On This Day

Americans Cornelius Johnson, Dave Albritton, and Delos Thurber sweep the high jump medals at the Berlin Olympics

The men's high jump event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on August 2, 1936. Forty athletes from 24 nations competed.

The men's high jump event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on August 2, 1936. Forty athletes from 24 nations competed. The maximum number of athletes per nation had been set at 3 since the 1930 Olympic Congress. The final was won by Cornelius Johnson of the United States. It was the nation's ninth victory in the men's high jump. Johnson's fellow Americans Dave Albritton and Delos Thurber took silver and bronze to complete the podium sweep, the second time (after the inaugural Games in 1896) the United States had taken all three medals in the event.

Historical Significance

The men's high jump event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Events Before

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  2. 1st Orange Bowl: Bucknell beats Miami (FL), 26-0

    1st Orange Bowl: Bucknell beats Miami (FL), 26-0

  3. RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in Daventry, England

    RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in Daventry, England

  4. Adolf Hitler orders German rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles

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  5. Nazi politician Hermann Goering (42) weds Emmy Sonnemann (42) in Berlin

    Nazi politician Hermann Goering (42) weds Emmy Sonnemann (42) in Berlin

Events After

  1. Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

    Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

  2. American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

    American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

  3. American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce

    American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce in 1941

  4. Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia win

    Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia wins the Ashes 3-2

  5. Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

More from the 1930s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 2, 1936?
The men's high jump event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on August 2, 1936. Forty athletes from 24 nations competed.
Why is Americans Cornelius Johnson, Dave Albritton, and Delos Thurber sweep the high... significant?
The men's high jump event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

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