DECEMBER 22, 1939

FRIDAY
$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
Learn More
Gone with the Wind
2 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Learn More
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
3 Jesse James
Learn More
Jesse James
4 Babes in Arms
Learn More
Babes in Arms
5 The Wizard of Oz
Learn More
The Wizard of Oz
6 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Learn More
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
7 Dodge City
Learn More
Dodge City
8 The Rains Came
Learn More
The Rains Came
9 The Women
Learn More
The Women
10 Drums Along the Mohawk
Learn More
Drums Along the Mohawk
Son of Frankenstein
Learn More
Son of Frankenstein
Made for Each Other
Learn More
Made for Each Other
Idiot's Delight
Learn More
Idiot's Delight
The Oklahoma Kid
Learn More
The Oklahoma Kid
Stagecoach
Learn More
Stagecoach
Midnight
Learn More
Midnight
The Ice Follies of 1939
Learn More
The Ice Follies of 1939
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Learn More
The Hound of the Baskervilles
They Made Me a Criminal
Learn More
They Made Me a Criminal
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
Learn More
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
The Little Princess
Learn More
The Little Princess
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Learn More
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Union Pacific
Learn More
Union Pacific
Gunga Din
Learn More
Gunga Din
Only Angels Have Wings
Learn More
Only Angels Have Wings
Young Mr. Lincoln
Learn More
Young Mr. Lincoln
The Roaring Twenties
Learn More
The Roaring Twenties
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Learn More
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Destry Rides Again
Learn More
Destry Rides Again
Love Affair
Learn More
Love Affair
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
Learn More
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
Beau Geste
Learn More
Beau Geste
The Man in the Iron Mask
Learn More
The Man in the Iron Mask
Five Came Back
Learn More
Five Came Back
Each Dawn I Die
Learn More
Each Dawn I Die
Bachelor Mother
Learn More
Bachelor Mother
Intermezzo: A Love Story
Learn More
Intermezzo: A Love Story
The Old Maid
Learn More
The Old Maid
Golden Boy
Learn More
Golden Boy
In Name Only
Learn More
In Name Only
Another Thin Man
Learn More
Another Thin Man
Ninotchka
Learn More
Ninotchka
The Three Musketeers
Learn More
The Three Musketeers
Dark Victory
Learn More
Dark Victory
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Learn More
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
When Tomorrow Comes
Learn More
When Tomorrow Comes
On Borrowed Time
Learn More
On Borrowed Time
Allegheny Uprising
Learn More
Allegheny Uprising
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
Learn More
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
The Cat and the Canary
Learn More
The Cat and the Canary
Remember?
Learn More
Remember?
At the Circus
Learn More
At the Circus
Angels with Dirty Faces
Learn More
Angels with Dirty Faces
A Christmas Carol
Learn More
A Christmas Carol
The Dawn Patrol
Learn More
The Dawn Patrol
Listen, Darling
Learn More
Listen, Darling
Kentucky
Learn More
Kentucky
December 22, 1939 Trivia
Multiple choice - Sign in to save + leaderboard - View all-time leaderboard
Score: 0 / 0
All-time leaderboard
Your results
The Story of December 22, 1939

On December 22, 1939, significant legal and personal events unfolded in the United States.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 1939

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

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

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON December 22, 1939

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Boxer Kehler Charged in High-Profile Murder. Impact: Kehler's indictment marked a turning point in how society viewed violence in sports, leading to an increase in regulation and the rise of sports psychology. Who knew boxing could have such a ripple effect on mental health awareness?. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more punchy than Kehler's boxing career was his courtroom defense..
  • Headline: Marjorie Blinn Weds John Gallagher. Impact: This modest wedding led to a significant trend of small, intimate ceremonies that would eventually replace the grandiose weddings of the early 20th century. Thanks, Marjorie, for putting the 'bored' back in 'boredom'!. Fact: Did you know that Marjorie's wedding was so small, even the cake was a cupcake?.
  • Headline: $430,000 'KICK-BACK' BARED AT INQUIRY; Martin, Illinois Insurance Head, Says He Got Share of Sum Paid to Rewriting Agent GOT CONTROL BY LOANS Transaction Involved Company Now Operating in 15 States, Witness Tells Hearing Company Taken Over in 1929 Return to Officials Kept Secret Burke Warns on Inquiry. Impact: This scandal opened the floodgates for insurance regulation. Years later, it would inspire a generation of conspiracy theorists who now believe that every insurance policy is a secret plot involving lizard people.. Fact: Did you know that if you put 'kick-back' in a business meeting, you're either getting fired or getting a raise? Depends on the context!.
  • Headline: MACK EVERETT GILLIS; Assistant Vice President of Trust Company Here Dies. Impact: Gillis's passing created a power vacuum that shifted the dynamics of local banking. In a twist of fate, his chair was eventually filled by someone who had no idea how to use a calculator, leading to a minor economic crisis. Oops!. Fact: Fun fact: Mack's greatest achievement was probably being an assistant vice president – because who really needs a full title?.
  • Headline: Philadelphia Keeps Stokowski. Impact: By retaining Stokowski, Philadelphia inadvertently set the stage for an entire generation of music lovers who would one day argue over whether classical music could be 'cool' – spoiler alert: it can!. Fact: Did you know that Stokowski's hair had more fans than most pop stars? No wonder he got to stay!.
  • Headline: Kroner Selling Rumor Denied. Impact: The denial of this rumor led to a massive public relations campaign that would teach future generations that if you deny something loudly enough, people will eventually stop asking. Or not. Thanks, social media!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more unstable than a currency is the rumor mill? They should really just call it 'currency gossip.'.
  • Headline: Calkins Gets Union Post. Impact: Calkins's appointment led to a wave of revitalization in the arts community, paving the way for more variety acts that would eventually become the foundation for reality TV. Congratulations, Calkins – you're indirectly responsible for 'The Bachelor!'. Fact: Did you know that being named exec sec asst is basically the title equivalent of being the 'person who holds the coffee' in a meeting?.
  • Headline: FRANCES STEEN A BRIDE; Wed in St. Thomas Chantry to J.T. Gilbert, Bermuda Official. Impact: Frances's wedding sparked a mini-trend of destination weddings, leading to countless couples arguing over whether to get married in the Bahamas or just at the local courthouse. Spoiler alert: they all end up at the courthouse!. Fact: Did you know that the best part of a wedding is the cake? Just saying..
  • Headline: POLICEMAN WOUNDED IN CAFETERIA AFFRAY; On Way to Investigate Shooting, He Is Shot Outside Door. Impact: This tragic event highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement, ultimately leading to increased training and protective measures. It's a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those in uniform.. Fact: It's said that the cafeteria was known for its 'daily specials,' but clearly, they needed a better security plan..

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