Born in 1933
Turns 93 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1933
1933 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $30.00Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $30.00
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $30.00
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $30.00
Front Page: United States edition. The year is filled in; add their name in the editor. “Your name” is a placeholder. Light news is selected. A new keepsake, not an original newspaper.
BACK TO 1933 · United States
A little history to go with their gift.
Edwin Armstrong developed wide-band FM at Columbia University, England’s Ashes victory brought controversy over Bodyline bowling, and Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? escaped from a Disney film. Radio, sport and popular music all found new audiences.
What happened in 1933?
Roosevelt Speaks About the Bank Holiday
Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his first Fireside Chat on March 12, 1933. He spoke about the banking crisis and explained the steps taken during the bank holiday.
Miller Center, University of Virginia · Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration
Roosevelt launches the Civilian Conservation Corps
President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps by executive order on April 5, 1933, employing young men on conservation projects during the Depression.
The first drive-in theater opens
Richard M. Hollingshead opened the first park-in theater near Camden, New Jersey, in 1933. Visitors watched films from their cars.
The 21st Amendment ends Prohibition
On December 5, 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and ending national Prohibition.
Firsts and new ideas
Armstrong advances wide-band FM radio
At Columbia University in New York, Edwin Armstrong developed wide-band FM in 1933 to reduce static.
Columbia University Department of Electrical Engineering · IEEE Communications Society
Zworykin introduces the Iconoscope
Vladimir Zworykin introduced RCA's Iconoscope at an engineering meeting in Chicago in 1933.
Number ones and music in 1933
Chart positions belong to the country and chart named in each record.
Nina Simone is born
Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina, on February 21, 1933. She later became a singer, pianist and songwriter.
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources · Congressional Record, U.S. Congress
James Brown is born
James Brown was born near Barnwell, South Carolina, on May 3, 1933. He later became a landmark singer and bandleader.
South Carolina Encyclopedia · Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives
Prices and everyday money in 1933
United States figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| White bread, BLS 51-city series | 7.1¢ | per pound U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Fresh milk, BLS 51-city series | 10.4¢ | per quart U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Fresh eggs, BLS 51-city series | 28.8¢ | per dozen U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Granulated sugar, BLS 51-city series | 5.3¢ | per pound U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Planning the birthday
Someone born in 1933 turns 93 in 2026. Before their birthday they are one year younger. Choose the birth year for the print; add the full date in the editor if you know it.
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