AUGUST 21, 1939

MONDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1939
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $7,875,940 IN THE 2025 DATASET
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 From 1939
1 Gone with the Wind
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Gone with the Wind
2 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
3 Jesse James
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Jesse James
4 Babes in Arms
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Babes in Arms
5 The Wizard of Oz
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The Wizard of Oz
6 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
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Goodbye, Mr. Chips
7 Dodge City
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Dodge City
8 The Rains Came
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The Rains Came
9 The Women
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The Women
10 Drums Along the Mohawk
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Drums Along the Mohawk
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
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
Beau Geste
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Beau Geste
The Man in the Iron Mask
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The Man in the Iron Mask
Five Came Back
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Five Came Back
Each Dawn I Die
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Each Dawn I Die
Bachelor Mother
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Bachelor Mother
The Old Maid
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The Old Maid
In Name Only
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In Name Only
The Three Musketeers
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The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
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Dark Victory
When Tomorrow Comes
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When Tomorrow Comes
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 21, 1939 Trivia
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The Story of August 21, 1939

On August 21, 1939, Carol Yetter wed Harry Van Dyke Jr.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 1939

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

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

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON August 21, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Carol Yetter and Harry Van Dyke Unite. Impact: The union of Carol Yetter and Harry Van Dyke Jr. sparked a series of unremarkable marriages that led to the invention of the family reunion potluck, forever changing the culinary landscape of America. Thanks, Carol!. Fact: Did you know that weddings used to be more about land deals than love? So, congratulations, Carol, on the ultimate business transaction!.
  • Headline: Faith in Christ Only Hope Sermon. Impact: The emphasis on faith in Christ resulted in a boom of inspirational quotes, eventually leading to the invention of motivational posters. 'Hang in there, baby' was born from this very sermon!. Fact: Did you know that faith is sometimes just a fancy way of saying, 'I hope this works out'?.
  • Headline: STYLE CHANGING IN RURAL EDITORS; For First Time a College Man Is Here as Best Country Correspondent HE LIKES SMALL-TOWN LIFE Created 'Navasot Philosopher,' a Character Who Writes for His Texas Weekly. Impact: The arrival of a college-educated correspondent in rural America triggered a mass exodus of rural editors to the nearest coffee shop, leading to an explosion of artisan coffee and the hipster movement. Thanks, H B Fox!. Fact: Did you know that 'Navasot Philosopher' was just a polite way of saying 'guy with too many opinions'?.
  • Headline: SAM BREADON INJURED; Owner of Cardinals Thrown Off Horse at His Farm. Impact: Sam Breadon's horse-related injury led to the creation of the phrase 'Don't horse around,' which has since been used to scold both children and overly enthusiastic adults.. Fact: Did you know that the horse had no comment on the incident? Animals are just too sensible for drama..
  • Headline: Lasky and Lowe Unhurt in Crash. Impact: The crash that left Lasky and Lowe unhurt inspired a new genre of 'How Not to Drive' seminars, which have since saved countless lives and resulted in an uptick in insurance premiums.. Fact: Did you know that unhurt car crash victims often become the most boring dinner guests? They just can't relate!.
  • Headline: BRONX SEEKS BENCH POST; Groups Back Plea for Choice of Borough Resident. Impact: The Bronx's plea for a bench post led to increased local political engagement, resulting in a community that actually cares about who sits on their benchesβ€”just not enough to vote.. Fact: Did you know that bench posts are actually a front for a secret society of bench warmers? True story!.
  • Headline: TALLEY TO DIRECT GOLDSTEIN FIGHT; 2 Former Judges Join Forces to Get Democratic Nomination for General Sessions BENCH 'DEAL' IS ASSAILED Herlands Still Is Silent on His Decision in Race for District Attorney in Kings. Impact: The collaboration of Talley and Goldstein for the Democratic nomination led to an unforeseen alliance of former judges, ushering in an era of courtroom dramas that put soap operas to shame.. Fact: Did you know that 'deal' in politics often means 'let's both pretend we like each other for a while'?.
  • Headline: LAMBS HOLD 'WASHING'; Theatrical Club Later Has Gambol at East Islip Home. Impact: The Lambs' theatrical club washing event inadvertently led to the rise of themed parties, ultimately resulting in the modern phenomenon of 'adulting'β€”where washing dishes becomes an event.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more theatrical than a washing party is the drama that unfolds when someone forgets to bring the snacks?.
  • Headline: GEHRIG TO VISIT CLINIC; Routine Check-Up on Condition Planned at Mayos'. Impact: Lou Gehrig's routine check-up became a historical moment that sparked awareness about health checks, leading to the eventual creation of the annual physical examinationβ€”because nothing says 'fun' like waiting in a doctor's office.. Fact: Did you know that Gehrig was just trying to avoid the awkward small talk that comes with a routine check-up? It's a universal struggle!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1939, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1939
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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
⚾ Notable 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