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The Empire State building was a steel frame skyscraper which included 102 stories. The building was completed in 1931 and was the tallest building in the world until 1971. It is located in midtown Manhattan on 5th Avenue at 34th Street. It is the best example of Modernist Art Deco design. -
The Hoover Dam took 5 years and a total of 21,000 men working to construct, at the time, the largest dam as well as one of the largest man made structures in the world. It spans the Nevada-Arizona border 30 miles southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. -
Amelia Earhart, an American aviator, was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland, Canada and arrived the next day, landing in a cow field near Londonberry, Northern Ireland. She was also the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to the United States in 1935. While trying to circumnavigate the globe, Amelia Earhart disappeared somewhere in the Pacific in July 1937. Her disappearance remains one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century. -
In 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany. He was the leader of the fascist Nazi Party. In August 1934, with the death of President Hindenburg, Hitler declared himself "Fuhrer" (leader) of Germany, and ultimately became the dictator of the country. -
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were notorious criminals known for numerous bank robberies. After following their trail through many states and into their various haunts, agents tracked them to Louisiana. The couple was ambushed by State Police from Texas and Louisiana near Sailes, Louisiana and shot to death after one of the countries most spectacular manhunts. A possible 13 deaths were attributed to them, including 9 police officers. -
Edward VIII abdicates the English throne for American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Because she was a twice divorced woman, it was unacceptable for Edward to marry her and be a part of the royal family. He chose Mrs Simpson and renounced the throne. The crown went to his younger brother. -
The Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built by Nazi Germany, burst into flames upon touching its mooring mast in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The catastrophe ended the lives of 36 passengers and crew members. -
Orson Welles, narrating the 17th episode of the CBS series of the H.G. Wells original story "War Of The Worlds" about a Martian invasion of Earth, became famous for convincing some listeners that the invasion was real. Because of the "breaking news" style of the broadcast, nervous individuals believed in the Martian invasion causing a kerfuffle. News media organizations wanted legal action but none was forthcoming. -
Kristallnacht was a pogrom, carried out by the Nazis paramilitary group Sturmabteilung against the Jews in Germany. They were responsible for burning down Synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses and killing almost 100 Jews. After this event some 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentrations camps. German Jews were subjected to severe anti-semitic policies under Nazis in power. -
German military forces, directed by Adolf Hitler, invades Poland. They bomb the country by air and land. This prompted Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Poland fell to the Nazis after a month of fighting. World War II had begun.