Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
On this block in 1940
The 2120 Cooperative replaced these townhomes at 2101-2117 Walnut in 1954.
In 1940
President: Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)
Mayor: Robert Eneas Lamberton (R)
Philadelphia population: 1,931,334
Events
January 31 First ever payment of Social Security made to Ida May Fuller.
May 17 Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium, and begins the invasion of France.
May 20 Igor Sikorsky unveils his helicopter invention.
June 4 German forces enter Paris.
June 28 The Republican Convention, held in Philadelphia, nominates Wendall Willkie for President. Willkie supports "Lend Lease" effort to support Britain in its solo fight against Nazi Germany.
July 23 German bombers begin the "Blitz," the all-night air raids on london.
September 3 The first showing of high definition color TV.
September 27 The Tripartite Pact is signed in Berlin by Germany, Japan and Italy, formalizing the "Axis Powers" partnership.
October 1 The first U.S. turnpike, a 160-mile section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, opens to the public.
October 20 German troops reach the outskirts of Moscow.
November 26 The half-million
this page online
Jimmie Foxx becomes the second member of baseball's 500 home run club with a home run at Shibe Park in Philadelphia.
At the movies The Great Dictator, The Philadelphia Story, The Grapes of Wrath.
Money matters
Average U.S. annual salary $1,299
Teacher's U.S. annual salary $1,441
Minimum wage 30’ / hour
Trolley 5’; bus 8’ cash, 2 tokens 15’
Postage stamp 3’
Baseball $1.29
Coca Cola 5’
Electric washing machine $47.95
Flashlight battery 4’
Bicycle $28.95
Tube of toothpaste 33’
Erected 2013 by Center City District, Philadelphia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Ride! Philadelphia series list. A significant day of the year for for this entry is January 31.
Location. 39° 57.048′ N, 75° 10.53′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Rittenhouse
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barbara Gittings (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 22nd & Walnut (about 500 feet away); 20th & Walnut (about 500 feet away); Historic Site in Journalism (about 600 feet away); First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia (UU) (about 700 feet away); On this block in 1931 (about 700 feet away); In 1870, St. James Episcopal Church filled this corner. (about 700 feet away); Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
