AUGUST 17, 1945

FRIDAY
$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 Body Snatcher
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The Body Snatcher
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
The Naughty Nineties
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The Naughty Nineties
Wonder Man
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Wonder Man
The Clock
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The Clock
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
August 17, 1945 Trivia
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The Story of August 17, 1945

On August 17, 1945, significant developments unfolded as Japanese forces in China agreed to surrender, which was reported by the Chungking government.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 17, 1945

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Rise of the Chinese Communists. Impact: This headline marked the beginning of a long and tumultuous relationship between China and the West, leading to future misunderstandings, trade wars, and, of course, the inevitable social media debates about Chinese takeout.. Fact: Did you know that the Chinese Communist Party started off with only a handful of members? They clearly knew how to grow their influence faster than a viral TikTok dance..
  • Headline: Japanese Forces Surrender in China. Impact: The surrender of Japanese forces was a pivotal moment that not only ended fighting in China but also set the stage for future political dynamics in Asia. Who knew a bunch of soldiers deciding to put down their weapons could lead to decades of diplomatic negotiations and awkward family gatherings over the topic?. Fact: Interestingly, the act of surrendering is often seen as a sign of weakness, but in this case, it’s what saved countless lives. Talk about a plot twist!.
  • Headline: Stimson at Davies' Camp. Impact: Stimson’s camp visit could be interpreted as a relaxing getaway, but in reality, it was a strategic move that allowed him to plot the future of American foreign policy while sipping lemonade. Who says diplomacy can't be fun?. Fact: Fun fact: summer camps were not just for kids. Adults have been plotting world domination over marshmallows for centuries!.
  • Headline: BENJAMIN S. BAKER; Attorney 71 Years, Ex-Federal Judge in Nebraska, 95. Impact: Baker’s long career as a judge might have inadvertently influenced a generation of lawyers to believe they could retire at 95 too. Spoiler alert: it’s not that common.. Fact: At 95, Baker was probably more qualified than half of Congress. Just saying..
  • Headline: Appointed to Export Post In Baldwin Locomotive. Impact: Appointing someone to export sales at Baldwin Locomotive may have inadvertently kick-started a trend of companies realizing they needed someone who could actually sell their products. Shocking revelation, right?. Fact: Did you know that locomotives were once the hottest commodity? That’s right, people were more interested in trains than in the latest iPhone!.
  • Headline: Bike Title Tests Tomorrow. Impact: The national amateur bicycle championships could be seen as a precursor to today’s obsession with fitness and biking culture. Who knew racing around on two wheels would lead to the spandex revolution?. Fact: Bicycles were once considered a scandalous mode of transport for women. Now, they’re a symbol of freedom... and getting hit by a car..
  • Headline: Churchill Voices Concern Over Division of Europe; Sees Polish Frontier as Poor Augury for Future--Attacks Forced Migrations-- Tells of Order for Atomic Bomb Use CHURCHILL ATTACKS DIVISION OF EUROPE Divergence of Views Cited Communist Gains Seen Japan Refused Offer Tribute to Churchill Also Hits Mid-Europo Set-Up. Impact: Churchill's concerns about Europe's division foreshadowed decades of political tension, leading to a Cold War that was anything but cool. Thanks for the foresight, Winston!. Fact: Churchill once said, 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal.' He clearly had the optimism of someone who’d seen a little too much history unfold..
  • Headline: GOVERNMENT JOBS GOING TO VETERANS; GETTING THE BAD NEWS THAT COMES WITH THE GOOD. Impact: The decision to limit federal job applications to veterans created an elite group of job-seekers, inadvertently creating a massive backlog of hopefuls who just wanted a desk job. Because who doesn’t love a good queue?. Fact: It’s funny how the government can prioritize veterans but still can’t get the mail delivered on time. Priorities, right?.

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