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On the date

Friday, January 19, 1940

From the day

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

Powder Plant Explosion Kills 5; Scotland Yards Gets Sabotage Hint; Warning Received of 'Accidents' at Factory Near London--Damage Over a Six-Mile Radius--Roar Heard 70 Miles Away

Read in The New York Times →

The must-have

Red Ryder BB Gun

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

gobbledygooksnafufubar

Gi

ack-ackdear johnfatiguesroger that

Bobby Soxer

neatodreamydreamboat

Catchphrases of 1940

  • I'll never go hungry again

Tech Check

Color TV Broadcasts, Jeep & Radar Systems.

Style of 1940

Silhouette: Boxy and austere (Utility)

Material: Rayon and tweed

  • Victory rolls
  • Utility suits
  • Snoods

Cost of Living (1940)

Loaf of Bread

$0.08

Gallon of Gas

$0.18

Average Home

$2,938

New Car

$850

Time Elapsed

31,549 days ago

(86 years, 159 days)