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Follow us through a timeline of important historical facts that shaped our society and world into what it is today.
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Herbert Hoover was elected president in November 1928, promising to uphold the prosperity of the United States. Months after his inauguration (March 1929), the Great Depression began. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, September 26). Herbert Hoover. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herbert-Hoover -
On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed and caused people to lose their savings, banks to fail, and the beginning of the Great Depression. This day is known as Black Tuesday. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Stock Market Crash of 1929. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/stock-market-crash-of-1929 -
President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act which increased taxes on imported goods in hopes of benefiting agriculture and farmers. Instead, it increased tariffs by 20 percent and crippled international trade as countries responded by also raising their tariffs on U.S goods. This worsened the Great Depression. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.).Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act.In Encyclopaedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Depression -
Beginning in the summer of 1932, World War I army veterans marched and demanded that they be paid early bonuses for their service. Hoover had them removed, and people recognized the economic state of the country, also dampening the president's reputation. PBS. (n.d.). The Bonus March (May–July 1932). American Experience.https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/macarthur-bonus-march-may-july-1932/ -
FDR defeated Herbert Hoover in the 1932 election, after promising a "New Deal" and to guide the nation out of the depths of the Great Depression. People were so desperate that they were receptive to this blind hope. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum. (n.d.). Great Depression facts.https://www.fdrlibrary.org/great-depression-facts -
As promised by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New Deal was implemented. This was a recovery program that was focused on creating jobs and aiding in economic recovery during the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum. (n.d.). Great Depression facts.https://www.fdrlibrary.org/great-depression-facts
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The Banking Holiday and Emergency Banking Act was part of the New Deal and mandated that all banks close to restore economic balance. Following this, the CCC provided jobs for planting trees, the TVA offered electrical jobs, the AAA saved farms, and the FERA employed the unemployed. -
Worsening the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl began in 1934. Due to severe drought years, the Great Plains experienced dust storms that forced them to migrate. The destruction and loss of homes, jobs, and essential living items increased poverty and made the Depression far worse. This continued until 1936. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Dust Bowl.https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/dust-bowl/
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Allowed employees to form or join unions and bargain collectively with their employers, creating the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to oversee disputes and prevent unfair labor practices. This law strengthened workers’ voices, improved working conditions, and was a key part of FDR’s New Deal programs during the Great Depression.
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Part of the New Deal programs, the Social Security Act financially supported minority groups. Specifically, it provided compensation for the elderly, disabled, and families in need. This act was important to the uphill climb of the Great Depression, as it helped reduce poverty and survive in unfortunate conditions. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Social Security Act of 1935.https://www.ssa.gov/history/35act.html
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FDR proposed that more justices be appointed to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, this proposition was deemed as unconstitutional, as the motive was for his "New Deal" to have more federal support, and created conflict within the government during the Great Depression. Federal Judicial Center. (n.d.). FDR's "Court-Packing" Plan.https://www.fjc.gov/history/timeline/fdrs-court-packing-plan -
While the economy was progressing under New Deal programs, it fell into a recession after the Federal Reserve cut funding to New Deal spending. Mass unemployment surged again, and much of the growth from the beginning of the Great Depression had dissipated. -
Germans troops marched into Austria to annex the German speaking nation for the Third Reich
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Roosevelt sent several peace messages to Hitler because he had been threatening to invade Czechoslovakia.
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British and French sign the Munich pact with Adolf Hitler which meant that Czech had to surrender to Nazi Germany and give its borders up. -
Einstein communicated with President Roosevelt via letter telling him that Germany had been trying to create a dangerous bomb to use, he warned the U.S. to advance in nuclear power. -
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Churchill led Britain into War against Nazi-Germany after resignation of Neville Chamberlain. -
Germany bombed the French capitol which frightened civilians and politicians of Paris causing them to flee.
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German troops entered Paris, after unsuccessful messages to America asking for aid in helping defend their homeland against Nazi-Germany.
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The first peacetime draft in U.S. which meant men between that ages of 21 and 36, were registered to go to war; numbers were picked from a glass bowl. -
America’s 32nd President, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms. His goal was to defeat Hitler’s Nazi Germany. -
Franklin Roosevelt announces a National Emergency as Nazi Germany threatens world domination. FDR warned Germany, U.S. was prepared to go to war if attacked.
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U.S froze Japanese assets and closed the Panama Canal to japan shipping which led to the construction of war on American Soil.
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In the Early Morning, a Japanese bomber and 360 other warplanes bombed and committed a ferocious attack on American soil in Hawaii. -
“A date which will live in infamy”..speech given by FDR to House of Representatives asking to receive a declaration of war against japan.
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FDR and Churchill issue a declaration to be signed by 26 countries. Arcadia Conference, involved Britain, Soviet Union, and the United States; countries would act as a unit to protect peace.
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Roosevelt signs “Order 9066” which ordered Japanese Americans to internment camps to remove the “enemy aliens”. -
A bill in women’s corps in U.S. Army becomes law, which created the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, this granted women official military status. -
U.S. wins battle against Japan after 4-days at sea and air, U.S. fleet destroyed Japanese aircraft carriers.
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This battle was considered a turning point in the war between Germany and the Soviet Union. Germany surrendered Berlin to the Red Army.
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Largest military operation; 18,000 British and Americans were on ground and 13,000 aircraft’s were airborne for support. Northern France was freed and troops prepared to invade Germany. -
A gestapo captured Anne Frank and family in Amsterdam where her family was taking shelter from Nazi’s. -
The U.S. flag was raised in Iwo Jima after a long hard fought battle to islands highest peak to show strength and resilience. -
Axis powers are finally defeated in 1945—Nazi Germany in May and Imperial Japan in August. Truman addressed the country announcing the end of World War II after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.