MAY 23, 1938

MONDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1938
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,318,352 IN THE 2025 DATASET
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 From 1938
1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2 Boys Town
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Boys Town
3 Alexander's Ragtime Band
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Alexander's Ragtime Band
4 Test Pilot
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Test Pilot
5 You Can't Take It with You
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You Can't Take It with You
6 Sweethearts
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Sweethearts
7 In Old Chicago
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In Old Chicago
8 The Adventures of Robin Hood
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
9 Love Finds Andy Hardy
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Love Finds Andy Hardy
10 Marie Antoinette
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Marie Antoinette
Bringing Up Baby
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Bringing Up Baby
Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
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Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
The Adventures of Marco Polo
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The Adventures of Marco Polo
Jezebel
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Jezebel
Algiers
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Algiers
Vivacious Lady
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Vivacious Lady
Mad About Music
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Mad About Music
Merrily We Live
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Merrily We Live
The Buccaneer
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The Buccaneer
The Baroness and the Butler
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The Baroness and the Butler
A Yank at Oxford
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A Yank at Oxford
After the Thin Man
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After the Thin Man
The Good Earth
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The Good Earth
Nothing Sacred
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Nothing Sacred
The Hurricane
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The Hurricane
The Prisoner of Zenda
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The Prisoner of Zenda
Conquest
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Conquest
Heidi
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Heidi
True Confession
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True Confession
Madame X
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Madame X
May 23, 1938 Trivia
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The Story of May 23, 1938

On May 23, 1938, the United States Supreme Court was poised to make a significant decision regarding states' rights and taxation.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1938

Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.

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

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON May 23, 1938

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Supreme Court to Rule on Tax Plea. Impact: If the Supreme Court had ruled differently, the IRS might have been replaced by a tax-collecting robot named 'Taxinator 3000'. Instead, we just got more paperwork. Thanks, democracy!. Fact: Did you know that tax evasion was once considered a sport in ancient Rome? Just kidding, but it would have made tax season way more interesting..
  • Headline: Blessing Ceremony for New Altar. Impact: This new altar could have marked the beginning of a global trend in altar fashion, leading to the eventual rise of altar-themed reality shows. 'Keeping Up with the Altars' anyone?. Fact: Did you know that altars haven't changed much since ancient times? Still no Wi-Fi, though. What a bummer!.
  • Headline: M. T. Bogert Honored with Priestly Medal. Impact: Receiving the Priestly Gold Medal might have inspired a wave of medal-obsessed clergy, leading to a new fashion trend: gold-plated vestments. Talk about divine bling!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing shinier than a gold medal is the ego of the person who receives it? Just saying..
  • Headline: Front Page 6 -- No Title; CZECHS' FIRMNESS EASES THE TENSION Military Efficiency Noted Polish Stand Regretted 1,500 Municipalltles Vote. Impact: This election might have set off a chain reaction of civil unrest and political debates, ultimately leading to a future where everyone debates politics over dinner like it's the new norm. Oh wait.... Fact: Did you know that voting is like a box of chocolates? You never know what you're going to get, and half the time it’s a nut!.
  • Headline: A PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION; Daughters of the Cincinnati to Meet in Woodbury Tomorrow. Impact: This patriotic gathering might have inspired an entire generation of Americans to over-celebrate national holidays, leading to the infamous 'Flag Cake Epidemic' of 2025.. Fact: Did you know that the Daughters of the Cincinnati are not actually daughters of any Cincinnati, but just really dedicated historical fans? They probably know more about the city than the actual residents!.
  • Headline: Church Needs Break With Respectability, Custom and Cant, Asserts the Rev. Dr. Wylie. Impact: Dr. Wylie's sermon may have sparked a movement where churches began adopting trendy branding, leading to the rise of 'hip' churches with coffee bars and live DJs. Welcome to the 21st century!. Fact: Did you know that 'respectability' in church usually means 'no fun allowed'? Good luck breaking that one!.
  • Headline: DR. SHELTON LAUDS LA GUARDIA'S CREDO; Says Mayor's Religious Views Should Hearten Young. Impact: La Guardia's religious views could have inspired a wave of politically active clergymen, eventually leading to a reality show called 'Clergy and the City'. Riveting, right?. Fact: Did you know that politicians often claim to be 'men of God'? Apparently, it’s part of the job description. Who knew?.
  • Headline: Czech Machine-Gun Units Are Seen by U. S. Tourists. Impact: The sight of Czech machine-gun units might have led to a sudden increase in tourism, prompting the government to install souvenir shops selling miniature machine guns. 'Take home a piece of history!'. Fact: Did you know that tourists love taking pictures of military units? Or maybe they just love taking pictures of each other pretending to be soldiers. Same thing, right?.
  • Headline: PRAISES ORDINARY FOLK; Dr. Fosdick Says World's Morals Are n Their Keeping. Impact: Dr. Fosdick's praise for ordinary folk could have sparked a new appreciation for everyday heroes, leading to a 'Real Everyday Heroes' TV series that glorified people doing mundane tasks. Thrilling!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing 'ordinary' people do is complain about how extraordinary they are? It’s like a superpower of mediocrity..
  • Headline: HARRY LUMLEY DEAD; EX-BASEBALL LEADER; Brooklyn Club Manager in 1909 Was a Noted Batsman. Impact: Harry Lumley's passing may have inspired a wave of baseball nostalgia, resulting in a bizarre trend of naming pets after famous players. 'Babe Ruth' the cat anyone?. Fact: Did you know that Harry Lumley was more famous for his bat than his actual batting? Sounds like a plot twist in a baseball drama!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1938, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1938
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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
MÀrklin Electric Trains
MÀrklin 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