Major Events of December 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month
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Major Events of December 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1938 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1938: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1938 Tragic Utah school bus-train collision: On December 1, 1938, a school bus carrying 39 students was struck by a freight train in South Jordan, Utah, during a snowstorm. The collision resulted in the deaths of 24 people, including 23 students and the bus driver, making it the deadliest school bus accident in U.S. history at that time. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 02 Dec 1938 First Kindertransport arrives in England: On December 2, 1938, the first group of Jewish children, known as the Kindertransport, arrived in England. This was part of a rescue mission to save Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories, allowing them to escape the impending dangers of the Holocaust. source: britannica.com
  • 06 Dec 1938 Ribbentrop-Bonnet Pact Signed: On December 6, 1938, German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and French Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet signed a declaration in Paris, affirming peaceful and good-neighborly relations between Germany and France, and recognizing the existing frontiers as final. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 09 Dec 1938 8th Pan American Conference in Lima: The Eighth International Conference of American States was held in Lima, Peru, from December 9 to 27, 1938. This conference aimed to strengthen inter-American relations and address regional issues. source: pegasus.law.columbia.edu
  • 14 Dec 1938 Nazi Germany's Anti-Semitic Economic Policy: On December 14, 1938, Nazi Germany issued an executive order under the Law on the Organization of National Work, canceling all state contracts held with Jewish-owned firms. This measure aimed to economically isolate and further marginalize the Jewish community by stripping them of state business and resources. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 15 Dec 1938 Groundbreaking of Jefferson Memorial: On December 15, 1938, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jefferson Memorial took place in Washington, D.C. The memorial was dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 17 Dec 1938 Nuclear Fission Discovery by Otto Hahn: On December 17, 1938, German chemist Otto Hahn and his assistant Fritz Strassmann discovered nuclear fission by bombarding uranium with neutrons, leading to the production of barium. This groundbreaking finding laid the foundation for nuclear physics and energy. source: britannica.com
  • 23 Dec 1938 Nationalists' Catalonia Offensive: On December 23, 1938, Nationalist forces launched the Catalonia Offensive during the Spanish Civil War, aiming to capture Republican-held Catalonia. The offensive led to the rapid conquest of the region, culminating in the fall of Barcelona on January 26, 1939. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 24 Dec 1938 Lima Declaration of Inter-American Solidarity: On December 24, 1938, the Eighth International Conference of American States adopted the Declaration of Lima, reaffirming the commitment of American republics to continental solidarity and the maintenance of peace in the Americas. source: history.state.gov
  • 25 Dec 1938 Karel Čapek, Prominent Czech Writer, Dies: On December 25, 1938, Karel Čapek, a renowned Czech writer and playwright, passed away. He is best known for his science fiction works, including 'R.U.R.' (Rossum's Universal Robots). source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 28 Dec 1938 Death of silent film actress Florence Lawrence: Florence Lawrence, known as the 'Biograph Girl' and considered the first movie star, died on December 28, 1938. She ingested ant poison and cough syrup at her home in West Hollywood, leading to her death at 2:45 p.m. Lawrence left a suicide note addressed to her housemate, expressing her despair over her ill health. Her funeral was held on December 30, and she was buried in an unmarked grave in Hollywood Cemetery, which remained unmarked until 1991. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 30 Dec 1938 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 1938 Syrian Resolution Against French Mandate: On December 31, 1938, the Syrian National Congress passed a resolution calling for the end of the French mandate in Syria. This marked a significant step in Syria's struggle for independence from colonial rule. source: britannica.com