AUGUST 16, 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 August 16, 1939
1 The Wizard of Oz
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The Wizard of Oz
2 The Old Maid
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The Old Maid
3 When Tomorrow Comes
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When Tomorrow Comes
4 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Goodbye, Mr. Chips
5 Beau Geste
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Beau Geste
6 The Man in the Iron Mask
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The Man in the Iron Mask
7 Bachelor Mother
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Bachelor Mother
8 You Can't Take It with You
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You Can't Take It with You
9 Alexander's Ragtime Band
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Alexander's Ragtime Band
10 The Adventures of Robin Hood
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
Son of Frankenstein
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Son of Frankenstein
Jesse James
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Jesse James
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
Stagecoach
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Stagecoach
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 Little Princess
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The Little Princess
Union Pacific
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Union Pacific
Gunga Din
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Gunga Din
Only Angels Have Wings
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Only Angels Have Wings
Young Mr. Lincoln
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Young Mr. Lincoln
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
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Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Love Affair
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Love Affair
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Dodge City
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Dodge City
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
On Borrowed Time
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On Borrowed Time
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
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Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
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
Listen, Darling
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Listen, Darling
Kentucky
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Kentucky
August 16, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of August 16, 1939

On August 16, 1939, a significant courtroom drama unfolded during the Baldwin trial, drawing attention across the nation.

🧠 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 August 16, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Baldwin Trial Witness Bribery Allegations. Impact: The failed bribery attempt at the Baldwin trial ultimately led to a nationwide crackdown on police corruption. This set off a chain reaction of distrust in law enforcement that fueled the rise of amateur sleuths and conspiracy theorists, eventually leading to the popularity of true crime podcasts. Thanks, Juffe!. Fact: Did you know that in some places, offering a bribe can actually lead to a career change? Just ask Juffe!.
  • Headline: Col. Mullins Takes Charge in Nicaragua. Impact: Col. Mullins' arrival in Nicaragua sparked a series of military academies that would train future leaders. Ironically, the leaders would go on to create both great advancements and chaotic situations, proving once again that military training is a double-edged sword.. Fact: Did you know that the military academy in Nicaragua has produced more generals than coffee beans? At least one of them can brew a decent cup!.
  • Headline: Efforts to Remove Kansas City Officials. Impact: The attempt to oust henchmen in Kansas City marked the beginning of a new political era, where public outcry became a key player in political strategy. This created a wave of grassroots movements, leading to a significant increase in town hall meetings, where everyone pretends to care about local issues.. Fact: Did you know that in Kansas City, henchmen are considered a protected species? Just kidding, but it certainly feels that way!.
  • Headline: Silver 1/8c Higher Here, But Still Below London. Impact: The rise in silver prices in the U.S. created a ripple effect that would eventually lead to a fascination with precious metals, giving birth to countless get-rich-quick schemes and a thriving market for silver-plated everything.. Fact: Did you know that owning silver is like having a backup plan for when the apocalypse hits? Because who doesn’t want to barter with shiny coins?.
  • Headline: Blood Donor Groups in K. of C.. Impact: The formation of blood donor groups sparked a movement that would eventually lead to the creation of blood banks, ensuring that no one had to bribe a sergeant to get a transfusionβ€”unless, of course, you're in a horror movie.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing scarier than blood donation is the paperwork involved? Good luck with that!.
  • Headline: Subway Worker Killed. Impact: The tragic death of Subway Worker Marino sent shockwaves through the community, prompting social movements around worker safety. Ironically, this led to the rise of 'Subway Safety Week,' where everyone pretended to care about the dangers of sandwich-making.. Fact: Did you know that the average sub sandwich could probably outlive the average worker if it weren't for all the mayo? Just a thought..
  • Headline: SPANISH INFLUENCE IN NEW FASHIONS; Mary Boyan, Buyer and Stylist, Returning on Aquitania, Predicts Wasp Waist. Impact: The prediction of the wasp waist trend by Mary Boyan led to a centuries-long obsession with unrealistic body standards, giving rise to corsets, waist trainers, and the inevitable backlash of body positivity movements. Who knew fashion could be so divisive?. Fact: Did you know that the wasp waist trend didn't actually involve any actual wasps? Just a lot of women feeling like they were being stung into submission!.
  • Headline: $2,500,000 BENDIX CLAIM; Chicago Bank Files on Guarantee for Realty Bond Issue. Impact: The $2,500,000 claim by the Chicago bank on the Bendix Realty Bond issue became a cautionary tale for investors, highlighting that even the most solid-seeming real estate deals could collapse like a house of cards during a windy dayβ€”leading to an overly cautious generation of homebuyers.. Fact: Did you know that every real estate agent secretly hopes for a Bendix situation? More drama means more reality TV potential!.

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