The year 1938 was packed with interesting events and fun facts that shaped the world we know today. From groundbreaking inventions to memorable pop culture moments, this year had a little bit of everything. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for some cool trivia, 1938 is full of surprises that will make you think about how far we’ve come.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at some amazing trivia from 1938. Did you know that it was the year when the first superhero comic was published? Or that a famous movie about a flying monkey was released? These fun facts and more show how 1938 was a time of creativity and change. Get ready to impress your friends with your knowledge of this exciting year, and see what unique stories and inventions came to life during that time!
1938 Trivia
Adventures in 1938 World Events
1. What country’s annexation by Germany in 1938 contributed to the start of World War II? (Answer: Austria)
2. Which landmark event in 1938 involved the first-ever gathering of world leaders in the U.S. for a diplomatic purpose? (Answer: The Good Neighbor Policy)
3. Who was the U.S. president during the significant events of 1938? (Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt)
4. In what month did the Munich Agreement take place, allowing Nazi Germany to annex certain areas? (Answer: September)
5. What type of government was established in Spain in 1938? (Answer: Fascist)
6. Which convention focused on the plight of Jewish refugees in Europe in 1938? (Answer: The Évian Conference)
7. What authoritarian leader continued to rise in power in Italy during 1938? (Answer: Benito Mussolini)
8. Which naval incident happened in 1938 highlighting tensions leading up to World War II? (Answer: The Panay incident)
9. What was the name of the pact signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan in 1938? (Answer: The Anti-Comintern Pact)
10. Which country saw the beginning of the “Kristallnacht”, a violent anti-Jewish pogrom, in late 1938? (Answer: Germany)
Fascinating 1938 Movies and Entertainment
1. What classic film featuring a flying monkey debuted in 1938? (Answer: The Wizard of Oz)
2. Which actor portrayed the famous character of Superman in the first comic published in 1938? (Answer: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster)
3. In 1938, what classic children’s story was turned into a musical film starring Shirley Temple? (Answer: Heidi)
4. What animated short featuring a rabbit became a popular character in 1938? (Answer: Bugs Bunny)
5. Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1938? (Answer: You Can’t Take It With You)
6. What popular radio show in 1938 featured a famous detective known as “The Shadow”? (Answer: The Shadow)
7. What was the name of the successful Broadway musical that debuted in 1938 and focused on American life? (Answer: The Boys from Syracuse)
8. Which famous actor starred in the 1938 film “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”? (Answer: Mickey Rooney)
9. In what year did Walt Disney release his classic animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”? (Answer: 1938 for re-release)
10. Which film featuring a romantic story was a significant hit and released by Frank Capra in 1938? (Answer: You Can’t Take It With You)
Changes in 1938 Inventions and Technology
1. What important household appliance was mass-produced and sold to the public in 1938? (Answer: The refrigerator)
2. Who invented the first true “ballpoint pen” in the year 1938? (Answer: Laszlo Biro)
3. In 1938, which significant radio technology made a significant advancement allowing better broadcasts? (Answer: FM radio)
4. What new safety feature was introduced to automobiles in 1938? (Answer: The hydraulic brake)
5. Which company produced the first portable radio in 1938? (Answer: RCA)
6. What popular device was sold in the U.S. for the first time in 1938? (Answer: The television)
7. Which innovation allowed people to listen to music on the go, released in 1938? (Answer: Record player)
8. In what year did the invention of the modern credit card begin development? (Answer: 1938)
9. Who developed the first commercial electric razor in 1938? (Answer: Jacob Schick)
10. What new roundabout tire design hit the market in 1938? (Answer: The radial tire)
Remarkable 1938 Sports and Achievements
1. Which baseball player hit his famous 700th career home run in 1938? (Answer: Babe Ruth)
2. What sport did the New York Yankees dominate in 1938 with their championship win? (Answer: Baseball)
3. Which famous boxer, nicknamed “The Brown Bomber,” became heavyweight champion in 1938? (Answer: Joe Louis)
4. In which city did the 1938 Winter Olympics take place? (Answer: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany)
5. What was the outcome of the first televised professional football game in 1938? (Answer: Brooklyn Dodgers won over the Philadelphia Eagles)
6. Which sport saw the introduction of new rules in 1938 that began shaping modern gameplay? (Answer: Basketball)
7. Who won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon in 1938? (Answer: John Doeg)
8. What famous golf tournament began recognizing women competitors in 1938? (Answer: The U.S. Women’s Open)
9. Which athlete made headlines in 1938 for her remarkable achievements in swimming? (Answer: Eleanor Holm)
10. What groundbreaking race occurred for the first time in 1938 involving automobiles? (Answer: NASCAR)
Iconic 1938 Music and Artists
1. Which popular song by Benny Goodman became a major hit in 1938? (Answer: “Sing, Sing, Sing”)
2. Who wrote the anthem “God Bless America” that gained popularity in 1938? (Answer: Irving Berlin)
3. What jazz artist was known for working with the famous Duke Ellington Band in 1938? (Answer: Johnny Hodges)
4. In which year did the famous bandleader Glenn Miller become widely popular with songs like “Moonlight Serenade”? (Answer: 1938)
5. Who released the famous swing hit “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 1938? (Answer: Duke Ellington)
6. Which British singer became famous for her radio broadcast performances in 1938? (Answer: Gracie Fields)
7. What musical genre began to take off in the U.S. during 1938, paving the way for future artists? (Answer: Swing music)
8. Which popular song became a top hit sung by Bing Crosby in 1938? (Answer: “Love in Bloom”)
9. Who was the celebrated pianist that dazzled audiences during performances in 1938? (Answer: Vladimir Horowitz)
10. What famous music festival began in 1938 showcasing a variety of musicians? (Answer: The Newport Jazz Festival)
Engaging 1938 Literature and Authors
1. What significant novel was released in 1938 by authors such as John Steinbeck? (Answer: The Grapes of Wrath)
2. Which famous mystery novel was contributed to British literature in 1938? (Answer: The Crooked House by Agatha Christie)
3. Who authored the well-known book “The Forsyte Saga” in 1938? (Answer: John Galsworthy)
4. What famous literary work by J.R.R. Tolkien began to garner attention in 1938? (Answer: The Hobbit)
5. Which American author published “The Good Earth” in 1938, earning critical acclaim? (Answer: Pearl S. Buck)
6. What influential science fiction book was published in 1938 by Ray Bradbury? (Answer: The Martian Chronicles)
7. Who wrote the prominent children’s book “The Yearling” that was published in 1938? (Answer: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings)
8. Which magazine began its publication in 1938, focusing on women’s issues? (Answer: Ladies’ Home Journal)
9. What famous book of poetry by W.H. Auden was published in 1938? (Answer: Another Time)
10. Which classic American novel celebrating rural life was published by William Faulkner in 1938? (Answer: The Hamlet)
Final Thoughts
This retracing of 1938 has allowed us to remember not only the defining events and figures of that year but also the creativity and innovations that emerged. From notable films and music to groundbreaking technological developments, 1938 was indeed a year to remember. We hope this trivia has sparked your interest in the exciting stories of the past and encouraged you to explore more topics like the 1980s trivia and 1970s trivia. The past is full of fascinating tales just waiting to be told.