Historical Events tagged with "great depression"
Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.
Formation of the Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 to provide jobs for millions of Americans suffering from the Great Depression. The WPA aimed to create public works projects that would build infrastructure and offer employment opportunities. It became one of the largest and most ambitious programs of the New Deal, significantly impacting the U.S. economy and labor market.
Continue ReadingFBI Shootout with Pretty Boy Floyd
Pretty Boy Floyd, a notorious bank robber, was shot and killed by FBI agents in East Liverpool, Ohio. This confrontation arose from Floyd's escalation in criminal activities and his growing reputation as a public enemy. The shootout resulted in his death, marking a significant action in the government's fight against organized crime during the Great Depression era.
Continue ReadingTear Gas Used on Striking Longshoremen in Seattle
In Seattle, approximately 2,000 longshoremen participated in a waterfront strike demanding better working conditions. Law enforcement responded to the escalating tensions by deploying tear gas and using clubs against the striking workers. Simultaneously, the governor of Oregon ordered the National Guard to intervene at the Portland docks to restore order amid the ongoing labor conflict.
Continue ReadingRoosevelt Signs Federal Credit Union Act
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act to promote financial cooperation and inclusivity. This legislation was designed to support the establishment of credit unions across the United States and to provide a safe, community-based alternative to traditional banking. It aimed to serve those with limited access to financial services, addressing the needs of Americans affected by the Great Depression. The Act laid the foundation for the modern credit union system.
Continue ReadingRoosevelt Signs the Securities Exchange Act
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 into law, creating the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This landmark legislation aimed to restore investor confidence following the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. The SEC was tasked with regulating the securities industry and enforcing federal securities laws. Roosevelt's efforts were part of his broader New Deal policies designed to address economic recovery and reform financial practices in the United States.
Continue ReadingBattle of Toledo: Workers Clash with National Guard
The Auto-Lite strike in Toledo escalated into violent confrontations, known as the 'Battle of Toledo,' between approximately 1,300 Ohio National Guard troops and around 6,000 striking workers. This five-day conflict emerged as a culmination of local tensions surrounding labor rights, industry practices, and rising unemployment during the Great Depression. Strikers sought better wages and working conditions against the backdrop of economic despair, leading to a historic showdown in the streets of Toledo, Ohio.
Continue ReadingExport-Import Bank of the United States Established
The Export-Import Bank of the United States was incorporated to facilitate international trade by providing financial assistance. Established during the Great Depression, its main goal was to support U.S. exports by offering loans and insurance to American companies involved in commerce with foreign markets. This incorporation aimed to combat the economic downturn and stimulate job creation and growth in the U.S. economy, enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses abroad.
Continue ReadingAlcatraz Island becomes federal prison
Alcatraz Island was officially designated as a United States federal prison in 1934, marking a significant shift in its use from a military reservation to a high-security correctional facility. It became known for housing some of the most notorious criminals of the time, including Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly. The prison was chosen for its isolated location in San Francisco Bay, which made escape attempts exceedingly difficult. The transition to a federal prison was part of a broader effort to reform the American prison system during the Great Depression, responding to a national crisis in crime and law enforcement.
Continue ReadingRoosevelt Launches Civil Works Administration
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt unveiled the Civil Works Administration (CWA) to provide temporary employment to millions of jobless Americans. Announced as part of the New Deal, the CWA was designed to alleviate the economic distress during the Great Depression by creating jobs focused on public works projects. Over four million unemployed individuals were expected to benefit from this initiative.
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