radio reports Adolf Hitler is alive. [10] July 21 * (0030 hours) In Berlin, on orders from General Erich Fromm, a firing squad shots and kills Colonel of the General Staff Mertz von Quirnheim, General Friedrich Olbricht, Colonel Klaus von Stauffenberg, and Lieutenant Wernere von Haeften. [10] * (0100) Adolf Hitler broadcasts a speech throughout occupied Europe. He tells of the unsuccessful attempt on his life, naming Klaus von Stauffenberg as the intended assassin. Hitler appoints Heinrich Himmler Commander-in-Chief of the Replacement Army, and in charge of punishing the coup conspirators. (As a result of the failed coup, between 600 and 1000 Germans are are killed for their roles in Nazi resistance between now and the end of the war.) [10] * American Marines land on Guam. [10] * Japanese premier Hedeki Tojo resigns. [10] July 22 * Soviets set up Polish Committee of National Liberation. [1] July 23 * US forces invade Japanese-held Tinian in WW II. [1] July 25

660

* (0938 hours) In France, Operation Cobra begins, with eight squadrons of the US 8th Air Force bombers attacking an area south of the St.Lô-Périers highway, in preparation for a breakout operation by the US 1st Army. 1500 heavy bombers, 380 medium bombers, and 550 fighter-bombers drop 4000 tons of bombs and napalm. Short bombing kills 111 Americans, and injures 490. The operation is incredibly effective. [10] * In France, the U.S. 1st Army breaks through enemy positions near St. Lô. [10] * First jet fighter used in combat (Messerschmitt 262). [1] July 27 * First British jet fighter used in combat (Gloster Meteor). [1] * US regains possession of Guam from Japanese. [1] July 31 * In Warsaw, Poland, the Polish Home Army of about 2500 attempts to seize control of the city against 15,000 Germans. [10] August 3 * Heinrich Himmler orders the entire Stauffenberg family exterminated. Tens of thousands of family members are arrested. Some are killed, some infants are sent away to be raised with SS families. [10] August 4 * Nazi Gestapo discover the hiding place of Anne Frank and family, and others hiding in the warehouse. They are sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, but Anne's diary is left behind, undiscovered by the Nazis, later found in 1947. [1] [129] August 5 * (0200 hours) In Cowra, Australia, over 900 Japanese prisoners-of-war stage a mass escape. They set their quarters on fire, and rush the barbed wire fences and gun posts. 378 escape, but all are recaptured in following days. In total, 234 are killed, 108 wounded, and four Australian guards are killed. [10] August 6 * Deportation of 70,000 jews from Lodz Poland to Auschwitz begins. [1] August 7 * IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the [5]

661

August 10 * Race riots in Athens Alabama. [1] August 15 * The Allies launch Operation Anvil, as a second Allied invasion force under Lieutenant-General Jacob Devers lands on the Mediterranean coast of France between Cannes and Toulon. [10] August 17 * Canadian army forces in France capture Falaise. A pocket of 100,000 German forces is nearly surrounded, with only a gap 40 miles long, 11-15 miles wide. [10] August 20 * "Anna Lucasta," opens on Broadway. [1] August 21 * Dumbarton Oaks conference opens in Washington, DC; establishes United Nations. [1] August 22 * In Normandy, France, the Falaise Gap is declared officially closed. (About 250,000 to 500,000 trapped Germans were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.) [10] * Adolf Hitler issues a directive to the German commander of Paris, France, to destroy the city. [10] August 23 * Romania is liberated; King Michael unconditionally surrenders to the Allies. [10] August 25 * (1530 hours) German commander of Paris, France, Von Choltitz surrenders the city to Allied armies. [10] * Finland requests an armistice with the Soviet Union. [10] * French General Charles de Gaulle enters liberated Paris. [10] August 26 * Romania declares war on Germany. [10]

662

August 29 * (2000 hours) The Slovak army of 60,000 mutinies against the government. [10] * 15,000 American troops liberating Paris march down Champs Elysees. [1] August 30 * In Italy, Canadian forces crosses the Foglia River, and pierce the Gothic Line of German defences. [10] * Former Paris Military Governor Colonel-General Karl Heinrich von Stülpnagel is hanged. [10] * Soviet troops enter Bucharest Romania. [1] * Russian forces capture Ploesti, Romania. [10] September 2 * Anne Frank (Diary of Anne Frank), is sent to Auschwitz. [1] * The last V-1 bomb launched from France reaches England. Total deaths from V-1 bombs in England: 6184, seriously wounded: 17981. [10] * During WW II, George Bush ejects from a burning plane. [1] September 3 * The British 2nd Army reaches Brussels, Belgium, liberating the city. [10] September 4 * The Belgian port of Antwerp falls to the British 2nd Army. (The port is mostly undamaged, by the narrow approaches remain heavily fortified.) [10] September 8 * (1845 hours British) The first German A-4 (V-2) rocket hits London, England, landing on Staveley Road in Chiswick, killing three and injuring 20. The explosion creates a crater 10-20 feet deep and 40 feet across. The full name of the rocket is Vergeltungswaffe 2 (Revenge Weapon 2), named by Adolf Hitler. [10] September 9 * Allied forces liberate Luxembourg. [1] * Bulgaria liberated from Nazi control (often referred to as the invasion of Bulgaria by Russia) (National Day). [1] * Bulgaria signs an armistice with the Allies. [10] September 11

663

* Allied forces on land cross into Germany. [10] * In Quebec City, Canada, Prime Minister William King hosts a nine-day meeting with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt. They discuss Germany, European military strategy, and the war against Japan. [10] September 16 * Adolf Hitler meets with military advisors at Wolfsschanze in East Prussia. Hitler announces he will launch an offensive through the Ardennes, with objective being Antwerp, Belgium. The idea is to isolate the British, Canadian, and two American armies in the north, and force their surrender. The reduced strength of the US might then cause them to make peace, fearful of communist Soviet Union. [10] September 17 * British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery launches Operation Market Garden, with 14 divisions. Nearly 2000 American CG-4A and 700 British Horga and Hamilcar gliders are launched from southern England, carrying the British 2nd Army and the US 101st Airborne Division. They land along 60 miles of road in Holland, leading into Germany. The objective is to capture bridges at Grave, Nijmegen, and Arnhem over the Rhine river. [10] September 19 * Finland and the Soviet Union sign an armistice, ending the conflict between their countries. [10] September 21 * German forces begin a second V-2 rocket offensive, on European targets, mainly Antwerp, Belgium, plus ten others. [10] September 22 * Boulogne reoccupied by Allies. [1] September 28 * First TV Musical comedy (The Boys from Boise). [1] * Battle of Arnhem, Germans defeat British airborne in Netherlands. [1] September 29 * Soviet troops invade Yugoslavia. [1] September 30

664

* Calais reoccupied by Allies. [1] October 1 * Newspaper editor Alejandro Córdova assassinated in Guatemala. [1] October 3 * The Warsaw uprising is completely destroyed. In two months of fighting, an estimated 200,000 Poles wre killed, ninety percent of them civilian. Estimated property losses are seventy percent of national wealth. [10] October 8 * "Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" debut on CBS radio. [1] * Wendell Lewis Willkie Republican politician, dies. [1] October 9 * In Moscow, Russia, representatives of Great Britian and the Soviet Union meet over twelve days to discuss Balkan spheres of influence, Poland, and the Soviet entry into the war against Japan. [10] October 11 * German Colonel Baron Alexis von Roenne is executed by Nazi authorities for treason. He was the head of German intelligence, and had convinced Adolf Hitler that the Allied landing would be in the Pas de Calais. [10] October 13 * US first army begins battle of Aachen. [1] October 14 * Erwin Rommel German Field Marshall (WW II-Africa), dies at age 52. [1] * German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel commits suicide rather than face trial for his part in an attempt to overthrow Hitler. [1] * British forces liberate Athens, Greece. [10] October 18 * Soviet troops invade Czechoslovakia during WW II. [1] October 20

665

* 30 blocks of Cleveland Ohio burn after a liquid gas factory explodes. [1] * Revolution by workers and students in Guatemala. [1] * US first army wins battle of Aachen. [1] * American General Douglas MacArthur and 200,000 troops begin amphibious landings on Leyte in the central Philippines. [10] October 21 * During WWII, US troops capture Aachen, first large German city to fall. [1] October 23 * Soviet army invades Hungary. [1] October 26 * The Battle of Leyte Gulf ends, as the Japanese fleet withdraws. The Japanese lost 34 ships, including four carriers, three battleships, and forty cruisers. (This is the greatest battle in the history of modern naval warfare to date.) [10] October 30 * Anne Frank (of Diary fame) is deported from Auschwitz to Belsen. [1] November 1 * Japanese begin launching large balloons with bombs destined for the west coast of North America. The balloons maintain a range of altitude by releasing sandbags or hydrogen automatically during their flight. The bombs are set to be released when all sandbags have been dropped. (Over five months, 9300 such balloons are launched, with only about 300 reaching North America. Due to tight control on North Americam media reporting, the Japanese believe the balloons are ineffective and stop sending them.) [10] November 6 * Plutonium is first produced at the Hanford Atomic Facility, subsequently used in the Fat Man Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. [5] * Hannah Senesh Jewish poetess, executed by Nazis in Budapest. [1] November 7 * Franklin Roosevelt wins fourth term in office, defeating Thomas E Dewey (Republican). [1] November 8

666

* 25,000 Hungarian Jews are loaned to the Nazis for forced labor. [1] November 12 * Twelve British Lancaster bombers from Lossiemouth, Scotland, carrying special 12,000-pound bombs, attack German battleship Tirpitz. They score three hits, causing a great explosion, sinking the ship near Tromsö, Norway, off Hakey Island. [10] November 22 * Arthur S Eddington dies. [1] November 24 * US bombers based on Saipan, first attack Tokyo. [1] November 25 * (1225 hours) A German V-2 rocket strikes the crowded Woolworths store on New Cross Road, in Deptford, central London, England, killing 160, seriously injuring 77, and injuring 122 others. [10] November 29 * Albania liberated from Nazi control (National Day). [1] * John Hopkins hospital performs first open heart surgery. [1] December 1 * Béla Bartòk's Concerto for orchestra, premieres. [1] * Mail routing resumes in free South Netherlands. [1] * Prokofjev's 8th Piano sonata, premieres. [1] December 2 * Filippo T Marinetti Italian writer (father of futurism), dies at age 67. [1] * Charles de Gaulle meets with Josef Stalin in Moscow, over nine days. A military alliance is signed, against Germany now, and after the war. [10] * German troops seize Betuwse dikes. [1] * JW Ummels Dutch resistance fighter (House of Saxon-Nazi), dies. [1] * US 95th Infantry division occupies bridge at Saar. [1] December 3 * British order to disarm, causes general strike in Greece. [1]

667

* Delfien Vanhaute Flemish pastor/poet (Ark of Noah), dies at age 75. [1] * Hungarian death march of Jews ends. [1] * Mussert puts Seyss-Inquart plan for small Nazi-Europe. [1] * US 5th Armour division occupies Brandenburg Hürtgenwald. [1] December 4 * Germans destroy Rhine dikes, Betuwe flooded. [1] December 5 * German troops rob all the silver coin in Utrecht. [1] December 6 * US 95th Infantry division reaches Westwall. [1] December 7 * Convention on International Civil Aviation drawn up in Chicago. [1] * General Radescu forms Romanian government. [1] December 9 * Laird Cregar actor (Charley's Aunt, Hangover Square), dies at age 28. [1] December 10 * Nine Dutch citizens hanged by nazis. [1] * German counter attack at Dillingen-bridgehead at Saar. [1] * France and the Soviet Union sign a mutual assistance pact. [10] December 11 * Surprise attack on House of Keeping Axe, 29 prisoners freed. [1] December 13 * Japanese kamikaze crashes into US cruiser Nashville, kills 138. [1] * Lupe Velez actress (Joe Palooka), overdoses on seconal at age 34. [1] * Norman Krasna's "Dear Ruth" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Vassily V Kandinsky abstract artist (Dreamy Inspiration), dies at age 78. [1] December 14 * Begin(ning) Liese-Aktion: werving of labor force for Germany. [1]

668

* US Congress establishes rank of General of the Army (5-star General). [1] * German occupiers forbid use of electricity in parts of Holland. [1] December 15 * Bandleader, Major Glenn Miller, lost over English Channel. [1] * Glenn Miller US band leader/jazz composer, dies at age 40. [1] * Hizbu'allah (Arm forces for Allah) forms. [1] * US Congress gives General Eisenhower his 5th star. [1] * US troops lands on Mindoro. [1] December 16 * General Eisenhower's clerk Rickey marries corporal Pearlie. [1] * (0530 hours) Adolf Hitler launches Operation Autumn Mist (Herbstnebel). A short (30 minutes) artillery burst commences prior to troop movement. A German force of 2022 divisions attacks along a 60-mile front from Monschau to Echternach through the Ardennes, in a surprise attack on the west. 200,000 German tank and infantry troops take part in the offensive versus 83,000 along the American line. [10] * A German V-2 rocket hits the Rex Theatre in Antwerp, Belgium, killing 492-567, the worst missile attack of the war. [10] * Glenn Miller US jazz composer/orchestra leader (Danny boy), dies at age 40. [1] * US second Infantry division occupies "Heartbreak Crossroads" Wahlerscheid. [1] December 17 * M-Ocean View streetcar resumes service and is extended to Market St. [1] * Pieter A Roodenburgh student/resistance fighter, dies at age 26. [1] * US Army announces end of excluding Japanese-Americans from West Coast; Japanese-Americans are released from detention camps. [1] * US destroyers sink in storm off Philippines, 790 killed. [1] December 18 * Destroyers "Hull", "Spence" and "Monaghan" sink in typhoon (Philippines). [1] * Nazi occupiers of Amsterdam destroy electricity plants. [1] December 20 * Abbas Hilmi II viceroy of Egypt (1892-1914), dies at age 70. [1] * Archbishop De Young and bishop Huibers condemn black market. [1] * Battle of Bastogne, Nazis surround 101st Airborne (NUTS!). [1] * Bishop forbids membership in non Catholic unions. [1] * Terence Rattigans "O Mistress Mine" premieres in London. [1] December 21

669

* RKO Radio Pictures world premieres Disney's animated and live-action feature film The Three Caballeros in theaters in Mexico City, Mexico. [6] December 22 * Antoine Mariotte composer, dies on 69th birthday. [1] * American forces in Bastogne, Belgium, are told by a German commanding officer to surrender or be annihilated. US General Anthony McAuliffe replies "NUTS!". [10] * Harry Langdon US comic/director (Heart Trouble), dies at age 60. [1] * Sub Swordfish departs Pearl Harbor for Japan. [1] December 23 * Beginning of harsh winter. [1] December 24 * Joseph Gustav Mraczek composer, dies at age 66. [1] December 26 * Battle of Bastogne-US General Patton's 4th Pantzers repulse the Germans. [1] * Budapest surrounded by soviet army. [1] * Tennessee Williams' play "Glass Menagerie" premieres in Chicago. [1] December 27 * Amy Marcy Cheney Beach composer, dies at age 77. [1] * Greece: British premier Churchill flies back to London. [1] December 28 * Eisenhower and Montgomery meet in Hasselt Belgium. [1] * Leonard Bernstein's musical "On the Town" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 29 * Belgian Nazi Léon Degrelle at default to the death sentenced. [1] * General Eisenhowers train returns to Versailles. [1] December 30 * King George II of Greece, abdicates his throne. [1] * Romain Roland French writer/pacifist (Nobel Prize 1915), dies at age 78. [1]

670

December 31 * 48 people die in a train accident in Ogden UT. [1] * Japanese army evacuates harbor city Akyab. [1] * Adolf Hitler launches Operation Nordwind, the second surprise offensive at the southern flank of the Allied line in Germany. [10] Year * Global mean surface temperature at peak highest point since accurate measurements in 1880, beginning of gradual decline. [58]

671

1945 January 1 * (early) The German Luftwaffe launches 1000 sorties of fighter planes in a series of major raids on 27 Allied airfields in Holland, Belgium, and northwest France. They destroy over 300 Allied aircraft, but lose nearly 200 of their own. German anti-aircraft batteries, which were not informed of the raids, shoot down many of their own planes. (This is the German air force's largest single-day loss of the war.) [10] * France joins the United Nations. [1] * Vit Nejedly composer, dies at age 33. [1] January 2 * Allied air raid on Neurenberg. [1] * Betram Home Ramsay English Admiral/Commander Naval Forces (Normandy), dies at age 61. [1] * Radio Orange ends cooperation at Liese-Aktion. [1] January 3 * Allies land on west coast of Burma, conquer Akyab. [1] * Birth of Victoria Principal Fukuoka Japan, actress (Earthquake, Pamela-Dallas). [1] * British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits France. [1] * Cato-Meridian School, New York, installs germicidal lamps in every room. [1] * Fyodor Akimenko composer, dies at age 68. [1] * Greek General Plastiras forms government. [1] * John Patrick's "Hasty Heart" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * US aircraft carriers attack Okinawa. [1] January 4 * Germans execute resistance fighters in Amsterdam. [1] * US jeep-aircraft carrier Ommaney Bay sinks after kamikaze attack. [1] * Sixty-nine American B-29 bombers from the Marianas Islands attack Kobe, Japan, with incendiary bombs, destroying 2.5 million square feet of the city. [10] January 5 * Dezsö Szabó Hungarian writer (Wiped-out Village), dies at age 65. [1] * Pepe LePew debuts in Warner Bros cartoon "Odor-able Kitty". [1] * Surprise attack on Liese-Aktion-office on Marnix Street, Amsterdam. [1] January 6 * Future President George Bush marries Barbara Pierce in Rye New York. [1]

672

January 7 * Lord Haw-Haw reports total German victory at Ardennen. [1] January 8 * "Youth for Christ" organizes. [1] * Jac[obus] P Thijsse Dutch biologist (Omgang met planten), dies at age 79. [1] January 9 * US soldiers led by General Douglas MacArthur invade Philippines. [1] January 10 * Los Angeles Railway (with five streetcar lines) forced to close. [1] * Rudolf Borchardt writer, dies at age 67. [1] January 11 * Ada Negri Italian poet/author (Fatalità), dies at age 74. [1] January 12 * German forces in Belgium retreat in Battle of the Bulge. [1] * US Task Force 38 destroys 41 Japanese ships in Battle of South China Sea. [1] January 13 * Prokofchev's 5th Symphony premieres in Moscow. [1] January 14 * Sandor Vandor composer, dies at age 43. [1] January 15 * "Make Mine Manhattan" opens at Broadhurst Theater New York City, New York for 429 performances. [1] * Every Amsterdammer gets 3 kg sugar beets. [1] * Red Army frees Crakow-Plaszow concentration camp. [1] January 16 * Dennis Donnini British rifleman (Victoria Cross), dies in battle at age 19. [1]

673

* Scottish 52nd land division/1st Commando brigade-assault at Heinsberg. [1] * US first and third army meet at Houffalise. [1] * End of the "Battle of the Bulge". The Battle of the Bulge was a last desperate attempt by German forces to break the Allied front in the west and turn the tide of World War II. [37] January 17 * Auschwitz concentration camp begins evacuation. [1] * Soviet forces liberate Warsaw, Poland. [10] * Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg leaves Budapest with his driver and three Russian officers for a pre-approved meeting with Soviet commanders in Debrecen, east of Budapest, to discuss his humanitarian work with Jews. (He is not ever seen again in the West. During his time in Europe, he saved about 20,000 Jews from Nazi detainment.) [1] [7] January 19 * Ernest B Allo French theologist, dies at age 71. [1] January 20 * Franklin Roosevelt sworn-in for an unprecedented fourth term as President. [1] * German forces in Hungary surrender to the Soviet army. [10] January 21 * British troops land on Ramree, near coast of Burma. [1] January 22 * A Wolfenstein writer, dies at age 61. [1] * Burma highway reopens. [1] * Carlo Felice Boghen composer, dies a day before 76th birthday. [1] * Else Lasker-Schüler writer, dies at age 48. [1] * Heavy US air raid on Okinawa. [1] * Johan Eykman theologist (World Church), dies at age 52. [1] January 23 * Dutch Premier Gerbrandy, exiled in London, offers his resignation. [1] * Helmuth J Moltke German politician ("July 20th Plot"), executed at age 37. [1] January 24 * Scottish 52nd Lowland division occupies Heinsberg. [1]

674

January 25 * Grand Rapids Michigan becomes first US city to fluoridate its water. [1] * Japanese occupiers of Batavia arrest Indo-European youths. [1] * West Africa 82nd division occupies Myohaung, Burma. [1] January 27 * The Soviet Red Army liberates Auschwitz. [10] * Nazi occupiers forbid food transport to West (The Netherlands). [1] * S Romberg, H&D Fields' musical premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Wally van Hall, "banker in defiance", arrested. [1] January 28 * Dutch airplanes dump pamphlets on Java. [1] * General "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell and truck convoy reopen Burma Road to China. [1] * Philip "Felix" Bekkers actor (We Go on Trip), dies at age 37. [1] * American troops regain the front lines against the Germans held on December 16. Allied armies suffered about 83,000 casualties, and lost about 800 tanks. Germany lost over 100,000 men, 800 tanks, and 1000 aircraft. [10] * Swedish ships bring food to starving Netherlands. [1] January 30 * German passenger ship Wilhelm Gustloff is struck by three Soviet torpedoes off Danzig. The ship quickly capsizes, with the loss of 5200-5400 of estimated 6100 on board. Worst sea loss ever. [1] [260.102] * Gottlieb J Haberlandt Hungarian/German botanist, dies at age 90. [1] * In Malta, British and American representatives meet over five days to discuss military strategy, Italy, China, and occupation zones in Germany. [10] * William Busch composer, dies at age 43. [1] January 31 * (1004 hours) American Private Edward Donald Slovik, age 25, is executed by firing squad for desertion, the first such execution since the US Civil War. [1] [10] * US 4th Infantry division occupies Elcherrath. [1] February 1 * Johan Huizinga Dutch culture historian (Homo Ludens), dies at age 72. [1] * US Army arrives at Siegfriedlinie. [1] February 2

675

* Escape attempt at Mauthausen concentration camp. [1] * Karl F Goerdeler mayor (Leipzig)/"July 20th plot", hanged at age 60. [1] February 3 * About 1000 American B-17 bombers of the US 8th Air Force attack Berlin, Germany. A reported 25,000 civilians are killed. [10] * Jose Rolon composer, dies at age 61. [1] * Roland Freisler German Nazi judge (July 20th plotter case), dies. [1] * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated and live-action feature film The Three Caballeros to theaters in the US. After a brief initial run, Walt pulls the film from general release, due to bad press reviews. It includes the animated short films The ColdBlooded Penguin, The Flying Gauchito, Baia, and Le Pinata, all with Donald Duck. [6] February 4 * The Yalta Conference takes place, over eight days, to discuss post-war policies. Russia asks for an Allied air bombing of Berlin and Leipzig. [10] February 5 * Big Racket becomes fastest race horse at 69.6 kph (440 yards/20.8 seconds). [1] * British premier Churchill arrives in Yalta, the Krim. [1] * US troops under General Douglas MacArthur enter Manilla. [1] February 6 * 8th Air Force bombs Magdeburg/Chemnitz. [1] * Jan Bos Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] * Paul Bos Dutch resistance fighter, executed. [1] * Russian Red Army crosses the river Oder. [1] February 7 * General Douglas MacArthur returns to Manila. [1] * US President Harry Truman appoints Irwin C Mollison judge of US Customs Court. [1] * US 76th/5th Infantry divisions begin crossing Sauer. [1] February 8 * Allied air attack on Goch/Kleef/Kalkar/Reichswald. [1] February 9

676

* George J L Maduro resistance fighter (Madurodam), dies in Dachau. [1] * Germany destroys Ruhrdammen. [1] * Jan Bakker resistance fighter, executed at age 26. [1] * WAAF-corporal flies along the tail of a Spitfire. [1] February 10 * "Rum and Coca Cola" by Andrews Sisters hits #1. [1] * Juan de Hernandez composer, dies at age 63. [1] February 11 * First gas turbine propeller-driven airplane flight tested, Downey California. [1] * Al Dubin Swiss songwriter (Tiptoe Thru The Tulips), dies at age 53. [1] * J S H Lokerman Dutch resistance fighter, dies in Neugengamme. [1] * At Yalta, representatives of Great Britain, the USA, and the Soviet Union sign a secret agreement on certain post-war issues. After victory over Japan, the Soviet Union is to receive the Kurile Islands, and southern Sakhalin and adjacent islands. [10] February 12 * Henrietta Szold founder (Hadassah, Youth Aliyah), dies. [1] * San Francisco selected for site of United Nations Conference. [1] * Walraven [Wally] van Hall Dutch banker/resisted Nazis, executed at age 39. [1] February 13 * British bombers attack Dresden, Germany. This is Operation Thunderclap, a directive of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to destroy German cities. About 800 Lancaster bombers bomb the centre of the town with 1600 tons of incendiaries and high explosives, starting a firestorm. Over 1680 acres are destroyed in the city centre, over 86,000 houses destroyed or damaged, 20,000 to 25,000 killed. (Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels exaggerates the death toll to 200,000.) [10] * USSR captures Budapest, after 49-day battle with Germany; 159,000 die. [1] February 14 * Perú, Paraguay, Chile and Ecuador join the United Nations. [1] February 16 * Rudolf Värnlund Swedish playwright (Upproret), dies at age 45. [1] * US forces land on Corregidor, complete conquest on March 3. [1] * Venezuela declares war on Nazi-Germany. [1] February 19

677

* 900 Japanese soldiers reportedly killed by crocodiles in two days. [1] * Brotherhood Day-first celebrated. [1] * 450 ships with 30,000 men of the US 4th and 5th Marine divisions begin landing on Iwo Jima to attack Japanese forces. [10] * Wim Speelman Dutch resistance fighter, executed at age 26. [1] February 21 * Archbishop De Jong calls for help with war casualties. [1] * British Army captures Goch. [1] * Allied forces break through the Siegfried Line in Europe. [10] * US 10th Armour division overthrows Orscholz line. [1] * The US 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team liberates Corregidor, Philippines. [10] February 22 * Arab League forms (Cairo). [1] * British troops take Ramree Island, Burma. [1] * Canadian third Division occupies Moyland. [1] February 23 * Second Dutch government of Gerbrandy forms in London. [1] * Aleksei Tolstoi Russian poet/writer (Pjotr Peroyj), dies at age 62. [1] * Aubrey Cousins Canadian sergeant (Victoria Cross), dies in battle. [1] * Canadian troops occupy Kalkar. [1] * Operation Grenade General Simpson's 9th Army crosses Ruhr. [1] * US Marines raise flag on Iwo Jima, famous photo and statue. [1] February 24 * Ahmed Maher Pasha Egypt's Prime Minister, assassinated in parliament. [1] * Egypt and Syria declares war on Nazi-Germany. [1] * Manila freed from Japanese. [1] * Nazi occupiers begin state of siege. [1] February 25 * Mário R de Morais Andrade Brazilian poet/folklorist, dies at age 51. [1] * US aircraft carriers attack Tokyo. [1] February 26 * Very heavy bombing on Berlin by 8th US Air Force. [1]

678

February 27 * Battle of US 94 Infantry. [1] * HJ Lochtman Dutch chaplain/resistance fighter, dies in Bergen-Belsen. [1] March 1 * British 43rd Division under General Essame occupies Xanten. [1] * Chinese 30th division occupies Hsenwi. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt announces success of Yalta Conference. [1] * Fieldmarshal Kesselring succeeds von Rundstedt as commander. [1] * US infantry regiment captures Mönchengladbach. [1] March 2 * 8th Air Force bombs Dresden. [1] * King Michael of Romania gives in to Communist government. [1] March 3 * Arthur Vanderpoorten Flemish Internal minister (1940), dies at age 61. [1] * Churchill visits Montgomery's headquarter. [1] * Koos Speenhoff Dutch singer, killed in bombing raid at age 75. [1] * RAF bombing error hits The Hague killing 511. [1] * Roermond/Venlo Netherlands, freed. [1] * US and Philippine forces recaptures Corregidor. [1] * US 7th Army occupies last part of Westwall. [1] March 4 * Finland declares war on Nazi-Germany. [1] March 5 * Allies bombs The Hague, Netherlands. [1] * Generals Eisenhower, Patton and Patch meet in Luneville. [1] * US 7th Army Corps captures Cologne. [1] March 6 * 117 SD-prisoners executed at Savage Farm. [1] * Assassination attempt on Höhere, SS Police führer Rauter. [1] * Chinese 38th division occupies Lashio. [1] * Erich Honnecker and Erich Hanke flee Nazis. [1] * Federico García Lorca's "La Casa" premieres in Buenos Aires. [1]

679

* Jan Thijssen Dutch resistance fighter, executed at Savage Farm. [1] * Rudolph Karel composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 7 * Adolf Bartels German writer/racist, dies at age 82. [1] * Cologne taken by allied armies. [1] * US 9th Armoured Division attacks Remagen Germany, crosses Rhine. [1] * Yugoslavia government of Tito forms. [1] March 8 * "Kiss Me Kate" opens in Britain. [1] * 53 Amsterdammers executed by Nazi occupiers. [1] * H J Jamin Dutch resistance fighter, dies in Buchenwald. [1] * International Women's Day is first observed. [1] * Jan Beekes resistance fighter, executed at age 26. [1] March 9 * 279 American B-29 bombers attack Tokyo, Japan, destroying sixteen square miles of the city, killing 83,700, injuring 40,000, making over one million homeless. [10] * Japanese proclaim the "independence" of Indo-China. [1] March 10 * Germany blows-up Wessel Bridge on Rhine. [1] * Japan declares Vietnam Independence. [1] * Patton's third Army makes contact with Hodge's first Army. [1] * Tokyo in fire after night time B-29 bombing. [1] * US troops lands on Mindanao. [1] March 11 * 1,000 allied bombers harass Essen, 4,662 ton bombs. [1] * Flemish Nazi collaborator Maria Huygens sentenced to death. [1] March 12 * 30 Amsterdammers executed by Nazi occupiers. [1] * Anne Frank diarist (Diary of Anne Frank), killed in Belsen Camp. [1] * Italy's Communist Party (CPI) calls for armed uprising in Italy. [1] * New York is first to prohibit discrimination by race and creed in employment. [1] * The British Empire celebrates its first British Empire Day. [1] * USSR returns Transylvania to Romania. [1]

680

March 13 * Herbert Bedford composer, dies at age 78. [1] * Queen Wilhelmina returns to Netherlands. [1] * Sicherheitsdienst arrest Dutch resistance fighter Henry Werkman. [1] March 14 * RAF bomb cuts railway link Hannover-Hamm. [1] March 15 * 17th Academy Awards: "Going my Way", Bing Cosby and Ingrid Bergman win. [1] * Billboard publishes its first album chart (King Cole Trio is #1). [1] * Catholic University of Nijmegen reopens. [1] * Herman B Wiardi Beckman Dutch Member of Parliament (SDAP), dies at age 41. [1] March 16 * Pierre Drieu la Rochelle French writer/poet, commits suicide at age 52. [1] March 17 * American forces complete the capture of Iwo Jima. Americans suffer 26,038 casualties, include 6821 dead. Of the 21,000 Japanese defenders, only 1083 survive. [10] * Allied ships bomb North-Sumatra. [1] March 18 * 1,250 US bombers attacks Berlin. [1] * US Task Force 58 attacks targets on Kiushu. [1] March 19 * 800 killed as Kamikaze attacked USS Franklin off Japan. [1] * Adolf Hitler issues an order calling for the destruction of anything of value on retreat. (Albert Speer and some army officers do what they can to see that the orders are not carried out.) [10] * British 36th division conquers Mogok (ruby mine). [1] * Fritz Fromm German supreme commander of Reserve army, executed. [1] * US Task Force 58 attacks ships near Kobe/Kure. [1] March 20 * US 70th Infantry division/7th Armour division attack Saar. [1]

681

March 21 * First Japanese flying bombs (ochas) attack Okinawa. [1] * During WWII Allied bombers begin 4-day raid over Germany. [1] * Dutch Resistance fighter Hannie Schaft arrested by Nazi police. [1] * J Woortman Dutch resistance fighter, dies in Bergen-Belsen at age 39. [1] March 22 * Arab League forms with adoption of a charter in Cairo Egypt. [1] * J Postuma Dutch resistance fighter, dies. [1] * US third Army crosses Rhine at Nierstein. [1] March 23 * (night) Operation Plunder begins, as British and Canadian forces make an amphibious crossing of the Rhine river in Germany. The objective of this operation is to attack north of Wesel, holding down and diminishing the 47th Panzer Corps, preventing it from attacking the main force crossing at Wesel. [10] * Largest operation in Pacific war, 1,500 US Navy ships bomb Okinawa. [1] * Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits Montgomery's headquarter in Straelen. [1] March 24 * General Eisenhower, Montgomery and Bradley discuss advance in Germany. [1] * J S Nicklin Lieutenant-Colonel/Canada's first parachutist, dies. [1] * (1000 hours) Operation Varsity begins, as 134 American and British gliders cross the Rhine River, landing paratroops in Wesel, Germany. [10] * Thomas Rennie General-Major (Dutch command 51st Highland Division), dies. [1] * US minesweepers reach Kerama Retto, South coast of Okinawa. [1] March 25 * US first army breaks out bridgehead near Remagen. [1] * US 4th Armored division arrives at Hanau and Aschaffenburg. [1] * US Northern Tractor Flotilla departs Ulithi to Okinawa. [1] March 26 * British premier Churchill looks over at the Rhine (near Ginsberg). [1] * David Lloyd George British (Liberal) premier (1916-22), dies at age 82. [1] * Generals Eisenhower/Bradley/Patton attack at Remagen the Rhine. [1] * Isaack Stouten resistance fighter, shot to death at age 29. [1] * Japanese resistance ends on Iwo Jima. [1] * Kamikazes attack US battle fleet near Kerama Retto. [1] * US 7th Army crosses Rhine at Worms. [1]

682

March 27 * British premier Churchill sails to eastern banks of Rhine. [1] * Ella Fitzgerald and Delta Rhythm Boys record "It's Only a Paper Moon". [1] * General Eisenhower declares German defenses on Western Front broken. [1] * Iwo Jima occupied, after 22,000 Japanese and 6,000 US killed. [1] * Jørgen Nielsen Danish writer (romance), dies at age 42. [1] * (1637 hours) The 1115th and last German V-2 rocket to reach England lands thirteen miles south-east of Stepney, in Orpington, killing one and injuring about 70. Germany launched a total of 1403 rockets at England, of which 1054 exploded on the ground, killing 2754, seriously injuring 6523. [10] * Argentina declares war on Germany. [10] * US 20th Army corps captures Wiesbaden. [1] March 28 * Last German V-1 (buzz bomb) attack on London. [1] March 29 * Karl T Sapper German geographer/geologist (Vulkankunde), dies at age 79. [1] March 30 * 289 anti-fascists murdered by Nazis in Rombergpark Dortmund. [1] * Karel Moor composer, dies at age 71. [1] * USSR invades Austria during WWII. [1] March 31 * Third Algerian division crosses the Rhine. [1] * Hans Fischer German physicist (Nobel Prize 1930), dies at age 63. [1] * Maurice Rose first US General in Nazi Germany, killed in action at age 45. [1] * Sicherheitsdienst murders 10 political prisoners in Zutphen. [1] * Tennessee Williams' "Glass Menagerie" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * US artillery lands on Keise Shima/begins firing on Okinawa. [1] April 1 * First edition of Indonesia Merdeka publishes. [1] * Canadian troop free Doetinchem, Enschede, Borculo and Eibergen. [1] * American 1st and 9th Armies complete an encirclement of the Ruhr area of Germany, isolating 325,000 German soldiers of Army Group B. [10] * 50,000 American 10th Army troops land on Okinawa, Japan. [10]

683

April 2 * First US units reach east coast of Okinawa. [1] April 3 * The Canadian 1st Army crosses the Rhine River into Germany, capturing Zevenaar. [244.4] * Hengelo freed from nazi control by Canadian army. [1] * Joseph Weinheber Austria poet/writer (Vienna Verbatim), dies at age 43. [1] * Nazi's begin evacuation of camp Buchenwald. [1] * US first army conquers Hofgeismar. [1] April 4 * Hungary liberated from Nazi occupation (National Liberation Day). [1] * US forces liberated the Nazi death camp Ohrdruf in Germany. [1] * US tanks/infantry conquer Bielefeld. [1] April 5 * Almelo Netherlands freed. [1] * Huldreich Georg Fruh composer, dies at age 41. [1] * Kuniaki Koiso resigns as Prime Minister of Japan; replaced by Kantaro Suzuki. [1] April 6 * Benjamin M Telders president (Dutch Liberal States Party), dies at age 42. [1] * Coevorden freed from Nazi's. [1] * Japanese giant battleship Yamato heads to Okinawa. [1] * Massive kamikaze-attack on US battle fleet near Okinawa. [1] * US marines explore Tsugen Shima near Okinawa. [1] April 7 * First and last assault of German Rammkommando on US bombers. [1] * US B-17's bombs range at Lüneburg. [1] * (1423 hours) Japanese battleship Yamato sinks. Only 269 of a crew of 3332 survive. [10] April 8 * Nazi occupiers executed, Nazi General Christiansen flees Netherlands. [1] April 9

684

* Battleship Admiral Scheer sinks British aircraft carrier. [1] * Dietrich Bonhoeffer German theologist/antifascist, hanged. [1] * Hans Oster German Major-General/spy, "July 20th plot", hanged. [1] * Hans von Dohnanyi "July 20th plotter", hanged. [1] * Liberty ship at Bari Italy carrying aerial bombs explodes, kills 360. [1] * Theodor Haecker German cultural philosopher (Mensch?), dies at age 65. [1] * Wilhelm Canaris Admiral/headed Germany Abwehr, hanged. [1] April 10 * Canadian troops conquer Deventer. [1] * General Blaskowitz becomes nazi leader of "Fort Holland". [1] * German troops attack Ijsselbrug. [1] * Hendrik N Werkman resistance/painter (Blue Boat), executed at age 63. [1] * US troops land on Tsugen Shima Okinawa. [1] * William Schuman and Antony Tudors ballet "Undertow" premieres in New York City. [1] April 11 * American forces liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp. [10] * Kamiel van Baelen Flemish resistance fighter (in Dachau), dies at age 29. [1] * SS burns and shoots 1,100 at Gardelegen. [1] * US captures Tsugen Shima. [1] * US troops conquers Mülheim, Oberhausen, Bochum, Unna, Essen. [1] April 12 * Canadian troops liberate Nazi concentration camp Westerbork, Netherlands. [1] * Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd US President (1933-1945, Democrat), dies of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia, USA, at age 63. [1] [10] * Harry Truman sworn in as 33rd US President. [1] * Richard Strauss completes his "Metamorphosis". [1] April 13 * The Soviet Red Army occupies Vienna, Austria. [10] * Canadian army liberates Teuge and Assen Netherlands from Nazi's. [1] * US marines conquer Minna Shima off Okinawa. [1] April 14 * American B-29 incendiary raids on Tokyo and damage the Imperial Palace. [1] * Arnhem/Zwolle freed from Nazis. [1] * US forces conquer Motobu peninsula on Okinawa. [1] * US marines attack Yae Take on Okinawa. [1]

685

April 15 * British and Canadian troops liberate Nazi camp of Bergen-Belsen. [1] * Franklin Roosevelt buried on grounds of Hyde Park home. [1] * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Communium interpretes dolorum. [1] * US troops occupy concentration camp Colditz. [1] April 16 * German troops in Groningen surrender. [1] * Soviet forces begin attacks on Berlin, Germany, from a bridgehead west of Kuestrin. About 2.5 million men in the 1st and 2nd Belorussian Front and 1st Ukrainian Front take part. [10] * US troops land on He Shima Okinawa. [1] April 17 * 8th Air Force bombs Dresden. [1] * German occupiers flood Wieringermeer Netherlands. [1] * Hannie Schaft "Girl with red hair", executed. [1] * Ion Pillat Romaniams poet/Senator (Umbra timpului), dies. [1] * Mussolini flees from Salò to Milan. [1] * US troops lands in Mindanao. [1] * Walter Model German fieldmarshal, commits suicide at age 54. [1] April 18 * Clandestine Radio 1212, after broadcasting pro-nazi propoganda for months used their influence to trap 350,000 German army group B troops. [1] * Epe freed (by corporal G van Aken). [1] * Ernest T Pyle British/US newscaster, killed in WWII at age 44. [1] [118.12] * John Ambrose Fleming electrical engineer, dies. [1] * About 320,000 German troops in Army Group B surrender in the Ruhr. [10] April 19 * J P Heyboer resistance fighter, executed. [1] * Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" opens on Broadway. [1] * US aircraft carrier Franklin is heavily damaged in Japanese air raid. [1] April 20 * Cleveland Browns organization formed by Arthur "Mickey" McBride. [1] * German occupiers flood Beemster and Fencer. [1] * Soviet troops enter Berlin. [1]

686

* US 7th Army and allies forces capture Nuremberg and Stuttgart in Germany. [1] * US forces conquer Motobu peninsula on Okinawa. [1] April 21 * Allied troops occupy German nuclear laboratory. [1] * Ivor Nivello's "Perchance to Dream", premieres in London. [1] * John Poston British Major/Montgomery's ADC, dies in battle at age 25. [1] * Russian army arrives at outskirts of Berlin. [1] * US 7th Army occupies Neurenberg. [1] April 22 * Concentration Camp at Sachsenhausen liberated. [1] * Käthe Kollwitz German graphic artist, dies at age 77. [1] April 23 * Albrecht Haushofer writer, dies at age 42. [1] * Concentration camp Flossenburg liberated. [1] * US troops in Italy cross river Po. [1] April 24 * Anton de Kom Suriname resistance fighter, dies at age 47. [1] * Hubert Bath composer, dies at age 61. [1] April 25 * 46 countries convene United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco California. [1] * Allied air raid on Surabaja Java. [1] * British troops reach Grebbe line Netherlands. [1] * Clandestine Radio 1212, used to hoax Nazi Germany's final transmission. [1] * Last Boeing B-17 attack against Nazi Germany. [1] * Red army completely surrounds Berlin. [1] * British and American troops meet Soviet forces at Torgau on the Elbe river. By order of General Dwight Eisenhower, the US 9th Army halts at the Elbe, allowing Russian forces to capture Berlin. [10] April 26 * Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, leader of France's Vichy collaborationist regime during WWII, arrested for treason. [1] April 27

687

* Second Republic of Austria forms. [1] * Italian partisans capture Mussolini prisoner. [1] * US 5th army enters Genua. [1] April 28 * Benito Mussolini is captured by Italian Partisans and killed. [10] * British commands attack Elbe and occupies Lauenburg. [1] * Claretta Petacci mistress of Mussolini, executed. [1] * Hans Bloesch writer, dies. [1] * US 5th army reaches Swiss border. [1] April 29 * Operation Manna begins, as British Bomber Command begins dropping food in four pre-approved drop zones in western Holland. By the end of the day, 239 Lancaster bombers have dropped 500+ tons of food. (The operation continues for ten days, delivering 7,000 tons of food. US Army Air Force joins in, with Operation Chowhound, delivering 4000+ tons of food supplies.) [10] * Adolf Hitler marries Eva Braun. [1] * Japanese army evacuates Rangoon. [1] * (1415 hours) In Caserta, Italy, surrender documents are signed by a German lieutenant colonel and a major, for all German forces in Italy. [10] * The last parts of French soil, on the Alpine front, still held by Germans are liberated by French forces. [10] * (about 1300 hours) American 42nd and 45th Divisions capture Dachau concentration camp in Germany, liberating 32,000. [10] * Venice and Mestre are captured by the Allies. [1] April 30 * (morning) In Milan, Italy, partisans execute former chief of staff for the Italian Army Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, following a quick trial. [10] * "Arthur Godfrey Time" begins a 27 year run on CBS radio. [1] * (1530 hours) In Berlin, Germany, Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his bunker, shooting himself in the mouth. [10] [129] * Concentration camp München-Allag freed. [1] * Eva Braun mistress/wife of Hitler, commits suicide at age 33. [1] * Lord Haw-Haw calls for crusade against the bolsheviks. [1] * Red Army occupies Demmin. [1] * (2250 hours) The Soviet Red Army troops capture the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany. [10] * Russian Army frees Ravensbrück concentration camp. [1] * US troops attack the Elbe. [1] May 1

688

* 900 occupiers of Demmin Vorpommeren commit suicide. [1] * Admiral Karl Doenitz forms German government. [1] * German president Karl Dönitz commences a progressive total surrender of German armed forces, by means of local surrenders. [10] * Australian and Dutch troops lands on Tarakan. [1] * Desider Antalffy-Zsiross Hungarian organist/composer, dies at age 59. [1] * General Belgian Labor Union (ABVV) party forms. [1] * Paul Josef Goebbels Nazi minister on propoganda, commits suicide. [1] * Radio Budapest, Hungary re-enters shortwave broadcasting after WWII. [1] * Seys-Inquart flees to Flensburg. [1] * Soviet army reach Rostock. [1] May 2 * Allies occupy Wismar. [1] * Dutch Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana reach Gilze-Rijen. [1] * (1200 hours Greenwich mean time) The unconditional surrender of about one million men of the German army in Italy goes into effect. German command radio calls on remaining troops to surrender. [10] * Martin Bormann propoganda minister for Hitler, dies. [1] * (1500 hours Moscow time) Berlin, Germany, capitulates. Capturing the city are the First White Russian and the First Ukranian armies. In twelve days of defence of the city, 343,000 Germans were killed. [10] * (1630 hours) New Zealand 2nd Division of the British 8th Army accepts the surrender of the German garrison in the port of Trieste, Yugoslavia. [10] May 3 * First Polish armour brigade occupies Wilhelmshafen. [1] * Allies arrests German nuclear physics Werner Heisenberg. [1] * British troop join in Rangoon. [1] * British bombers attack and sink German Hamburg South America Line ship Cap Arcona (27,600 tons) in the East Sea, with the loss of about 5000 people of 6000 on board. [1] [260.102] * Louis L H de Visser Dutch Member of Parliament (CPN), dies at age 66. [1] May 4 * (1825 hours) Near Hamburg, the unconditional surrender of one million troops in German land, sea, and air forces in Holland, Denmark, and northern Germany facing the Canadian 1st Army and British 2nd Army is arranged. German General of the Army and Commander in Chief of the Navy Admiral von Friedeberg, Rear Admiral Wagner, General Paulik, Major Friedeberg sign the surrender terms for Germany. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery signs on behalf of Dwight Eisenhower. [10] * Soviet troops liberate all of Slovakia. [10]

689

* German leader Karl Dönitz orders all submarine commanders to cease hostilities and return to home bases. [10] May 5 * Denmark liberated from Nazi control. [1] * Guðmundur Jónsson Kamban Icelandic writer (Vi mordere), dies at age 56. [1] * Mauthausen Concentration camp liberated. [1] * Premier Gerbrandy on Radio Orange tells Dutch they are liberated. [1] * Uprising against SS-occupying troops in Prague. [1] * In Wageningen, Netherlands, German General Johannes Blaskowitz surrenders the troops of the 25th German Army in Netherlands to Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes, commander of 1st Canadian Corps. [10] * (1430 hours) Army Group G of 200-400,000 men surrenders to General Jacob Devers and the US 6th Army Group. Lieutenant General Foertsch signs for Germany. The official cease-fire and surrender is to take effect at noon May 6. [10] May 6 * General J Blaskowitz surrenders German troops in Netherlands. [1] * Dr. Hans Thomsen, German Minister to Sweden, signs capitulation of about 350,000 German troops in Oslo, Norway. [10] May 7 * (0241 hours French time) At Rheims, France, German armed forces sign unconditional surrender, effective from 0001 hours on May 9. Signing for Germany is Chief of Staff of German Army Colonel General Gustaf Jodl. Signing for the Supreme Allied Commander is Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Walter Smith. Signing for France is General François Sevez. Signing for the Soviet Union is General Ivan Susloparoff. [10] * The Soviet Union's Extraordinary State Commission reports that the German concentration camp of Oswiecim in Poland had systematically killed over four million citizens of the Soviet Union, Poland, France, Belguim, the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and others. This is the greatest incidence of mass murder on recorded history. [10] * Mauthausen Concentration Camp liberated. [1] * Princess Irene Brigade moves into the Hague Netherlands. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to John Hersey (Bell for Adano). [1] * SS open fire on crowd in Amsterdam, killing 22. [1] May 8 * Canadian troops move into Amsterdam. [1] * Chinese counter attack at Tsjangte, supports by 14th air fleet. [1] * US Secretary of Treasury announces the US cost of the war so far is US$275 billion. [10]

690

* General Von Keitel surrenders to Marshal Zhukov near Berlin. [1] * (0900 hours US Eastern War Time) In Washington, D.C., US President Harry Truman officially announces the unconditional surrender of Germany. He then calls on Japan to surrender unconditionally, or face "utter destruction". [10] [129] * (1500 hours London time) In London, England, Prime Minister Winston Churchill formally proclaims an end to war in Europe. [10] May 9 * (0001 hours French time) The Second World War in Europe officially ends. [10] * (0015 hours Central European Time) In Karlshorst, Berlin, Germany, a second signing of the military surrender of Germany is held. Surrender is signed by Field Marshal General Wilhelm Keitel, General Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg, General Hans Juergen Stumpff, commanders in chief of the German Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively. Signing on behalf of the Soviet Commander in Chief of the Red Army is General Marshal Zhukov. Signing on behalf of General Eisenhower is Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder. [10] * (0400 hours) Soviet forces capture Prague, Czechoslovakia. [10] * Czechoslovakia liberated from Nazi occupation (National Day). [1] * Jersey liberated from Nazis. [1] * Nazi propagandist Max Blokzijl arrested. [1] * Norwegian Nazi collaborators Vidkun Quisling arrested. [1] * The Soviet Union celebrates VE Day. In 1418 days of military operations, 20-26 million Soviets were killed, with another 40 million wounded, leaving 25 million homeless. On the German-Russian front, 10 million German troops were killed or wounded. Destruction to the Soviet Union: 70,000 villages, 1700 cities and towns, 84,000 schools, 40,000 hospitals, 43,000 libraries, 32,000 factories, 400 museums, 40,000 miles of railway, and 45 million horses, cattle, and pigs. [10] * Victory celebration at Red Square. [1] May 10 * Allies capture Rangoon from the Japanese. [1] * Russian troops occupy Prague. [1] May 11 * US marines conquer Awatsha Draw Okinawa. [1] May 13 * US troops conquer Dakeshi Okinawa. [1] May 14 * Kamikaze-Zero strikes US aircraft carrier Enterprise. [1]

691

* US offensive on Okinawa, Sugar Loaf conquered. [1] May 15 * Major Courtney US medal of honor marine, dies in battle of Sugar Loaf. [1] May 16 * Violent battles around Sugar Loaf/Half Moon Okinawa. [1] May 17 * Two US P-47 Thunderbolts bomb Kiushu. [1] * Jan van Geenen resistance fighter, dies. [1] * Sasaki Shigetsu Sokei-an founder first Zen Institute of America, dies. [1] May 21 * German war criminal Heinrich Himmler captured. [1] * Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart wed. [1] May 22 * 6th Marine division reaches suburbs of Naha Okinawa. [1] * Carel A Lion Cachet lithographer/wood carver, dies. [1] * NSB-Führer Rost van Tonningen attempts and fails at suicide. [1] May 23 * British military police arrest Admiral Karl Doenitz. [1] * German island of Helgoland in North Sea surrenders to British. [1] * Heinrich Himmler bites a cyanide capsule during examination by a British army doctor and dies. [10] * Heinrich Himmler, German Nazi leader and Chief of Police, committed suicide. [1] * Lord Haw-Haw arrested at Danish boundary. [1] * Winston Churchill resigns as British Prime Minister. [1] May 25 * Arther C Clark proposes relay satellites in geosynchronous orbit. [1] May 26 * US drop fire bombs on Tokyo. [1] May 29

692

* US first Marine division conquerors Shuri-castle Okinawa. [1] May 30 * Irma Laplasse Flemish farmer/Nazi collaborator, executed. [1] June 5 * The European Advisory Committee announces the unconditional political capitulation of Germany. Control of the country is divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. [10] June 7 * The King of Norway returns home to Oslo from London, England. [10] June 14 * Rod Argent, rocker (The Zombies-Never Even Thought). [1] June 15 * The wartime Coalition Government in England is ended. [10] June 17 * Day of Unity in West Germany (National Day). [1] June 18 * William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw) British radio traitor charged with treason. [1] June 22 * Okinawa is declared captured by the Allies. [10] June 26 * United Nations Charter signed by 50 nations in San Francisco. [1] June 28 * Polish Provisional Govt of National Unity set up by Soviets. [1] June 29

693

* Ruthenia, formerly in Czechoslovakia, becomes part of Ukrainian SSR. [1] July 2 * The Okinawa campaign is declared over. Total US casualties are 80,000 (dead, wounded, missing, non-combat sickness). Total Japanese casualties are 120,000. [10] July 5 * American General MacArthur announces the liberation of the Philippines. [10] July 6 * Nicaragua becomes first nation to formally accept United Nations Charter. [1] * US President Harry Truman signs executive order establishing Medal of Freedom. [1] July 10 * Robert Goddard Rocket pioneer, dies. [1] July 16 * The United States successfully tests the first plutonium atomic bomb, at the Alamogordo airbase in New Mexico. [10] July 17 * American President Harry Truman, Soviet leader Josef Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet at Schloss Cecilienhof in Potsdam near Berlin, Germany, beginning a 17-day conference. Partway through the conference, Chruchill is replaced by the newly elected British Prime Minister Clement Attlee. Peace terms are drafted, and discussions are held on Germany, Poland, and Japan. [10] July 26 * At the Potsdam conference, a final ultimatum is presented to Japan: unconditional surrender or "complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and ... devastation of the Japanese homeland". [10] * Churchill resigns as Britain's Prime Minister. [1] July 28 * Birth of Jim Davis cartoonist (Garfield). [1] * US Army bomber crashes into 79th floor of Empire State Bldg, 14 die. [1]

694

* US Senate ratifies United Nations charter 89-2. [1] August 6 * American Colonel Paul Tibbets and the crew of the Enola Gay flying at 31,600 feet altitude, drop a 4400 kg uranium-based atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, set to detonate at 1850 feet above the city. The blast has the impact of a 500-mph wind, leveling almost everything within a two-mile radius, destroying 70,000 buildings, sixty percent of the city. 70,000 are killed, and 80,000 wounded. The atomic bomb becomes the largest man-made explosion in history, and largest single killer in history. (By the end of the year, a further 60,000 have died from burns, wounds, and radiation sickness.) [10] August 8 * President Harry S Truman signs United Nations Charter. [1] * The Soviet Union declares war on Japan. [10] * USSR establishes a communist government in North Korea. [1] August 9 * (1102 hours) An American plane drops a plutonium-atomic bomb over the Urakami suburb of Nagasaki, Japan, off-target by three miles. Estimated dead are 38-70,000. (Preferred targets were Kokura and Nigata, which were passed over due to poor weather conditions.) [10] August 10 * The Japanese government requests peace with the United States, but insists on retaining the Emperor. [10] * Robert Goddard, father of American rocketry, dies. [1] [5] August 11 * Allies refuse Japan's surrender offer to retain Emperor Hirohito. [1] August 13 * 35 Jews sacrifice their lives to blow up Nazi rubber plant in Silesia. [1] August 14 * (evening) US President Harry Truman announces the end of the Second World War. [10] August 15

695

* South Korea liberated from Japanese rule. [1] * US wartime rationing of gasoline and fuel oil ends. [1] August 17 * Poland and Russia sign a treaty establishing the Russian-Polish border, basicly the Curzon Line established after the First World War, with a few deviations in Poland's favor. [10] * Indonesia declares independence from Netherlands (National Day). [1] August 21 * US President Harry Truman ends Lend-Lease program. [1] August 25 * Jewish immigrants are permitted to leave Mauritius for Palestine. [1] August 27 * US troops land in Japan after Japanese surrender. [1] August 30 * Hong Kong liberated from Japan. [1] September 2 * Japan signs official surrender, accepted by General Douglas MacArthur on the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, off Yokohama. Allied nations participating in the ceremony are USA, China, Great Britain, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand. This is the first time in recorded history for Japan to host a successful military invasion from a foreign power. [10] * During World War II fighting, about 30-50 million people were killed, half civilian. This is 2-3 times the deaths of World War I. Total cost of the war to all countries: US$1.6 trillion, compared to US$300 billion for World War I. [10] * Total deaths in various countries: Soviet Union 20 million, Poland 4.32 million, Germany 4.2 million, China 2.2 million, Yugoslavia 1.7 million, Japan 1.219 million, France 600,000, Romania 460,000, Hungary 420,000, Italy 410,000, USA 406,000, Great Britain 388,000, Czechoslovakia 365,000, Austria 334,000, Netherlands 210,000, Greece 160,000, Belgium 88,000. [10] * Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independence from France (National Day). [1] September 3 * Japanese forces in the Philippines surrender to Allies. [1]

696

September 4 * US regains possession of Wake Island from Japan. [1] September 5 * (2030 hours) Igor Gouzenko, a cipher clerk at the Soviet embassy in Ottawa, Canada, leaves the embassy with 109 top secret documents, seeking political asylum rather than return to the Soviet Union. (After several days, he is given protective custody, and tells his story to William Stephenson, head of British secret service operations in North America. The documents detail Soviet espionage in Canada and the United States, including atomic bomb secrets, and possible preparations for war with the United States. His evidence leads to the arrest of 12 Soviet spies, and the start of the "Cold War" between East and West.) [10] September 7 * Shanghai, China, is liberated from Japanese occupation. [10] September 8 * US invades Japanese-held Korea. [1] September 9 * Japanese in S Korea, Taiwan, China, Indochina surrender to Allies. [1] * Philadelphia Athletics Dick Fowler no-hits Saint Louis Browns, 1-0. [1] September 10 * Vidkun Quisling sentenced to death for collaborating with Nazis. [1] September 16 * Barometric pressure at 856 mb (25.55") off Okinawa (record low). [1] September 17 * In Norway, a court sentences Vidkun Quisling to death. [10] September 18 * 1000 whites walk out of Gary Indiana schools to protest integration. [1] September 19

697

* Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce) sentenced to death in London. [1] September 20 * German rocket engineers begin work in US. [1] October 3 * World Federation of Trade Unions formed; CIO a member. [1] October 5 * Dr. Leonardo Conti, former chief of health in Germany, hangs himself in Nuremberg jail. He had authorized a variety of experiments involving killing humans to study the effects of bacteria and poisons. [10] * "Meet the Press" premieres on radio. [1] October 8 * Truman announced atomic bomb secret shared with Britain and Canada. [1] October 11 * Chinese civil war begins, Chiang Kai-Shek versus Mao Tse-Tung. [1] October 12 * Jesse James Payne lynched in Madison County Florida. [1] October 15 * Pierre Laval is executed (shot) in the courtyard of Fresnes prison, in France. [10] October 16 * United Nations's Food and Agriculture Organization comes into existence. [1] October 17 * Juan Perón becomes dictator of Argentina. [1] October 21 * Women in France allowed to vote for first time. [1] [5]

698

October 23 * Jackie Robinson signs Montréal Royal contract. [1] October 24 * United Nations Charter becomes effective. [1] * In Akershus, Norway, Vidkun Quisling is executed. [10] October 25 * Japanese surrender Taiwan to General Chiang Kai-shek. [1] October 29 * First ball-point pen goes on sale in USA, at Gumbel's of New York, for US$12.50. Nearly 10,000 are sold on the first day. [1] [55.22] October 30 * US government announces end of shoe rationing. [1] November 1 * First issue of Ebony magazine published by John H Johnson. [1] November 6 * HUAC begins investigation of 7 radio commentators. [1] November 10 * General Enver Hoxha becomes leader of Albania. [1] November 16 * Yeshiva College (University), chartered in New York, first US Jewish College. [1] November 17 * New world air speed record 606 mph (975 kph) set by HJ Wilson of RAF. [1] November 20 * The first war crimes trial opens at Nuremberg, with 22 defendants. (The trial lasts 218 days.) [10]

699

November 21 * General Motors workers go on strike. [1] November 26 * During snow storm, school bus crashes, killing 15 (Washington). [1] November 27 * General George C Marshall named special US envoy to China. [1] November 29 * Monarchy abolished as Yugoslavia proclaims its republic. [1] December 1 * Harvey Bartlett Gaul composer, dies at age 64. [1] December 4 * US Senate approves US participation in United Nations. [1] December 5 * Five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers with 14 crew from Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida disappear over the Atlantic Ocean, in what becomes known as The Bermuda Triangle. A search and rescue Mariner aircraft with a 13-man crew also disappears. [1] [129] * Special Council of Annulment affirms death sentence of Max Blokzijl. [1] December 7 * Microwave oven patented. [1] December 10 * Preston Tucker reveals plan to produce the Torpedo, a new 150 MPH car. [1] December 11 * Het Parool publishes first Captain Rob-strip. [1] December 12

700

* Special Court of justice convicts NSB-leader Mussert to death. [1] December 13 * Robert van Genechten Dutch Nazi (NSB), commits suicide. [1] * Vittorio Mario Vanzo composer, dies at age 83. [1] December 14 * Constantino Gaito composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Elmer Rice's "Dream Girl" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Forrester Harvey actor (Tarzan and Mate, Chump at Oxford), dies at age 61. [1] * Henry van Goudoever Dutch lawyer/judge, dies on his 69th birthday. [1] * Josef Kramer known as "beast of Belsen", and 10 others hanged for crimes committed at the Belsen and Oswiecim Nazi concentration camps. [1] December 15 * John J "Cardinal" O'Connor, ordained as a priest. [1] December 16 * Fumimaro Konu Japanese prince/Prime Minister (1937-39, 40-41), commits harakiri. [1] December 18 * Uruguay joins the United Nations. [1] December 19 * Austrian Republic re-establishes. [1] * Russians discover a body buried in an armored shelter in a garden near the Chancellery. A dentist identifies the body as being Adolf Hitler. [10] * Jean Giraudoux' "La Folle de Chaillot" premieres in Paris. [1] December 20 * Rationing of auto tires ends in US. [1] December 21 * George S. Patton, US general (Sicily/Normandy), dies in car accident in Heidelberg, Germany, at age 60. [1] [5]

701

* Gould/Comden/Green's "Billion Dollar Baby" premieres at Alvin Theater New York City for 219 performances. [1] December 22 * Otto Neurath Austrian/British philosopher, dies at age 63. [1] * Utrecht: Catholic People's party (KVP) established. [1] December 23 * Frederick Astons "Cinderella" premieres in London. [1] * Mogens Klitgaard Danish author (Brunkul), dies at age 39. [1] * Pope Pius XII encyclical Orientals omnes, about Rutheense church. [1] December 24 * Francisco Pujol composer, dies at age 67. [1] December 27 * Arthur Laurent's "Home of the Brave" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * International Monetary Fund established - World Bank founded. [1] December 28 * US Congress officially recognizes "Pledge of Allegiance". [1] * Theodore Dreiser novelist (An American Tragedy), dies at age 74. [1] December 31 * Donald Douglas II dies at age 40. [1] * Ratification of United Nations Charter completed. [1]

702

1946 January 1 * ENIAC, US first computer finished by Mauchly/Eckert. [1] * In Tokyo, Japan, Emperor Hirohito gives his first message to the public since the announcement of surrender in September. He renounces the notion of his divinity as a matter of legends and myths, and calls on the nation to eliminate evils of the past, and found a new peaceful Japan. [1] [10] * National Assembly proclaims Hungary a republic. [1] * In Singapore, Siam signs a peace treaty with the United Kingdom and India. [10] January 3 * (0900 hours) At Wandsworth Prison in London, England, William Joyce is hanged. Known as "Lord Haw Haw", Joyce was an American citizen, who made regular wartime broadcasts over German radio, making him one of the most hated men in Great Britain. [1] [10] [37] * Great Britain, Canada, and the United States make their first public disclosures about their chemical and biological warfare efforts during the war. American authorities reveal that they were prepared to act both defensively and offensively if Germany or Japan had started such warfare against the Allies. [10] January 4 * Barney Oldfield daredevil, dies at age 67. [1] January 5 * "Show Boat" opens at Ziegfeld Theater New York City, New York for 417 performances. [1] * The US resumes diplomatic relationships with Siam. [10] January 6 * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Quemadmodum. [1] January 7 * Cambodia becomes autonomous state inside French Union. [1] * The Recently elected government of Austria is recognized by the US, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. [10] * In Budapest, Hungary, former Hungarian Premier Laszlo de Bardossy is hanged. He had been sentenced to death for high treason by the Budapest Peoples Court in November. [10]

703

* In Budapest, Hungary, the People's Court sentences to death Dr. Vitez Laszlo Endre, former Under-Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Laszlo Vaky, former chief of gendarmes, and Andor Jaross, former Minister of the Interior. They were found responsible for the expulsion or extermination of 600,000 Jews and other crimes. [10] January 9 * "Would-Be Gentleman" opens at Booth Theater New York City, New York for 77 performances. [1] * Countee Cullen US poet (Black Christ, One Way to Heaven), dies in New York City, New York at age 42. [1] January 10 * United Nations General Assembly convenes for first time (London). [1] * US Army establishes first radar contact with Moon, Belmar New Jersey. [1] January 11 * Enver Hoxha declares People's Republic of Albania with himself dictator. [1] * People's Republic of Albania established. [1] January 12 * "Polonaise" closes at Alvin Theater New York City, New York after 113 performances. [1] * Edouardo de Filippo's "Questi Fantasmi!", premieres in Rome. [1] January 13 * India announces its total expenditure during the war: US$12 billion, with US$1.1 billion directly against Germany. Total casualties: 180,000. [10] January 14 * The United States announces its total expenditure during the war: US$200 billion. [10] * Two jetties collapse in Ganges-160 Hindu pilgrims are crushed. [1] * The Soviet-Polish border treaty of August 1945 is ratified by the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union. [10] January 16 * Johanna HC Albregt actress/wife of Henri Dons (Paradise), dies at age 71. [1] January 17

704

* Gottfried Rudinger composer, dies at age 59. [1] * United Nations Security Council holds its first meeting. [1] * In Niemodlin, Lower Silesia, the bodies of 40,000 murdered Allied prisoners are found in a mass grave. The prisoners were killed in the Lambinowice concentration camp. [10] * In Nikolayev, Russia, seven Germans are hanged for the killing of 105,000 Russians during the war. Two others are sentenced to twenty years in prison. [10] January 20 * F Gouin follows De Gaulle as temporary leader of French government. [1] January 21 * "Nellie Bly" opens at Adelphi Theater New York City, New York for 16 performances. [1] January 22 * US President sets up Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency. [1] January 23 * In Paris, France, the Court of Justice condemns Jean Luchaire to death for collaborating with Germans for personal gain. [10] * Feliks Nowowiejski composer, dies at age 68. [1] * Matteo Giulio Bartoli linguist, dies at age 72. [1] * Rear Admiral Sidney W Souers, USNR, becomes first director of US Central Intelligence Agency. [1] January 25 * Richard Strauss' "Metamorphosis" premieres in Zurich. [1] * United Mine Workers union rejoins American Federation of Labor. [1] January 29 * Harry L Hopkins US minister of Business (Loan and Lease law), dies at age 55. [1] * Sidney James Jones composer, dies at age 84. [1] * In Kiev, a military tribunal senetences twelve German officers and soldiers to hanging for the murder of Soviets. Four others receive prison sentences of 15-20 years. [10] * The government of Canada announces that all German war prisoners in the country will be moved to Great Britain. [10]

705

January 30 * The Austrian government submits to the European Advisory Council its claims of reparations from Germany, totaling US$7.65 billion. [10] * First issue of Franklin Roosevelt dime. [1] January 31 * Yugoslavia adopts new constitution, becomes a federal republic. [1] February 1 * Hans Betghe writer, dies at age 70. [1] * Republic of Hungary proclaimed, Zolt n Tildy as communist president. [1] * Trygve Lie, a Norwegian socialist, becomes first Secretary-General of United Nations. [1] February 2 * An Austrian court sentences former Finance Minister Rudolf Neumayer to life imprisonment for treason, for voting in favor of annexation with Germany. [10] * Two Italian archaeological libraries stolen by Germany during the war are returned to Rome. [10] * The Supreme Allied Headquarters reports casualties of the Hiroshima blast: 78,150 dead, 13,983 missing, 9428 serious and 27,997 minor injuries, 176,987 general sufferers. [10] * The US Navy Department announces US submarine fleet sunk 1944 Japanese major vessels during the war, including 194 warships, killing 276,000. The Navy also admits that the US violated the 1930 London Naval Treaty in ordering unrestricted submarine warfare against Japan. [10] * "Nellie Bly" closes at Adelphi Theater New York City after 16 performances. [1] February 4 * Garson Kanin's "Born Yesterday" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] * Margarete Boie writer, dies. [1] February 5 * George Arliss actor/writer (Dr Syn, Voltaire), dies at age 77. [1] * The United States recognizes the government of Rumania. [10] February 6 * "Lute Song" opens at Plymouth Theater New York City for 142 performances. [1]

706

February 7 * Filibuster in US Senate kills FEPC bill. [1] February 8 * Béla Bartòks third Concert for piano/orchestra premieres in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. [1] * Miles Mander actor/director (Murder, Three Musketeers), dies at age 57. [1] * Premier Salazar of Portugal forbids opposition parties. [1] * At the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Soviet Lieutenant General Roman Rudenko lists a summary of German property damages against the Soviet Union: complete or partial destruction of 2508 church buildings, 1710 towns, 70,000 villages/hamlets, 31,850 industrial establishments, 40,000 miles of railroad, 4100 railroad stations, 40,000 hospitals, 84,000 schools, and 43,000 public libraries. 7 million horses, and 17 million sheep and goats were slaughtered or driven off. Total damage is estimated at 679 billion rubles. [10] February 9 * Soviet Premier Josef Stalin announces a new Five-Year Plan for the Soviet Union to guarantee the country's future security. Stalin blames World War I and II on the capitalistic world economy, due to the imbalance of raw materials and markets. [10] * In London, England, a representative of the Soviet Union presents its reparations demands on Italy: the equivalent of US$100 million of industrial plants of northern Italy. [10] * Greece demands Italian reparations of US$3 billion in sulphur, textiles and agricultural machinery, automobiles, and reconstruction equipment. [10] * Dutch Labor Party (Dutch Social Democratic Party) forms. [1] February 11 * The U.S. Military Tribunal in Japan convicts Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma of the Japanese Army of ordering the Bataan Death March and condoning other wartime atrocities. He is sentenced to death by firing squad. [10] * The secret agreement by the Allies made in Yalta is published publicly. The terms of the Soviet Union joining the war versus Japan include maintaining the status quo in Outer Mongolia, the restoration of southern Sakhalin and adjacent islands to the Soviet Union, and the gain to the Soviet Union of the Kurile Islands. [10] February 13 * "Duchess Misbehaves" opens at Adelphi Theater New York City for five performances. [1] * The first general-purpose electronic computer, ENIAC is announced to the public. The 30 ton computer is eighty feet long, eight feet high, and consists of 18,000 vacuum

707

tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and 1500 relays, to provide twenty words of memory. It is programmed by 6000 dials and switches. ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The project was initiated in 1943, to improve calculations of artillery shell trajectories. It was built at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Engineering in Philadelphia. It cost about US$400,000 to build. [11.58] (February 15 [5]) February 14 * Bank of England nationalized. [1] February 15 * Bank of England nationalized. [1] February 16 * "Duchess Misbehaves" closes at Adelphi Theater New York City after five performances. [1] * First commercially designed helicopter tested, Bridgeport Connecticut. [1] February 17 * Humanistic Covenant forms in Amsterdam. [1] February 19 * In Canada, a surplus Landing Ship loaded with $2 million worth of liquid mustard gas is intentionally sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, off Nova Scotia. The gas had been acquired from the United States in 1942. [10] * In New York, Prince Albert Carl Johan of Sweden marries Kirstin Wijkmark, becoming Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Bernadotte. [7] February 20 * Hugh Allen musician, dies. [1] February 21 * A special people's court in Helsinki, Finland, finds former President Rysto Ryti guilty of leading Finland into war against Russia at the side of Germany. He is sentenced to ten years of hard labor in prison. Seven other former Government officials are also convicted, with sentences of 2 to 5 1/2 years. [10] * Anti-British demonstrations in Egypt. [1] February 24

708

* Juan Peron elected President of Argentina. [1] February 26 * Two killed and 10 wounded in race riot in Columbia Tennessee. [1] February 27 * 4th "Road" film, "Road to Utopia" premieres (New York City, New York). [1] February 28 * Combined Chiefs of Staff reveal that the American, Canadian, and British Governments had experimented with building ice ships during 1942-43. The Habbakuk project was to create a two million ton ship made of ice and wood pulp, 2000 feet long, 300 feet wide, as a floating aircraft base. [10] March 1 * In Budapest, Hungary, former Premier Ferenc Szalasi and six other cabinet ministers are convicted of war crimes, to be hanged March 4. [10] * British Govt takes control of Bank of England, after 252 years. [1] * Panamá accepts its new constitution. [1] March 2 * Dutch troops land on East Bali. [1] * Ho Chi Minh elected President of North Vietnam. [1] * Kingman Douglass, becomes deputy director of US Central Intelligence Agency. [1] March 5 * Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech (Fulton Missouri). [1] March 6 * France recognizes Vietnam statehood within Indo-Chinese federation. [1] March 7 * British and American governments jointly announce the total score of enemy submarine kills during the war. Total enemy submarine losses from all causes: 996. Germany lost 781, Italy lost 85, and Japan lost 130. [10] * "Three to Make Ready" opens at Adelphi Theater New York City for 323 performances. [1]

709

* Max Frisch' "Santa Cruz" premieres in Zürich. [1] March 8 * First helicopter licensed for commercial use (New York City, New York). [1] March 9 * Dutch troops land at Batavia/Semarang. [1] March 10 * Train derailment kills 185 near Aracaju Brazil. [1] March 12 * Part of Petsamo province ceded by Soviet Union to Finland. [1] * Philip Merivale dies at age 59. [1] * In Budapest, Hungary, former Premier Ferenc Szalasi and four former Ministers are hanged as war criminals. [10] * In Paris, France, the High Court sentences former Vichy Government Minister Jacques Chevalier to twenty years hard labor and national unworthiness for life. [10] March 13 * Abraham Bredius Dutch art historian (Rembrandt), dies at age 90. [1] * Thomas Frederick Dunhill composer, dies at age 69. [1] * Werner von Blomberg German minister of Reichswehr, dies at age 67. [1] March 14 * Belgian government of Spaak, forms. [1] March 15 * British premier Attlee agrees with India's right to independence. [1] * In Transylvania, Rumania, the People's Tribunal of Cluj sentences 43 officers and men of the former Hungarian army to varying penalties for crimes committed during the war: 23 to death, eight to life in prison, six to 25 years, and six to 20 years hard labor. [10] March 16 * "Would-Be Gentleman" closes at Booth Theater New York City after 77 performances. [1]

710

* In The Hague, Netherlands, Maximilien Blokzijl is executed by firing squad, for betraying the nation as announcer of Nazi radio system in the Netherlands during the occupation. This is the first execution in the Netherlands since 1854. [10] * Rudolf Hoess, former commandant of the Oswiecim concentration camp, signs a statement saying that he gassed two million persons between June 1941 to end of 1943 under orders from Heinrich Himmler. [10] * Marius HLW "Max" Blokzijl Dutch Nazi propagandist, executed at age 61. [1] March 19 * Amir Hamzah Indonesian poet (Buah Rindu), dies at age 35. [1] * French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion become overseas departments. [1] * In Budapest, Hungary, three members of Premier Ferenc Szalasy's government of October 1944 are hanged in the jail courtyard: Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Szoelloesi, Foreign Minister Baron Gabriel Kemeny, and Regent Council member Sandor Csia. [10] * In Paris, France, Marcel Bucard, leader of the French Blue Shirt Fascists, is executed by firing squad. [10] * Nicolai Schwernik succeeds Kalinin as President of USSR. [1] March 20 * The US Military Government in Berlin announces the capture of Mildred Gillars of Maine. Gillars was known as Axis Sally for her Berlin radio broadcasts to US troops in North Africa and Europe, describing the comforts of home and the folly of war with Germany. [10] * Belgian government of Spaak, resigns. [1] March 21 * United Nations set up temporary headquarters at Hunter (now Lehman) College (Bronx). [1] March 22 * First US rocket to leave the Earth's atmosphere (50 miles up). [1] * Britain signs treaty granting independence to Jordan. [1] * Clemens A von Galen bishop of Munster/anti fascist, dies at age 68. [1] March 23 * Alexandru Zirra composer, dies at age 62. [1] March 24 * Alexander A Aljechin world chess champion (1927-35, 37-46), dies at age 53. [1]

711

* Gustaf Heintze composer, dies at age 66. [1] March 25 * First performance of Igor Stravinsky's "Ebony Concerto". [1] March 27 * Gabriela Preissová writer, dies. [1] March 30 * "St Louis Woman" opens at Martin Beck Theater New York City for 113 performances. [1] * John S S P V Gort viscount of Limerick/Hamsterley, dies at age 59. [1] March 31 * Belgian government of Acker, forms. [1] April 1 * 400,000 US mine workers strike. [1] * Noah Beery, actor (Beau Geste, Cimarron Kid, Mammy), dies at age 62. [1] * Tsunamis generated by an earthquake in Aleutian Trench strike Hilo, Hawaii. [1] * Van Acker forms Belgian government (without CVP). [1] * US notifies Cuba it will withdraw from military bases in Cuba. [242.4] * Weight Watchers forms. [1] April 3 * Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma (responsible for Bataan Death March), executed. [1] * Netherlands-German postal relations resume. [1] April 5 * First performance of Charles Ives' third Symphony. [1] * Vincent Millie Youmans US composer (Tea For Two), dies from tuberculosis at age 47. [1] April 7 * Part of East Prussia incorporated into Russian SFSR. [1] April 8

712

* League of Nations assembles for last time. [1] April 10 * First election for Japanese Diet. [1] April 12 * August Borms Flemish nazi collaborator, executed at age 67. [1] * F Guicciardi writer, dies. [1] * Syria gains independence from France. [1] April 13 * Belgian premier Acker proclaims wage and price freeze over. [1] * William Henry Bell composer, dies at age 72. [1] April 14 * "Day Before Spring" closes at National Theater New York City after 167 performances. [1] April 16 * First US launch of captured V-2 rocket, White Sands New Mexico; 8 km altitude. [1] * NSB mayor of Rotterdam Netherlands, FE Müller sentence to 100 years in jail. [1] April 17 * Last French troops leave Syria (National Day). [1] * Syria declares independence from French administration. [1] April 18 * "Call Me Mister" opens at National Theater New York City for 734 performances. [1] * League of Nations dissolves (3 months after the United Nations starts). [1] * Rome/Auerbach/Horwitt's musical "Call Me Mister", premieres in New York City. [1] * US recognizes Tito's Yugoslavia government. [1] April 21 * John M Keynes English economist (How to pay for the war?), dies at age 62. [1] * SED, Socialistic Einheitspartei Germany forms in East Germany. [1]

713

April 22 * Harlan Fiske Stone Chief Justice Supreme Court (1941-46), dies at age 73. [1] * Lionel Atwill actor (Captain Blood, Great Waltz), dies at age 61. [1] * SED, Sozialistic Einheitspartei Deutschlands, party forms. [1] April 23 * Brooklyn Dodger Ed Head no-hits Boston Braves, 5-0. [1] * Jesus Castillo composer, dies at age 68. [1] April 25 * "Exposition Flyer" rammed at Napierville Illinois, killing 48. [1] * Christopher Fry's "Phoenix too Frequent", premieres in London. [1] April 26 * Hermann Keyserling count/philosopher (Unsterblichkeit), dies at age 65. [1] April 27 * First radar installation aboard a commercial ship installed. [1] April 29 * 28 former Japanese leaders indicted in Tokyo as war criminals. [1] May 1 * Edward Cuthbert Bairstow composer, dies at age 71. [1] * Fieldmarshal Montgomery appointed British supreme commander. [1] * Mrs Emma Clarissa Clement named "American Mother of the Year". [1] * Percy William Whitlock composer, dies at age 42. [1] May 2 * Prisoners revolt at Alcatraz, five die. [1] May 3 * International military tribunal in Tokyo begins. [1] May 4

714

* Five die in a two day riot at Alcatraz prison in San Francisco bay. [1] * Washington Senator's Cecil Travis gets six straight hits before being stopped. [1] May 6 * Pulitzer prize awarded to Arthur M Schlesinger (Age of Jackson). [1] May 7 * Anton A Mussert engineer/NSB leader, executed. [1] May 9 * First hour long entertainment TV show, NBC's Hour Glass premieres. [1] * King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy abdicates, replaced by Umberto. [1] May 10 * Umberto II succeeds Victor Emmanuel III as king of Italy. [1] May 13 * US convicts 58 camp guard of Mauthausen concentration camp to death. [1] * Winston Churchill welcomed in Rotterdam. [1] May 14 * Paul Hindemith's "For Those We Love" premieres. [1] May 16 * Musical "Annie Get Your Gun" starring Ethel Merman premieres in New York City. [1] May 17 * KVP Labor/Communists win first post-WW2 Dutch parliamentary elections. [1] * US President Harry Truman seizes control of nation's railroads to delay a strike. [1] May 19 * Dutch Cooperation for Sexual Reform (NVSH) forms in Amsterdam. [1] May 25 * Abdullah ibn Hussein becomes king of Jordan. [1]

715

* Jordan gains independence from Britain (National Day). [1] May 26 * Darius Milhauds third Concert for piano/orchestra premieres in Prague. [1] * Friedrich A H von Waldeck monarch of Waldeck, dies. [1] * Klement Gottwald becomes premier of Czechoslovakia. [1] * Patent filed in US for H-Bomb. [1] May 29 * KVP wins Provincial National election in Netherlands. [1] May 30 * United flight 521 crashes on takeoff at LaGuardia Airport (New York) 42 die. [1] June 2 * Italian plebiscite chooses republic over monarchy (National Day). [1] June 4 * Largest solar prominence (300,000 mi/500,000 km) observed. [1] June 5 * At the Epsom Downs racecourse near London, England, the annual Derby horse race is held. An American millionaire bets US$6000 on a long shot horse at 50 to 1 odds, winning US$300,000. [80.185] * Fire at LaSalle Hotel cocktail lounge kills 61 (Chicago Ill). [1] June 6 * Henry Morgan is first to take off shirt on TV. [1] June 9 * Nineteen guests at Canfield Hotel die in fire. (Dubuque Iowa). [1] June 10 * Italian Republic established. [1] June 13

716

* First transcontinental round-trip flight in one-day, California-Maryland. [1] * Edward Bowes radio host (Major Bowes Amateur Hour), dies at age 71. [1] June 14 * Canadian Library Association established. [1] June 17 * SW Bell innaugurates mobile telephone commercial service, Saint Louis. [1] June 21 * Ten die in fire at Baker Hotel, Dallas Texas. [1] June 24 * 29.77 cm (11.72") of rainfall, Mellen, Wisconsin. (state 24-hr record). [1] June 28 * Enrico de Nicola becomes first president of Italy. [1] June 29 * British arrest 2,700 Jews in Palestine as alleged terrorists. [1] July 1 * Rajah cedes Sarawak to the British crown. [1] * US drops atom bomb on Bikini atoll (4th atomic explosion). [1] July 2 * Anthony Overton publisher/cosmetics manufacturer/banker, dies at age 81. [1] July 4 * Philippines gains independence from US. [1] July 5 * Louis Reard's bikini swimsuit design debuts at a Paris fashion show, modelled by Micheline Bernardi. [1] [5] [55.23] July 7

717

* Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini canonized as first American saint. [1] July 11 * A war crimes trial convicts Joachim Peiper, Sepp Dietrich, and 71 other former German SS officers and soldiers. Peiper and 42 others are sentenced to death. (Dietrich is paroled in 1955, Peiper in 1956. None are ever executed.) [10] July 15 * British North Borneo Company transfers rights to British crown. [1] July 16 * Attempt made to recall Mayor Lapham (first time in San Francisco history). [1] July 17 * Mikhailovich resistance leader, executed by Tito regime. [1] July 21 * Delegates of 21 nations meet in Paris, France, for a Peace Conference, to attempt to settle on the language of peace treaties with Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Finland. (The conference ends in October, having made little progress.) [10] July 22 * Estelle Bennett, rocker (The Ronettes). [1] July 25 * First bikini is shown at a Paris fashion show. [1] * US detonates underwater A-bomb at Bikini (5th atomic explosion). [1] July 27 * Gertrude Stein dies. [5] July 30 * First rocket attains 100 mi (167 km) altitude, White Sands, New Mexico, USA. [1] August 1

718

* US President Harry Truman establishes Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). [1] August 6 * US officially submits to jurisdiction of World Court. [1] August 7 * First coin bearing portrait of Negro authorized. [1] August 8 * India agrees to give Bhutan 32 square miles. [1] August 13 * Britain transfers illegal immigrants bound to Palestine, to Cyprus. [1] August 15 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film Make Mine Music to theaters. It comprises the following animated short films The Martins and the Coys, Casey at the Bat, Peter and the Wolf, Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet, and The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met. [6] August 31 * At the Nuremberg Tribunal, defendants make closing statements before the court. Hermann Göring denies all. Joachim von Ribbentrop hopes America and Great Britain are more successful versus Bolshevism. Wilhelm Keitel says his loyalty was exploited for obscure reasons. Albert Speer predicts destruction if technology developments of previous five years exploited in another war. [10] September 11 * First mobile long-distance car-to-car telephone conversation. [1] September 16 * Sir James Jeans dies. [1] September 22 * Evelyn Dick charged with butchering husband. [1] September 29

719

* Al Couture knockouts Ralph Walton in Lewiston Maine in 10.5 secs. [1] October 1 * At the Nuremberg Tribunal, public reading of the findings ends, with verdicts and sentences announced. Those sentenced to hanging: Hermann Göring, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Alfred Rosenberg, Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Julius Streicher, Fritz Sauckel, Alfred Jodl, Martin Boorman, Arthur Seyss-Inquart. Those sentenced to life imprisonment: Rudolf Hess, Walther Funk, Erich Raeder. Those sentenced to 20 years imprisonment: Baldur von Schirach, Albert Speer. Those sentenced to 15 years imprisonment: Constantin von Neurath. Those sentenced to 10 years imprisonment: Karl Dönitz. Those acquitted on all charges: Hjalmar Schacht, Franz von Papen, Hans Fritzsche. [1] [10] October 2 * First network soap opera-Faraway Hill-Dumont. [1] October 9 * First electric blanket manufactured; sold for $39.50. [1] October 15 * Hermann Göring, Nazi Reichmarshal, poisons himself in prison. [1] [10] October 16 * (0000 to 0230 hours) Ten German leaders convicted at the Nuremberg Tribunal are hanged at Nuremberg. The bodies are cremated. [1] [10] * Arthur Seyss-Inquart Austrian chancellor (1930s), dies at age 54. [1] October 23 * United Nations General Assembly second session convenes in Flushing Meadows (first in New York City). [1] [5] October 28 * German rocket engineers begin work in USSR. [1] October 29 * The Allied Control Council of Germany issues Directive No. 42, closing the border between the Soviet and Western zones. [10]

720

November 1 * West German state of Niedersachsen formed. [1] November 4 * United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization formed. [1] November 5 * John F Kennedy (Democrat-Massachusetts) elected to House of Representatives. [1] November 12 * First driv-up bank window established (Chicago). [1] * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated and live-action feature film Song of the South to theaters. Its premiere is held at Loew's Grand theater in Atlanta, Georgia. The film is based on the book Tales of Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris. [6] November 13 * First artificial snow produced from a natural cloud, Mount Greylock, Massachusetts. [1] November 18 * Donald Meek Glasgow Scotland; actor (Stage Fair, Stagecoach). [1] November 21 * Harry Truman becomes first US President to travel in a submerged sub. [1] December 3 * US government asks United Nations to order dictator Franco out of Spain. [1] December 5 * US President Harry Truman creates Committee on Civil Rights by Executive Order #9808. [1] December 6 * Maximilian Oseyevich Shteynberg composer, dies at age 63. [1]

721

December 7 * Fire at Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, kills 119. [1] December 8 * Army rocket plane XS-1 makes first powered flight. [1] December 10 * Damon Runyon US journalist/writer (Guys and Dolls), dies at age 66. [1] December 11 * Hank Williams begins to record on Sterling label. [1] * Spain suspended from United Nations. [1] * The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established. [1] [5] December 12 * Ice plant collapses, shearing a tenement building and burying 38. [1] * Johannes L "Jan" Walch Dutch literary (Abelard and Heloïse), dies at age 67. [1] * Tide detergent introduced. [1] * United Nations accepts six Manhattan blocks as a gift from John D Rockefeller Jr. [1] December 13 * Léon Blum elected French premier. [1] December 14 * "Three to Make Ready" closes at Adelphi Theater New York City after 323 performances. [1] * Togo is made a trusteeship territory of the United Nations. [1] * United Nations General Assembly votes to establish United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York. [1] December 15 * Conrad Haebler historian (Hundert Kalenderinkunabeln), dies at age 89. [1] * Gordon Frederic Norton composer, dies at age 77. [1] December 17

722

* Constance [Clara] Garnett Russian-English translator, dies at age 84. [1] * US V-2 rocket reaches 183 km, White Sands Proving Grounds New Mexico, USA. [1] December 18 * TV's first network dramatic serial "Faraway Hill" ends two month run. [1] December 19 * Noël Coward's musical "Pacific 1860" premieres in London. [1] * War breaks out in Indochina as Ho Chi Minh attacks French in Hanoi. [1] December 20 * Darius Milhaud's second Symphony, premieres. [1] December 21 * "If the Shoe Fits" closes at Century Theater New York City after 20 performances. [1] * Earthquake in South Japan, kills 1,086. [1] * Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" premieres. [1] * Morton Gould's "Minstrel Show" premieres in Indianapolis. [1] December 22 * "Bal Negre" closes at Belasco Theater New York City after 54 performances. [1] December 23 * Belgian Council of State forms. [1] * Highest ridership in New York City subway history (8.8 million passengers). [1] December 24 * 4th French republic established. [1] * US General MacNarney gives 800,000 "minor nazis" amnesty. [1] December 25 * Constitution accepted in Taiwan. [1] * William Claude Dunkenfield (W.C. Fields), writer/comedian/actor (Bank Dick, It's A Gift), dies from pneumonia at age 67. [1] [5] December 26

723

* Gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel opens the Flamingo hotel and casino on the desert highway between Las Vegas and the McCarren airport. The casino initially loses money, and closes within a month. [1] [80.303] [187.395] (1947 [39]) December 28 * Carrie Jacobs Bond American composer (I Love You Truly), dies at age 85. [1] December 30 * Charles Wakefield Cadman composer, dies at age 65. [1] December 31 * French troops leave Lebanon. [1] * Frits [Frederik H] Tartaud Dutch actor, dies at age 89. [1] * US President Harry Truman officially proclaims end of WWII. [1] Year * Total amount spent on legal betting in the USA: US$500 million. [80.86] * Total amount spent in Great Britain on greyhound racing: US$1.2 billion. [80.200]

724

1947 January 1 * Benelux agress to work-related issues. [1] * Britain nationalizes its coal industry. [1] * The United States and Great Britain join their German zones of administration. [10] [37] January 2 * Mahatma Gandhi begins march for peace in East-Bengali. [1] January 3 * First opening session of US Congress to be televised. [1] January 4 * The first issue of the German news magazine Der Spiegel is published. It starts as a publication under the authority of the British occupation forces. Former name was Diese Woche. [37] * "Park Avenue" closes at Shubert Theater New York City, New York after 72 performances. [1] * "Show Boat" closes at Ziegfeld Theater New York City, New York after 417 performances. [1] * Forrest Reid Irish author/critic (Young Tom, Apostate), dies at age 71. [1] January 8 * General George Marshall becomes Secretary of State. [1] January 9 * "Street Scene" opens at Adelphi Theater New York City, New York for 148 performances. [1] * Karl Mannheim sociologist (Diagnosis of Our Time), dies at age 53. [1] * Lambertus Zijl sculptor (Merchant Exchange-Amsterdam), dies at age 80. [1] * Roger Sessions' second Symphony, premieres in San Francisco. [1] January 10 * "Finian's Rainbow" opens at 46th Steet Theater New York City, New York for 725 performances. [1] * British stop ships Independence and In-Gathering from landing in Israel. [1]

725

* Greek steamer "Himara" strikes a wartime mine in Saronic Gulf south of Athens with loss of 392 of 637 aboard. [1] January 12 * Jonas Cohn German/English philosopher (Wertwissenschaft), dies at age 77. [1] January 13 * Veit Valentin German/US historian (German People), dies at age 61. [1] January 16 * Vincent Aurial elected President of France. [1] January 17 * Muiden Netherlands ammunition factory explodes, 16 die. [1] January 18 * "Red Mill" closes at Ziegfeld Theater New York City, New York after 831 performances. [1] * Small river steamer sank on Yangtze River, kills 400. [1] January 19 * SS Himera runs aground at Athens, kills 392. [1] January 20 * Brigadier General Edwin K Wright, USA, becomes deputy director of Central Intelligence Agency. [1] January 21 * "Sweethearts" opens at Shubert Theater New York City, New York for 288 performances. [1] * Arthur Honegger's 4th Symphony premieres in Basel. [1] January 22 * KTLA TV channel 5 in Los Angeles California (IND) begins broadcasting (first commercial TV station west of Mississippi). [1] [5] January 23

726

* Pierre Bonnard French painter/illustrator, dies at age 79. [1] January 24 * Felix Timmermans writer/painter (Gift from Saint Nicholas), dies at age 60. [1] January 25 * Al Capone Chicago gangster, dies of syphilis at age 48. [1] January 26 * Grace Moore US soprano/actress (One Night of Love), dies at age 45. [1] * Swedish Prince Gustaf Adolf dies in an airplane crash at Kastrup, Sweden. [1] [7] * KLM Dakota crashes near Copenhagen, 22 die. [1] January 28 * "Bay Psalm" book auctioned for a record $151,000. [1] * Reynaldo Hahn composer, dies at age 72. [1] January 29 * Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 30 * Frederick F Blackman English botanist, dies at age 80. [1] February 1 * Aleide de Gasperi forms Italian government of Christian-democrats and communists. [1] * Dmitri Shostakovich named professor at conservatory of Leningrad. [1] * NV United Dutch Fokker's Aircraft established. [1] February 3 * Anchorage, Alaska, reaches a record low temperatire: -38 degrees F. [32.22] * -81 degrees F (-63 degrees C), Snag Yukon (North American record). [1] * Anna Bahr-von Mildenburg Austrian soprano/director, dies at age 74. [1] * Marc A "Pete" Mitscher US Lieutenant-Admiral (WWII-Task Force 58), dies at age 60. [1] February 5

727

* Bolewet Beirut becomes President of Poland. [1] * Ganzefles Dutch Nazi spy/Jew hunter, executed. [1] * Hans Fallada writer, dies at age 53. [1] February 6 * Albert J Bakker Dutch actor (Teun the night watch), dies at age 82. [1] * Luigi Russolo composer, dies at age 61. [1] February 7 * Arabs and Jews reject British proposal to split Palestine. [1] February 8 * Ernest Samuel Williams composer, dies at age 65. [1] February 9 * Bank robber Willie Sutton escapes jail in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. [1] February 10 * Italy cedes most of Venezia Giulia to Yugoslavia. [1] * Netherlands Radio Union forms. [1] * Province of Petsamo returned to Soviet Union by Finland. [1] * In Paris, France, representatives of 21 nations sign five peace treaties with Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Finland. [1] [10] February 12 * Daytime fireball and meteorite fall seen in eastern Siberia. [1] * Record 100.5-kg sailfish caught, C W Stewart, Galapagos Islands. [1] * Sidney Toler actor (Charlie Chan, Dark Alibi), dies at age 72. [1] February 15 * "Toplitzky of Notre Dame" closes at Century Theater New York City after 60 performances. [1] February 16 * Morton Gould's third Symphony, premieres. [1] February 17

728

* Dutch Roman Catholic bishops publish manifest against "godless communism". [1] * Voice of America begins broadcasting to USSR. [1] February 18 * 24 die in a train crash in Gallitzin Pennsylvania. [1] * Gian Carlo Menotti's opera "Telephone" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] February 19 * CBS radio premiere of Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasilieras No 3". [1] February 20 * Chemical mixing error causes explosion that destroys 42 blocks in Los Angeles California. [1] * Lord Mountbatten appointed as last viceroy of India. [1] February 21 * First broadcast of first US TV soap opera A Woman to Remember. [1] * First instant developing camera demonstrated in New York City, by E H Land. [1] February 23 * General Eisenhower opens drive to raise $170 million in aid for European Jews. [1] February 25 * The Allied Control Council of Germany issues Law No. 46, disbanding Prussia. [10] * Friedrich Paschen German physicist, dies at age 82. [1] February 26 * Ben Webster actor (Old Curiosity Shop), dies at age 82. [1] February 27 * Paul-Emile Victor French polar expeditions organized. [1] February 28 * Anti Kuomintang demonstration on Taiwan. [1] March 1

729

* International Monetary Fund began operations. [1] * J Boogaard Nazi collaborator, executed. [1] March 5 * Alfredo Casella Italian composer/conductor (La Giara), dies at age 63. [1] March 6 * Ludwig Weber composer, dies at age 55. [1] * XB-45, first US 4-engine jet bomber, makes first test flight, Muroc California. [1] March 11 * Victor Hely-Hutchinson composer, dies at age 45. [1] March 12 * "Chocolate Soldier" opens at Century Theater New York City for 69 performances. [1] * Belgian government of Huysmans resigns. [1] * US President Harry Truman introduces Truman-doctrine to fight communism. [1] March 13 * "Brigadoon" opens at Ziegfeld Theater New York City for 581 performances. [1] * 19th Academy Awards: "Best Years of Our Lives", Frederic March, Olivia de Havilland win. [1] March 16 * Convair Liner, first US twin-engine pressurized airplane, tested. [1] March 19 * Belgian government of Spaak, forms. [1] * Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek conquers Jenan. [1] * Willem F J Pijper Dutch composer/critic, dies at age 52. [1] March 20 * 180-metric ton blue whale (record) caught in South Atlantic. [1] March 21

730

* Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Fulgens radiatur. [1] * US President Harry Truman signs Executive Order 9835 requiring all federal employees to have allegiance to the United States. [1] March 24 * US Congress proposes two-term limitation on the Presidency. [1] * John D Rockefeller Jr donates New York City East River site to the United Nations. [1] March 25 * Agreement of Linggadjati ratified in Batavia. [1] * Coal mine explosion in Centralia Illinois, claims 111 lives. [1] March 28 * Rudolph Hermann Simonsen composer, dies at age 57. [1] March 29 * "Beggar's Holiday" closes at Broadway Theater New York City after 111 performances. [1] April 1 * First Jewish immigrants to Israel disembark at Port of Eilat. [1] * George II king of Greece, dies at age 56. [1] April 2 * Carlo Terron's "Il diamente del profeta", premieres in Rome. [1] April 3 * "Barefoot Boy with Cheek" opens at Martin Beck New York City for 108 performances. [1] April 4 * Largest group of sunspots on record. [1] * United Nations's International Civil Aviation Organization established. [1] April 6 * First Tony Awards: Arthur Miller, David Wayne and Patricia Neal win. [1]

731

* Vaclav Kapral composer, dies at age 58. [1] April 8 * Henry Ford US industrialist (Ford cars), dies. [1] * Largest recorded sunspot (7,000) observed. [1] April 9 * Atomic Energy Commission is formed. [1] * Konrad Friedrich Noetel composer, dies at age 43. [1] * Tornadoes striking West Texas and Oklahoma kill 169, injuring 1,300. [1] April 10 * King Frederik IX of Denmark crowned. [1] April 12 * Christian F L Leipoldt South African writer (Die Moormansgat), dies. [1] April 15 * Operations begin at Radio Netherlands World radio. [1] * Wolstenholme rocker, dies. [1] April 16 * Explosions and fire on French ship Grandcamp. [1] * Lens to provide zoom effects demonstrated (New York City, New York). [1] * Massive explosion and fire kills 500 in Texas City Texas. [1] April 19 * French ship explodes in Texas City harbor, kills about 522. [1] April 20 * Christian X King of Denmark (1912-47), dies at age 76. [1] * Frederik IX becomes King of Denmark. [1] April 25 * Trial against WWII mayor of Amsterdam Edward Voûte begins. [1] April 26

732

* "Bless the Bride" musical opens in London. [1] April 28 * Thor Heyerdahl and "Kon-Tiki" sail from Peru to Polynesia. [1] April 29 * Irving Fisher US economist, dies at age 80. [1] April 30 * Boulder Dam renamed in honor of Herbert Hoover. [1] May 1 * Lieutenant General Hoyt S Vandenberg, USA, ends term as second head of Central Intelligence Agency. [1] * Radar for commercial and private planes first demonstrated. [1] * Rear Admiral Roscoe H Hillenkoetter, USN, becomes 3th director of the Central Intelligence Agency. [1] * Sanner leader of Norger blood bath, executed. [1] May 2 * Eugene O'Neill's "Moon for the Misbegotten" premieres in New York City. [1] May 3 * Japan forms a constitutional democracy. [1] May 5 * Mississippi Valley flooding kills 16 and causes $850 million in damage. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Robert Penn Warren (All the King's Men). [1] May 6 * A British court condemns German former Army Commander-in-Chief Albert Kesslering to death. [10] May 7 * Kraft Television Theater premieres on NBC. [1] * General MacArthur approves Japanese constitution. [1]

733

* Paraguayian Government unleashes contra revolt. [1] May 11 * BF Goodrich manufactures first tubeless tire, in Akron, Ohio, USA. [1] * Else JT Rangstrøm, Swedish conductor/singer/composer/critic, dies at age 62. [1] * Laos accepts constitution for parliamentary democracy. [1] May 13 * US Senate approves the Taft-Hartley Act limiting the power of unions. [1] May 14 * John Ray Sinnock, American coin mint chief engraver (1925-47), dies at age 59. [1] May 22 * "Truman Doctrine" goes into effect, aiding Turkey and Greece. [1] * First US ballistic missile fired. [1] May 23 * C F Ramuz, writer, dies at age 68. [1] * PC Hooft prize forms for literature. [1] May 25 * Coal dust explosion rocks Centralia Coal Company's Mine #5 killing 111. [1] May 30 * Sidney Hugo Nicholson, composer, dies at age 72. [1] May 31 * Adrienne Ames; actress (Black Sheep, 24 Hours), dies at age 39. [1] * Communists grab power in Hungary. [1] * Eastern DC-4 crashes between Port Deposit and Perryville Maryland, kills 53. [1] * Henri G Casadesus, French altviolist/composer (viola d'amour), dies at age 66. [1] * Italian Government of Gasperi forms. [1] June 1 * The OPA, which issued WW II rationing coupons, disbands. [1]

734

June 5 * American Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs George Marshall announces the European Recovery Program, known as the Marshall Plan. (Over three years, US$13.3 billion is spent on economic assistance to European countries.) [1] [10] June 10 * Swedish aircraft company Saab introduces its first car, the Saab 92. It features frontwheel drive, two doors, green paint. [5] [7] June 11 * WW II sugar rationing in the USA ends. [1] June 16 * First network news - Dumont's News from Washington. [1] * Soviet news service Pravda denounces American Marshall Plan. [1] June 17 * First round-the-world civil air service leaves New York City. [1] June 18 * Cincinnati Reds' Ewell Blackwell no-hits Boston Braves, 6-0. [1] June 19 * First plane (F-80) to exceed 600 mph (1004 kph)-Albert Boyd, Muroc, California. [1] June 20 * Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, gangster, shot dead in Beverly Hills, California. [1] [5] [129] [187.395] * US President Harry Truman vetoes Taft-Hartley Act. [1] June 23 * US President Harry Truman's veto of Taft-Hartley Act overridden by Congress. [1] June 24 * Flying saucers sighted over Mount Rainier, Washington, by pilot Ken Arnold. [1] [5]

735

July 1 * British Dominion Affairs office becomes Commonwealth Relations office. [1] July 3 * 252,288 people (record) pass through Grand Central Station, New York City. [1] July 4 * In the desert outside Roswell, New Mexico, an alien flying craft (supposedly) crashes. [12.2,10] July 8 * Demolition begins in New York City for United Nations headquarters in New York City. [1] July 10 * 200 die when train derails and falls into a river in Canton, China. [1] July 17 * Raoul Wallenberg dies in Lubianka prison in Russia. (According to Soviet officials in 1957, he died of a heart attack, likely brought on by then State Security Chief Viktor Abakumov. According to Soviet spy Pavel Sudoplatov in 1994, he was executed by poison injection after his refusal to be recruited as a spy.) [7] July 18 * US receives United Nations trusteeship over Pacific Islands. [1] July 22 * -8 degrees F (-13 degrees C), Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (Australian record). [1] July 23 * First (US Navy) air squadron of jets, Quonset Point, Rhode Island. [1] July 25 * US Air Force, Navy and War Departments form US Department of Defense. [1] * US Deptartment of the Army created. [1]

736

July 26 * National Security Act establishes the US Central Intelligence Agency. [1] July 29 * Gas leak explodes in a beauty parlor, 10 women die in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. [1] August 7 * Balsa raft Kon Tiki crashes into a Polynesian archipelago reef. [1] August 14 * India granted independence within British Commonwealth. [1] * Pakistan gains independence from Britain. [1] August 18 * Naval torpedo and mine factory explodes at Cadiz, Spain, killing 168, injuring 4000. [1] [250.4] August 20 * Turner Caldwell in D-558-I sets aircraft speed record, 1131 kph. [1] September 15 * First four-engine jet-propelled fighter-plane tested, Columbus, Ohio. [1] September 16 * John Cobb sets world auto speed record at 394.2 MPH. [1] September 17 * James Forrestal sworn in as first US secretary of defense. [1] September 20 * Fiorello La Guardia, American politician (Mayor-Republican-New York City), dies. [1] September 27

737

* RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film Fun and Fancy Free to theaters. It includes the animated films Bongo, and Mickey and the Beanstalk (with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy). [6] October 1 * First helicopter air mail and express service, Los Angeles, California. [1] * US control of Haitian customs and governmental revenue ends. [1] October 2 * Revised International Telecommunication Convention adopted. [1] October 3 * First telescope lens 200 inches (508cm) in diameter completed. [1] October 5 * First Presidential address televised from White House - Harry Truman. [1] October 9 * First telephone conversation between a moving car and a plane. [1] October 13 * WBKB-TV premieres the Kukla, Fran, and Ollie 15-minute puppet children's TV show. [1] [179.540] October 14 * Chuck Yeager in Bell XS-1 makes first supersonic flight (Mach 1.015). [1] October 20 * The House Un-American Activities Committee begins investigating Communist influence in Hollywood. [1] [129] October 23 * NAACP petition on racism, "An Appeal to the World" presented to United Nations. [1] October 24

738

* Series of forest fires burn US$30 million of timber (New England States). [1] October 26 * Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir accedes to India. [1] October 27 * You Bet Your Life, with Groucho Marx, premieres on ABC radio. [1] October 29 * Frances Cleveland Preston, former first lady (USA), dies in Baltimore, Maryland at age 83. [1] November 1 * United Nations trusteeship for Nauru granted to Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. [1] November 2 * Off California, the Hughes Flying Boat, nicknamed the Spruce Goose for its birch and spruce construction, the largest aircraft ever built (320-foot wingspan, eight propellor engines), is piloted by designer Howard Hughes on its first and only flight. The float plane is flown 70 feet above the water for a mile. [1] [5] [129] November 6 * Meet The Press makes its television debut in the USA. [5] November 20 * Meet the Press makes network TV debut on NBC. [1] * First permanent TV installed on seagoing vessel (The New Jersey). [1] * At Westminster Abbey in London, England, Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten, former prince of Greece and Denmark. [1] [129] * United Nations General assembly begins debate on printing their own postage stamps. [1] November 24 * John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl published. [1] * Un-American Activities Committee finds "Hollywood 10" in contempt because of their refusal to reveal whether they were communists. [1]

739

November 25 * New Zealand accedes to Statute of Westminster, becomes a dominion. [1] November 29 * The United Nations votes for the partition of Palestine and the creation of an independent Jewish state. [1] [129] November 30 * Day after United Nations decree for Israel, Jewish settlements attacked. [1] December 1 * Aleister Edward S Crowley, British occultist, dies at age 72. [1] * Hardy, mathematician, dies. [1] December 3 * Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire opens on Broadway, New York, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. [1] [129] December 4 * USSR joins International Amateur Athletic Union. [1] December 10 * USSR and Czechoslovakia sign trade agreement. [1] December 11 * Bob Hilliard/Carl Sigman's musical Angel in the Wings premieres at Coronet Theater in New York City for 308 performances. [1] December 12 * Júlio A Peixoto, Brazilian writer (Fruta do Mato), dies at age 70. [1] * United Mine Workers union withdrew from AFL. [1] December 14 * Franz Zorell, German Roman Catholic lexicographer, dies at age 84. [1] * Stanley Baldwin; English premier (1923, 1924-29, 1935-37), dies at age 80. [1]

740

December 18 * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Optissima Pax. [1] December 20 * St-Georges de Bouchélier, French author (Children's Carnival), dies at age 71. [1] December 22 * Italian constituent assembly adopts new constitution. [1] December 23 * Three scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories in the USA, William Shockley, Walter Brattain, and John Bardeen demonstrate their new invention of the point-contact transistor amplifier. The name transistor is short for "transfer resistor". [1] [4] December 25 * Taiwan passes Human Rights laws (Day of Earth Law). [1] December 26 * British transfer Heard and McDonald Islands (Indian Ocean) to Australia. [1] * Heavy snow blankets Northeast USA, buries New York City under 25.8 inches of snow in 16 hours; the same day, Los Angeles sets a record high of 84 degrees F. [1] December 27 * First Howdy Doody Show (Puppet Playhouse), telecast on NBC. [1] December 28 * Victor Emmanuel III, king of Italy (1900-46)/Ethiopia, dies at age 78. [1] December 29 * Joseph Cuvelier, Belgian historian/general, dies at age 78. [1] * Ship carrying Jewish immigrants driven away from Palestine. [1] December 30 * Han [Henricus A] van Meegeren, Dutch painter/art forger, dies at age 58. [1]

741

* King Michael of Romania is forced by communists to abdicate his throne. [1] * Romanian republic proclaimed. [1] December 31 * Franz X Ritter von Epp, German general (SW Africa), dies at age 79. [1]

742

1948 January 1 * First color newsreel is filmed, in Pasadena, California, USA. [1] * Britain nationalizes its railways. [1] * General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade effective. [1] * Hermann K J Zilcher, German pianist/composer (Liebesmesse), dies at age 66. [1] * Italy adopts constitution. [1] * Orissa province accedes to India. [1] * Willem Louis Frederic Landre, composer, dies at age 73. [1] January 4 * Britain grants independence to Burma. [1] January 7 * Raoul Auernheimer, writer, dies. [1] * US President Harry Truman raises taxes for Marshall plan. [1] January 8 * Kurt Schwitters, writer, dies at age 60. [1] * Dutch Queen Wilhelmina signs death sentence against Ans van Dijk for treason. [1] * Death of Richard Tauber in London, England (born Richard Denemy in Linz, Austria) at age 55; operatic tenor/composer. [1] [37] January 10 * Call Me Mister play closes at National Theater in New York City, New York after 734 performances. [1] January 12 * First Supermarket in United Kingdom opens. [1] * Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi begins his final fast. [1] January 13 * First country music TV show, Midwestern Hayride, premieres on WLW Cincinnati, Ohio. [1] January 14 * Anna "Ans" van Dike, Dutch Jewish Nazi-collaborator, executed at age 42. [1]

743

January 16 * 35 Haganah members are ambushed and killed in Gush Etzyon. [1] January 17 * Netherlands and Indonesia agree to a cease fire. [1] * Trial of 11 US Communist party members begins in New York City, New York. [1] January 18 * First courses begin at University of Ibadan, Nigeria. [1] * Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour begins, DuMont (later NBC/ABC/CBS). [1] January 21 * Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, composer, dies at age 72. [1] January 23 * Huston's film Treasure of Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart opens. [1] January 24 * Dutch Liberal Party forms - People's party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). [1] January 26 * US Presidential Executive Order 9981 signed, ending segregation in US Armed Forces. [1] * Ignaz Friedman, composer, dies at age 65. [1] January 27 * First locomotive to carry 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) operates. [1] * First tape recorder sold. [1] January 30 * Mahatma Gandhi, India spiritual and political leader, assassinated by Hindu extremists in New Delhi, at age 78. [1] * Orville Wright, US aviation pioneer, dies at age 76. [1] January 31

744

* Magnetic tape recorder developed by Wireway. [1] February 1 * Federation Malaysia forms from nine sultanates. [1] * Palestine Post building in Jerusalem is bombed. [1] February 2 * US President Harry Truman urges congress to adopt a civil rights program. [1] February 4 * Ceylon gains independence from Britain (National Day). [1] February 5 * The Nature of Things science show premieres on NBC prime time. [1] * Johann Blaskowitz, German General (surrendered at Wageningen), dies at age 64. [1] February 6 * First radio-controlled airplane flown. [1] * Robert Brasillach, French author/Nazi collaborator, dies at age 38. [1] February 7 * "Red" McKenzie blues-jazz singer (played comb-with-tissue-paper), dies. [1] * Omar Bradley succeeds Dwight Eisenhower as US Army Chief of Staff. [1] February 9 * Karl Valentin, German comic/writer, dies at age 65. [1] February 10 * Greek General Markos' guerrilla army bombs Saloniki. [1] * Sergei Eisenstein, Russian director (Battleship Potemkin), dies at age 50. [1] February 11 * John Costello follows Eamon Da Valera as premier of Ireland. [1] * Sergy Eisenstein, film director, dies at age 50. [1] February 13

745

* Wright Flyer, first plane to fly, returns to US from England. [1] February 15 * Mao Zedong's army occupies Yenan. [1] February 16 * First newsreel telecast, 20th Century Fox-Movietone News shown on NBC. [1] * Miranda, famous moon of Uranus, photographed for first time. [1] February 20 * Czechoslovakia's non-communist minister resigns. [1] February 21 * Frederick Archibald Lamond, composer, dies at age 80. [1] February 22 * Arabs bomb attack in Jerusalem, 50 die. [1] February 25 * Communists seize Czechoslovakia; C Gottwald becomes premier. [1] February 29 * Stern-group bomb Cairo-Haifa train, 27 British soldiers died. [1] March 4 * Antonin Artaud, French poet/actor (Napoleon), dies at age 51. [1] * Elsa Brändström [Angel of Siberia], Swedish philanthropist, dies at age 59. [1] March 5 * US rocket flies record 4800kph to 126km height. [1] March 6 * Birth of James FCS "Jim" Woude; cartoonist. [1] March 8

746

* US Supreme Court rules relgious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional. [1] March 9 * Provisionary Indonesian government installed in Batavia. [1] March 10 * First civilian to exceed speed of sound - Herb H Hoover, Edwards Air Force Base California. [1] * Jan Masaryk, Czechoslovakian Foreign minister, commits suicide or is murdered. [1] March 11 * Jewish Agency of Jerusalem bombed. [1] March 15 * Sixteen nations plus the American, British, and French zones of Germany draft a convention for economic cooperation. (This leads to the setting up of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation.) [7] March 18 * France, Great Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg sign Treaty of Brussels. [1] * Philips begin experimental TV broadcasting. [1] March 20 * First live televised musical Eugene Ormandy on CBS followed in 90 minutes by second live televised musical Arturo Toscanini on NBC. [1] * 20th Academy Awards: Gentleman's Agreement, Ronald Colman, Loretta Young win. [1] March 21 * Stop the Music with Bert Parks premieres on ABC radio. [1] March 23 * John Cunningham sets world altitude record (54,492 feet (18,133 metres)). [1] March 25 * Warren Hymer, actor (Show Them No Mercy), dies at age 42. [1]

747

March 26 * Helen Ernst, German poster artist/resistance fighter, dies at about age 43. [1] March 27 * Karel Candael, Flemish composer, dies at age 64. [1] March 28 * Second Tony Awards: Mister Roberts win. [1] March 31 * US Congress passes Marshall Aid Act to rehabilitate war-torn Europe. [1] * Egon E Kisch, Czechoslovakian writer/journalist (Raging Reporter), dies at age 62. [1] April 3 * Armistice signed in Arab-Israeli war. [244.4] * US President Harry Truman signs Marshall Plan (US$5 billion aid to 16 European countries). [1] April 4 * 84-year-old Connie Mack challenges 78-year-old Clark Griffith to a race from home to first base; it ends in a tie. [1] April 7 * World Health Organization established by United Nations. [1] April 8 * Josef B Kjellgren, Swedish writer (Guldkedjan), dies at age 40. [1] April 9 * Jorge Elecier Gaitán, Colombian politician, murdered. [1] April 10 * Jewish Hagana repels an Arab attack on Mishmar HaEmek. [1]

748

April 13 * 75 scientists ambushed on way to Mount Scopus. [1] April 14 * A flash of light is observed in the crater Plato on the Moon. [1] * Gerhard Anschütz, German professor, dies at age 81. [1] * US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak. [1] * Walter P Reuther, President (United Auto Workers), shot dead at his home. [1] April 15 * First modern Jewish-Arab military battle, Arabs defeated. [1] * Indian territory of Himachal Pradesh is created. [1] April 16 * Organization for European Economic Cooperation (EEC) forms in Paris, France. [1] April 17 * Johan P Earl of Limburg Stirum, diplomat, dies at age 75. [1] April 18 * International Court of Justice opens at The Hague, Netherlands. [1] April 19 * ABC-TV network begins. [1] * Chiang Kai-shek elected President of Nationalist China. [1] April 20 * United Auto Workers president Walter P Reuther shot and wounded at his home in Detroit, Michigan, USA. [1] April 21 * First Polaroid camera is sold in US. [1] * Carlos Lopez Buchardo, composer, dies at age 66. [1] April 24 * Joseph Wihtol, composer, dies at age 84. [1]

749

* Manuel Marua Ponce; Mexican composer (Ferial), dies at age 65. [1] * Rosita Marstini, actress (I Cover Waterfront, Big Parade), dies at age 54. [1] April 26 * The XP-86 prototype for the Sabre Jet first "officially" breaks the sound barrier. The first operational F-86A Sabres enters service in May. [1] April 27 * Arab legion attacks Gesher bridge on Jordan River. [1] April 30 * Inside USA play opens at Century Theater in New York City for 339 performances. [1] * Organization of American States charter signed at Bogotá, Colombia. [1] * US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak. [1] May 1 * Christos Ladas, Greek minister of Justice, murdered. [1] * Glenn Taylor, Idaho Senator, arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, for trying to enter a meeting through a door marked "for Negroes". [1] * North Korea proclaims itself People's Democratic Republic of Korea. [1] * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Auspicia quaedam. [1] May 3 * Pulitzer prize awarded to James Michener and Tennessee Williams. [1] May 4 * The Hague Court of Justice convicts Hans Rauter (Nazi SS) to the death penalty. [1] May 5 * First air squadron of jets aboard a carrier. [1] * Belgian Government of Spaak resigns. [1] May 6 * 43 communist rebels executed in Athens. [1] May 7

750

* Nazi collaborator V-Mann Antonius van de Waals sentenced to death. [1] May 8 * Alfred Holy, composer, dies at age 81. [1] May 10 * First attack by Egyptian irregular forces at Kfar Darom, Israel. [1] May 11 * Haganah takes control of Safed and port of Haifa. [1] * Luigi Einaudi is elected President of Italy. [1] May 12 * Isidor Achron, composer, dies at age 55. [1] * Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands resigns. [1] May 14 * Britain withdraws from the Palestine territory as its mandate expires. The State of Israel is proclaimed by Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben Gurion. [1] [129] [240.212] * US grants Israel de facto recognition. [1] * Israeli Radio Station Kol Yisrael's first broadcast. [1] * US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak. [1] * Jordan's Arab League captures Atarot, north of Jerusalem. [1] May 15 * 28-year-old British Mandate over Palestine ends. [1] * Forces from Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attack and invade Israel. [1] [129] May 16 * Botvinnik wins 5-player tournament to determine world chess champion. [1] * CBS news correspondent George Polk's body is found in Greece. [1] * Chaim Weizmann elected Chairman of Provisional State Council (President of Israel). [1] * Egyptians enter the Gaza. [1] * Israel issues its first postage stamps. [1] May 17

751

* Israel liberates Acre, Nebi Yusha and Telel-Kadi. [1] * Soviet Union recognizes Israel. [1] May 18 * Arab Legion captures fort on Mount Scopus. [1] * Saudi Arabia joins invasion of Israel. [1] May 20 * First use of Israeli Air Force and first war victory, defeating Syrian army. [1] May 22 * Claude McKaye, Jamaican/American poet/author (Banjo, Home to Harlem), dies in Chicago, Illinois at age 57. [1] May 23 * Ramat Rahel gateway to Jerusalem is repossessed by Israel. [1] May 24 * Alfred Kastner, composer, dies at age 78. [1] May 25 * Jacques Feyder, actor/director (kermesse héroique), dies at age 59. [1] May 26 * Entire Hagana-arm forces sworn-in as Israeli soldiers. [1] * South Africa elects a nationalist government with apartheid policy. [1] May 27 * Arabs blow up Jewish synagogue Hurvat Rabbi Yehudah he-Hasid. [1] * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated and live-action feature film Melody Time to theaters in the USA. It includes the animated films Once Upon a Wintertime, Bumble Boogie, Johnny Appleseed, Little Toot, Blame it on the Samba (with Donald Duck), and Pecos Bill. [6] May 28 * Iraq captures Ge'ulim settlement. [1]

752

May 29 * May Whitty, actress (Gaslight, Mrs Miniver, Suspicion), dies at age 82. [1] May 31 * Jose Vianna da Motta, composer, dies at age 80. [1] June 3 * 200-inch (5.08m) Hale telescope dedicated at Palomar Observatory. [1] * Korczak Ziolkowski begins sculpture of Crazy Horse near Mount Rushmore. [1] June 8 * The Milton Berle Show premieres on NBC TV. [1] June 18 * American Library Association adopts the Library Bill of Rights. [1] * National Security Council authorizes covert operations for first time. [1] * United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopts International Declaration of Human Rights. [1] June 20 * West German Finance Minister Ludwig Erhard eliminates most price controls and introduces a new currency, the "Deutsche mark". [46.96] [118.6] * CBS premieres the Toast of the Town 60-minute variety TV show, hosted by Ed Sullivan. [1] [5] [179.287] June 21 * In a lab in Manchester, England, the Small Scale Experimental Machine computer, nicknamed "Baby" is created, the first to contain memory (128 bytes) which could store a program. [1] [57] * Dr Peter Goldmark of CBS demonstrates "long playing record". [1] June 24 * American Republican National Convention in Philadelphia nominates New York governor Thomas Dewey. [1] * The Soviet Union cuts off all land and sea routes to West Berlin, in an attempt to pressure the Allies to evacuate. [1] [118.6] [129] June 26

753

* US denounces Soviet blockade of Berlin. [1] * U.S. and British pilots begin delivering food and supplies by airplane to West Berlin after the city is isolated by a Soviet Union blockade. [129] June 30 * Bell Labs announces transistor as a substitute for radio tubes. [1] July 5 * Britain launches the universal, tax-funded National Health Service. [1] [222.70] * Carole Landis, actress, dies at age 29. [1] * E L Johnson discovers asteroid #1618 Dawn. [1] July 7 * Six female reservists become first women sworn into regular US Navy. [1] July 12 * First jets to fly across the Atlantic (6 RAF de Havilland Vampires). [1] July 15 * John J Persing, US General (WW I), dies at age 87. [1] * US President Harry Truman nominated for another term. [1] July 17 * C A Wirtanen discovers asteroid #1685 Toro. [1] * Proclamation of the constitution of the Republic of (South) Korea. [1] July 21 * Arshile Gorky, abstract expressionist, dies at age 43. [1] July 23 * Progressive party convention nominates Henry Wallace for President. [1] July 26 * US President Harry Truman issues Executive Order No. 9981 directing "equality of treatment and opportunity" in armed forces. [1]

754

July 28 * I.G. Farben chemical plant explodes in Ludwigshafen, Germany, 182 die. [1] July 31 * US President Harry Truman dedicates Idlewild Field (Kennedy Airport), New York. [1] August 4 * Five-day southern filibuster succeeds in maintaining poll tax. [1] August 10 * ABC enters network TV at 7 PM (WJZ, New York). [1] * Allen Funt's Candid Camera TV debut on ABC. [1] August 15 * Republic of Korea (South Korea) proclaimed (National Day). [1] August 16 * The Israeli pound becomes legal tender. [1] August 17 * Alger Hiss denies ever being a Communist agent. [1] August 20 * US expels Soviet Consul General in New York, Jacob Lomakin. [1] August 23 * World Council of Churches formed by 147 churches from 44 countries. [1] September 1 * Communist form North China People's Republic. [1] * United Nations's World Health Organization forms. [1] September 4 * Queen Wilhelmina of Netherlands abdicates. [1]

755

September 6 * Juliana becomes queen of the Netherlands. [1] September 7 * First use of synthetic rubber in asphaltic concrete, Akron, Ohio. [1] September 9 * People's Democratic Republic of Korea proclaimed. [1] September 11 * Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah dies. [1] September 13 * Margaret Chase Smith (Republican-Maine) is elected senator, first woman to serve in both houses of US Congress. [1] September 14 * Gerald Ford upsets Republican Bartel J Jonkman in Michigan 5th District Republican primary. [1] * Groundbreaking ceremony for the United Nations world headquarters. [1] * Milton Berle starts his TV career on Texaco Star Theater. [1] September 15 * F-86 Sabre sets world aircraft speed record of 1080 kph. [1] September 17 * In Jerusalem, Palestine, Count Folke Bernadotte, nephew of the Swedish King, is murdered by Jewish extremists while mediating peace between Palestinians and Jews. [1] [7] September 18 * Ralph J Bunche confirmed as acting United Nations mediator in Palestine. [1] September 21 * NBC premieres the Texaco Star Theatre 60-minute variety TV show. [1] [179.655]

756

September 24 * Mildred Gillars (Axis Sally) pleads innocent in Washington DC. [1] October 1 * California Supreme Court voids state statute banning interracial marriages. [1] * Radio Denmark begins transmitting. [1] October 18 * Walther von Brauchitsch, former Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, dies in British captivity. [10] October 21 * Facsimile high-speed radio transmission demonstrated (Washington DC). [1] October 27 * Israel recaptures Nizzanim in the Negev. [1] October 28 * Flag of Israel is adopted. [1] October 30 * 20 die and 6,000 made ill by smog in Donora, Pennsylvania, USA. [1] November 2 * Harry Truman beats Dewey for US Presidency, confounding pollsters and newspapers. [1] November 12 * In Tokyo, Japan, the International War Crimes Tribunal announces final verdicts. It sentences former Japanese President Hedeki Tojo and six other Japanese leaders to death. Sixteen others are sentenced to life in prison. [1] [10] November 15 * William Lyon Mackenzie King retires as Prime Minister of Canada. [1]

757

November 17 * Great Britain's House of Commons votes to nationalize steel industry. [1] November 23 * Lens to provide zoom effects patented-FG Back. [1] November 25 * Fort Funston's 16-inch coastal guns removed. [1] * KING-TV, Seattle, Washington, goes on the air with first Pacific NorthWest telecast. [1] November 28 * Hopalong Cassidy premieres on TV. [1] November 30 * Soviets set up a separate municipal government in East Berlin. [1] December 1 * Arabic Congress names Abdullah of Trans Jordan, King of Palestine. [1] * Piet Roozenburg becomes world champion checker player. [1] December 3 * "Pumpkin Papers" come to light (claimed to be from Alger Hiss). [1] * First US woman army officer not in medical corps sworn-in. [1] December 4 * Karl Bonhoeffer, German psychiatrist/neurologist, dies. [1] * Refugee ship SS Kiangya hits mine in Whangpoo River, China, sinks killing 2,750. [1] December 7 * Godfrey Turner, composer, dies at age 35. [1] December 8 * Jordan annexes Arabic Palestine. [1]

758

December 9 * United Nations' General Assembly unanimously approves Convention on Genocide. [1] December 10 * United Nations General Assembly adopts Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [1] December 14 * Reginald Owen Morris, composer, dies at age 62. [1] December 15 * Former state department official Alger Hiss indicted in New York City for perjury. [1] December 16 * Lend an Ear play opens at National Theater in New York City for 460 performances. [1] December 17 * Edgar Istel, composer, dies at age 68. [1] December 18 * Indonesia begins its second political election. [1] * Janet Fay hammered to death by the Honeymoon Killers. [1] December 19 * Second political action of Java/Sumatra. [1] December 20 * C Aubrey Smith, actor (Prisoner of Zenda), dies at age 85. [1] * Second Chamber accepts second Police Action in Indonesia. [1] December 21 * Seishiro Itagaki, Japanese general/Minister of War, hanged. [1] * State of Eire (formerly Irish Free State) declares its independence. [1]

759

December 23 * Hideki Tojo, Japanese Prime Minister, and six other Japanese hanged for war crimes by US. [1] December 24 * First US house completely sunheated is occupied (Dover, Massachusetts). [1] * Greek government disbands due to state of war, press censorship. [1] December 26 * Hungarian cardinal Mindszenty arrested. [1] December 28 * Mahmud Nokrashy Pasha, Prime Minister of Egypt, assassinated. [1] * Middel-Java as a whole in Dutch hands. [1] * The Israeli Defence Force crosses the Egyptian border. [1] * US announces a study to launch an Earth satellite. [1] December 29 * Canada recognizes Israel. [1] * US State Department announces work on placing objects into Earth orbit. [1] December 30 * Kiss Me, Kate opens at New Century Theater in New York City for 1077 performances. [1] December 31 * Malcolm Campbell, English race driver, dies at age 63. [1]

760

1949 January 1 * Tokelau (Union) Islands declared part of New Zealand. [1] January 3 * Colgate Theatre dramatic anthology series premieres on NBC TV. [1] January 5 * General Spoor orders cease-fire on Sumatra. [1] * US President Harry S Truman labels his administration the "Fair Deal". [1] January 7 * First photo of genes taken at University of Southern California by Pease and Baker. [1] January 8 * Make Mine Manhattan play closes at Broadhurst Theater in New York City, New York after 429 performances. [1] January 9 * Amilcare Zanella, composer, dies at age 75. [1] January 10 * First Jewish family show The Goldbergs premieres on CBS. [1] * RCA introduces 45 RPM record. [1] * Death of Erich Dagobert von Drygalski in Königsberg, Germany; geographer, glaciologist, professor. [37] January 11 * The first case of snowfall in Los Angeles, California is recorded. [1] [5] January 12 * Arthur Godfrey and His Friends premieres on CBS TV. [1] * Dutch court affirms death sentence against SS chief Hanns Rauter. [1] January 14

761

* Black/Indian race rebellion in Durban, South Africa; 142 die. [1] * Joaquín Turina, Spanish pianist/conductor/composer (Rima), dies at age 66. [1] January 15 * Black Dahlia murder victim found in Los Angeles, California (basis of the movie). [1] * Mao's Red army conquers Ten-tsin. [1] * Pompeo Aloisi, Italian baron/diplomat/senator, dies at age 63. [1] January 18 * They Stand Accused courtroom drama premieres on CBS (later DuMont). [1] * First US Congressional standing committee headed by Negro (W Dawson). [1] * South African Reverend Andries P Treurnicht marries Engela Dreyer. [1] January 19 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated and live-action feature film So Dear to My Heart to theaters in the USA. The film is based on the book Midnight and Jeremiah by Sterling North. [6] January 20 * J Edgar Hoover gives Shirley Temple a tear gas fountain pen. [1] * Josephus T J Cuypers, architect (Amsterdam Stock Exchange), dies at age 87. [1] * US President Harry Truman announces his four-point program. [1] January 21 * First inaugural parade televised (US President Harry Truman). [1] January 25 * In Los Angeles, California, the 1st Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Walter O'Keefe. o Best Film Made for Television: The Necklace (Your Show Time Series) o Most Outstanding Television Personality: Shirley Dinsdale o Most Popular Television Program: Pantomime Quiz - KTLA o Special Award: Louis McManus for designing the Emmy statuette. [1] [164] * First Israeli election - Ben-Gurion's Mapai party wins. [1] * Emil Axman, composer, dies at age 61. [1] January 26

762

* Victor Fleming, director (Wizard of Oz, Gone With Wind), dies at age 65. [1] January 27 * Boris Asafiev, composer, dies at age 64. [1] * Chinese liner Taiping collides with a collier off south China. [1] January 28 * Gustaf Lazarus Nordqvist, composer, dies at age 62. [1] * United Nations Security council condemns Dutch aggression in Indonesia. [1] January 29 * Britain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland recognize Israel. [1] January 31 * First daytime soap on TV These Are My Children (NBC in Chicago, Illinois, USA). [1] * Henri de Vries [Hendricus Walterop], actor (Cleopatra), dies at age 84. [1] February 1 * 200-inch (5.08-metre) Hale telescope first used. [1] * Herbert Stothart, composer, dies at age 63. [1] * RCA releases first single record ever (45 RPM). [1] February 4 * Failed assassination attempt on Shah of Persia. [1] February 5 * Juozas Tallat-Kelpsa, composer, dies at age 50. [1] February 8 * Franco Leoni, composer, dies at age 81. [1] * Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenty sentenced to life in prison. [1] * Leonid Alexeyevich Polovinkin, composer, dies at age 54. [1] February 9

763

* Poul Julius Ouscher Schierbeck, composer, dies at age 60. [1] February 10 * Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman opens at Morosco Theater, New York City. [1] February 12 * Annie Get Your Gun closes at Imperial Theater in New York City after 1147 performances. [1] * Panic in Quito, Ecuador, after War of the World played on radio. [1] * Unidentified aircraft bomb Jerusalem. [1] February 14 * First session of Knesset opens in Jerusalem, Israel. [1] * Dutch Drees government presents plan for the building of 30,000 houses. [1] February 17 * Chaim Weizman declared President of Israel. [1] February 18 * Niceto A Zamora y Torres, premier of Spain (1931-36), dies at age 71. [1] February 19 * First Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Ezra Pound. [1] * Auguste Jean Maria Charles Serieyx, composer, dies at age 83. [1] * Mass arrests of communists in India. [1] February 20 * First International Pancake Race held (Liberal, Kansas, USA). [1] February 21 * Ernest Walker, composer, dies at age 78. [1] February 22 * Russell Porter, actor (Betsy, Hanna's War, British Empire), dies. [1] February 24

764

* Israel and Egypt sign an armistice agreement. [1] * V-2/WAC-Corporal first rocket to outer space, White Sands, New Mexico, 400 km. [1] February 26 * USAF plane begins first nonstop around-the-world flight. [1] February 28 * Stanley Robert Marchant, composer, dies at age 65. [1] March 2 * First automatic street light (New Milford, Connecticut, USA). [1] * Lucky Lady II (USAF B-50 Superfortress), completes first nonstop round-the-world flight at Fort Worth Texas, covering 23,452-miles in 94 hours. [1] March 4 * Andrei Vishinsky succeeds Molotov as Soviet Foreign minister. [1] * Piet Van de Pol (Netherlands) becomes world champion billiard player. [1] * Security Council of United Nations recommends membership for Israel. [1] March 9 * American Brigadier General Edwin K Wright ends term as deputy director of Central Intelligence Agency. [1] March 11 * Henri-Honoré Giraud, French General/Member of Parliament, dies at age 70. [1] * Juan Lamonte de Grignon, composer, dies at age 76. [1] March 12 * Maria "Beppie" Bakker, Dutch actress/wife of Piet Vink Sr, dies at age 95. [1] March 17 * Felix Bressart, actor (Escape, Ninotchka, Iceland), dies at age 54. [1] March 18 * NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) pact ratified. [1]

765

March 19 * First museum devoted exclusively to atomic energy opens in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA. [1] March 24 * 21st Academy Awards: Hamlet, Laurence Olivier, and Jane Wyman win. [1] * Walter and John Huston become first father-and-son team to win Oscars (actor and director of Treasure of Sierra Madre). [1] March 25 * Hanns A Rauter, German SS-commandant in Netherlands, executed at age 54. [1] March 28 * Grigoras Dinicu, composer, dies at age 59. [1] March 29 * Turkey recognizes Israel. [1] March 30 * Friedrich C R Bergius, chemist (brown coal, Nobel Prize 1931), dies at age 64. [1] March 31 * Newfoundland becomes Canada's 10th province. [1] April 3 * Basil Harwood, composer, dies at age 89. [1] April 4 * Israel and Jordan sign armistice agreement. [1] * North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pact signed in Washington DC by US, Britain, France and Canada. [1] April 5 * 60-year-old Saint Anthony's Hospital burns, kills 77 (Effingham, Illinois, USA). [1]

766

April 7 * Rogers and Hammerstein's play South Pacific opens at Majestic Theater in New York (for 1928 performances). [1] April 9 * United Nations' International Court of Justice holds Albania responsible for incidents in Corfu Channel and awards Britain damages. [1] April 14 * International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg's last judgment. [1] * Joseph A Cushman, American paleontologist, dies at age 68. [1] April 15 * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Redemptoris nostri. [1] * Wallace Beery, American actor (The Champ), dies at age 64. [1] April 16 * Sutan Ibrahim gelor Datuk Tan Malaka Indon, communist, executed at age 54. [1] April 18 * Leonard Bloomfield, linguist/philosopher, dies. [1] * Republic of Ireland withdraws from British Commonwealth. [1] April 23 * Chinese Red army conquerors Nanjing. [1] * Netherlands annexes Elten and Tudderen. [1] April 24 * Third Tony Awards: Death of a Salesman and Kiss Me Kate win. [1] April 25 * Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play Romulus der Grosse premieres in Basel. [1] May 1 * Gerard Kuiper discovers Nereid, (second satellite of Neptune). [1]

767

May 2 * Arthur Miller wins Pulitzer Prize for Death of a Salesman. [1] * Bolivian state of siege proclaimed. [1] May 3 * First firing of a US Viking rocket; reached 80 km. [1] May 5 * In London, England, the Statute of the Council of Europe is signed by representatives of ten countries. The Council is set up to create greater unity in Europe. [7] May 6 * P-M-B Maurice Maeterlinck, Belgian philosopher (Nobel Prize 1911), playwright (Grand Fairie), dies at age 86. [1] May 8 * West German constitution approved. [1] May 9 * Britain's first launderette opens in Queensway, London. [1] * Louis II, Prince of Monaco, dies. [1] * Prince Rainier III becomes leader of Monaco. [1] May 11 * First Polaroid camera sells for US$89.95 (New York City). [1] * Adrianus de Kleyn, throat/nose/otologist (ear doctor), dies at age 65. [1] * By a vote of 37-12, Israel becomes 59th member of United Nations. [1] * Siam renames itself Thailand. [1] May 12 * Soviet land blockade of Berlin ends. [1] May 13 * First British-produced jet bomber, Canberra, makes its first test flight. [1] May 14

768

* US President Harry Truman signs bill establishing a rocket test range at Cape Canaveral. [1] May 16 * William Newzam Prior Nicholson, painter/engraver, dies. [1] May 17 * British government recognizes Republic of Ireland. [1] May 18 * Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America incorporates. [1] * James T Adams; US historian (Pulitzer 1921). [1] May 22 * Hans Erich Pfitzner, Russian/German composer, dies at age 80. [1] * Klaus H T Mann, German/US writer (Turning Point), dies at age 42. [1] May 23 * Federal Republic of [West] Germany proclaimed (Republic Day). [1] May 25 * Chinese Red army occupies Shanghai. [1] * Simon H Spoor, intelligence officer/general (WWII), dies at age 47. [1] May 27 * Martin Canine, cartoon character, spoofs Martin Kane. [1] * Ropert L Ripley, cartoonist (Believe It or Not), dies at age 55 in New York. [1] [5] May 29 * Candid Camera, TV comedy variety, moves to NBC. [1] May 30 * German Democratic Republic (East Germany) constitution approved. [1] * NPS/VHP win first general election in Suriname. [1] June 1

769

* First magazine on microfilm offered to subscribers (Newsweek). [1] June 2 * Transjordan is renamed Jordan. [1] June 3 * First negro to graduate from US Naval Academy (Wesley Anthony Brown). [1] * Amedos Peter Giannine, founder of Bank of America, dies at age 79. [1] * Dragnet is first broadcast on radio (KFI in Los Angeles). [1] June 4 * Cavalcade of Stars debuts (DuMont); Jackie Gleason made host in 1950. [1] June 14 * State of Vietnam formed. [1] June 16 * Gas turbine-electric locomotive demonstrated, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. [1] June 23 * First 12 women graduate from Harvard Medical School. [1] June 24 * Hopalong Cassidy becomes first network western (NBC). [1] * Cargo airlines first licensed by US Civil Aeronautics Board. [1] June 26 * Walter Baade discovers asteroid Icarus inside orbit of Mercury. [1] June 29 * South Africa begins implementing apartheid; no mixed marriages. [1] * US troops withdraw from Korea after WW II. [1] July 1 * Bao Dai's Republic of Vietnam gains independence from France. [1]

770

July 2 * Red Barber's Clubhouse sports show premieres on CBS (later NBC) TV. [1] July 7 * Dragnet premieres on NBC radio. [1] July 10 * First practical rectangular TV tube announced in Toledo, Ohio. [1] July 19 * Laos becomes associated state within French Union. [1] July 20 * Israel's 19-month war of independence ends. [1] July 21 * US Senate ratifies North Atlantic Treaty by a vote of 82-13. [1] July 27 * The de Havilland Comet, the first jet-powered airliner, makes its initial flight. [1] [5] August 8 * Bhutan, land of the Dragon, becomes an independent monarchy. [1] August 10 * American National Military Establishment renamed Department of Defense. [1] August 20 * Hungary (Magyar People's Republic) accepts constitution. [1] August 24 * North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established. [1] August 28

771

* Riot prevents Paul Robeson from singing near Peekskill, New York, USA. [1] August 29 * USSR explodes its first atomic bomb. [1] September 1 * First network detective series - Private Eyes - premieres. [1] September 2 * Fire in riverfront area kills 1,700 (Chungking, China). [1] September 4 * The Bristol Brabazon makes its maiden flight. [5] September 6 * Howard Unruh kills 13 neighbors in 12 minutes. [1] September 15 * The Lone Ranger premieres on ABC-TV. [1] September 17 * Steamer Noronic burns at pier killing 128 (Toronto, Canada). [1] September 18 * Frank Morgan, actor (Annie Get Your Gun), dies at age 59. [1] [5] September 21 * Control of Western Germany passes from the Allied Military Government to a supervised Federal Republic of Germany democracy. [1] [10] September 22 * USSR detonates its first atomic bomb. [1] September 23

772

* US President Harry Truman announces evidence of USSR's first nuclear device detonation. [1] September 30 * Berlin Airlift ends after 277,000 flights. [1] October 1 * People's Republic of China proclaimed by Mao Tse-tung (National Day). [1] * Republic of China (Taiwan) forms on the island of Formosa. [1] October 4 * American Contract Bridge League votes 58.5 percent to keep blacks out. [1] October 5 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad to theaters in the USA. The film comprises two half hour sequences: Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willow, and Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. [6] October 6 * Iva Toguri D'Aquino (Tokyo Rose) sentenced to 10 years and $10,000 fine. [1] * US President Harry Truman signs Mutual Defense Assistance Act (for NATO). [1] October 7 * German Democratic Republic formed from Russian occupation zone (National Day). [1] October 12 * Eugenie Anderson becomes first woman ambassador nominated in US. [1] October 14 * Fourteen US Communist Party leaders convicted of sedition. [1] October 15 * Administration of territory of Manipur taken over by Indian government. [1] * Billy Graham begins his ministry. [1] * Tripura accedes to the Indian union. [1]

773

October 21 * Benjamin Netanyahu is born; Israeli politician. [5] October 22 * 200 killed in train derailment near Nowy Dwor, Poland. [1] October 26 * US President Harry Truman increases minimum wage from 40 cents to 75 cents. [1] November 4 * One Man's Family premieres on TV. [1] November 19 * Prince Rainier III coronation in Monaco. [1] November 24 * Britain nationalizes its steel and iron industry. [1] November 25 * Luther "Bill" Robinson, famed tap dancer, dies at age 71. [1] November 26 * India adopts a constitution as a British Commonwealth Republic. [1] November 30 * Chinese Communists capture Chungking. [1] December 3 * Elin Pelin, writer, dies. [1] * Maria Ouspenskaya, actress (Spookies), dies at age 62. [1] December 6 * Leadbelly [Huddie William Ledbetter], blues singer, dies at age 64. [1]

774

December 7 * Chiang Kai-shek flees to Taiwan. [1] December 8 * Chinese Nationalist government moves from Chinese mainland to Formosa. [1] * Jule Styne's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes premieres at Ziegfeld Theater in New York City for 740 performances. [1] December 9 * Dutch second Chamber accepts Indonesian sovereignty. [1] December 13 * Knesset votes to transfer Israel's capitol to Jerusalem. [1] December 16 * Sukarno becomes President of Indonesia, with Mokammed Hatta as premier. [1] * Traitsjo Kostov, Bulgarian communist vice-premier, executed. [1] December 17 * Burma recognizes People's Republic of China. [1] * David Stanley Smith, composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 19 * Luxury passenger ship Aquitania demolished in Garelock, Scotland. [1] December 20 * Maurice Ravel/John Cranko's ballet Beauty and the Beast premieres. [1] December 21 * Dutch first Chamber accepts sovereignty of Indonesia. [1] December 27 * Queen Juliana (Netherlands) grants sovereignty to Indonesia. [1] December 28

775

* 20th Century Fox announces it will produce TV programs. [1] * W Hervey Allen, American writer/poet (Anthony Adverse), dies at age 60. [1] December 29 * First UHF television station operating regular basis (Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA). [1] * Hungary nationalizes its industries. [1] December 30 * India recognizes People's Republic of China. [1] December 31 * Eighteen countries recognize Republic of Indonesia. [1]

776

1950 January 1 * Ho Chi Minh begins offensive against French troops in Indo-China. [1] January 2 * Death of Emil Jannings (born Theodor Friedrich Emil Janez) in Rorschach, Switzerland, age 65; movie actor (Der blaue Engel, The Way of All Flesh). [1] [37] January 6 * Great Britain recognizes Communist government of China. [1] * Isaiah Bowman, geographer/co-founder (Geographical Review), dies at age 71. [1] January 7 * Hank Snow's first performance on Grand Ole Opry. [1] * Mental health wing of Mercy Hospital burns, kills 41 (Davenport, Iowa). [1] January 8 * Joseph A Schumpeter, Austrian/American economist/Minister of Finance, dies at age 66. [1] * Joseph Issac Shneerson, Jewish Lubavitch Chabal leader, dies. [1] January 11 * Karin Michaelis, writer, dies at age 77. [1] January 12 * Koos van de Griend, composer, dies at age 44. [1] * Swedish tanker rams British submarine Truculent in Thames, 64 die. [1] * USSR re-introduces death penalty for treason, espionage and sabotage. [1] January 14 * As the Girls Go closes at Winter Garden Theater in New York City, New York after 420 performances. [1] * US recalls all consular officials from China. [1] January 15 * 4,000 attend National Emergency Civil Rights Conference in Washington DC. [1]

777

January 16 * Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands recognize Israel. [1] * Death of Gustav von Bohlen und Halbach near Salzburg, Austria; married the heiress of the Krupp family (steel and arms), Bertha Krupp, and gained control of Krupp Industries. [37] January 17 * Eleven men rob Brink's office in Boston of US$1.2 million cash and US$1.5 million securities. [1] January 19 * Maiden flight by Canada's Avro Canada CF-100 military plane. [1] January 20 * Suriname becomes independent part in Realm of Netherlands. [1] January 21 * Lend an Ear closes at National Theater in New York City, New York after 460 performances. [1] * George Orwell [Eric Arthur Blair], author (Animal Farm, 1984), dies from tuberculosis in London, England at age 46. [1] * New York jury finds former State Department official Alger Hiss guilty of perjury. [1] * T S Eliot's "Cocktail Party" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 22 * Alan Hale Sr, actor (The Seahawk, Yellowstone), dies at age 57. [1] January 23 * Third edition of Joseph Kane's Famous First Facts is published. [1] * Israeli Knesset resolves that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. [1] * Rebel army of captain Raymond Westerner occupies Bandung. [1] January 24 * Bull Montana, actor (Son of Sheik), dies at age 62. [1] January 26

778

* Betsy van den Arend Dutch [Betje], actress (Miss Hobbs), dies at age 78. [1] * India becomes a republic ceasing to be a British dominion. [1] January 27 * In Los Angeles, California, the 2nd Annual Emmy Awards are presented. o Best Children's Show: Time for Beany o Best Commercial: Lucky Strike o Best Kinescope Show: Texaco Star Theatre o Best Live Show: The Ed Wynn Show o Most Outstanding Kinescoped Personality: Milton Berle o Most Outstanding Live Personality: Ed Wynn o Best Sports Coverage: Wrestling. [1] [165] January 31 * US President Harry Truman reveals that he ordered the Atomic Energy Commission to develop the hydrogen bomb. [1] February 1 * Harry Blomberg, Swedish author (Jacobs Dröm), dies at age 56. [1] * USSR demands condemnation of Emperor Hirohito for war crimes. [1] * Urko Kekkonen elected president of Finland. [1] February 2 * CBS premieres the What's My Line? TV game show. [1] [179.1062] February 3 * Karl Seitz, President of Austria, dies at age 80. [1] * American Nuclear physicist Klaus Fuchs arrested on spy charges. [1] February 7 * Georges Bidault forms French government. [1] * Senator Joe McCarthy finds "communists" in US Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [1] * US and Great Britain recognize Bao Dai Vietnamese regime. [1] February 9 * Senator Joseph McCarthy charges US State Department infested with 205 communists. [1]

779

February 10 * Armen Tigran Tigranyan, composer, dies at age 70. [1] February 11 * "Rag Mop" song by The Ames Brothers hit #1. [1] February 12 * Albert Einstein warns against hydrogen bomb. [1] * Senator Joe McCarthy claims to have list of 205 communist government employees. [1] February 14 * Eduard Hermann, German linguist (Homer), dies at age 80. [1] * Karl G Jansky, Czechoslovakian discoverer of cosmic radio sources, dies at age 44. [1] * USSR and China sign peace treaty. [1] February 15 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's animated feature film Cinderella to theaters in the USA. [6] February 17 * 31 die in a train crash in Rockville Center, New York. [1] February 18 * Voranc Prezikov [Lovro Kuhar], Slavic author (Jamaica), dies at age 56. [1] February 19 * Edyth Walker, American singer, dies at age 82. [1] February 20 * Dylan Thomas arrives in New York City, New York for his first US poetry reading tour. [1] February 24

780

* Labour wins British parliamentary election. [1] February 25 * NBC premieres the Your Show of Shows 90-minute variety TV show, with hosts Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Writers include Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Woody Allen. [1] [179.890] February 26 * Harry Lauder (Maclennan), Scottish comic/singer, dies at about age 75. [1] February 27 * General Chiang Kai-shek elected President of Nationalist China. [1] * Ivan Goll, writer, dies at age 58. [1] March 1 * Chiang Kai-shek resumes the Presidency of National China on Formosa. [1] * Klaus Fuchs is sentenced to 14 years for atomic espionage (London). [1] * USSR issues golden rubles. [1] March 2 * M Joseph V d'Arbaud, French poet/author (Li cant palustre), dies at age 76. [1] * Silly Putty invented. [1] March 6 * Lew Lehr, comedian (Stop Me if I heard this One), dies at age 54. [1] March 8 * Jaroslav Kocian, composer, dies at age 67. [1] * Marshall Voroshilov of USSR announces they developed atomic bomb. [1] March 9 * Willie Sutton robs Manufacturers Bank of US$64,000 in New York City, New York. [1] March 11 * Florence Arliss, actress (Disraeli), dies at age 78. [1]

781

March 12 * Belgium votes (58 percent) for return of King Leopold III. [1] * L Heinrich Mann, German/US writer (Between the Races), dies at age 78. [1] * Pope Pius XII issues encyclical On combating atheistic propaganda. [1] March 13 * General Motors reports net earnings of US$656,434,232 (record). [1] March 14 * American FBI's "10 Most Wanted Fugitives" program begins. [1] March 15 * Gian Carlo Menotti's opera "Consul" premieres at Barrymore Theater in New York City for 269 performances. [1] * New York City hires Dr Wallace E Howell as its official "rainmaker". [1] March 16 * First annual American National Book Awards. [1] March 17 * Belgian government of Eyskens resigns. [1] * Element 98 (Californium) announced. [1] March 19 * Edgar Rice Burroughs, sci-fi author (Tarzan of the Apes), dies at age 74. [1] March 20 * Walter Eucken, German economist, dies at age 59. [1] March 23 * 22nd Academy Awards: All King's Men, Broderick Crawford and Olivia de Havilland win. [1] * Sophocles Venizelos forms liberal Greek government. [1] * United Nations World Meteorological Organization established. [1] March 27

782

* Jazz pianist, Erroll Garner's solo concert (Cleveland, Ohio). [1] * Netherlands recognizes People's Republic of China. [1] March 28 * Georgine M "May" Basting, actress (Occupier), dies at age 67. [1] March 30 * Léon Blum, French premier (People's Front Government), dies at age 77. [1] * Phototransistor invention announced, in Murray Hill, New Jersey, USA. [1] April 1 * Charles R Drew, surgeon/developer of blood bank concept, dies at age 45. [1] April 3 * Adolf Wiklund, composer, dies at age 70. [1] * Carter G Woodson "father of black history", dies in Washington DC at age 74. [1] * Kurt Julian Weill, German composer (Dreigroschenoper), dies at age 50. [1] April 4 * Dirk Stikker becomes chairman of OES. [1] April 5 * Prague, Czechoslovakia, espionage trial against bishops and priests begins. [1] April 6 * John F Dulles becomes advisor to US Secretary of State Dean Acheson. [1] April 8 * Miss Liberty closes at Imperial Theater in New York City after 308 performances. [1] * Albert Ehrenstein, Austria writer (Strum), dies at age 63. [1] * Vaslav Fromich Nijinsky, Ukrainian ballet dancer, dies in London, England. [1] April 9 * 4th Tony Awards: Cocktail Party and South Pacific win. [1] * Bob Hope makes his first TV appearance. [1] April 11

783

* Prince Rainier III becomes ruler of Monaco. [1] * US B-29 bomber shot down above Latvia. [1] April 14 * First edition of British strip Eagle. [1] * Doorne's Auto factory opens in Netherlands. [1] April 18 * First transatlantic jet passenger trip. [1] * Polish Catholic church and government sign accord over relations. [1] April 19 * Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th baron Berners/composer, dies at age 66. [1] April 22 * Charles H Houston, architect of NAACP legal campaign, dies at age 54. [1] April 23 * Nationalist China evacuates Hainan Island. [1] April 24 * Peter Pan opens at Imperial Theater in New York City for 320 performances. [1] * The Desert Inn hotel and casino opens on the Las Vegas strip, Nevada, USA. [80.304] [187.298a,397] * Independent republic of South Molukkas declared. [1] * US President Harry Truman denies there are communists in US government. [1] April 25 * Ambon proclaims RMS (Republik Maluku Selatan). [1] April 26 * Last horse race at Havre de Grace Track in Maryland is run. [1] April 27 * Adam Tadeusz Wieniawski, composer, dies at age 70. [1] * Karl Straube, German organist/conductor, dies. [1]

784

* South Africa passes Group Areas Act segregating races. [1] May 1 * Mayor of Brussels reluctantly bans May Day parade. [1] * New marriage laws enforced in People's Republic China. [1] * Pulitzer prize awarded to Rodgers and Hammerstein (South Pacific). [1] May 2 * Dutch first Chamber accepts Laws on immigration. [1] * Dutch Prime Minister Malan recognizes South Africa but not People's Republic of China. [1] May 5 * Phumiphon Abundet crowned as king Rama IX of Thailand. [1] May 6 * Agnes Smedley, writer, dies. [1] May 8 * China's Chiang Kai-shek asks US for weapons. [1] May 9 * French Foreign minister Robert Schuman announces the Schuman Plan for European integration. [1] * L. Ron Hubbard publishes Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. (200,000 copies are sold in the first two years. The book of self-help psychology helps spawn the Scientology belief system in 1953.) [129] May 10 * First Netherlands-US telex is sent. [1] * John G Fletcher, US poet (Burning Mountain), dies. [1] May 11 * Belgium mine disaster at Borinage, 39 die. [1] May 13 * Diner's Club issues its first credit cards. [1]

785

May 17 * Eduardo Fabini, composer, dies at age 67. [1] May 19 * New York Times reports of world's smallest and dumbest mechanical brain. [1] May 21 * Vietnamese troops of Ho Chi-Minh attack Cambodia. [1] May 22 * Celal Bayar elected president of Turkey. [1] * Dutch poet Gerrit Achterberg wins PC Hooft prize. [1] May 25 * Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel opens in New York City, New York. [1] May 26 * Antonina Neshdanova; Russian soprano (Bolshoi Theater), dies. [1] May 27 * Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Wallace Stevens. [1] May 31 * Birth of Edward Barker; cartoonist. [1] June 5 * US Supreme Court undermines legal foundations of segregation. [1] June 17 * First kidney transplant (Chicago, Illinois, USA). [1] * Julius Rosenberg arrested in US on suspicion of espionage, accused of heading a spy ring that passed top-secret information concerning the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. [129] June 25

786

* Israeli airline El Al begins service. [1] * Korean conflict begins; North Korea invades South Korea. [1] June 27 * US President Harry Truman orders Air Force and Navy into Korean conflict. [1] * United Nations Security Council calls on members for troops to aid South Korea. [1] * US sends 35 military advisers to South Vietnam. [1] June 30 * US President Harry Truman orders US troops into Korea. [1] July 3 * First time US and North Korean forces clash in the Korean War. [1] July 4 * Radio Free Europe first broadcasts. [5] * US President Harry Truman signs public law 600 (Puerto Ricans can write own consitution). [1] July 5 * Law of Return passes, guarantees all Jews right to live in Israel. [1] * Private Kenneth Shadrick of West Virginia becomes first US fatality in Korean War. [1] * NBC premieres the Truth or Consequences 30-minute TV game show. [179.1012] July 8 * General Douglas MacArthur named commander-in-chief, United Nations forces in Korea. [1] * Leroy Deans awarded first Order of Purple Heart in Korea. [1] July 9 * 13.15 inches (33.40 cm) of rainfall, York, Nebraska (state 24-hour record). [1] July 10 * NBC premieres the Your Hit Parade 30/60-minute variety TV show. [1] [179.1099] July 14

787

* RE Wayne awarded first Distinguished Flying Cross in Korea. [1] July 19 * RKO Radio Pictures releases Disney's first entirely live-action feature film, Treasure Island, to theaters in the USA. The film is based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. [6] July 22 * King Leopold, after six years in exile, returns to Belgium. [1] July 24 * V-2/WAC Corporal rocket launch; first launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. [1] August 1 * King Leopold of Belgium abdicates, Baudouin becomes king. [1] * Territory of Guam created. [1] August 15 * 8.6 earthquake kills over 1,000 in Assam, India. [1] August 17 * Indonesia gains independence from the Netherlands. [1] August 18 * South Korean government moves from Taegu to Pusan. [250.4] August 19 * ABC begins Saturday morning kid shows (Animal Clinic and Acrobat Ranch). [1] August 23 * West Germany and Japan readmitted to International Amateur Athletic Federation. [1] August 25

788

* US President Harry Truman orders army to seize control of railroad to avert a strike. [1] August 27 * General Foods blacklists Jean Muir of Aldrich Family as a communist. [1] September 1 * West Berlin is granted a constitution. [1] September 4 * First helicopter rescue of American pilot behind enemy lines. [1] * Duncan Hodgson of Saint Ann Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, catches a 997-pound tuna. [1] September 5 * Birth of Cathy Guisewite; cartoonist (Cathy). [1] September 9 * First use of TV laugh track-Hank McCune. [1] September 11 * First typesetting machine to dispense with metal type exhibited. [1] * 33 die in a train crash in Coshocton, Ohio, USA. [1] * Dick Tracy TV show sparks uproar concerning violence. [1] September 13 * Sara Allgood, actress (Jane Eyre, Spiral Staircase), dies at age 56. [1] September 15 * During Korean conflict, United Nations forces land at Inchon in the south. [1] September 22 * Omar N Bradley promoted to rank of five-star general. [1] September 24 * Operation Magic Carpet - 45,000 Jews from Yemen move to Israel. [1]

789

September 26 * Because of forest fire in British Columbia, blue moon appears in England. [1] September 30 * First congress of International Astronautical Federation opens in Paris, France. [1] October 2 * The comic strip Peanuts first appears, in nine newspapers. [1] October 7 * US forces invade Korea by crossing the 38th parallel. [1] October 14 * Reverend Sun Young Moon liberated from Hung Nam prison. [1] October 16 * CBS premieres The Garry Moore Show 30/45/60-minute variety TV show. [179.360] October 19 * United Nations forces enter Pyongyang, North Korea. [1] October 21 * Chinese forces occupy Tibet. [1] October 29 * CBS premieres The Jack Benny Program comedy variety show. [179.484] October 30 * Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf ascends to the throne as King Gustaf VI Adolf. Carl Gustaf becomes Crown Prince. [7] November 1 * Puerto Rican nationalists (Collazo and Torresola) try to kill US President Harry Truman at the Blair House in Washington, DC. [1]

790

November 8 * First jet-plane battle of Korean War. [1] November 10 * Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán is elected President of Guatemala. [1] November 16 * United Nations gets US government approval to issue postage stamps. [1] November 22 * 79 die in a train crash in Richmond Hills, New York, USA. [1] November 26 * China enters Korean conflict, sending troops across Yalu River. [1] November 29 * National Council of the Church of Christ in US established. [1] December 1 * Ernest John Moeran, British composer, dies at age 55. [1] December 2 * Dino Lipatti, composer, dies at age 33. [1] December 5 * Sikkim becomes a protectorate of India. [1] December 6 * Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical Mirabile illud. [1] December 13 * James Dean begins his career with an appearance in a Pepsi commercial. [1] December 14

791

* Albrecht Schaeffer, German writer (Heroische Fahrt), dies at age 65. [1] * United Nations General Assembly establishes High Commissioner for Refugees (Nobel Prize 1954). [1] December 15 * New York City's Port Authority opens. [1] * Robert Muller-Hartmann, composer, dies at age 66. [1] December 16 * Otto Vrieslander, composer, dies at age 70. [1] * US President Harry Truman proclaims state of emergency against "Communist imperialism". [1] December 19 * General Eisenhower is named NATO commander. [1] * Tibet's Dalai Lama flees Chinese invasion. [1] December 22 * Two self-propelled trains of Long Island, New York, railroad collide, killing 77. [1] * Julius Weismann, composer, dies at age 70. [1] * Walter Johannes Damrosch, composer, dies at age 88. [1] December 23 * Vincenzo Tommasini, composer, dies at age 72. [1] December 25 * The Coronation Stone, taken from Scone in Scotland by Edward I in 1296, is stolen from Westminster Abbey and smuggled back to Scotland. [1] * The first Disney TV special, One Hour in Wonderland airs on NBC, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company (cost US$100,000). Walt Disney and several Disney cartoon characters make their TV debut. Walt's daughter Sharon also appears. The show previews portions of the film Alice in Wonderland. About 20 million viewers watch the show. [6] * Xavier Villaurrutia, Mexican poet (Nostalgia de la muerte), dies at age 47. [1] December 26 * Emile Enthoven, composer, dies at age 47. [1] * James Stephens, Irish poet (Crock of Gold), dies at age 68. [1]

792

December 27 * Max Beckmann, German painter/graphic artist, dies at age 66. [1] December 28 * Chinese troops cross 38th Parallel into South Korea. [1] December 30 * Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia become Independent states in French Union. [1] December 31 * Charles Koechlin, French composer (Jungle Book), dies at age 83. [1] * Karl Renner, Austrian Chancellor/President (1918-20, 1945-50), dies at age 80. [1]

793

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