Major Events of February 1939: 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 February 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of February 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 05 Feb 1939 Franco Becomes Leader of Spain: Following the capture of Girona, Francisco Franco solidified his position as the leader of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Feb 1939 Wagner-Rogers Bill introduced to admit 20,000 German refugee children: On February 9, 1939, Senator Robert F. Wagner and Representative Edith Nourse Rogers introduced the Wagner-Rogers Bill in the U.S. Congress, proposing the admission of 20,000 German refugee children under the age of 14 over two years, outside the existing immigration quota system. source: newspapers.ushmm.org
- 14 Feb 1939 Launch of the Bismarck Battleship: On February 14, 1939, the German battleship Bismarck was launched in Hamburg, Germany. The ship was one of the largest and most powerful battleships ever built, and its launch was a significant event in naval history. source: historydiaries.blog
- 18 Feb 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition opens in San Francisco: The Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) opened on February 18, 1939, in San Francisco, California. The exposition celebrated the completion of the Golden Gate and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges, showcasing the modern industrial West. It was held on Treasure Island, a man-made island constructed specifically for the event, and attracted over 17 million visitors during its run. source: nps.gov
- 20 Feb 1939 Nazi Rally at Madison Square Garden: On February 20, 1939, a pro-Nazi rally organized by the German American Bund took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Over 20,000 attendees gathered, with Fritz Julius Kuhn as a featured speaker. The event was heavily guarded by 1,700 police officers due to the presence of approximately 100,000 anti-Nazi protesters outside. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Feb 1939 Borley Rectory Destroyed by Fire: The infamous Borley Rectory, known as 'the most haunted house in England', was completely destroyed by fire, ending decades of paranormal speculation and historical mystery.
- 22 Feb 1939 British Cabinet Authorizes Massive Military Aircraft Production: On February 22, 1939, the British Cabinet made the unprecedented decision to authorize military aircraft production to maximum levels without regard to cost, in response to the growing threat from Nazi Germany. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Feb 1939 Walt Disney Receives Special Oscar for Snow White: On February 23, 1939, Walt Disney received a special Academy Award for his work on the animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' recognizing it as a significant achievement in the film industry. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Feb 1939 Hungary Joins the Anti-Comintern Pact: On February 24, 1939, Hungary joined the Anti-Comintern Pact, aligning itself with Nazi Germany and other Axis powers against the Soviet Union. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Feb 1939 Eleanor Roosevelt resigns from Daughters of the American Revolution over racial discrimination: On February 26, 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in protest against their refusal to allow African American contralto Marian Anderson to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. This act highlighted Roosevelt's commitment to combating racial discrimination. source: archives.gov
- 27 Feb 1939 Britain and France recognize Franco's Spain: On February 27, 1939, Britain and France formally recognized Francoist Spain, acknowledging Francisco Franco's regime as the legitimate government of Spain. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Feb 1939 Great Britain recognizes Franco's regime in Spain: On February 28, 1939, Great Britain officially recognized Franco's regime in Spain, following the earlier recognition by France. source: en.wikipedia.org