What Happened This Year 1938

Historical Events from This Year 1938

Education & Academia

Exclusion of Jewish Children from Schools

November 15th, 1938 86 years ago

Following Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime implemented a ban that prohibited Jewish children from attending public schools across Germany. This policy was part of a broader strategy to systematically isolate and disenfranchise Jewish people in the nation. With the educational system now closed to Jewish youth, their access to future opportunities diminished significantly, marking a critical step in the oppressive measures taken against the Jewish community in Nazi Germany.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

LSD Synthesized by Albert Hofmann

November 16th, 1938 86 years ago

Albert Hofmann first synthesized LSD from ergotamine at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland. This chemical compound later became widely known for its psychoactive properties. The synthesis was part of Hofmann’s research into derivatives of ergot, a fungus that affects rye. Little did Hofmann know that this discovery would lead to significant scientific interest in psychedelic substances.

Continue Reading
Economics & Industry

Decree on Jewish Property Utilization Issued

December 3rd, 1938 86 years ago

On December 3, 1938, Nazi Germany enacted a decree compelling Jews to sell their properties, businesses, and stocks at prices significantly below market value in an effort to further the Aryanization process. This legislation aimed to expropriate Jewish assets and reinforce the economic marginalization of Jewish communities across Germany. The decree marked another crucial step in the escalating persecution leading up to World War II, deepening the financial distress faced by Jews in Germany.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Neuengamme Concentration Camp Opens

December 13th, 1938 86 years ago

The Neuengamme concentration camp opened in Hamburg, Germany, creating a facility aimed at detaining political prisoners and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime. Set up in a disused brickyard, the camp began receiving its first inmates shortly after its establishment, with the purpose of exploiting their labor for the German war industry. The conditions within the camp quickly became harsh, as the Nazis sought to dehumanize and control those they imprisoned. Over the years, Neuengamme grew into a major center of forced labor, reflecting the brutal tactics employed by the Nazi regime during this period.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

Otto Hahn's Discovery of Nuclear Fission

December 17th, 1938 86 years ago

Otto Hahn and his research team discovered nuclear fission in uranium. This groundbreaking finding occurred in Berlin, where they conducted experiments that revealed how uranium atoms split into lighter elements when bombarded with neutrons. This discovery was crucial for understanding and harnessing nuclear energy, marking a pivotal moment in atomic physics.

Continue Reading