Historical Events in April 1939

Event of Interest

Apr 1 US recognizes Francisco Franco's government in Spain at end of Spanish civil war. Pope Pius XII congratulates Generalissimo Franco's victory in Spain

Spanish Dictator and General Francisco Franco — Spanish Dictator and General
Francisco Franco

260th Pope Pius XII — 260th Pope
Pius XII

US Masters Golf

Apr 2 6th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Ralph Guldahl wins his only Masters title with a tournament record 279 (−9), 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Sam Snead

Apr 4 Faisal II ascends to throne of Iraq
Apr 5 Membership of Hitler Youth becomes obligatory
Apr 6 Great Britain & Poland sign military pact
Apr 6 US & UK agree on joint control of Canton & Enderbury Is (Pacific)
Apr 7 Italy invades Albania
Apr 8 ACV soccer team forms in Axes
Apr 8 King Zog I of Albania flees

Event of Interest

Apr 9 Marian Anderson sings before 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Singer Marian Anderson — Singer
Marian Anderson

Apr 10 Colijn's Dutch government opens camp Westerbork for German Jews
Apr 10 Grens mobilization due to Italian invasion in Albania
Apr 11 Hungary leaves League of Nations
Apr 13 W Saroyan's "My Heart's in the Highlands" premieres in NYC
Apr 13 The Hindustani Lal Sena (Indian Red Army) is formed and vows to engage in armed struggle against the British.

Historic Publication

Apr 14 John Steinbeck novel "The Grapes of Wrath" published

Author John Steinbeck — Author
John Steinbeck

Apr 15 Albert Lebrun elected president of France

Agreement of Interest

Apr 16 The Soviet Union proposes an alliance with Britain and France to counter Nazi Germany; the Soviets would later sign a secret agreement with the Nazis

Soviet General Secretary Joseph Stalin — Soviet General Secretary
Joseph Stalin

Apr 16 Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: Boston Bruins beat Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-1 for a 4-1 series win; first best-of-7 SC Final series

Boxing Title Fight

Apr 17 Joe Louis KOs Jack Roper in 1 for heavyweight boxing title

Boxer and World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis — Boxer and World Heavyweight Champion
Joe Louis

Apr 17 SN Behrman's "No Time for Comedy" premieres in NYC
Apr 17 43rd Boston Marathon won by Ellison Brown in 2:28:51.8; his second victory in the event