1938 was a year of escalating international tensions and significant advancements in various fields. It marked a turning point leading towards the Second World War, while also showcasing human ingenuity and artistic expression.
Political Events
March 12: Anschluss of Austria by Nazi Germany: This marked the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. The action was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain and demonstrated Adolf Hitler's expansionist ambitions. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/nazi%20germany
September 29-30: Munich Agreement: Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany sign the Munich Agreement, ceding the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Germany. Czechoslovakia was not invited to the conference. This is often seen as a prime example of appeasement of Hitler.
November 9-10: Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass): A nationwide pogrom against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria. Synagogues were burned, Jewish businesses were destroyed, and many Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps. It was a significant escalation of Nazi persecution of Jews. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/persecution%20of%20jews
November 30: King Carol II assumes dictatorial powers in Romania: Carol dissolves parliament, bans political parties, and implements a royal dictatorship in an attempt to stabilize the country.
Scientific Events
March 14: World's first synthetic fiber (nylon) invented by Wallace Carothers at DuPont: This groundbreaking invention revolutionized the textile industry and had significant applications beyond clothing. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/textile%20industry
Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discover nuclear fission: They bombarded uranium with neutrons and discovered that the uranium nucleus had split. This discovery was crucial to the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/nuclear%20fission
Cultural Events
April 29: Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto premiered in New York City: A significant contribution to 20th-century classical music.
May 29: Disney's "Ferdinand the Bull" wins the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoon): Based on the children's book by Munro Leaf, this animated short celebrated pacifism.
August 17: Judy Garland records "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz: This song became one of the most iconic and enduring songs in American popular culture. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/american%20popular%20culture
Thornton Wilder's Our Town premieres: The play would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year.
Technological Events
First commercial transatlantic telephone service established: Opening up faster and easier communication between continents.
Development of Radar technology progresses significantly: Multiple countries, including the United States, invest in radar research with the expectation of future usage for military endeavors.
Events Relevant to the United States
January 3: The March of Dimes is founded: Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat polio; originally called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/franklin%20d.%20roosevelt
June 25: The Fair Labor Standards Act is signed into law: Establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.
Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air is founded: The theater group would gain notoriety soon after for its adaptation of The War of the Worlds.
1938 was a pivotal year, laying the groundwork for significant changes in the coming decade. The failure of appeasement, the growing threat of fascism, and the breakthroughs in science and technology would all shape the world dramatically.