AUGUST 6, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: First Female Traffic Officer in London. Impact: Officer J. Bull's groundbreaking traffic directing somehow sparked the idea that anyone, even a cat, could direct traffic. This led to a bizarre trend of pets donning tiny uniforms, resulting in chaotic rush hours.. Fact: Did you know that before Officer Bull, traffic was directed exclusively by frustrated pedestrians waving their arms? Spoiler: it was a disaster..
• Headline: Spain's Nobility's Impact on Economy. Impact: The nobles' decision to vacation in France created a cash flow issue that forced Spain to invent the siesta. Luckily, this led to an entire culture of napping—thank you, absent nobles!. Fact: Did you know that this absence of noble wealth led to the temporary rise of ‘the common man's tapas’? Finally, an excuse to eat snacks all day!.
• Headline: SAYS AN ELECTION NOW WOULD DEFEAT HOOVER; Farley Tells Westchester Democrats President Would NotWin Two Western States.. Impact: Farley's comment became the infamous rallying cry for 'Anyone But Hoover' movements, which led to an ongoing tradition of political campaigns that focus more on who to avoid than who to elect. 'Just don't vote for that guy' became a staple!. Fact: Did you know that in political circles, 'the Westchester effect' refers to the art of losing gracefully while blaming everyone else?.
• Headline: RAID FIFTH AV. SHOP IN 'WINE BRICK' TEST; Dry Agents Make First Seizure Here of Grape Concentrates and Arrest Three. STORE OPPOSITE A CHURCH Case Pressed by Dry League Under a Seldom Used Section of the Volstead Act.. Impact: This raid set off a series of underground wine clubs, leading to the birth of the 'secret wine society' where enthusiasts would whisper about Merlot and Cabernet under the cover of darkness. The revolution was fermented!. Fact: Did you know that the first ‘wine brick’ was invented when someone thought, 'Why not just make wine as hard as a brick?' It didn't catch on, but it did lead to fascinating conversations at parties..
• Headline: Reich Checks Ludendorff, Suppressing Paper 2 Weeks. Impact: This suppression was a pivotal moment that led to the rise of underground journalism. It inspired future generations to write things no one wanted to hear, like 'The Office' is a documentary.. Fact: Did you know that suppression of the press can cause an explosion of creativity? Just look at all those social media influencers!.
• Headline: GEN. BUTLER TO QUIT SOON; Marine Officer Tells Headquarters He Will Retire in the Fall.. Impact: General Butler's retirement led to a series of 'I could've been a general' motivational speeches by people who couldn't even lead a book club. The legacy of unwanted advice lives on!. Fact: Did you know that generals retiring often leads to a sudden influx of unsolicited military advice from Facebook uncles everywhere?.
• Headline: ROSENBLOOM WINS; KEEPS RING CROWN; Light-Heavyweight Champion Outpoints Slattery in 15 Rounds Before 7,000. RIVAL BADLY OUTCLASSED Keeps on Till End, Though He Is Cuffed and Mauled Through Twelve of the Rounds. LATE RALLY STIRS FANS But Titleholder's Unorthodox Style Balks Up-State Boxer--La Gray Also Victor at Ebbets Field.. Impact: Rosenbloom's victory sparked a trend of obscure boxing styles that eventually led to the creation of ‘boxercise’ classes in gyms across America, where punching bags became a form of therapy for the mildly annoyed.. Fact: Did you know that boxing champions often end up with more fan clubs than actual fans? Just look at the number of 'I love Rosenbloom' T-shirts sold!.
• Headline: Mosquito Hordes in Paris Worry the Screenless City. Impact: The arrival of mosquito hordes turned Paris into an inadvertent testing ground for insect repellent, leading to the first fashion-forward mosquito netting that was so stylish that people wore it as a statement. Who knew mosquitoes could inspire haute couture?. Fact: Did you know that mosquitoes are the unofficial mascot of summer in Paris? They’ve inspired countless songs, mostly lamenting lost blood and sanity..
• Headline: SPEED TEST OF LAW ON REAPPORTIONING; Republicans and Democrats Agree to Rush Case to United States Supreme Court. PLAN MANDAMUS ACTION Find Precedent in Bull Moose Dispute--Bar Leaders to Aid State Organizations.. Impact: This bipartisan agreement set a dangerous precedent for actual cooperation in politics, which was so shocking that it led to a sudden spike in political science majors and a series of 'What ifs' that haunt scholars to this day.. Fact: Did you know that bipartisan agreements are so rare that they have their own endangered species list? Just like the dodo bird, they’re fascinating but mostly extinct..