Category Archives: 1930s

First videophone conversation demonstrated in Berlin 90 years ago today (Mar 1 1936)

(Sunday, March 1, 1936) — German Minister of Postal Affairs Paul Freiherr von Eltz-RĂ¼benach inaugurated the first videophone conversation today in Berlin with Leipzig’s chief burgomaster. Continue reading First videophone conversation demonstrated in Berlin 90 years ago today (Mar 1 1936)

Nazi Germany’s Reichstag gives Gestapo secret police absolute authority 90 years ago today (Feb 10 1936)


Video: 'Gestapo - Hitler's Secret Police'

(Monday, February 10, 1936) — The German government enacted the Law on the Secret State Police (Gestapo Law) today, which granted the Gestapo absolute authority and placed its actions entirely above judicial review. Continue reading Nazi Germany’s Reichstag gives Gestapo secret police absolute authority 90 years ago today (Feb 10 1936)

Former U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis dies in Washington, D.C. 90 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1936)


Video: 'The history of Charles Curtis, the first Vice President of color'

(Saturday, February 8, 1936, 10:25 a.m. EST)Charles Curtis, the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 under President Herbert Hoover, died today of a heart attack in in Washington, D.C. He was 76. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis dies in Washington, D.C. 90 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1936)

‘Alone’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Feb 8 1936)

(Saturday, February 8, 1936) — “Alone” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Cliff Weston; recorded in NYC Nov. 7, 1935) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for three consecutive weeks (Feb. 8/15/22, 1936). Continue reading ‘Alone’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Feb 8 1936)

‘Modern Times’ premieres in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Feb 5 1936)


Video: 'Modern Times' trailer

(Wednesday, February 5, 1936, 8:30 p.m. EST) — The gala world premiere of Modern Times, a comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in which his iconic Little Tramp character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world, was held tonight at the Rivoli Theatre at 1620 Broadway (at 49th street) in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Continue reading ‘Modern Times’ premieres in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Feb 5 1936)

‘Moon Over Miami’ by Eddy Duchin peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Feb 1 1936)

(Saturday, February 1, 1936) — “Moon Over Miami” by Eddy Duchin and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Lew Sherwood; recorded in New York City on Dec. 23, 1935) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Moon Over Miami’ by Eddy Duchin peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Feb 1 1936)

Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth among first baseball Hall of Fame inductees 90 years ago today (Jan 29 1936)


Video: 'MLB's First Class. The Inaugural Batch of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, 1936. Cobb and Ruth.'

(Wednesday, January 29, 1936) — The first five inductees of baseball’s Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named today in Cooperstown, New York (although a public announcement was delayed until Feb. 2, 1936). Continue reading Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth among first baseball Hall of Fame inductees 90 years ago today (Jan 29 1936)

Britain’s King George V, 70, dies at Sandringham House in Norfolk 90 years ago this hour (Jan 20 1936)


Video: 'Royal death announcements + National Anthem - BBC'

(Monday, January 20, 1936, at 11:55 p.m. GMT) — Britain’s King George V, 70, died tonight in his bedroom at Sandringham House in Norfolk after his physician, Lord Dawson of Penn, injected the mortally ill monarch with morphine and cocaine to hasten his death. Continue reading Britain’s King George V, 70, dies at Sandringham House in Norfolk 90 years ago this hour (Jan 20 1936)

‘The Music Goes ‘Round and Around’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jan 11 1936)

(Saturday, January 11, 1936) — “The Music Goes ‘Round and Around” by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven (vocal refrain by Edythe Wright, recorded in New York City on December 9, 1935) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for three consecutive weeks (Jan. 11/18/25, 1936). Continue reading ‘The Music Goes ‘Round and Around’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jan 11 1936)