England and France declared war on Germany. The Germans invaded Poland. The Russians — who had signed a non-hostility pact with Germany — invaded Finland. President Roosevelt and congress convened to discuss measures for the U.S. to stay neutral.
Despite the impending war in Europe, World Fairs in San Francisco and New York had upbeat themes, giving visitors glimpses of new inventions that would have impacts in the future, such as touch-tone telephone dialing and television.
Nylon stockings were introduced.
The first transatlantic passenger plane service began between Long Island and Lisbon.
Edwin Armstrong conducted preliminary tests of a new type of audio radio signal called Frequency Modulation, or FM.
Continuing daytime dramas became popular on radio. They were called "soap operas" because of the placement of sponsor's commercials within the storylines.
