Mirabilis Member Years

1930

Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, the highest and one of the most damaging in American history. President Hoover, though opposed, was pressured by his Republican Party to sign it.

1931

The Star Spangled Banner adopted as the National Anthem of the United States

A “dust bowl” devastated the American southwest; 27 states were affected.

1932

Democrat Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) of New York elected President.

1933

The “Blain Act” ended prohibition in America.

FDR declared a bank holiday and began instituting the “New Deal,” his plan to restore the American economy based on federal government intervention and competition with free enterprise. New government jobs programs begun.

1934

John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde Barrow, Pretty Boy Floyd all involved in crime sprees in various states and all eventually killed or captured by lawmen.

1935

Social Security Act signed into law by FDR, bringing millions of more dollars into Federal coffers.

First of the Neutrality Acts passed, distancing the United States from any intervention in European affairs.

1936

FDR reelected President in a landslide.

The Spanish Civil War erupted; the U.S. remained neutral but American communists formed the “Abraham Lincoln Brigade” and traveled to Spain. Many of them died in the war; the communists were defeated.

1937

In response to the Supreme Court’s declaring New Deal programs unconstitutional, FDR threatens to pack the court with Democratic partisans who will approve of his government expansion projects. Although Congress and the court register disapproval of the threat, the Supremes ceased opposing FDR’s measures.

1938

FDR signed in to law the “Minimum Wage Act,” as the federal government forced the private sector to conform to further controls on business.

FDR asserted that should Hitler invade Czechoslovakia, the United States would remain neutral and would not join a coalition to restrict German aggression.

1939

Germany invaded Poland, World War II began, and the United States declared neutrality.