Editor’s note: On September 27, 1938, Jewish lawyers are forbidden to practice in Germany.
The Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees met from October 5-9 in the 1938 World Series. The Yankees swept the Cubs and Chicago would not have another championship appearance until 1945.
Dupont announced, on October 27, that it’s newly developed synthetic fiber would be called “nylon”.
October 30, 1938–Orson Wells and The Mercury Theater broadcasts the “War of the Worlds” radio drama which makes people think that Martians have invaded West Windsor Township in rural New Jersey.
On October 31, 1938, my father came home to the second floor apartment in Oak Park. It was dark and he went out on the balcony. He wanted to get a closer look at the jack-o-lantern on the balcony across the street so he climbed up on the ledge to lean against the screen–but the screens had been removed and when he leaned forward he fell and landed on his back, with his left arm pinned under him, on the sidewalk below. Lucky to be alive, he had several months of traction, casts and then physical therapy to rehabilitate his broken shoulder.
November 11, 1938–German Jews are forced to wear yellow star of David on their clothing at all times.
Artie Shaw had a hit song with “Begin the Beguine”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCXVxE_YeP4