MAY 6, 1938

FRIDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1938
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,318,352 IN 2025
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.29
Median_Home_Price: $4,300.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.18
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.09
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.29
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.54
Top Movies By May 6, 1938
1 True Confession
Learn More
True Confession
2 Test Pilot
Learn More
Test Pilot
3 Jezebel
Learn More
Jezebel
4 Bringing Up Baby
Learn More
Bringing Up Baby
5 The Buccaneer
Learn More
The Buccaneer
6 A Yank at Oxford
Learn More
A Yank at Oxford
7 The Adventures of Marco Polo
Learn More
The Adventures of Marco Polo
8 Algiers
Learn More
Algiers
9 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Learn More
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
10 Topper
Learn More
Topper
Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
Learn More
Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
Mad About Music
Learn More
Mad About Music
Merrily We Live
Learn More
Merrily We Live
The Baroness and the Butler
Learn More
The Baroness and the Butler
After the Thin Man
Learn More
After the Thin Man
The Good Earth
Learn More
The Good Earth
Nothing Sacred
Learn More
Nothing Sacred
The Hurricane
Learn More
The Hurricane
The Prisoner of Zenda
Learn More
The Prisoner of Zenda
Conquest
Learn More
Conquest
Heidi
Learn More
Heidi
Madame X
Learn More
Madame X
May 6, 1938 Trivia
Multiple choice - Includes a daily bonus question - Sign in to save + leaderboard - View all-time leaderboard
Score: 0 / 0
All-time leaderboard
Your results
The Story of May 6, 1938

On May 6, 1938, a significant humanitarian effort was highlighted as citizens donated $201,148 to the Salvation Army during a luncheon attended by around 1,400 contributors in New York.

🧠 Inventions of 1938

Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.

1 Ballpoint Pen
Learn More
Ballpoint Pen
2 Atomic Fission Discovery
Learn More
Atomic Fission Discovery
3 Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
Learn More
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
4 Duplex Transmission Radio
Learn More
Duplex Transmission Radio
5 Gas Turbine Engine Improvements
Learn More
Gas Turbine Engine Improvements
6 Automatic Telephone Switching
Learn More
Automatic Telephone Switching
7 Instant Coffee
Learn More
Instant Coffee
8 Television Camera Tube Improvements
Learn More
Television Camera Tube Improvements
9 Aircraft Cabin Oxygen Systems
Learn More
Aircraft Cabin Oxygen Systems
10 Electric Hearing Aid
Learn More
Electric Hearing Aid

HEADLINES ON May 6, 1938

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Generosity Shines in 1938 Citizens Appeal. Impact: The massive donations to the Salvation Army sparked a chain reaction of charitable giving that led to the establishment of several 'competitive charity' events, including the infamous 'Bowl-a-thon for a Cause,' where bowling balls replaced cash as the ultimate currency for kindness.. Fact: Fun fact: The Salvation Army's success in fundraising led to the rise of 'charity galas'—a fancy way to dress up and eat overpriced hors d'oeuvres while feeling good about yourself..
  • Headline: Chinese Forces Make Major Advances in 1938. Impact: The jubilation over the Chinese advances against Japan not only shifted the balance of power in Asia but also inspired a popular dance trend years later known as the 'Chinese Advance Shuffle,' which was tragically misunderstood as a new form of Tai Chi.. Fact: Did you know that the Chinese forces' success was later referenced in countless movies, making 'underdog triumph' an overused Hollywood trope ever since? Thanks, historical context!.
  • Headline: To Sign Parker Removal Writ. Impact: The signing of Parker's removal writs was a pivotal moment that set off a series of legal battles, leading to the creation of reality TV courtroom dramas several generations later. It turns out drama can be just as entertaining in a courtroom as it is in a reality show.. Fact: Did you know that signing a removal writ is basically the legal equivalent of 'you're fired'? The concept really took off in the entertainment industry!.
  • Headline: Business World; COMMERCIAL PAPER High Unit Drop Worries Stores Change in Franc Hits Importers Clothing Sales Launched Kipskins Advance Twice in Day Better Summer Rug Call Slow Money Would Cost Less Under Lone Paper Bid Protests 2% Extra on Dresses Form Council on Worth St. Rules Burlap Quiet, Prices Easier Gray Goods Volume Light. Impact: The chaotic state of the business world prompted an influx of financial experts, leading to the creation of the 'Get Rich Quick' seminar circuit. Yes, the financial mismanagement of the 1930s was directly responsible for your uncle's terrible investment advice.. Fact: Fun fact: Commercial paper sounds fancy, but it’s essentially the financial version of 'I owe you.' Because who doesn’t want to owe money in style?.
  • Headline: Landis Heads Trade Fraternity. Impact: Landis's leadership in the trade fraternity saw the rise of trade associations that would eventually lead to the concept of 'networking'—where awkward small talk became the norm and resulted in a plethora of LinkedIn profiles no one reads.. Fact: Did you know that trade fraternities were among the first to invent the concept of 'networking'? Because nothing says 'friendship' like connecting over mutual economic gain..
  • Headline: INQUIRY DEMANDS SPLIT HARRISBURG; State Treasurer Ross, Aide to Kennedy, Asks Labor Bureau Under Bashore Be Sifted MARGIOTTI HITS 'BOSSES' Nearly Complete Registration in Pennsylvania Shows Lead of Republicans About 180,000 Registration in Pennsylvania. Impact: The inquiry demanding a split in Harrisburg not only highlighted political corruption but also inspired generations of conspiracy theorists who believed that every state treasurer would eventually be involved in a scandal—spoiler alert: they weren't wrong.. Fact: Did you know that political scandals are basically the soap operas of governance? Tune in next week to see if anyone gets removed from office!.
  • Headline: BAR TESTS PASSED BY 449 IN STATE; Survivors of 1,144 Who Took March 15-16 Examinations Are Listed at Albany NOW CERTIFIED TO COURTS Successful Applicants Must Qualify as to Character and Fitness to Practice First Department Second Department. Impact: The bar tests passed by 449 individuals marked a significant moment in legal history, inadvertently leading to the birth of the phrase 'lawyer up,' which is now used casually in contexts ranging from petty arguments to international disputes.. Fact: Fun fact: The bar exam has a higher fail rate than most reality TV shows. So, if you think you can handle the pressure, just remember: at least you won't have to wear a ridiculous costume..
  • Headline: Dies at Wheel, Auto Hits Pole. Impact: The tragic accident of someone dying at the wheel set off a wave of safety regulations in vehicles, which eventually led to the invention of the seatbelt—one of the greatest innovations since sliced bread, if you ask the bread.. Fact: Did you know that before seatbelts, cars were basically just rolling death traps? Talk about a 'buckle up' moment in history!.
  • Headline: Democratic Session May 19. Impact: The announcement of the Democratic session on May 19 led to a flurry of political maneuvering that would later inspire sitcoms based on the absurdity of political life—because who doesn't want to watch elected officials bumble their way through governance?. Fact: Did you know that political sessions are often mistaken for reality TV auditions? The drama is just as real, and the stakes are somehow even higher!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1938, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1938
$0.06
Value in 2025
$3,433,940

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $3,433,940 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1938
$0.25
Value in 2025
$586,656

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1938
$0.31
Value in 2025
$474,914

Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1938, it would be worth $474,914 today (474.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Action Comics #1
Action Comics #1
$8,000
Detective Comics #16
Detective Comics #16
$10,200
Adventure Comics #32
Adventure Comics #32
$50,000
Famous Funnies #47
Famous Funnies #47
$1,200
The Funnies #12
The Funnies #12
$42,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Scrabble
Scrabble
$250.00
Märklin Electric Trains
Märklin Electric Trains
$300.00
Monopoly
Monopoly
$200.00
Tinkertoys
Tinkertoys
$150.00
Radio Flyer Wagon
Radio Flyer Wagon
$120.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War #1 It's War
1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War #1 It's War
$2,500
1938 Churchman's Boxing Personalities Joe Louis
1938 Churchman's Boxing Personalities Joe Louis
$32,000
1938 Wills's Three Castles Film Stars Clark Gable
1938 Wills's Three Castles Film Stars Clark Gable
$80,000
1938 Player's Cigarettes Film Stars Second Series Charlie Chaplin
1938 Player's Cigarettes Film Stars Second Series Charlie Chaplin
$250,000
1938 Gallaher Famous Cricketers Don Bradman
1938 Gallaher Famous Cricketers Don Bradman
$15,000