US 66 becomes the first highway to be completely paved (1938)
US 66 becomes the first highway to be completely paved took place in 1938, during the Modern Century (20th century) — a moment that historians still return to for what it changed and what it revealed about its time.
Context
Modern Century — World wars, moon shots, and cultural upheaval. That's roughly 32 years ago — still within living memory for many. Around the same time, the world was also seeing Olympia written, directed and produced by Leni Riefenstahl (1938) and Studebaker opens Proving Ground at Bendix Woods County Park (1938).
Why it matters
US 66 becomes the first highway to be completely paved is remembered because its consequences outlasted the moment — the people affected, the decisions it forced, and the way it reset the story of what came next.
Did you know?
Just 0 years after, Olympia written, directed and produced by Leni Riefenstahl (1938) was also making headlines — a reminder how much history can compress into a single decade.
Era
Modern Century
World wars, moon shots, and cultural upheaval.
Category
Americana
Americana traces the uniquely American story — pop culture, politics, sports, and everyday life woven into the national identity.
Contemporary events
What else was happening in the world around this time.
Same year · 1938
Olympia written, directed and produced by Leni Riefenstahl
Same year · 1938
Studebaker opens Proving Ground at Bendix Woods County Park
Same year · 1938
Angelo Bartlett Giamatti
Same year · 1938
A. Bart Giamatti, American literature professor, Yale president, commissioner of MLB
Same year · 1938
Scrabble by Alfred Mosher Butts
Sources & further reading7 verified references · tap to open
About this lesson. Overview, context, and “Why it matters” are generated summaries written for study and gameplay. Dates and category placement come from the Timeline question bank[1]; era descriptions are adapted from standard historical periodisation[2]. For primary sources and in-depth reading, use the references below.
- Timeline question bank — © the game's original author, used with permission.
- Era framework based on Wikipedia's Human history overview, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikipedia
Community-maintained encyclopedia entry with citations.
Encyclopædia Britannica
Editorially reviewed reference articles.
Library of Congress
Primary sources, photographs, and archival records.
National Archives
Original U.S. government documents and records.
Smithsonian
Museum collections and curator-written explainers.
BBC History
Long-form explainers and documentaries.
History.com
Timelines and topic overviews from HISTORY.
Educational content notice
Lessons are for general historical education, not professional advice. Some entries touch on wars, violence, or other sensitive events — appropriate for ages 9+. External links open in your browser and are not controlled by Timeline.
Quick check
Which of these happened in 1938?
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