Nineteen Hundred Thirty-Seven

A Birthday Post

In 1937 . . .

1.      The US Social Security system began levying taxes on workers’ wages.

2.      Howard Hughes set a transcontinental air record by flying his monoplane from Los Angeles to Newark, NJ, in seven hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

3.      President Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated for a 2^nd term.  He became the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 instead of March 4.

4.      The Ohio River crested at 57.1 feet, almost thirty feet above flood stage. The flood of 1937 took place in late January and February.  One million persons were left homeless with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million. The Mississippi River crested at 14.8 meters.  Flooding left 37 people dead in Arkansas.

5.      The 1^st US permanent automobile license plate was issued in Connecticut.

6.       The nation’s first Social Security checks were distributed.

7.      Margaret Mitchell won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, “Gone with the Wind.”

8.      Spam, a canned ham by Hormel was introduced to the public.

9.      California’s Golden Gate Bridge was opened.

10.  Wimbledon was televised for the first time.

11.  Joe Louis began his reign as world heavyweight boxing champion.

12.  George Gershwin, composer, died of a brain tumor at age 38.

13.  Bill Cosby, comedian, actor, was born.

14.  The US house of Representatives passed the “Marijuana Tax Act” after a debate of 90 seconds.  It stipulated that pot could not be sold without a license.  No licenses were ever issued, thus making the sale illegal.  In 1970 Congress outlawed marijuana more precisely.

15.  The NYC Lincoln Tunnel opened to traffic.

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All of the above and so much more happened in 1937. 

At a celebratory breakfast this morning, a friend’s words warmed my heart.  I had said my blog post today would list a number of memorable or newsworthy events that took place in 1937.  She said, “. . .including God stopped the world and you got on.”  I was born November 9, 1937 along with my twin brother, Jim, who is celebrating our special day as well.  I am grateful.  (Read my award winning memoir, Black Star Girl.)

Another loving friend asked how it felt to be three quarters of a century old.  I am grateful and I am laughing!

Enjoy your day, also.