Year 1936 in History

Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade

A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

Actress Mary Pickford (44) divorces actor Douglas Fairbanks (52) after 15 years of marriage

Screen Directors Guild incorporates in Hollywood and later elects King Vidor as its first president

First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns

First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson

Silent film "Modern Times," directed by, written by and starring Charlie Chaplin, is released

Modern Times is a 1936 American part-talkie satirical slapstick comedy film produced, written and directed by Charlie Chaplin.

First-ever NFL Draft: Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago is first pick by Philadelphia Eagles

John Jacob "Jay" Berwanger (March 19, 1914 – June 26, 2002) was an American college football player and referee.

Film director D. W. Griffith (61) divorces Linda Arvidson (50) after 30 years of marriage

German dictator Adolf Hitler breaks the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the demilitarized Rhineland

The first stock car race is held in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Daytona Beach is a coastal resort city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. Located on the East Coast of the United States, its population was 72,647 at the 2020 census.

American singer-songwriter Hoagy Carmichael (36) weds American Ruth Meinardi; divorce in 1955

Sergei Prokofiev's musical "Peter and the Wolf" premieres in Moscow

Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67, a "symphonic tale for children", is a programmatic musical composition written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936.

Alan Turing submits "On Computable Numbers" for publication, in which he sets out the theoretical basis for modern compu

Alan Turing submits "On Computable Numbers" for publication, in which he sets out the theoretical basis for modern computers

RCA broadcasts the first real TV program, a variety show with dancing, a film on locomotives, a Bonwit Teller fashion sh

RCA broadcasts the first real TV program, a variety show with dancing, a film on locomotives, a Bonwit Teller fashion show, and a monologue from Tobacco Road

Spanish generals Francisco Franco and Emilio Mola lead a right-wing uprising, starting the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War (Spanish: guerra civil española) was fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republicans and the Nationalists rebels.

Spanish Civil War: General Francisco Franco issues manifesto and leads an uprising in the Spanish army stationed in Moro

Spanish Civil War: General Francisco Franco issues manifesto and leads an uprising in the Spanish army stationed in Morocco

XI Summer Olympic Games are opened by Adolf Hitler in Berlin

The 1936 Summer Olympics (German: Olympische Sommerspiele 1936), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad (German: Spiele der XI.

American sprinter Jesse Owens wins the 100 m in 10.3 seconds in front of Adolf Hitler in a famous race at the Berlin Oly

American sprinter Jesse Owens wins the 100 m in 10.3 seconds in front of Adolf Hitler in a famous race at the Berlin Olympics, the first of four gold medals he wins at the Games

American athlete Jesse Owens wins the 200 m in a world record time of 20.7 seconds, his third gold medal of the Berlin O

American athlete Jesse Owens wins the 200 m in a world record time of 20.7 seconds, his third gold medal of the Berlin Olympics

American "The Flintstones" animator William Hanna (26) weds Violet Blanch Wogatzke (23), until his death in 2001

RKO Radio Pictures releases "Swing Time," directed by George Stevens and starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Swing Time is a 1936 American musical comedy film, the sixth of ten starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

First prefrontal lobotomy in America performed by Walter Freeman and James W. Watts at George Washington University Hosp

First prefrontal lobotomy in America performed by Walter Freeman and James W. Watts at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

American actor Henry Fonda (31) weds Canadian-American socialite Frances Ford Seymour (28) at Christ Church, New York Ci

American actor Henry Fonda (31) weds Canadian-American socialite Frances Ford Seymour (28) at Christ Church, New York City, until her death in1950

Spanish fascist junta names Francisco Franco Generalísimo and Supreme Commander

Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco Bahamonde (4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during...

Diana Mitford marries Oswald Mosley in the house of Joseph Goebbels with Adolf Hitler as a guest

At 3 pm, the BBC begins the world's first regular high-definition TV broadcast service from specially constructed studio

At 3 pm, the BBC begins the world's first regular high-definition TV broadcast service from specially constructed studios at Alexandra Palace, North London

First-ever TV gardening show "In Your Garden" airs on the BBC

Australian paleo-anthropologist Raymond Dart (43) weds South African librarian Marjorie Gordon Frew

Edward VIII signs Instrument of Abdication, giving up the British throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson

Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (born Bessie Wallis Warfield, later Spencer and then Simpson; June 19, 1896 – April 24, 1986), was an American socialite and the wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor...

Austrian-American filmmaker Billy Wilder (30) weds first wife Judith Coppicus; divorce in 1946

First radioactive isotope medicine is administered in Berkeley, California

British best-selling romantic author Barbara Cartland (35) marries 2nd husband Hugh McCorquodale

The first electron tube enabling night vision is described in St. Louis, Missouri

Cricketer Clarrie Grimmett becomes the world record wicket taker with number 190 vs South Africa

King Vidor is elected as first president of the newly formed Screen Directors Guild in Hollywood

Catholic People's Party (KVP) of Curacao forms

Albert Sarraut becomes Prime Minister of France

New owners of baseball's Boston Braves survey newspaper journalists to pick a new team nickname; known as 'Bees' in 1940

New owners of baseball's Boston Braves survey newspaper journalists to pick a new team nickname; known as 'Bees' in 1940 but return to 'Braves' in 1941

"Green Hornet" radio show is 1st heard on WXYZ Radio in Detroit

First radioactive substance produced synthetically (radium E)

IV Winter Olympic Games open in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games (German: IV.

Felix the Cat, animated film released by Van Beuren Studios licensed from Otto Messmer

1st ski jumping tournament at Red Wing, Minnesota

German skier Franz Pfnür wins the inaugural Olympic men’s combined gold medal at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Games

German skier Franz Pfnür wins the inaugural Olympic men’s combined gold medal at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Games ahead of teammate Gustav Lantschner

Pumping begins to build Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, commonly referred to as the Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay in California.

Ivar Ballangrud of Norway narrowly misses winning all 4 speed skating events at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympi

Ivar Ballangrud of Norway narrowly misses winning all 4 speed skating events at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympics; finishes 2nd in 1,500m just 1.0s behind teammate Charles Mathiesen

Karl Schäfer of Austria wins his 2nd consecutive men’s figure skating Olympic gold medal at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen W

Karl Schäfer of Austria wins his 2nd consecutive men’s figure skating Olympic gold medal at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Games in Germany

-60°F (-51°C), Parshall, North Dakota (state record)

IV Winter Olympic Games close in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games (German: IV.

-58°F (-50°C), McIntosh, South Dakota (state record)

NHL record 32 points scored, NY Americans (28) & Mont Maroons (24)

Construction on Ypenburg Netherlands airport begins

1st rocket air mail flight, Greenwood Lake, NY

Dutch swimmer Willy den Ouden sets new women's world 100m freestyle record (1:04.6) in Amsterdam; lasts 22 years until b

Dutch swimmer Willy den Ouden sets new women's world 100m freestyle record (1:04.6) in Amsterdam; lasts 22 years until broken in 1956 by Dawn Fraser of Australia

Karl Schäfer of Austria follows up his Winter Olympics victory with his 7th consecutive men’s figure skating World Champ

Karl Schäfer of Austria follows up his Winter Olympics victory with his 7th consecutive men’s figure skating World Championship title in Paris, France

A strike occurs aboard the S.S. California, leading to the demise of the International Seamen's Union and the creation o

A strike occurs aboard the S.S. California, leading to the demise of the International Seamen's Union and the creation of the National Maritime Union.

Belgium ends Locarno pact

Romanian composer George Enescu's opera "Œdipe", inspired by the mythological tale of "Oedipus the King" premieres in Pa

Romanian composer George Enescu's opera "Œdipe", inspired by the mythological tale of "Oedipus the King" premieres in Paris, with French libretto by Edmond Fleg

Federal Register, 1st magazine of the US government, publishes 1st issue

Italy, Austria & Hungary sign Pact of Rome

The Anti-Comintern Pact, officially the Agreement against the Communist International was an anti-communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan on 25 November 1936 and...

Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Maroons, 1-0 in 16:30 of 6th period of OT; record Stanley Cup playoff game lasts 9 perio

Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Maroons, 1-0 in 16:30 of 6th period of OT; record Stanley Cup playoff game lasts 9 periods (176 minutes)

-inch mirror blank to build the Hale telescope leaves Corning New York for California (then largest telescopic mirror ev

-inch mirror blank to build the Hale telescope leaves Corning New York for California (then largest telescopic mirror ever made)

1st parliamentary debate on NZ radio

WOS-AM in Jefferson City Missouri goes off the air

10,000 watch the 200-inch mirror blank passing through Indianapolis

Tupelo, Mississippi virtually annihilated by a tornado, 216 die

ANP begins telex service in Amsterdam

" mirror blank arrives from Corning Glass Works of New York at Caltech's optical shop in Pasadena, California for use in

" mirror blank arrives from Corning Glass Works of New York at Caltech's optical shop in Pasadena, California for use in Palomar Observatory's Hale Telescope; the work takes 11-1/2 years [1]

First Butlins holiday camp opens in the UK at Ingoldmells, near Skegness

Butlins Skegness (officially Butlins Resort Skegness), formerly Butlin's Skegness or Funcoast World, is a holiday camp located in Ingoldmells near Skegness in Lincolnshire, England.

Ioannis Metaxas becomes Prime Minister of Greece

Ioannis Metaxas was a Greek military officer and politician who was the dictator of Greece from 1936 until his death in 1941.

Irish government authorizes establishment of Aer Lingus (Aerloingeas) as the national airline of the Republic of Ireland

Pan-Am Clipper begins regular passenger flights from San Francisco to Honolulu

First day of the Great Uprising in Palestine, anti-Jewish riots break out

A popular uprising by Palestinian Arabs in Mandatory Palestine against the British administration, known as the Great Revolt, and later the Great Palestinian Revolt or the Palestinian Revolution,...

Jews repel an Arab attack in Petach Tikvah Palestine

1st pro baseball game in Japan is played Nagoya defeats Daitokyo, 8-5

French People's Front win elections

The French Section of the Workers' International (French: Section française de l'Internationale ouvrière, SFIO) was a major social democratic political party in France which was founded in 1905 and...

Pulitzer prize for the novel awarded to Harold L. Davis for "Honey in the Horn"

Edward Ravenscroft patents screw-on bottle cap with a pour lip

Jockey Ralph Neves unexpectedly revived after being declared dead after a fall. His wife faints when he returns to the t

Jockey Ralph Neves unexpectedly revived after being declared dead after a fall. His wife faints when he returns to the track.

1st KLM airplane to land on Bonaire

Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera "Poisoned Kiss" premieres in London

Ralph Vaughan Williams ( RAYF vawn WIL-yəmz; 12 October 1872 – 26 August 1958) was an English composer.

Quiroga government takes office in Spain

First British air hostess, Daphne Kearley, flies to France

Sada Abe is arrested after wandering the streets of Tokyo for days with her dead lover's severed genitals in her hand. H

Sada Abe is arrested after wandering the streets of Tokyo for days with her dead lover's severed genitals in her hand. Her story soon becomes one of Japan's most notorious scandals.

Aer Lingus (Aerloingeas) is incorporated as the national airline of the Republic of Ireland

Dutch bishops forbid membership of Nazi party

The Remington Rand strike, led by the American Federation of Labor, begins

From May 1936 to April 1937, a strike against the Remington Rand company was conducted by a federal union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

1st government of Zealand in Belgium ends

First flight of Irish airline Aer Lingus, a six-seater de Havilland DH.84 Dragon biplane between Baldonnel Airfield in C

First flight of Irish airline Aer Lingus, a six-seater de Havilland DH.84 Dragon biplane between Baldonnel Airfield in Clondalkin, County Dublin and Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport, England

"Lux Radio Theater" moved from NYC to Hollywood

General Anastasio Somoza García takes over as dictator of Nicaragua

Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the geographically largest country in Central America, comprising 130,370 km2 (50,340 sq mi).

Aviation gasoline 1st produced commercially Paulsboro, New Jersey

International Surrealist Exhibition opens in London, England

The International Surrealist Exhibition was held from 11 June to 4 July 1936 at the New Burlington Galleries, near Savile Row in London's Mayfair, England.

1st 50 KW US radio station (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

2nd Belgian government of Van Zealand forms

Oranienburg Concentration Camp opens in Germany

First bicycle traffic court in America established in Racine, Wisconsin

Dutch Prime Minister Hendrikus Colijn denies relation with German call-girl

Harry Froboess dives 110 meters from an airship into Lake Constance at the foot of the Alps and survives

Mary McLeod Bethune named director of Negro Affairs in National Youth Adm

Everett Marshall beats Ali Baba in Columbus, to become wrestling champ

Japanese puppet state of Mengjiang is formed in northern China

Mengjiang, also known as Mengkiang, officially the Mengjiang United Autonomous Government, was an autonomous zone of the Wang Jingwei regime in Inner Mongolia.

40 hour work week law approved for US federal employees

AVRO radio broadcast studios in Hilversum opens

Hilversum is a city and municipality in the province of North Holland, Netherlands. Located in the heart of the Gooi, it is the largest urban centre in that area.

League of Nations ends sanctions against Italy after Italian takeover of Abyssinia

The League of Nations (LN or LoN; French: Société des Nations [sɔsjete de nɑsjɔ̃], SdN) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace.

°F (49°C), Gannvalley, South Dakota (state record)

°F (46°C), Moorhead, Minnesota (state record)

American businessman Henry F. Phillips receives patents for a new "cross-recessed" screw, and the new screwdriver needed

American businessman Henry F. Phillips receives patents for a new "cross-recessed" screw, and the new screwdriver needed to make it work

°F (43°C) Cumberland and Frederick, Maryland (state record)

Frederick is a city in and the county seat of Frederick County, Maryland, United States.

Triborough Bridge linking Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens opens

The Bronx–Whitestone Bridge (colloquially referred to as the Whitestone Bridge or simply the Whitestone) is a suspension bridge in New York City, carrying six lanes of Interstate 678 over the East...

°F (44°C) is recorded in Mio, Michigan (state record)

Mio is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County.

°F (47°C) recorded in Collegeville, Indiana (state record)

Indiana ( IN-dee-AN-ə) is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and...

Dutch Second Chamber agrees to temporarily increase defense budget

First X-ray photo of arterial circulation in Rochester, NY

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johnny Moore hits 3 straight home runs in a 16-4 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates

°F (48°C) recorded in Minden, Nebraska (state record)

Minden is a city in Kearney County, Nebraska, United States. The city serves as the county seat of Kearney County. The population was 3,118 at the 2020 census.

-acre Orchard Beach opens in the Bronx

International communist conference members in Prague arrange create International Brigades to help the Republican Govern

International communist conference members in Prague arrange create International Brigades to help the Republican Government in the Spanish Civil War

IOC awards Tokyo, Japan, the 1940 Summer Olympic Games, which are later canceled due to the Second Sino-Japanese War

Benjamin Mays named president of Morehouse College

Benjamin Elijah Mays (August 1, 1894 – March 28, 1984) was an American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who is credited with laying the intellectual foundations of the American civil rights...

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.

American athlete Forrest Towns runs a world record of 14.1 in the semi-finals of the 110 m hurdles at the Berlin Olympic

American athlete Forrest Towns runs a world record of 14.1 in the semi-finals of the 110 m hurdles at the Berlin Olympics; he can't match the time in the final but wins the gold medal

A Finnish quinella in the 5,000 m final at the Berlin Olympics: Gunnar Höckert runs an Olympic record to beat teammate L

A Finnish quinella in the 5,000 m final at the Berlin Olympics: Gunnar Höckert runs an Olympic record to beat teammate Lauri Lehtinen

A Finnish quinella in the 3,000 m steeplechase at the Berlin Olympics as Volmari Iso-Hollo beats teammate Kaarlo Tuomine

A Finnish quinella in the 3,000 m steeplechase at the Berlin Olympics as Volmari Iso-Hollo beats teammate Kaarlo Tuominen in a world record time of 9:03.8

Helen Stephens claims the women's sprint double at the Berlin Olympics, winning the 100 m and participating as part of t

Helen Stephens claims the women's sprint double at the Berlin Olympics, winning the 100 m and participating as part of the victorious American 4 x 100 m relay team

°F (46°C) recorded in Plain Dealing, Louisiana (state record)

Plain Dealing is a town in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 893 in 2020. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area.

°F (49°C) in Seymour, Texas (state record)

Seymour is a city in and the county seat of Baylor County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,575 as of the 2020 Census.

Americans Dorothy Poynton-Hill and Velma Dunn take the gold and silver medals in the 10 m platform diving at the Berlin

Americans Dorothy Poynton-Hill and Velma Dunn take the gold and silver medals in the 10 m platform diving at the Berlin Olympics

American swimmers Adolph Kiefer and Al Vande Weghe quinella the 100 m backstroke at the Berlin Olympics

Americans make a clean sweep of the 3m diving medals with Marjorie Gestring, Katherine Rawls, and Dorothy Poynton-Hill a

Americans make a clean sweep of the 3m diving medals with Marjorie Gestring, Katherine Rawls, and Dorothy Poynton-Hill at the Berlin Olympics

The Berlin Olympic equestrian competition concludes with Germany winning all 6 gold medals in an unprecedented team achi

The Berlin Olympic equestrian competition concludes with Germany winning all 6 gold medals in an unprecedented team achievement

An unemployed worker, Niels B. Ruud in Madison, Wisconsin, receives the first unemployment benefit check paid under a st

An unemployed worker, Niels B. Ruud in Madison, Wisconsin, receives the first unemployment benefit check paid under a state law for $15

Trial against Lev Kamenev and Grigory Zinoviev for "Trotskyism" opens in Moscow

Grigory Yevseyevich Zinoviev (born Ovsei-Gershon Aronovich Radomyslsky; 23 September [O.S. 11 September] 1883 – 25 August 1936) was a Russian revolutionary and Soviet politician.

Australian Antarctic Territory is created

Odorless cornstarch is patented in the US by Ralph W. Kerr

Belgian boxer Gustave Roth beats Heinz Lazek of Austria in a 15 round points decision to win the EBU and vacant IBU worl

Belgian boxer Gustave Roth beats Heinz Lazek of Austria in a 15 round points decision to win the EBU and vacant IBU world light heavyweight title in Vienna

First transatlantic "ping-pong" round-trip air flight from New York to England and back begins, piloted by Dick Merrill

First transatlantic "ping-pong" round-trip air flight from New York to England and back begins, piloted by Dick Merrill with Harry Richman

British-Kenyan aviator Beryl Markham takes off from Abingdon in England on a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean and c

British-Kenyan aviator Beryl Markham takes off from Abingdon in England on a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean and crash-lands at Baleine Cove on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, becoming the first woman to make the east-west trip [1]

New York Yankees beat Cleveland Indians, 12-9 at League Park to clinch AL pennant on the earliest date in history

A's pitcher Horace Lisenbee gives up 26 hits in a game

Pittsburgh Pirates' future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner ties Rogers Hornsby's NL record of 200 MLB hits f

Pittsburgh Pirates' future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner ties Rogers Hornsby's NL record of 200 MLB hits for 7th time

Joe Medwick sets a National League record with his 64th double

Boston Redskins and Brooklyn Dodgers play one of only four penalty-free games in NFL history; Boston wins 14-3 at Ebbets

Boston Redskins and Brooklyn Dodgers play one of only four penalty-free games in NFL history; Boston wins 14-3 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn

First baseman Walter Alston plays in his only major league game for St. Louis Cardinals and later manages Brooklyn/Los A

First baseman Walter Alston plays in his only major league game for St. Louis Cardinals and later manages Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 years

Bachelor's Children debuts on CBS Radio at 9:45 am

Radio is used for the first time in a presidential campaign

Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 3, 1936. In the midst of the Great Depression, the Democratic ticket of incumbent President Franklin D.

International Commission of Straits (Dardanelles & Bosphorus) ends

The (Montreux) Convention regarding the Regime of the Straits, often known simply as the Montreux Convention, is an international agreement governing the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits in Turkey.

Amsterdam's Calvinist churches reject Nazism

Italian lire devalued

The Jarrow March sets off for London

The Jarrow March of 5–31 October 1936, also known as the Jarrow Crusade, was an organised protest against the unemployment and poverty suffered in the English town of Jarrow during the 1930s.

The 7th-place Brooklyn Dodgers fire manager Casey Stengel

Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel (July 30, 1890 – September 29, 1975) was an American Major League Baseball right fielder and manager, best known as the manager of the championship New York Yankees of...

"Professor Quiz" first radio quiz show premieres

Explosion caused by leaking gas rips out section 12 of Cleve Stadium

H.R. Ekins of "NY World-Telegram" beats two other reporters in a race around the world on commercial flights, completing

H.R. Ekins of "NY World-Telegram" beats two other reporters in a race around the world on commercial flights, completing his journey in 18½ days

Carl Hubbell, with a 26-6 record, edges out Dizzy Dean, who has a 24-13 record, for MVP honors in the NL

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines formed

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) is the national scouting organization of the Philippines in the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

RCA displays TV for press

Battle of Madrid begins

The siege of Madrid was a two-and-a-half-year siege of the Republican-controlled Spanish capital city of Madrid by the Nationalist armies, under General Francisco Franco, during the Spanish Civil War...

Albanian government of Frasheri falls

Nazi-Germany & Japan sign Anti-Komintern pact

The Anti-Comintern Pact, officially the Agreement against the Communist International was an anti-communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan on 25 November 1936 and...

German air force begins bombing of Madrid

Edgar Bergen and dummy Charlie McCarthy become an overnight success on radio

1st issue of Life picture magazine created by Henry R. Luce published

Life (stylized as LIFE) is an American news magazine. Life was launched in 1936 as a weekly publication, in 1972 it transitioned to publishing "special" issues before returning as a monthly from 1978...

German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for uncovering German re-armament

Germany & Japan sign anti-Komintern pact

The Anti-Comintern Pact, officially the Agreement against the Communist International was an anti-communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan on 25 November 1936 and...

Spanish comic playwright Pedro Muñoz Seca comments, "I am starting to believe you are not intending to count me among yo

Spanish comic playwright Pedro Muñoz Seca comments, "I am starting to believe you are not intending to count me among your friends!" before his execution by the Republican army

London's Crystal Palace, built in 1851, is destroyed by a fire

2nd Heisman Trophy Award: Larry Kelley, Yale end

Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Georgian SSR, Kazakh SSR & Kirghiz SSR becomes constituent republics of Soviet Union

The Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, also known as Soviet Kazakhstan, the Kazakh SSR, KSSR, or simply Kazakhstan, was one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union (USSR) from 1936 to 1991.

Anastasio Somoza García elected President of Nicaragua

Anastasio Somoza García (1 February 1896 – 29 September 1956) was the leader of Nicaragua from 1936 until his assassination in 1956.

AL OKs night baseball for St Louis

Britain replaces King Edward VIII stamp series with King George VI

Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine.

NFL Draft: Sam Francis from University of Nebraska first pick by Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles, a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1933 as a replacement team for the Frankford Yellow Jackets, after...

KVL-AM in Seattle Washington changes call letters to KEEN (now KING)

John Monks and Fred Finklehoff's play "Brother Rat" premieres in New York City

Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and dummy Charlie McCarthy appear on TV

Edgar John Bergen (né Berggren; February 16, 1903 – September 30, 1978) was an American ventriloquist, comedian, actor, vaudevillian and radio performer.

Queensland cricket all out for 49 v Vic, Fleetwood-Smith 7-17

Leslie O'Brien "Chuck" Fleetwood-Smith (30 March 1908 – 16 March 1971) was a cricketer who played for Victoria and Australia.

First common carrier license is issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Colombia becomes a signatory to the Buenos Aires copyright treaty

Belgian bishops condemn fascism & communism

Israel's Philarmonic Orchestra forms

Famous Births

Roger Miller is born

Roger Miller, American musician, known for american country musician, was born on 1936-01-02. Roger Dean Miller Sr.

Darlene Hard is born

Darlene Hard, American athlete, known for american tennis player, was born on 1936-01-06.

Stephen E. Ambrose is born

Stephen E. Ambrose, American historian and writer, known for american historian and writer, was born on 1936-01-10.

Ziaur Rahman is born

Edward Feigenbaum is born

Samuel C. C. Ting is born

Alan Alda is born

Alan Alda, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1936-01-28. Alan Alda is an American actor and filmmaker.

Bob Simpson is born

Burt Reynolds is born

Burt Reynolds actor, known for american actor, was born on 1936-02-11. Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 – September 6, 2018) was an American actor most famous during the 1970s and '80s.

Jim Brown is born

Jim Brown, American athlete, known for american football player and actor, was born on 1936-02-17.

Sally Jessy Raphael is born

Henri Richard is born

Henri Richard, Canadian athlete, known for canadian ice hockey player, was born on 1936-02-29.

Jim Clark is born

Jim Clark, British athlete, known for british racing driver, was born on 1936-03-04.

Judd Hirsch is born

Judd Hirsch, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1936-03-15. Judd Seymore Hirsch is an American actor.

Vaughn Meader is born

Vaughn Meader, American musician, known for american comedian, musician, and impressionist, was born on 1936-03-20.

Carol Kaye is born

Carol Kaye, American musician, known for american bass guitarist, was born on 1936-03-24. Carol Kaye is an American musician.

Alex Olmedo is born

Alex Olmedo, American athlete, known for peruvian tennis player, was born on 1936-03-24.

Mahmoud Abbas is born

Mario Vargas Llosa is born

Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian peruvian novelist and writer, known for peruvian novelist and writer, was born on 1936-03-28.

Herb Alpert is born

Herb Alpert, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1936-03-31.

John Madden is born

John Madden, American athlete, known for american football coach and announcer, was born on 1936-04-10.

Bob Cleary is born

Glen Campbell is born

Glen Campbell, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1936-04-22. Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American country musician and actor.

Roy Orbison is born

Roy Orbison, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1936-04-23.

Albert Finney is born

Albert Finney, English actor, known for english actor, was born on 1936-05-09. Albert Finney (9 May 1936 – 7 February 2019) was an English actor.

Glenda Jackson is born

Glenda Jackson, English actress and politician, known for english actress and politician, was born on 1936-05-09. Glenda May Jackson (9 May 1936 – 15 June 2023) was an English actress and politician.

Tom Snyder is born

Tom Snyder, American television and radio personality, known for american television and radio personality, was born on 1936-05-12.

Dennis Hopper is born

Dennis Hopper, American actor and filmmaker, known for american actor and filmmaker, was born on 1936-05-17.

Colin Meads is born

Kris Kristofferson is born

Kris Kristofferson, American singer and actor, known for american singer and actor, was born on 1936-06-22.

Harmon Killebrew is born

Harmon Killebrew athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1936-06-29. Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr.

Tenzin Gyatso is born

Tenley Albright is born

Don Drysdale is born

Don Drysdale, American athlete, known for american baseball player and broadcaster, was born on 1936-07-23.

Robert Redford is born

Robert Redford actor and director, known for american actor and director, was born on 1936-08-18. Charles Robert Redford Jr.

Wilt Chamberlain is born

Wilt Chamberlain, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 1936-08-21.

John McCain is born

John McCain, American politician and naval officer, known for american politician and naval officer, was born on 1936-08-29.

Buddy Holly is born

Buddy Holly, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1936-09-07.

Ashley Cooper is born

Al Oerter is born

Al Oerter athlete, known for american track & field athlete, was born on 1936-09-19. Alfred Oerter Jr.

Bruce Crampton is born

Julie Andrews is born

Julie Andrews, English actress, singer and author, known for british actress, singer and author, was born on 1936-10-01. Dame Julie Andrews is an English actress, singer and author.

Václav Havel is born

Václav Havel, Czech last president of czechoslovakia and first president of the czech republic, known for last president of czechoslovakia and first president of the czech republic, was born on…

James Bevel is born

James Bevel, American 1960s civil rights movement strategist, known for 1960s civil rights movement strategist, was born on 1936-10-19.

Charles Koch is born

Charles Koch, American businessman and philanthropist, known for american businessman and philanthropist, was born on 1936-11-01.

Gary Player is born

Gary Player, South African athlete, known for south african professional golfer, was born on 1936-11-01.

Mary Travers is born

Mary Travers, American musician, known for american folk singer, was born on 1936-11-09.

Woody Allen is born

Woody Allen, American filmmaker, writer and actor, known for american filmmaker, writer and actor, was born on 1936-11-30. Woody Allen is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and comedian.

Ray Nitschke is born

Ray Nitschke, American athlete, known for american football player, was born on 1936-12-29.

Sandy Koufax is born

Sandy Koufax, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1936-12-30.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is born

Notable Deaths

Rudyard Kipling dies

Rudyard Kipling, English writer and poet, known for english writer and poet, died on 1936-01-18.

George V dies

Eleftherios Venizelos dies