A decade in review

The 1930s

11 moments we logged from 19301939.

People born in the 1930s A.P.J., Ratan, Neil

Notable figures who grew up in this decade.

  • science1931

    A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

    Missile man, 11th President of India.

    Wiki
  • tech1937

    Ratan Tata

    Industrialist, former Tata chairman.

    Wiki
  • science1930

    Neil Armstrong

    First human on the Moon.

    Wiki
  • culture1935

    Elvis Presley

    The King of Rock and Roll.

    Wiki
  • world1935

    Dalai Lama (14th)

    Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists.

    Wiki
  • world1936

    Pope Francis

    First Pope from Latin America.

    Wiki
  • science1934

    Yuri Gagarin

    Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, first human in space (1934–1968).

    Wiki
  • culture1931

    Mikhail Gorbachev

    Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 (1931–2022).

    Wiki

Worldwide

  • 1930science

    Pluto discovered

    Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. It was a planet... until 2006.

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  • 1931tech

    Empire State Building completed

    The tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years. NYC's iconic skyline anchor.

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  • 1932science

    Neutron discovered

    James Chadwick discovered the neutron, completing the picture of the atom.

  • 1933world

    Hitler comes to power

    Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. The Nazi era began.

  • 1936tech

    First TV broadcasts

    The BBC began regular television service. Television started arriving in homes.

  • 1937tech

    Jet engine invented

    Frank Whittle's jet engine ran for the first time. Aviation about to leap forward.

  • 1938tech

    Photocopier invented

    Chester Carlson invented xerography. Offices would never be the same.

  • 1939world

    World War II begins

    Germany invaded Poland. The deadliest conflict in human history started.

  • 1939culture

    Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind

    Two films released the same year that would define Hollywood's Golden Age.

India

  • 1930world

    Dandi Salt March

    Gandhi led the 240-mile march to make salt from seawater, defying British tax laws.

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  • 1931world

    Bhagat Singh executed

    Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were hanged by the British in Lahore. They became eternal martyrs.