1934 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1934 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 20 Jan Austria Abolishes Jury Trials: The Republic of Austria eliminated jury trials by decree, signaling a significant change in the nation's judicial system and potentially reflecting the growing authoritarian trends in Europe during the 1930s.
- 01 Feb Samuel Insull's deportation failure: On February 1, 1934, Samuel Insull, a former utility magnate, failed in his attempt to be deported from the United States. Insull had been charged with embezzlement and fraud, and his deportation was part of efforts to hold him accountable for his financial misdeeds. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Mar Soviet Union criminalizes homosexual relations: On March 7, 1934, the Soviet Union enacted laws that criminalized homosexual relations, reflecting a broader trend of repression against LGBTQ+ individuals during this period. This legal change had significant implications for the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ people in the USSR. source: bbc.com
- 13 Apr Samuel Insull Extradition: On April 2, 1934, the Turkish government granted the extradition of Samuel Insull, a former American utility magnate, who was detained at the U.S. Embassy's disposal. The U.S. Department of State was contemplating his transfer to Alexandria via the Turkish Mail Line vessel, which was scheduled to depart Istanbul on April 10 and pass through Piraeus on April 12. source: history.state.gov
- 15 May US Justice Department offers reward for John Dillinger: On May 15, 1934, the U.S. Justice Department announced a reward for information leading to the capture of notorious bank robber John Dillinger. This marked a significant moment in the law enforcement efforts against organized crime during the Great Depression. source: fbi.gov
- 18 May Lindbergh Act approved by US Congress: The Lindbergh Act, officially known as the Act to Make Kidnapping a Federal Crime, was approved by the US Congress on May 18, 1934. This legislation was a response to the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's son and aimed to enhance federal jurisdiction over kidnapping cases. source: congress.gov
- 21 May Oskaloosa's pioneering fingerprinting initiative: On May 21, 1934, Oskaloosa, Iowa, launched a pioneering fingerprinting initiative aimed at improving local law enforcement practices. This initiative was part of a broader trend in the United States to adopt scientific methods in policing. source: ia.gov
- 06 Jun Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Signed: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was signed into law on June 6, 1934. This landmark legislation established the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and granted it broad authority over all aspects of the securities industry, including the regulation of stock exchanges and the prevention of fraud. source: sec.gov
- 26 Jun High-Profile Divorce Case: A British jury found Austrian dancer Tilly Losch guilty of adultery with Prince Serge Obolensky, granting a divorce to her husband, poet Edward James. Losch's countersuit alleging her husband's homosexuality was unsuccessful.
- 28 Jun Taylor Grazing Act Signed: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Taylor Grazing Act, enabling the federal government to manage up to 140 million acres of public land through carefully monitored grazing districts, a significant land management reform.
- 03 Jul Hitler legalizes Night of the Long Knives: On July 3, 1934, Adolf Hitler's cabinet approved the "Law Regarding Measures of State Self-Defense," retroactively legalizing the purge of the SA leadership and other political opponents that occurred from June 30 to July 2, 1934, known as the Night of the Long Knives. source: britannica.com
- 14 Jul Nazi Germany establishes People's Court: On July 14, 1934, Nazi Germany established the People's Court (Volksgerichtshof), which was used to prosecute political crimes. This court became notorious for its lack of due process and was a tool for the regime to suppress dissent. source: britannica.com
- 24 Jul Political execution in Vienna: On July 24, 1934, a political execution took place in Vienna, Austria. A Czechoslovakian socialist was hanged for bombing a railway, marking the Austrian government's firm stance against political terrorism. This event was part of a broader crackdown on political dissent during that period. source: chicagotribune.com
- 11 Aug Alcatraz Federal Prison opens: Alcatraz Federal Prison officially opened on August 11, 1934, becoming one of the most notorious prisons in the United States. It housed some of the most dangerous criminals until its closure in 1963. source: nps.gov
- 22 Aug Al Capone transferred to Alcatraz: On August 22, 1934, notorious gangster Al Capone was transferred from the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary to the newly opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. This move aimed to curb his influence and special treatment within the Atlanta facility. At Alcatraz, Capone was assigned the inmate number 85 and faced stricter confinement conditions. source: biography.com
- 19 Sep Bruno Hauptmann arrested for Lindbergh baby murder: On September 19, 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. This case garnered national attention and led to a highly publicized trial. source: britannica.com
- 22 Sep Gloria Vanderbilt Custody Trial Begins: A high-profile custody trial for young Gloria Vanderbilt commenced, capturing significant public attention. The trial would last seven weeks and ultimately conclude with a compromise, reflecting the complex legal and social dynamics surrounding wealthy family disputes in the 1930s.
- 08 Oct Bruno Hauptmann indicted for Lindbergh baby murder: On October 8, 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was indicted in New Jersey for the murder of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Hauptmann had been arrested on September 19, 1934, after a significant portion of the ransom money was found in his garage. The indictment marked a pivotal moment in the investigation into the kidnapping and subsequent death of the Lindbergh baby. source: fbi.gov
- 26 Nov FBI shootout with Baby Face Nelson: On November 26, 1934, the FBI engaged in a shootout with notorious gangster Baby Face Nelson in Barrington, Illinois. This confrontation resulted in Nelson's death and was a significant event in the history of American law enforcement. source: britannica.com
- 29 Dec Soviet Security Apparatus Restructured: The Soviet state security organization GPU is reorganized and becomes the NKVD, a significant transformation in the Soviet Union's internal security apparatus.
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