1933 in Washington, D.C.

1933 in Washington, D.C. was a year of profound transformation, defined by the onset of the New Deal and the energetic leadership of newly inaugurated President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The city became the frenetic nerve center for combating the Great Depression, witnessing historic legislation, significant public protests, and major constitutional change. This period reshaped the federal government's role and left an indelible mark on the capital's physical and social landscape.

Politics and government

The political landscape was dominated by the March 4 inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the subsequent First 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt's administration, including key figures like Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, and Federal Reserve Chairman Eugene Meyer, launched an unprecedented flurry of legislation from the United States Capitol and the White House. Critical New Deal agencies were established, including the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, fundamentally expanding the federal bureaucracy. The year also saw the ratification of the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution, moving the presidential inauguration date to January, and the pivotal "Hundred Days Congress" passing the Emergency Banking Act, the Glass–Steagall Act, and the National Industrial Recovery Act.

Events

The most dramatic event was the final encampment and violent dispersal of the Bonus Army by U.S. Army troops under General Douglas MacArthur, with assistance from Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton. Roosevelt's inauguration itself was a major spectacle, held at the United States Capitol and followed by a celebratory parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Diplomatic events included the signing of the Montevideo Convention at the Pan American Union Building, reinforcing the Good Neighbor Policy. The city also hosted the National Conference of Social Work and witnessed protests by the Unemployed Councils, highlighting ongoing social strife. The year ended with the implementation of the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition in the United States.

Culture and society

Cultural institutions grappled with the Depression while adapting to New Deal initiatives. The Federal Theatre Project and the Public Works of Art Project, precursors to the Works Progress Administration, began employing local artists and performers. The Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection continued exhibitions, while the National Symphony Orchestra performed at Constitution Hall. Socially, the city was deeply divided between the struggling residents of neighborhoods like Southwest and Anacostia and the influx of New Deal officials. The Washington Post and the Washington Star covered the political upheaval, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, led by Walter Francis White, continued its advocacy against discrimination, including at federal sites like the Lincoln Memorial.

Infrastructure and economy

Major construction projects, funded by the Public Works Administration and the Civil Works Administration, began reshaping the city. Work advanced on the Federal Triangle buildings, the National Archives Building, and the Supreme Court Building. The Tennessee Valley Authority's creation signaled a massive federal investment in infrastructure. Economically, the city was an anomaly; while federal employment surged with new agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission, widespread poverty persisted. Local businesses along streets like F Street NW benefited from government spending, but unemployment remained high until relief programs provided jobs building roads, parks, and public facilities across the District of Columbia.

Sports

The city's major professional team, the Washington Senators of the American League, played at Griffith Stadium under manager Joe Cronin, though they finished with a losing record. George Washington University fields and the American University campus hosted local collegiate athletics. The construction of the Department of the Interior building included recreational facilities, and New Deal projects improved public parks and playgrounds, expanding access to sports for residents. The annual Army–Navy Game was not held in the city, but it remained a topic of interest in the sports pages of the Washington Herald.

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