MAY 5, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Guidelines for Street Cleanliness Issued. Impact: When the Committee of Twenty decided to tackle litter, they unknowingly set off a chain reaction that led to the invention of eco-friendly straws. Who knew that a simple leaflet could inspire future generations to wage war against plastic? Thanks, clean streets!. Fact: Did you know that the original leaflet was just a really long list of complaints about how people couldn't even be trusted with a candy wrapper? Talk about a confidence boost!.
• Headline: Burns Bros. Stockholder Approval. Impact: The approval of the Burns Bros. plan led to a historical chain reaction involving stockholder meetings that eventually resulted in the invention of the PowerPoint presentation. Ah, yes, the true horror of corporate life.. Fact: Did you know that stockholder meetings were originally just an excuse for people to bring snacks? Now they involve PowerPoint and existential dread!.
• Headline: MASONS TO CHARTER A RESEARCH LODGE; Membership of Scholars Will Be by Invitation Only, Grand Lodge Committee Says. GUEST GROUPS TOUR CITY Delegations From Europe, Canada and Mexico Are Entertained-- Business Session Today.. Impact: The Masons' decision to charter a research lodge sparked a conspiracy theory about secret societies being the true gatekeepers of knowledge. Who needs universities when you have a secret handshake?. Fact: Did you know that the Masons‘ secret motto is ‘We Know Stuff’? It’s a real conversation starter at parties!.
• Headline: EXTOLS DR. W.F. JOHNSON.; N.Y.U. Council Adopts Memorial Resolution Eulogizing Editor.. Impact: Dr. W.F. Johnson's eulogy led to a sudden rise in memorial resolutions, creating a quirky trend where people began eulogizing foods and inanimate objects. 'In loving memory of the last slice of pizza' became a thing.. Fact: Did you know that Dr. Johnson was once eulogized by a sandwich? It was a touching tribute, but the sandwich was later found to be a hoax..
• Headline: TWO KINGS CONFER SECRETLY ON YACHT; Alexander of Yugoslavia and Carol of Rumania, With Chief Advisers, Meet on Danube. DICTATORSHIP MOVE SEEN Bucharest Suspects Ruler Consulted Brother-in-Law on How Latter Met Crisis in Belgrade.. Impact: The secret yacht meeting between Kings Alexander and Carol foreshadowed a future where rulers would hold diplomatic meetings in increasingly ridiculous locations, from pop-up tents to escape rooms.. Fact: Did you know that the yacht was originally booked for a fishing trip? Guess the fish were saved from royal secrets!.
• Headline: TAMMANY IN REVOLT ON INQUIRY TACTICS; COMMITTEE IS SPLIT; McNaboe Accuses Hofstadter of Breach of Faith in Signing Subpoena for Higgins. COURT FIGHT IS IMMINENT Dunnigan Attacks as Illegal Plan to Exclude Democrats From Secret Hearings. CUVILLIER MEETS A REBUFF He Goes to Seabury's Office to Demand a Special Meeting to Reply to Schieffelin.. Impact: Tammany Hall's internal revolt over inquiry tactics led to the formation of the 'Committee of People Who Definitely Don’t Trust Each Other,' which still holds meetings to this day.. Fact: Did you know that political infighting is like a family reunion but with fewer potato salads and more accusations?.
• Headline: Text of Charges Against Borough President Harvey; Specific Charges Listed.. Impact: The charges against Borough President Harvey set a precedent for political scandals that would later inspire reality TV shows. Who knew that politics could be so entertaining?. Fact: Did you know that 'Borough President' was once a title given to the best pie baker? Unfortunately, that didn’t translate well to politics..
• Headline: COMMUNISTS IN INDIA OPEN INTENSIVE DRIVE; Punjab and United Provinces Papers Suppressed and Red Circulars Seized.. Impact: The Communist movement in India sparked a series of underground literary movements, eventually leading to the rise of pamphleteering as a form of protest—and a whole lot of paper cuts.. Fact: Did you know that the first known pamphlet was just someone’s grocery list? It didn’t sell well, but it did spark a revolution in boredom!.