Events from the year 1933 in the United States.
Incumbents
Federal government
President: Herbert Hoover (R-California) (until March 4), Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-New York) (starting March 4) Vice President: Charles Curtis (R-Kansas) (until March 4), John Nance Garner (D-Texas) (starting March 4) Chief Justice: Charles Evans Hughes (New York) Speaker of the House of Representatives: John Nance Garner (D-Texas) (until March 4), Henry Thomas Rainey (D-Illinois) (starting March 9) Senate Majority Leader: James Eli Watson (R-Indiana) (until March 4), Joseph Taylor Robinson (D-Arkansas) (starting March 4) Congress: 72nd (until March 4), 73rd (starting March 4)
Events
January–March
January 5
Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins in San Francisco Bay. Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the U.S (1923–1929) dies of coronary thrombosis in Northampton, Massachusetts. January 17 – The U.S. Congress votes favorably for Philippines independence, against the view of President Herbert Hoover. January 23 – The Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing Inauguration Day from March 4 to January 20. January 30 – The Lone Ranger debuts on American radio. February 6 – The Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution goes into effect. February 6–7 – Officers on the USS Ramapo record a 34-meter high sea-wave in the Pacific Ocean. February 10 – The New York City-based Postal Telegraph Company introduces the first singing telegram. February 15 – In Miami, Florida, Giuseppe Zangara attempts to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, but instead fatally wounds Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak. February 17 Newsweek magazine is published for the first time. The Blaine Act ends Prohibition in the United States. February 25 – , the first ship of the United States Navy designed as an aircraft carrier, is launched at Newport News, Virginia. March 2 – The original film version of King Kong, starring Fay Wray, premieres at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy Theatre in New York City. March 3 – Mount Rushmore National Memorial is dedicated. March 4 Franklin D. Roosevelt is sworn in as the 32nd president of the United States, who in reference to the Great Depression, proclaims "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself" in his inauguration speech. He is sworn in by Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, beginning the first 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt's paralytic illness is never publicly acknowledged during what will be the four terms of his Presidency. This is the last time Inauguration Day in the U.S. occurs on this date. John Nance Garner is sworn in as the 32nd vice president. Frances Perkins becomes United States Secretary of Labor, and the first female member of the United States Cabinet. March 5 – Great Depression: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares a "bank holiday", closing all United States banks and freezing all financial transactions (the 'holiday' ends on March 13). March 6 – Mayor Anton Cermak of Chicago dies of the wound he received on February 15. March 9 – Great Depression: The U.S. Congress begins its first 100 days of enacting New Deal legislation. March 10 – The 6.4 Long Beach earthquake affects the Greater Los Angeles Area with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), leaving 115–120 people dead, and causing an estimated $40 million in damage. March 12 – Great Depression: Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the nation for the first time as President of the United States, in the first of his "Fireside Chats". March 15 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average rises from 53.84 to 62.10. The day's gain of 15.34%, achieved during the depths of the Great Depression, remains to date as the largest 1-day percentage gain for the index.