Following the death of German president Paul Hindenburg on 2 August, Adolf Hitler becomes president, although he prefers the title Fuhrer (leader).

18 Sept.

The Soviet Union joins the League of Nations.

27 Sept.

Effectively sabotaging French efforts to promote eastern European security arrangements, Poland announces that it will not allow Soviet troops to cross Poland to fulfill treaty obligations.

Oct.

Mao Tse-tung's Chinese Communist troops begin their famous Long March, with Nationalist Chinese forces in pursuit. Mao leads his troops six thousand miles, over eighteen mountain ranges and six major rivers, saving the majority of his army.

6 Oct.

Catalonia declares independence from Spain. The Spanish government will successfully suppress the independence movement as well as a rebellion of miners in Asturias.

9 Oct.

King Alexander of Yugoslavia and French foreign minister Louis Barthou are assassinated in Marsailles by a Macedonian terrorist.

1 Dec.

Sergey M. Kirov, one of Joseph Stalin's most trusted aides, is...