What Happened in 1931

Important Events

  • May 1 Empire State Building opens in New York City
  • Jun 12 Al Capone is indicted on 5,000 counts of prohibition and perjury
  • Sep 18 To create a pretext for the invasion of Manchuria, China, a railway explosion is faked by the Japanese
  • Oct 18 American gangster Al Capone convicted of tax evasion
  • Nov 7 Chinese People's Republic proclaimed by Mao Zedong
  • Dec 11 Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland (Free State), and Newfoundland (not then part of Canada)
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1931 in Film & TV

  • Jan 30 "City Lights", American silent romantic comedy film directed by Charlie Chaplin, starring himself and Virginia Cherrill, premieres at Los Angeles Theater
  • Feb 14 The original "Dracula" film starring Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire, is released
  • Mar 14 1st theater built for rear movie projection (NYC)
  • Sep 2 Bing Crosby makes his solo radio debut

1931 in Music

Did You Know?

Gangster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years for tax evasion

On October 24, 1931

Famous People Born in 1931

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World Leaders in 1931

Famous People in 1931

Would You Believe?

Arkansas legislature passes motion to pray for soul of journalist H. L. Mencken, after he calls the state the "apex of moronia"

On February 3, 1931

Famous Weddings

Famous Divorces

  • Nov 9 Actress Gloria Swanson (32) divorces aristocrat Henri de la Falaise (33) after 6 years of marriage
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Famous Deaths

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