The 1930s in five headlines

1930

Mahatma Gandhi began his famous Salt March on 12 March 1930, walking 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi to protest the British salt tax. On 6 April he picked up a handful of salt from the beach, breaking the law and triggering mass civil disobedience across India. The march drew international attention to the Indian independence movement.

1933

The 1932-33 Ashes series saw England captain Douglas Jardine deploy Harold Larwood to bowl directly at Australian batsmen's bodies, a tactic dubbed 'Bodyline'. The strategy was devastatingly effective, winning England the series 4-1, but caused a diplomatic crisis between Britain and Australia. The controversy led to changes in cricket's laws and strained Commonwealth relations for years.

1935

Greta Garbo starred in the MGM film adaptation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina in 1935, earning widespread critical praise. The film was directed by Clarence Brown and also starred Fredric March. Garbo's portrayal of the tragic heroine was regarded as one of the finest performances of the decade and the film was a major box office success.

1937

On May 6, 1937, the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed while attempting to dock at Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. The disaster killed 36 of the 97 people aboard and one member of the ground crew. Radio reporter Herbert Morrison's emotional live broadcast — including the phrase 'Oh, the humanity!' — made it one of the most memorable disasters of the era.

1939

The Wizard of Oz premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on 15 August 1939, showcasing the dramatic contrast between its sepia Kansas scenes and the vivid Technicolor world of Oz. Judy Garland's performance, particularly her rendition of Over the Rainbow, made her a global star. The film has since become one of the most watched and beloved movies in cinema history.