MAY 31, 1939

WEDNESDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1939
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,875,940 IN 2025
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.30
Median_Home_Price: $4,150.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.18
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.09
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.30
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.55
Top Movies By May 31, 1939
1 Union Pacific
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Union Pacific
2 Only Angels Have Wings
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Only Angels Have Wings
3 Confessions of a Nazi Spy
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Confessions of a Nazi Spy
4 Dodge City
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Dodge City
5 Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
6 Love Affair
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Love Affair
7 Stagecoach
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Stagecoach
8 The Little Princess
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The Little Princess
9 Gunga Din
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Gunga Din
10 Jesse James
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Jesse James
Son of Frankenstein
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Son of Frankenstein
Made for Each Other
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Made for Each Other
Idiot's Delight
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Idiot's Delight
The Oklahoma Kid
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The Oklahoma Kid
Midnight
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Midnight
The Ice Follies of 1939
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The Ice Follies of 1939
The Hound of the Baskervilles
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The Hound of the Baskervilles
They Made Me a Criminal
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They Made Me a Criminal
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
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The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Angels with Dirty Faces
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Angels with Dirty Faces
A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
The Dawn Patrol
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The Dawn Patrol
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Listen, Darling
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Listen, Darling
Kentucky
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Kentucky
May 31, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of May 31, 1939

On May 31, 1939, concerns grew as American aviator Smith was feared lost at sea during his flight in a small aircraft known as the 'Baby' plane.

🧠 Inventions of 1939

Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.

1 Jet-Powered Aircraft
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Jet-Powered Aircraft
2 Helicopter Practical Design
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Helicopter Practical Design
3 Electronic Digital Computer Prototype
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Electronic Digital Computer Prototype
4 FM Radio Broadcasting Service
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FM Radio Broadcasting Service
5 Fluorescent Light Commercialization
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Fluorescent Light Commercialization
6 Color Film (Kodachrome Improvements)
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Color Film (Kodachrome Improvements)
7 Aircraft Radar System
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Aircraft Radar System
8 Remote Control Device
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Remote Control Device
9 Microwave Oven Concept
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Microwave Oven Concept
10 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Improvements
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Automatic Fire Sprinkler Improvements

The Sounds of

The biggest hits of the year β€” Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers

HEADLINES ON May 31, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Smith's Mysterious Flight Disappearance. Impact: If T H Smith had actually gone missing, the ensuing search would have sparked a new industry in lost plane recovery that might have changed aviation safety protocols forever. You could say he'd be the original 'missing persons' influencer.. Fact: Did you know that flying in 'baby' planes was actually considered cutting-edge at the time? Today, we call those planes 'tiny death traps.'.
  • Headline: France's Reaction to U.S. Neutrality Shift. Impact: The U.S. opposition to the Neutrality Law may have inadvertently paved the way for France to form alliances elsewhere, resulting in an entirely different balance of power in Europe. Who knew isolationism could lead to global matchmaking?. Fact: Fun fact: France has been surprised by American opinion since the dawn of time. It's like a long-running sitcomβ€”'When Will They Ever Learn?'.
  • Headline: Winant Warns of Arms and Poverty Crisis. Impact: Winant’s warning might have inspired activists to rally against arms races, eventually leading to the rise of modern peace movements. So, if you love a good protest, you can thank him for the inspiration!. Fact: Did you know that the fear of starvation has been a recurring theme in history? It’s almost like people didn’t learn from the last famineβ€”shocking!.
  • Headline: Low-Cost Restaurant Planned. Impact: This low-cost restaurant could have initiated a culinary revolution, leading to the rise of fast-food chains that would later dominate the landscape. So, think of it as the moment when 'cheap eats' became a global phenomenon.. Fact: Did you know that low-cost restaurants often have the best food? Just kidding, it's usually the mystery meat special that haunts your dreams..
  • Headline: Hotel Bureau Will Aid Visitors to World's Fair. Impact: This initiative could have set a precedent for tourism services worldwide, causing an influx of visitors and ultimately leading to the rise of mediocre vacation spots everywhere. Thanks, Hotel Bureau!. Fact: Did you know that if you visit a World's Fair, you can experience the future? Or at least the future of overpriced snacks and long lines for restrooms..
  • Headline: Dugal May Pilot Canadiens. Impact: If Dugal had successfully piloted the Canadiens, his leadership could have turned them into an unassailable dynasty, causing a ripple effect in sports management that might have led to a different hockey culture today. Imagine a world where everyone wears Canadiens jerseys!. Fact: Did you know that people who manage sports teams are often called 'coaches'? It’s not just a fancy title; it’s a warning..
  • Headline: PROSECUTION RESTS IN TRIAL OF MANTON; Ends After 6 Days' Testimony to Show $175,000 Payments to Buy Court Favors. Impact: This trial could have sparked a wave of legal reforms, inspiring a new era of anti-corruption laws. Or it could have just made people more creative in their bribery tacticsβ€”who can say?. Fact: Fun fact: $175,000 in 1930s money would buy you a mansion or a very nice boat. Just think of the options Manton had!.
  • Headline: CZECH UNITY PARTY GETS NEW ADHERENTS; Nearly All Youths in Country Join--Slovaks Plan Policy. Impact: The rise of the Czech Unity Party could have inadvertently led to a series of alliances that shaped Eastern European politics for decades. It's like a high-stakes game of chess played by people with very real stakes.. Fact: Did you know that youth movements can change history? Just look at social mediaβ€”oh wait, that’s just a different kind of chaos..
  • Headline: Denmark and Reich Sign Non-Attack Treaty Today. Impact: This treaty may have created a false sense of security, leading to complacency that later resulted in unforeseen consequences. You know, like when you think you can eat that last slice of pizza and then regret it later.. Fact: Did you know that non-aggression pacts are like the 'we're still friends' phase in relationships? They rarely last long..
  • Headline: CHOIR FROM JERSEY HEARD; Mixed Voices From Orange Sing at Twilight Hour in Temple. Impact: This choir performance could have inspired a wave of cultural appreciation that led to an explosion of local music scenes. Imagine if every small town had its own famous choirβ€”talk about a musical utopia!. Fact: Did you know that choirs are often the best-kept secret of community spirit? Unless you sing off-key, then it’s just a community nightmare..

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1939, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1939
$0.06
Value in 2025
$3,433,942

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1939
$0.25
Value in 2025
$586,657

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
CVX
Chevron
Price in 1939
$0.31
Value in 2025
$474,913

Chevron - If you invested $1,000 in 1939, it would be worth $474,913 today (474.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Action Comics #10
Action Comics #10
$1,100
Detective Comics #27
Detective Comics #27
$3,000,000
Marvel Comics #1
Marvel Comics #1
$200,000
All-American Comics #1
All-American Comics #1
$150,000
Adventure Comics #40
Adventure Comics #40
$3,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
View-Master
View-Master
$40.00
Little Golden Books
Little Golden Books
$300.00
The Game of Cootie
The Game of Cootie
$50.00
Tinkertoy Joy Boy and Joy Girl Sets
Tinkertoy Joy Boy and Joy Girl Sets
$150.00
Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol
Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol
$1,200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
W.D. & H.O. Wills 'Life in the Tree Tops'
W.D. & H.O. Wills 'Life in the Tree Tops'
$236.61
Churchman's 'Treasure Trove'
Churchman's 'Treasure Trove'
$492,000
Cadet Suite Collection 'World Wonders'
Cadet Suite Collection 'World Wonders'
$0
Players Cigarettes 'Cycling 1939'
Players Cigarettes 'Cycling 1939'
$10.00