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On the date

Monday, July 27, 1931

From the day

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

PRISONS OF NATION DECLARED FAILURE; OUTWORN, INHUMAN; Wickersham Report Assails the Whole System as Worthless in Rebuilding Men. BRUTAL DISCIPLINE DECRIED Riots and Fires "Dramatic Evidence" of Futility--AuburnType Forts "Needless."NEW PENAL MODE URGEDConvict Wages, Segregation, Individual Education and Broad Use of Parole Advised. Inefficiency Is Stressed. PRISONS OF NATION DECLARED FAILURE Individual Study Advised. Would Relieve Overcrowding. Prisoner Wage Recommended. Value of Parole Emphasized. Central Supervision Favored General Overcrowding Found. Data on Discipline Given. New York Parole Plan a Model. Points to Savings. Experts Who Made Study. DEFENDS BAY STATE PRISONS. State Commissioner Denies Cruelty but Admits Overcrowding.

Read in The New York Times →

Best-selling Sheet Music

Minnie the Moocher

Cab Calloway

The must-have

Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

damefellaswelllousy

Hardboiled

clip jointgriftershamusgunsel

Swing Era

alligatorjitterbugkiller dillerin the groove

Catchphrases of 1931

  • Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash

Tech Check

Electric Guitar, Electron Microscope & Radio Telescope.

Cost of Living (1930)

Loaf of Bread

$0.09

Gallon of Gas

$0.20

Average Home

$3,900

New Car

$640

Meanwhile

  • The Great DepressionGDP fell 30%; triggered by Black Tuesday (1929-10-29).

Time Elapsed

34,647 days ago

(94 years, 337 days)