What was happening in the world when the Ducks won their last MBB national title?
By Sam Fariss
The Oregon men’s basketball team has just one national title to its name, and it was the first NCAA Tournament ever.
On March 27, 1939, the Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes tipped off the final of the inaugural NCAA Tournament and Oregon walked away victorious 46-33.
Over the last 85 years, Oregon has had trips to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four but the Ducks have repeatedly fallen short of the ultimate prize.
Today in 1939, the University of Oregon defeated The Ohio State University 46–33 to win the #NCAA's first men’s college basketball tournament. In the 21st century, #MarchMadness has become America's most popular sporting event, especially among gamblers, after the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/M5CaD3hIht
— Dr. Paul (@DrPnygard) March 27, 2024
So, 85 years ago, what was happening in the world? What was the top song? Who was the President? What was the latest and greatest invention?
President of the United States in 1939
Franklin Delano Roosevelt – 1933-1945
Most popular song in 1939
Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
Most popular movie in 1939
The Wizard of Oz – 53,347,826 tickets sold
National average gas price in 1939
$0.19 per gallon
Inventions from 1939
- Daiquiri No. 5 was invented in Cuba
- Starting gates for horse races
- Packard introduced the first automobile with air conditioning in Chicago
- Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) invented by Luther George Simjian
Famous people born in 1939
- Mike Ditka
- Tina Turner
- Lee Majors
- Marvin Gaye
What else happened in 1939?
- Pan American Airways flew the first trans-Atlantic passenger service, from New York to Lisbon, Portugal
- The Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, NY
- The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 27-0 in the NFL Championship game
As the Ducks head to the Big Ten, hopefully, big things are in their future, including another national title for more than just the men’s basketball team.
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