February 18
February 18
Toni Morrison’s birthday
Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize‑winning novelist, is born this day in 1931 in Lorain, Ohio. Morrison was born Chloe Anthony Wofford to a welder father and homemaker mother. She graduated from…
A Year In History: 1931
This Year in History:
1931
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
February 28
February 28
Basketball coaching legend Dean Smith born
On February 28, 1931, legendary college basketball coach Dean Smith is born in Emporia, Kansas. Smith retired in 1997 with 879 wins, making him the most successful coach in college…
March 3
March 3
“The Star‑Spangled Banner” becomes official U.S. national anthem
President Herbert Hoover signs a congressional act making “The Star‑Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States. On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics to…
March 19
March 19
Nevada legalizes gambling
In an attempt to lift the state out of the hard times of the Great Depression, the Nevada state legislature votes to legalize gambling. Located in the Great Basin desert,…
March 31
March 31
Knute Rockne, Studebaker namesake, dies
On this day in 1931, Knute Rockne, the legendary Notre Dame football coach and namesake of the Studebaker Rockne line of autos, is killed in a plane crash near Bazaar,…
April 11
April 11
Dorothy Parker announces she is resigning as drama critic for “The New Yorker”
The witty and caustic Dorothy Parker resigns her job as drama critic for The New Yorker. However, she continued to write book reviews until 1933, which were published in 1971…
May 1
May 1
Herbert Hoover dedicates Empire State Building
On this day in 1931, President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates New York City’s Empire State Building and presses a button that turns on the building’s electrical lights. Hoover was not…
May 1
May 1
Empire State Building dedicated
On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates New York City’s Empire State Building, pressing a button from the White House that turns on the building’s lights. Hoover’s gesture,…
July 10
July 10
Alice Munro is born
Canadian short story writer Alice Munro is born in Wingham, Ontario, on this day in 1931. Munro was raised on a fox and turkey farm. Her parents encouraged her to…
July 14
July 14
South Dakota governor begs for federal assistance over grasshopper plague
On July 14, 1931, Governor Warren Green of South Dakota makes an urgent plea to President Herbert Hoover for assistance for his state’s farmers, whose lives and livelihoods were being…
August 13
August 13
Novelist and screenwriter William Goldman is born
William Goldman, novelist, screenwriter and playwright, is born on this day in Chicago, the younger brother of writer James Goldman. Both brothers will prove to be highly versatile writers, penning…
August 25
August 25
Yangtze River peaks in Gaoyou, China, killing more than 10,000
On August 25, 1931, after months of torrential flooding, levees around the city of Gaoyou, China, break and the Yangtze River overflows, killing between 10,000 and 15,000 in a single…
September 10
September 10
Crime boss Salvatore Maranazano is murdered
Crime boss Salvatore Maranzano is shot and stabbed to death in New York City by four men working for Charles “Lucky” Luciano, one of the flashiest figures in organized crime.…
September 15
September 15
Athletics clinch pennant
On September 15, 1931, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians to clinch their third consecutive American League pennant. The win was the ninth and final American League championship of…
October 17
October 17
Al Capone convicted of tax evasion
On October 17, 1931, gangster Al Capone is convicted of tax evasion, signaling the downfall of one of the most notorious criminals of the 1920s and 1930s. He was later…
October 17
October 17
This Day in History Video: What Happened on October 17
In this “This Day in History” video clip learn about different events that have occurred on October 17th. Some of the events include Einstein comes to the United States and…
October 18
October 18
Thomas Edison dies
Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history, dies in West Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 84. Born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847, Edison received…
October 19
October 19
John le Carre is born
David Cornwell, later known as spy novelist John le Carre, is born on this day in Poole, England. Le Carre’s father was a charming, dishonest con man who ran up…
October 24
October 24
George Washington Bridge is dedicated
On October 24, 1931, eight months ahead of schedule, New York governor Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River. The 4,760‑foot–long suspension bridge, the longest…
November 21
November 21
USC ends Notre Dame winning streak
On November 21, 1931, the University of Southern California surprises Notre Dame with a last‑minute game‑winning field goal at the new Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. The victory won…
