Henry Ford died of a cerebral hemorrhage at his estate, Fair Lane, in Dearborn, Michigan. This marked the end of an era for the automotive industry and the conclusion of the life of a controversial but highly influential figure.

The 'Battle of the Overpass' occurred, where Harry Bennett's security men beat members of the United Automobile Workers (UAW), including Walter Reuther. The supervising police chief on the scene was Carl Brooks, an alumnus of Bennett's Service Department, and Brooks "did not give orders to intervene". This event highlighted the violent opposition faced by union organizers at Ford Motor Company and was captured in now-famous photographs. It would later become a symbol of the need for labor reform.