Category Archives: 1930s

Empire State Building opens in New York City as world’s tallest building 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1931)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'New York A Documentary E 5 Cosmopolis' (Empire State Building opens May 1, 1931,at 1:37:27)

(Friday, May 1, 1931, 11:30 a.m. EDT) — The Empire State Building, the tallest building in the world for 40 years, opened today at 350 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, as President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in the White House that turned on the lights of all 102 stories.
Continue reading Empire State Building opens in New York City as world’s tallest building 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1931) →

Nine Black teenagers in Alabama are falsely accused of raping two white women 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 25 1931)

1930s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Scottsboro: An American Tragedy'

(Wednesday, March 25, 1931, morning CST) — The “Scottsboro Boys,” nine African-American males aged 12 to 19, were taken off a train in Paint Rock, Alabama, today, falsely accused of raping two white women.
Continue reading Nine Black teenagers in Alabama are falsely accused of raping two white women 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 25 1931) →

Nevada Gov. Fred B. Balzar signs measure legalizing casino gambling 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 1931)

1930s


Video: 'History of Las Vegas: Casinos and Crime'

(Thursday, March 19, 1931, afternoon PST) — Nevada Gov. Fred B. Balzar signed Assembly Bill 98 into law this afternoon, legalizing most forms of gambling in the state in order to bring economic relief during the Great Depression.
Continue reading Nevada Gov. Fred B. Balzar signs measure legalizing casino gambling 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 1931) →

‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ officially adopted as national anthem of the United States 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1931)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Beyonce National Anthem at Presidential Inauguration Ceremony 2013 | ABC News'

(Wednesday, March 4, 1931) — “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem of the United States today as President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution, which had passed the Senate the previous afternoon and passed the House the previous year.
Continue reading ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ officially adopted as national anthem of the United States 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1931) →

Charlie Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1931)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'City Lights' trailer

(Friday, January 30, 1931, 8:30 p.m. PST) — City Lights, an American pre-Code silent romantic comedy film about the misadventures of Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp as he falls in love with a blind girl and develops a turbulent friendship with an alcoholic millionaire, premiered tonight at the new Los Angeles Theater on Broadway between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Continue reading Charlie Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1931) →

Hurricane San Zenon strikes Dominican Republic, at least 2,000 people killed 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1930)

1930s


Video: '1930 Hurricane San Zenon Dominican Republic Aftermath'

(Wednesday, September 3, 1930, 1:20 p.m SDMT; during the 1930 Dominican Republic hurricane) — The Category 4 Hurricane San Zenon struck the Dominican Republic today, killing at least 2,000 and as many as 8,000 people, making it the the fifth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. Continue reading Hurricane San Zenon strikes Dominican Republic, at least 2,000 people killed 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1930) →

‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930)

1930s, movies 1930s, World War I


Video: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' trailer

(Monday, April 21, 1930, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Young German soldiers try to adjust to the horrors of World War I in All Quiet on the Western Front, an American epic pre-Code anti-war film that premiered tonight at Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930) →

Former U.S. President William Howard Taft dies 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1930)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Disney The American Presidents: William Taft'

(Saturday, March 8, 1930, 5:15 p.m. EST) — William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States (1909–1913) and the tenth chief justice of the United States (1921–1930), the only person to have held both offices, died of heart disease today at his home in Washington. Continue reading Former U.S. President William Howard Taft dies 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1930) →

Dwarf planet Pluto discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 18 1930)

1930s


Video: 'Reflections on Clyde Tombaugh'

(Tuesday, February 18, 1930) — Dwarf planet Pluto was discovered today by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Continue reading Dwarf planet Pluto discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 18 1930) →

‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)

1930s, African-American Civil Rights, American Civil War, movies 1930s


Video: ''Gone With the Wind' trailer

(Friday, December 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Gone with the Wind, an American epic historical romance film about Scarlett O’Hara’s battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Loew’s Grand Theatre at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta. Continue reading ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939) →