MAY 20, 1945

SUNDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1945
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $3,985,747 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.53
Median_Home_Price: $5,700.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.22
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.12
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.38
First_Class_Stamp: $0.03
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.69
Top Movies From 1945
1 The Bells of St. Mary's
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The Bells of St. Mary's
2 Leave Her to Heaven
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Leave Her to Heaven
3 Spellbound
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Spellbound
4 The Valley of Decision
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The Valley of Decision
5 Anchors Aweigh
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Anchors Aweigh
6 Week-End at the Waldorf
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Week-End at the Waldorf
7 Thrill of a Romance
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Thrill of a Romance
8 The Lost Weekend
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The Lost Weekend
9 State Fair
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State Fair
10 National Velvet
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National Velvet
The Southerner
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The Southerner
The Picture of Dorian Gray
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
Objective, Burma!
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Objective, Burma!
The Great Flamarion
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The Great Flamarion
The Corn is Green
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The Corn is Green
Tonight and Every Night
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Tonight and Every Night
Brewster's Millions
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Brewster's Millions
To Have and Have Not
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To Have and Have Not
Meet Me in St. Louis
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Meet Me in St. Louis
Murder, My Sweet
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Murder, My Sweet
Ministry of Fear
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Ministry of Fear
House of Frankenstein
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House of Frankenstein
The Thin Man Goes Home
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The Thin Man Goes Home
The Suspect
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The Suspect
May 20, 1945 Trivia
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The Story of May 20, 1945

On May 20, 1945, the United States was witnessing the end of a significant coal strike that had caused disruptions across the nation.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1945

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

1 Atomic Bomb
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Atomic Bomb
2 Microwave Oven
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Microwave Oven
3 Programmable Electronic Computer (ENIAC)
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Programmable Electronic Computer (ENIAC)
4 Artificial Satellite Concept
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Artificial Satellite Concept
5 Freeze-Drying Food
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Freeze-Drying Food
6 Ultrasound Medical Imaging Concept
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Ultrasound Medical Imaging Concept
7 Magnetic Core Memory
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Magnetic Core Memory
8 Mass Production Radar
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Mass Production Radar
9 Electric Hearing Aid Miniaturization
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Electric Hearing Aid Miniaturization
10 Pressurized Aircraft Cabin Standards
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Pressurized Aircraft Cabin Standards

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON May 20, 1945

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Exploring California's Design Innovations. Impact: P Lazlo's designs inspired a wave of California-based fashion that eventually led to the rise of the infamous 'California casual' lookβ€”sweatpants and flip-flops became a global phenomenon, much to the dismay of fashionistas everywhere.. Fact: California is often referred to as the 'Golden State,' but really it's just a euphemism for the golden opportunity to wear whatever you want and still call it a fashion statement..
  • Headline: Coal Strike Agreement Reached in 1945. Impact: The coal strike led to an increase in alternative energy research, paving the way for renewable energy sources. So, thanks to the workers fighting for their pay, we might just have a cleaner planetβ€”or at least a few less coal dust allergies.. Fact: The phrase 'coal is king' might have been true once, but now it seems like the king is on a permanent vacation while solar panels and wind turbines take over the throne..
  • Headline: NEW ITALIAN REGIME LIKELY WITHIN WEEK. Impact: The uncertainty surrounding Italy's regime led to a greater interest in political science and the rise of amateur political theorists. They may have been wrong about everything, but hey, at least they had a theory!. Fact: Italy has had more governments than most people have had hot dinnersβ€”one reason why they have such a rich menu of pasta dishes; they had to keep cooking while politicians kept changing!.
  • Headline: BEHIND THE LEGEND OF CARUSO; The Artist's Intense and Active Life Emerges From His Widow's Biography. Impact: Caruso's legacy inspired a whole generation of tenors, leading to the increase of opera houses and a plethora of dramatic hand gestures that to this day confuse audiences everywhere. Bravo!. Fact: Enrico Caruso was known for his incredible voice, but fun fact: he was also famous for his legendary egoβ€”rumor has it he once tried to sing a duet with himself and lost!.
  • Headline: Teen-Age Centers; notes. Impact: The rise of teen-age centers ultimately led to the creation of youth culture as we know it today. So, if it weren’t for those centers, we might all be stuck listening to elevator music and wearing sensible shoes.. Fact: Teenage centers were all the rage, but they probably didn’t anticipate the rise of TikTokβ€”where today’s teens can become famous for doing dances in their living rooms instead of hanging out at community centers..
  • Headline: Latin 'Roosevelt Day' Is Urged. Impact: Proclaiming 'Roosevelt Day' in Latin America would lead to unprecedented levels of awkward celebrations and holiday cards, solidifying the belief that every country needs a day to celebrate their favorite presidentβ€”even if they have no idea why.. Fact: Roosevelt is remembered for many things, including his New Dealβ€”but let’s be real, who wouldn’t want a holiday named after them? It’s like a birthday, but everyone has to celebrate you for a whole day!.
  • Headline: Extra Bond Is Easier Way to Pay For Peace Than Dying, Patton Says; PATTON DESCRIBES EASY WAY TO WIN. Impact: Patton's unconventional suggestion may have inspired a new approach to military fundingβ€”perhaps the army should just host bake sales next time. Everyone loves cookies, right?. Fact: General Patton was known for his colorful personality and strong opinions, but let’s be real: if winning wars was as easy as selling bonds, we’d all be living in a peaceful utopia where generals bake cookies instead of strategizing!.

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1945, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
GE
General Electric
Price in 1945
$0.62
2025 dataset value
$487,501

General Electric - If you invested $1,000 in 1945, it would be worth $487,501 today (487.5x return)

Rank #2
PFE
Pfizer
Price in 1945
$0.15
2025 dataset value
$168,691

Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1945, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)

Rank #3
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1945
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,942

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1945, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
Marvel Mystery Comics #55
Marvel Mystery Comics #55
$3,500
Captain America Comics #42
Captain America Comics #42
$4,000
Detective Comics #98
Detective Comics #98
$10,200
Superman #36
Superman #36
$500
Action Comics #88
Action Comics #88
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Silly Putty
Silly Putty
$25.00
Magic 8-Ball
Magic 8-Ball
$50.00
Slinky
Slinky
$50.00
Tinkertoy
Tinkertoy
$150.00
Yo-yo
Yo-yo
$1350.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Kellogg's Pep Cereal War Picture Card #35: Aircraft Spotter Cards
Kellogg's Pep Cereal War Picture Card #35: Aircraft Spotter Cards
$200.00
Cantarini Picture Series (Italian)
Cantarini Picture Series (Italian)
$250,000
Japanese Sanko Card Game
Japanese Sanko Card Game
$0
Mickey Mouse Wartime Ration Token
Mickey Mouse Wartime Ration Token
$260,000
Leaf Strip Film Stars Set
Leaf Strip Film Stars Set
$3,000