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In 1932 the economy continued to deteriorate and unemployment increased further in 1932 to 24.1% , there were few jobs and many ordinary Americans were forced into living in the streets or in old cars. Towards the end of the year in November the American voter used the power of Democracy to show Herbert Hoover what they thought of his term of presidency during these bad times and voted strongly in favor of Franklin D Roosevelt by 472 electoral votes to 59. Around the world changes also occurred when the British jailed the Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi , also in Britain the first ever splitting of the Atom occurred , and in Russia major problems with the agricultural policy caused mass starvation and death.



How Much things cost in 1932
Average Cost of new house $6,510.00
Average wages per year $1,650.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents
Average Cost for house rent $18.00 per month
A loaf of Bread 7 cents
A LB of Hamburger Meat 10 cents
New Car Average Price $610.00

Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Stirling

Average House Price 540


Popular Culture

  • Tarzan the Ape Man opens, with Olympic gold medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller in the title role


  • Some of the most famous names in Hollywood star in films made this year below is just an example


  • Spencer Tracy , Bette Davis , Jean Harlow , Bing Crosby , John Wayne , Marlene Dietrich


  • Joan Crawford , Boris Karloff , Clarke Gable , Edward G. Robinson


  • Just a couple of hits from that year


  • " All Of Me " by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra


  • "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?" Bing Crosby



Born This Year 1932

Jacques Chirac November 29th

Little Richard December 5th

Johnny Cash February 26th

John Updike March 18th





Technology 1932

  • The Parking meter is invented in Oklahoma
  • The BBC starts a regular television service, using John Logie Baird's 30-line system


Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
Radio Telescope USA by Karl Jansky
BBC Television England first regular TV broadcasts (London)
Polaroid USA by Edwin Herbert Land



What Events Happened in 1932

  • Massive Famine in USSR with estimates of 5 million deaths caused by starvation
  • Hunger Marchers Army marches to London to protest lack of food
  • World War I vets march to Washington DC demanding early payments of cash bonuses to help survive the Great Depression.
  • Mahatma Gandhi goes on hunger strike in opposition to Britain new Caste Separation Laws
  • 13 million Americans unemployed
  • Comptroller of the Currency (or OCC) announces temporary halt by banks of foreclosures
  • The first federal gasoline tax part of the Revenue Act of 1932 taxes apply of 1 cent per gallon.
  • Government and Companies implement wage cuts up to 30% for those lucky enough to be in employment
  • Government and Companies cut working hours for those in employment hoping to provide more jobs for those who are unemployed.
  • A series of Tornadoes on March 21st killed at least 184 persons in Alabama, Georgia Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina.
  • Al Capone convicted for Income Tax Evasion
  • The Tenth Olympic Games Opens in Los Angeles
  • Tuberculosis is becoming more widespread throughout the US
  • New York Radio City Music Hall Opened
  • The Communist Party of America organizes a “March on Hunger” in Detroit
  • Charles Lindbergh son Kidnapped
  • Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to make a solo air crossing of the Atlantic Ocean
  • The Summer Olympics are held in Los Angeles, United States
  • The Winter Olympic Games are held in Lake Placid, New York, United States



Major World Political Leaders 1932

Australia Prime Minister James Scullin Till 6 January
Australia Prime Minister Joseph Lyons From 6 January

Brazil President Getúlio Vargas

Canada Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett

Italy Prime Minister Benito Mussolini

Japan Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai Till 16 May
Japan Prime Minister Makoto Saito From 26 May

Mexico President Abelardo L. Rodríguez From 4 September
Mexico President Pascual Ortiz Rubio Till 4 September

Russia / Soviet Union
General Secretary of the Central Committee Joseph Stalin

South Africa Prime Minister James Barry Munnik Hertzog

United States President Herbert Hoover

United Kingdom Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald


Political Elections 1932


United States Presidential Election 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) Defeats Herbert Hoover (Republican) and Norman Thomas (Socialist)


The Information above is taken from our new page that gives world leaders from 1920 to current.
WorldLeaders