Category Archives: 1930s

Babe Ruth makes supposed ‘called shot’ 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: 'BABE RUTH did he call the shot ?'

(Saturday, October 1, 1932) — Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees made his supposed called shot today, hitting a home run against Chicago’s Charlie Root in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, won by the New York Yankees 7-5 at Wrigley Field.

‘Smilin’ Through’ opens in U.S. 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: 'Smilin' Through' clip

(Saturday, September 24, 1932)Smilin’ Through, a romantic drama film about a young woman who falls in love with the son of an old family enemy, opened today in the U.S.

Directed by Sidney Franklin, the film stars Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Leslie Howard.

Gandhi begins hunger strike ‘unto death’ to force Britain to end Hindu caste system 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: ‘Footage – Gandhi – 1932 September 24’

(Tuesday, September 20, 1932)Mahatma K. Gandhi, the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement, solemnly began his “fast unto death” today behind the walls of Yerovda jail at Poona, where he’s been held since January.

Gandhi says he will starve himself to death unless the British government’s plan for creating a separate electorate for the depressed classes is discarded.

‘Horse Feathers’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: 'Horse Feathers' trailer

(Wednesday, August 10, 1932)Horse Feathers, a Marx Brothers film comedy about a college president who mistakenly recruits two loonies to beef up his school’s football team, premiered tonight at the Rialto Theatre in New York City.

Directed by Norman Z. McLeod, the film stars Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Thelma Todd and Reginald Barlow.

Summer Olympic Games open in Los Angeles 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: '1932 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony'

(Saturday, July 30, 1932) — The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, opened today at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this afternoon as 105,000 people looked on and cheered.

Democrats nominate FDR for president at Democratic National Convention 80 years ago tonight (1932)


Video: FDR nominated on July 1, 1932 (at 1:08)

(Wednesday, July 1, 1932) — Governor Franklin Roosevelt of New York was nominated for president late tonight by delegates to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. Roosevelt defeated former Gov. Al Smith of New York 945-190.25 on the fourth ballot. Continue reading Democrats nominate FDR for president at Democratic National Convention 80 years ago tonight (1932)

Democrats open convention by assailing Hoover and calling for repeal of Prohibition 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: Barkley speech (at 1:46)

(Monday, June 27, 1932) — Democrats opened the 1932 Democratic National Convention today at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, with New York Gov. (and 1920 vice presidential nominee) Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed as virtually certain of nomination for president.

In a keynote speech bristling with denunciation of the Hoover administration, Sen. Alben W. Barkley today urged the convention to favor repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and called upon the nation to turn the Republicans out of office.

‘We was robbed!’ claims Max Schmeling’s manager 80 years ago tonight (1932)


Video: 'Max Schmeling vs Jack Sharkey II' (silent)

(Tuesday, June 21, 1932) — Heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling lost a title fight rematch tonight in New York by decision to Jack Sharkey, prompting Schmeling’s manager, Joe Jacobs, to exclaim: “We was robbed!”