
What Happened in 1928
Historical Highlights of 1928
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Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to Wales, solidifying her place in aviation history.

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President Calvin Coolidge awarded Charles Lindbergh the Congressional Medal of Honor for his solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic in 1927. The medal was given in recognition of Lindbergh's courage and skill as a navigator.
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The Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri sold the first pre-sliced bread, leading to the phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

Pop Culture & Fun Facts from 1928
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"Lights of New York" was a 1928 American crime drama filmed in the Vitaphone sound-on-disc sound system. It is the first all-talking full-length feature film.
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Although Levi Strauss first made his jeans in 1872, the company trademarked the name Levi's™ in 1928.


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The modern yo-yo was patented by Pedro Flores, sparking a toy craze.
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Walter Diemer, an accountant for the Fleer Chewing Gum Company, accidentally created the first successful batch of bubble gum, which was later sold as "Dubble Bubble."
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In 1928, Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in "Steamboat Willie", marking the beginning of an iconic Disney franchise. This was a revolutionary moment in animation, and Walt Disney's creation would go on to become one of the most influential characters in pop culture.
Science & Inventions of 1928
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Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the world's first antibiotic, revolutionizing medicine and leading to the development of treatments for bacterial infections.
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The First Television Transmission – John Logie Baird in Scotland demonstrated the first public television transmission in 1928, marking a major step in the development of television technology. This laid the foundation for the later commercialization of television.
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Robert Goddard successfully launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1928, which was a key development in the history of space exploration. Goddard’s work paved the way for later advancements in rocketry.
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Harvard University's Drs. Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw developed the first “iron lung.” It was a mechanical device that helped people breathe when their lung muscles weren't working properly.
Sports Highlights of 1928
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The World Series – The New York Yankees defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the 1928 World Series, claiming their second consecutive championship title. Babe Ruth continued to dominate with his legendary performance.
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Gene Tunney successfully defended his World Heavyweight Boxing Championship against Jack Dempsey in a rematch, solidifying his place as one of the best boxers of his era.
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Nicolas Frantz of Luxembourg won the Tour de France for the second year in a row.
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Henri Cochet won the French Open and the US Open.
Top Songs of 1928
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"Ain't She Sweet?" – Gene Austin
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"Sweet Georgia Brown" – Ben Bernie and His Orchestra
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"Makin' Whoopee" – Eddie Cantor
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"I Wanna Be Loved by You" – Helen Kane
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"Am I Blue?" – Ethel Waters
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"My Blue Heaven" – Gene Austin
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"Tea for Two" – Vincent Youmans
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"I'm Sitting on Top of the World" – Al Jolson
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"There's a Cabin in the Pines" – Cliff Edwards
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"My Heart Is Taking Lessons" – Frank Crumit
Top Movies of 1928
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The Passion of Joan of Arc
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Steamboat Willie
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The Circus
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The Jazz Singer
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Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
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The Wind
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The Cameraman
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Wings
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Street Angel
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The Last Command
