Category Archives: 1930s

Benny Goodman launches Swing Era at Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles 80 years ago today (Aug 21 1935)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Benny Goodman At the Palomar Ballroom, Los Angeles Calif 1935'

(Wednesday, August 21, 1935) — The Benny Goodman Orchestra played a concert today at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles that’s considered to mark the beginning of the Swing Era.

Will Rogers, Wiley Post killed when their airplane crashes 90 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1935)

1930s


Video: 'USA: World-famous Americans Will Rogers and Wiley Post die in Alaskan air-crash (1935)'

(Thursday, August 15, 1935, 8:18 p.m. AKST; during the Great Depression) — Will Rogers, beloved humorist, and Wiley Post, master aviator, were crushed to death tonight when a shiny, new airplane motor faltered and became an engine of tragedy near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. Continue reading Will Rogers, Wiley Post killed when their airplane crashes 90 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1935) →

FDR signs Social Security bill, providing pensions to aged, jobless 90 years ago today (Aug 14 1935)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Depression - Social Security Act 1935'

(Wednesday, August 14, 1935, 3:30 p.m. EDT, during the Great Depression) — The Social Security Act, providing a broad program of unemployment insurance and old-age pensions, and counted upon to benefit some 30 million persons, became law today when it was signed today by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the presence of those chiefly responsible for putting it through Congress. Continue reading FDR signs Social Security bill, providing pensions to aged, jobless 90 years ago today (Aug 14 1935) →

First parking meters installed in Oklahoma City 90 years ago today (July 16 1935)

1930s


Video: 'Oklahoma City site of first parking meter'

(Tuesday, July 16, 1935) — The first parking meters, a device used to collect money in exchange for the right to park a vehicle in a particular place for a limited amount of time, were installed today in Oklahoma City.

Jimmy Stewart’s first feature film ‘Murder Man’ released 90 years ago today (July 12 1935)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Murder Man' trailer

(Friday, July 12, 1935) — The Murder Man, a crime-drama film about a hard-drinking reporter who specializes in murder cases and then becomes a suspect in one himself, was released today in the U.S. Continue reading Jimmy Stewart’s first feature film ‘Murder Man’ released 90 years ago today (July 12 1935) →

FDR signs National Labor Relations Act guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize 90 years ago today (July 5 1935)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'What is the National Labor Relations Act? | Union Facts Friday Episode 16'

(Friday, July 5, 1935, morning EDT; during the Great Depression) — The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, a foundational statute of U.S. labor law which guarantees basic rights of private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining for better terms and conditions at work, and take collective action including strike if necessary was signed today by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading FDR signs National Labor Relations Act guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize 90 years ago today (July 5 1935) →

‘Becky Sharp,’ first three-strip Technicolor movie, opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (June 13 1935)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Becky Sharp (1935) Romance, War | Miriam Hopkins, Frances Dee | Full Movie | Subtitles'

(Thursday, June 13, 1935, scheduled for 12 noon EDT) — Becky Sharp, the first feature film to use the newly developed three-strip Technicolor production throughout, opened today at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Becky Sharp,’ first three-strip Technicolor movie, opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (June 13 1935) →

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio 90 years ago today (June 10 1935)

1930s


Video: '10th June 1935: Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by Bill Wilson and Robert Smith'

(Monday, June 10, 1935; during the Great Depression) — Alcoholics Anonymous was founded today in Akron, Ohio, by Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith and William Griffith Wilson when Smith consumed his last drink (a beer to steady his hand for surgery).

‘The 39 Steps’ thriller film premieres in London 90 years ago today (June 6 1935)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'The 39 Steps 1935 1080p'

(Thursday, June 6, 1935) — The 39 Steps, a British thriller film about a man who tries to help a counter-espionage agent prevent an organization of spies called The 39 Steps from stealing top secret information, premiered today at the New Gallery Theatre in Regent Street, London.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film starred Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim and Godfrey Tearle.