If you were born in 1940, you were one of 2,360,399 babies who were born in the U.S. that year. 1940 was the beginning of the Cold War; babies born in that year were called war babies.  In 1940 the life expectancy was 68.2 for females and 60.8 for males. America was still struggling to emerge from a depression that had already stretched to a full decade.  You were born into a home where the approximate income was $1,900.00.  The average cost of a house in 1940 was $6,550.00.   Following are some interesting facts about your birth year.
 

    In The Year 1940

  • Population in 1940 - 132,122,000

  • Unemployment in 1940 - 8,120,000

  • National Debt $43 Billion

  • Average Annual Income Salary $1,900.00

  • Minimum Wage $.30 per hour

  • Number of babies born in 1940 - 2,360,399

  • Infant Death Rate 47 for every 1000 babies born  

 

Major World Events in 1940

 

U.S. Events in 1940

Franklin D. Roosevelt
President

Harry S. Truman
Vice President

 

  • FDR is elected to a third term

  • The Lend-Lease Act passes, allowing the United States to help Britain fight World War Two

  • The first Social Security benefit checks are paid out (Jan 30)

  • Supreme Court decides blacks do have a right to vote

  • Selective Service Act signed

  • Philip Murray replaces John L. Lewis as CIO president

  • Ford Motor Strike

  • The Pennsylvania Turnpike opens. It is the first multilane U.S. superhighway

  • The first Los Angeles freeway opens (the Pasadena Freeway)
     

Cost of Living in 1940

House

$6,550.00

Car

$800.00

Refrigerator

$152.00

Electric Washers

$71.00

Gallon of Gas

18¢

First Class Stamp

03¢

Loaf of Bread

08¢

Gallon of Milk
 
34¢
 
Dozen Eggs
 
27¢


 

Popular Movies in 1940

Academy Awards

 1.  The Philadelphia Story

 2.  The Grapes of Wrath

 3.  Rebecca

 4.  His Girl Friday

 5.  Fantasia

 6.  Pinocchio

 7.  The Great Dictator

 8.  The Westerner

 9.  The Thief of Baghdad

10. The Road to Singapore

 

  • Best Picture: "Rebecca"

  • Best Director: John Ford ... "The Grapes of Wrath"

  • Best Actor: James Stewart ... "The Philadelphia Story"

  • Best Actress: Ginger Rogers ... "Kitty Foyle"

 

 

 

 

 

Actors Born in 1940

 Well Known People Born in 1940

Class of 1958 Home Page