Deaths on May 30

Floyd Roberts

Died on May 30, 1939

Floyd Roberts, American race car driver (b. 1904)

Floyd Marion Roberts (February 12, 1900 - May 30, 1939) was a Championship Car racing driver from Jamestown, North Dakota. He won the 1938 Indianapolis 500 with a then-record speed of 117.2 mph (188.6 km/h). He led for 92 laps. The following year, 1939, driving the same car, he was killed in a crash on the backstretch after hitting a wooden fence at 100 mph (160 km/h). Roberts was the first defending champion of the race to have been killed in competition. According to reports, Roberts intended to retire following the race.

References

Floyd Roberts

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Events on 1939

3 Mar

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
In Bombay, Mohandas Gandhi begins a hunger strike in protest at the autocratic rule in British India.
1 Apr

Francisco Franco
Spanish Civil War: Generalísimo Francisco Franco of the Spanish State announces the end of the Spanish Civil War, when the last of the Republican forces surrender.
6 Sep

Nazi Germany
World War II: South Africa declares war on Nazi Germany.
14 Dec

Soviet Union
Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland.
24 Dec

Pope Pius XII
World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.

Deaths on May 30

Floyd Roberts

Died on May 30, 1939

References

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Events on 1939

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Francisco Franco

Nazi Germany

Soviet Union

Pope Pius XII