MAY 11, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Official Song Writing Contest 1931. Impact: The official song contest sparked a global trend, leading to the rise of competitive song-writing tournaments, eventually resulting in the creation of reality shows that ruined the music industry as we know it today. Thanks, Ed!. Fact: Did you know the official song was so catchy that it caused spontaneous dance parties in the streets? Yeah, who knew a jingle could have such a profound impact on public health?.
• Headline: Fatal Air Crash in Karlsruhe. Impact: The air crash, while tragic, led to stricter aviation regulations, which then inspired the creation of countless disaster movies. One could argue that these films have kept us all from ever wanting to fly again. Silver linings, right?. Fact: The crash site is now a somber reminder of just how fragile our existence is when we trust metal tubes in the sky. Not to be too dramatic..
• Headline: The Positive View of Liberty in 1931. Impact: Stimpson's declaration about liberty being a compulsion led to a philosophical debate that spiraled into the formation of numerous self-help movements, ultimately resulting in the YouTube 'freedom' influencers we know and tolerate today.. Fact: Liberty has been seen as a positive concept so often that it’s practically a cliché now. Kind of like saying 'the internet is for cat videos.'.
• Headline: Two Literary Awards Made.. Impact: The criticism of the Pulitzer Awards as glorifying the commonplace triggered a backlash that resulted in the creation of avant-garde art movements that left most of us scratching our heads. Thanks for that, Pulitzer.. Fact: The Pulitzers have been accused of glorifying the commonplace since their inception. So, really, it’s just a tradition at this point..
• Headline: Pulitzer Awards Are Assailed As Glorifying the Commonplace. Impact: Calling the Depression an act of God gave rise to the idea that maybe divine intervention might be a good excuse for not paying your taxes. Now, people still pray for financial miracles every April.. Fact: Many people still believe that the Depression was a divine test. Spoiler alert: they failed, and we got the Great Recession instead!.
• Headline: Depression Called Act of God.. Impact: The end of the 118-day legislative session sparked a nationwide movement for more vacations and shorter workdays, which ironically resulted in more legislative gridlock because lawmakers were too busy enjoying their time off.. Fact: This session was so long that by the end, some legislators forgot why they were there in the first place—kinda like college students during finals week!.
• Headline: Legislature Ends 118-Day Session.. Impact: The Fresh Air Fund's appeal for aid laid the groundwork for future charitable campaigns, which eventually evolved into the social media challenges that have us dumping ice water on our heads for a cause. Thanks for setting the bar, church!. Fact: The $41,000 they were asking for back then would be equivalent to approximately $700,000 today. But hey, who’s counting?.
• Headline: FRESH AIR FUND ASKS AID; Appeal for $41,000 Is Made From Protestant Episcopal Pulpits.. Impact: Dr. Wood's praise of missionary work as a stabilizing force in economic conditions initiated a series of questionable economic theories that somehow just made things worse. But hey, at least they were trying!. Fact: Missionary work has often been praised for its economic benefits, but I guess nobody told that to the local economies it disrupted. Oops!.
• Headline: MISSIONARY WORK PRAISED.; Dr. Wood Says It Helps to Stabilize Economic Conditions..