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On the date

Tuesday, May 23, 1939

From the day

Memories from that day

No memories yet. Add yours if you remember this day.

The Headlines

C.I.O. AUTO STRIKE MAKES 24,000 IDLE; Briggs Local of 15,000 Called Out at Detroit After Hitch on Contract--Chrysler Hit

Read in The New York Times →

The must-have

View-Master

On This Day

  • The U.S. Navy submarine USS Squalus sinks off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive, causing the death of 24 sailors and two civilian technicians. The remaining 32 sailors and one civilian naval architect are rescued the following day.

    Wikipedia →

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

damefellaswelllousy

Hardboiled

clip jointgriftershamusgunsel

Swing Era

alligatorjitterbugkiller dillerin the groove

Catchphrases of 1939

  • Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn
  • Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

Tech Check

Television Sets (World's Fair), View-Master & Helicopter (Sikorsky).

Cost of Living (1930)

Loaf of Bread

$0.09

Gallon of Gas

$0.20

Average Home

$3,900

New Car

$640

Time Elapsed

31,790 days ago

(87 years, 35 days)