Design and Key Events of the 1930s

T I M E L I N E

1930

Censorship to films heighten and revised

Frozen Food commercialized

Pluto is discovered

1931

Empire State Building opened

Star-Spangled Banner approved as national anthem

Whitney Museum of American Art opens in NYC

1932 

Hans Hofmann comes to the US from Germany (influential artist)

Bonus Army march in DC (WWI veterans demand early cash payment of their services)

1933

Ford introduces Model B (V8 engine at a low price)

New Deal (3 r’s: relief, recovery, reform) established by FDR

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps for men)

PWA (Public Works Administration)

NRA (National Recovery Administration)

21^st Amendment ends prohibition (alcohol) 

1934

Dust Bowl begins

Federal Housing Administration

Indian Reorganization Act

1935

            Works Progress Administration

FBI is established

Social Security Act

Alcoholics Anonymous formed

Revenue Act (taxes raised)

1936

Life magazine publishes first issue

Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange

1937

LOOK magazine publishes first issue

  Hindenburg disaster (airship explosion)

Panay Incident (Japanese attack on US Navy gunboat outside of Nanjing)

  Golden Gate Bridge completed in SF

Snow White is released

1938

Fair Labor Standards Act

Hatch Act (aimed at corrupt political practices)

Orson Welles The War of the Worlds broadcasted on radio (alien invasion scare)

1939

Nazi Germany invades Poland, WWII begins

Golden Gate Bridge International Exhibition

NYC World’s Fair

FDR first president to give a speech broadcasted on television

I n t r o d u c t i o n

• National identity very important to establish
• Entertainment provided relief
• “American Scene” mural art promoted 
• Cartoon art, advertisements: political, social commentary
• Radio broadcasts
• Film industry growing
• Photography booming
• Architecture and urban design expansion