What Happened in 1938
Historical Highlights of 1938
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The Fair Labor Standards Act passed in the U.S. establishing the 40-hour workweek, minimum wage, and outlawed child labor in many industries.
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The March of Dimes was established. Created to fight polio, it was spearheaded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself a polio survivor.
Pop Culture & Fun Facts from 1938
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Action Comics #1 introduced Superman, the world’s first superhero, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
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Orson Welles’ The War of the Worlds radio broadcast, a dramatization of a Martian invasion, aired on CBS and famously caused panic among some listeners who thought it was real.
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The Addams Family started as a comic in The New Yorker.
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The term “Gaslighting” comes from a 1938 stage play called Gas Light, in which a husband tries to make his wife think she’s going insane through mental manipulation.
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The boardgame Scrabble was created.
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Walt Disney won a special Oscar in 1938 for Snow White that had one regular-sized statuette and seven miniature Oscars.
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The chocolate chip cookie was ‘invented’ by Ruth Graves Wakefield. She created the recipe when she owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts.
Science & Inventions of 1938
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Hungarian journalist László Bíró patented the ballpoint pen, a cleaner, smoother alternative to fountain pens.
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Chemist Roy Plunkett accidentally discovered Teflon (PTFE) — the non-stick coating used in cookware and later in aerospace applications.
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The first synthetic fiber was introduced, revolutionizing textiles. Nylon stockings became a huge sensation shortly after.
Sports Highlights of 1938
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Boxer, Joe Louis defends his Heavyweight title.
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The underdog racehorse Seabiscuit became a symbol of hope and resilience during the Great Depression.
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World Series Champions: New York Yankees
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NFL Champs: New York Giants
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Stanley Cup Champs: Chicago Black Hawks
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U.S. Open Golf: Ralph Guldahl
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U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): J. Donald Budge/Alice Marble
Top Songs of 1938
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Begin the Beguine – Artie Shaw
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A-Tisket, A-Tasket – Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb Orchestra
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Thanks for the Memory – Bob Hope & Shirley Ross
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Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong
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Music, Maestro, Please – Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
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Change Partners – Fred Astaire
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Small Fry – Bing Crosby
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You Go to My Head – Larry Clinton Orchestra (vocals by Bea Wain)
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Bei Mir Bistu Shein – The Andrews Sisters
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I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart – Duke Ellington
Top Movies of 1938
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Bringing Up Baby – A classic screwball comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant
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The Adventures of Robin Hood – Starring Errol Flynn; Technicolor action at its finest
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You Can’t Take It With You – Frank Capra’s hit film, won Best Picture
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Boys Town – Spencer Tracy plays Father Flanagan in this heartwarming true story
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Test Pilot – Drama with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy
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Holiday – Romantic comedy with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant
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Angels with Dirty Faces – Crime drama with James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart
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Alexander’s Ragtime Band – Musical showcasing the music of Irving Berlin
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Jezebel – Bette Davis won the Academy Award for Best Actress
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The Lady Vanishes – Alfred Hitchcock’s British mystery-thriller
FREE 1938 Year You Were Born Printable
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