1938 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1938 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 05 Jan US Supreme Court Justice George Sutherland announces retirement: On January 5, 1938, Associate Justice George Sutherland announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court, effective January 18, 1938. He had served on the Court since 1922. source: fjc.gov
- 21 Jan Romanian anti-Semitic citizenship law: On January 21, 1938, Romania enacted an anti-Semitic citizenship law that restricted the rights of Jewish citizens. This legislation was part of a broader trend of discrimination against Jews in Europe leading up to World War II. source: bbc.com
- 31 Jan Supreme Court Case: Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. v. Johnson: On January 31, 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. v. Johnson, addressing the taxation of a corporation's activities outside California. source: supreme.justia.com
- 16 Feb Italy's antisemitic policy emerges: On February 16, 1938, Italy's government began to implement antisemitic policies, influenced by Nazi Germany. This marked a significant shift in Italian policy towards Jews, leading to widespread discrimination and persecution. source: britannica.com
- 26 Apr Nazi Germany's Jewish Asset Registration Order: On April 26, 1938, Nazi Germany issued the Decree for the Reporting of Jewish-Owned Property, requiring all Jews to declare assets exceeding 5,000 Reichsmarks. This measure aimed to facilitate the confiscation of Jewish wealth for the benefit of the German economy. source: encyclopedia.ushmm.org
- 08 May Nazi arrest warrant issued for Archduke Felix: On May 8, 1938, Nazi-controlled authorities in Austria issued a warrant for the arrest of Archduke Felix, accusing him of stealing silverware and linen from the Theresian Military Academy where he was a cadet. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 May NLRB v. Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co. Supreme Court Decision: On May 16, 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in NLRB v. Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co., affirming that striking workers remain employees under the National Labor Relations Act and that employers may hire permanent replacements during strikes. source: law.cornell.edu
- 23 May Alcatraz Prison Escape Attempt: Rufus Franklin, Thomas R. Limerick, and James C. Lucas attempted to escape from the notorious Alcatraz Prison. The attempt was quickly thwarted when a guard shot and killed Limerick, demonstrating the high-security measures of the infamous prison.
- 26 May House Un-American Activities Committee established: The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was established on May 26, 1938, to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Jun Shameful decision on Jewish refugees: On June 9, 1938, the British government made a controversial decision regarding Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. The policy, which limited the number of refugees allowed to enter the United Kingdom, was widely criticized for its lack of compassion and failure to provide sanctuary to those in need. This decision highlighted the challenges faced by Jewish refugees during the period.
- 10 Jun Death of Eugenia Falleni: Eugenia Falleni, an Italian-born Australian woman who had been convicted of murdering her wife, died on June 10, 1938. Her case was notable for the gender identity issues it raised, as Falleni had lived as a man for many years before being discovered. Her death marked the end of a controversial chapter in Australian legal history.
- 12 Jun Persecution of Roma and Sinti in Nazi Germany: On June 12, 1938, the Nazi regime in Germany intensified its persecution of the Roma and Sinti communities. This included measures such as forced sterilizations and the establishment of concentration camps, leading to widespread suffering and displacement. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Jun Anti-Jewish violence in Przemyśl: On June 13, 1938, anti-Jewish violence erupted in the city of Przemyśl, Poland. This incident was part of a series of pogroms and discriminatory actions against Jewish communities in Eastern Europe during this period. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 Jun Bankruptcy Act Takes Effect: The Bankruptcy Act went into effect in the United States, providing a standardized legal framework for handling financial insolvency and protecting both creditors and debtors.
- 23 Jun NYPD increases subway patrol: In response to rising concerns over crime and safety, the New York Police Department (NYPD) increased patrols in the subway system. This initiative aimed to enhance passenger security and deter criminal activities within the transit network. source: nytimes.com
- 25 Jun Fair Labor Standards Act signed: The Fair Labor Standards Act was signed into law on June 25, 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This legislation introduced significant labor reforms, including the establishment of a federal minimum wage and regulations on working hours. source: dol.gov
- 30 Jun Federal Firearms Act: On June 30, 1938, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Firearms Act, regulating the sale and possession of firearms and ammunition. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Jul Nazi anti-Jewish identification policy: On July 23, 1938, the Nazi regime implemented a policy requiring Jews to wear identifying badges. This was part of a broader set of discriminatory laws aimed at isolating and persecuting the Jewish population in Germany. source: britannica.com
- 25 Jul Nazi restrictions on Jewish professionals: On July 25, 1938, the Nazi regime imposed further restrictions on Jewish professionals, limiting their ability to work in various fields. This was part of the systematic discrimination against Jews in Germany leading up to World War II. source: britannica.com
- 03 Aug Italy enacts first anti-Jewish legislation: On August 3, 1938, Italy's Fascist government announced its first anti-Jewish legislation, marking a significant step in the implementation of racial laws. These measures aimed to exclude Jews from public schools and universities, aligning with the regime's growing alignment with Nazi Germany's policies. source: firstonline.info
- 07 Aug Fatal New York City Subway Accident: A tragic subway accident in New York City resulted in two fatalities, highlighting the potential dangers of urban public transportation infrastructure during the late 1930s.
- 17 Aug Nazi decree on Jewish names: On August 17, 1938, Germany passed laws requiring Jews to add either "Israel" or "Sara" to their names, effective January 1, 1939. source: ww2db.com
- 27 Sep Nazi regime imposes new antisemitic legal restrictions: On September 27, 1938, the Nazi regime in Germany implemented new legal restrictions targeting Jewish citizens, further escalating the persecution of Jews in Germany. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Sep League of Nations Civilian Protection Resolution: The League of Nations unanimously passed a resolution outlawing intentional bombings of civilian populations, a significant but ultimately ineffective attempt to prevent wartime atrocities.
- 24 Oct United States bans child labor in factories: On October 24, 1938, the United States enacted legislation banning child labor in factories, marking a significant step in labor rights and protections for children. This law aimed to improve working conditions and ensure education for young people. source: dol.gov
- 17 Nov Italy enacts anti-Jewish legislation: On November 17, 1938, Italy enacted the Racial Laws, which excluded Jews from public offices, higher education, and various professions, and prohibited marriages between Jews and non-Jews. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 01 Dec Halifax Slasher hoax revealed: In November 1938, the town of Halifax, England, was gripped by reports of a mysterious attacker known as the 'Halifax Slasher.' However, investigations revealed that the attacks were fabricated, leading to the hoax being exposed by December 1, 1938. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Dec Gender Discrimination in Italian Workforce: Italian law limits women to a maximum of 10% of better-paying jobs in industry and government, reflecting significant gender inequality of the era.
- 31 Dec First Breath Test for Alcohol Detection: The first breathalyzer test for alcohol detection was developed in 1938, providing law enforcement with a new tool for assessing drivers' sobriety. This innovation significantly impacted road safety and DUI enforcement. source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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