1919 (SUNDAY)
GERMANY: The German Worker's Party (DAP) is formally founded in Munich at the Furstenfelder Hof tavern by Anton Drexler and others. Drexler's constitution is accepted by 24 men, mostly from the locomotive works where Drexler is employed, and he is elected chairman. The German Army is worried that the DAP is a left-wing revolutionary group and sends Adolf Hitler, one of its education officers, to spy on the organization. Hitler discovers that the party's political ideas are similar to his own but is unimpressed with the way the party is organized. Hitler persuades Drexler to change the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). In 1921, Hitler challenges Drexler for the leadership of the party and after brief resistance, Drexler accepts the inevitable, and Hitler became the new leader of the NSDAP. Drexler leaves the NSDAP in 1923. (Germanenorden).
1933 (THURSDAY)
U.S.A.: Japanese Ambassador DEBUCHI Katsuji tells the United States Japan has no territorial ambition south of the Great Wall of China, but Manchukuo was a closed question. He also states that ". . . no Japanese Cabinet which advocated a compromise of the 'Manchukuo' question could survive in Japan . . ."
Construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge which will stretch across San Francisco Bay. With its tall towers and famous red-paint, the bridge quickly became a famous American landmark and a symbol of San Francisco, California.
1934 (FRIDAY)
U.S.A.: In baseball, both the National and American Leagues decide to use a standard-size baseball. It is the first time in 33 years that both leagues used the same size ball.
1936 (SUNDAY)
U.S.A.: The Chance Vought XSB2U-1 Vindicator makes its first flight. A total of 170 SB2Us are delivered and the aircraft remains in service with the USN until December 1943.
1937 (TUESDAY)
POLAND: The Danzig-Polish harbour agreement is extended. This agreement defining the use of the Danzig port by Poland was originally signed on 5 August 1933.
January 5th, 1939 (THURSDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: Anti-Aircraft cruiser HMS Cleopatra laid down.
GERMANY: Berlin: Polish Foreign Minister Joseph Beck confers with Chancellor Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden. Hitler says he is considering a formula that would make Danzig politically German and economically Polish, and that he is ready to give a formal and clear guarantee for the German-Polish frontiers.
NETHERLANDS: Sloop HNLMS Van Kinsbergen launched.
U.S.S.R.: Soviet submarine K-22 laid down,