World Events in 1932
Franklin Roosevelt Elected President
In November, Roosevelt defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover in a massive landslide, carrying 42 of 48 states. His promise of a 'New Deal' for Americans offered hope to a nation mired in the worst economic crisis in its history.
Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping
On 1 March, the 20-month-old son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped from the family home in New Jersey. The child's body was found in May, and the case became the most sensational crime story of the decade, dubbed the 'crime of the century'.
Amelia Earhart's Transatlantic Flight
On 20 May, Amelia Earhart landed in Northern Ireland after a solo flight from Newfoundland, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. The 14-hour-56-minute journey cemented her status as the world's most famous female aviator.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Opens
On 19 March, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was officially opened after eight years of construction. At 1,149 metres long, the steel arch bridge connected Sydney's north and south shores and became an instant icon of Australia.
Bonus Army March on Washington
In summer, over 40,000 World War I veterans and their families camped in Washington DC demanding early payment of service bonuses. General MacArthur used troops and tanks to disperse them, causing a public relations disaster for President Hoover.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Founded
On 23 September, Ibn Saud unified the regions of Hejaz and Nejd to proclaim the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new nation controlled Islam's holiest sites and would later become fabulously wealthy from its vast oil reserves.
Music in 1932
"The Sun Has Got His Hat On"
Ambrose and His Orchestra
This cheerful novelty song became a huge hit in Depression-era Britain, its relentless optimism providing a tonic for the national mood. Ambrose's orchestra was one of the most popular dance bands on the BBC.
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"
Bing Crosby
Perhaps the defining song of the Great Depression, Bing Crosby's version of this Yip Harburg composition gave voice to the despair of millions of unemployed Americans. It became an unofficial anthem of the era.
#1 Film of 1932
Grand Hotel
Box Office: $2.6 million
MGM's star-studded ensemble drama featuring Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, and Joan Crawford won the Best Picture Oscar. Garbo's famous line 'I want to be alone' entered the cultural lexicon from this film.
Born in 1932
Elizabeth Taylor
Actress — Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; two-time Oscar winner
Sylvia Plath
Poet and novelist — The Bell Jar, Ariel
Omar Sharif
Actor — Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago
Johnny Cash
Country music legend — Ring of Fire, Walk the Line, the 'Man in Black'
Glenn Gould
Canadian pianist celebrated for his interpretations of Bach's Goldberg Variations
Lost in 1932
Edgar Wallace
Prolific thriller writer and co-creator of the King Kong screenplay
Age 56
John Philip Sousa
Composer and conductor — 'The Stars and Stripes Forever', the 'March King'
Age 77
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
Broadway impresario famous for the Ziegfeld Follies
Age 65
Technology in 1932
The Chadwick discovery of the neutron transformed nuclear physics. Radio remained king, but early television experiments accelerated. Commercial aviation grew with airlines like Imperial Airways connecting the British Empire. The first polaroid filters were developed.
- ● James Chadwick discovers the neutron at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge
- ● Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
- ● Sydney Harbour Bridge opens, the world's widest long-span bridge
- ● Edwin Land develops the first synthetic polarising filters
Cost of Living in 1932
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £530 | $3,900 |
| Average salary | £180 | $1,141 |
| Pint of milk | 2d | $0.06 |
| Loaf of bread | 3d | $0.07 |
| Dozen eggs | 1s | $0.29 |
| Pint of beer | 5d | $0.15 |
| Cinema ticket | 6d | $0.20 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1932
This was the darkest year of the Depression: US unemployment peaked near 25%, and the Jarrow marchers in Britain highlighted mass poverty. Desperation fuelled political radicalism on both left and right across Europe. Yet radio and cinema continued to offer cheap escape, with musicals and comedies drawing record audiences.
In the News in 1932
Franklin Roosevelt won a landslide presidential election. The Lindbergh baby kidnapping shocked America. Sydney Harbour Bridge opened. Amelia Earhart flew solo across the Atlantic.