AUGUST 14, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Egypt's Gold Piracy Risk Alarm in 1931. Impact: When pirates saw that gold was up for grabs, they decided that the high seas were basically a medieval buffet. Decades later, this led to the creation of pirate-themed birthday parties, and the notion that wearing an eye patch makes you a charismatic leader.. Fact: Pirates actually preferred rum over gold, but nobody throws a party for 'Pirates of the Rum Sea.'.
• Headline: A.F. of L. Child Labor Ban Initiative. Impact: This movement against child labor led to the eventual rise of 'youth influencers'—because why let kids work when they can just sell their childhoods on social media instead?. Fact: Child labor laws were actually designed to keep kids out of factories, not to keep them from achieving their dream of becoming TikTok stars..
• Headline: Indian Harbor Wins Prestigious Trophy. Impact: Winning the Robert Law Trophy sparked a competitive spirit that indirectly led to the invention of reality TV. Who knew sailing could inspire such a dramatic twist in entertainment history?. Fact: The only thing more competitive than yacht racing is the battle over who gets to tell the best story about that one time they almost capsized..
• Headline: Thomas Leiter Hurt in Auto Plunge.. Impact: Thomas Leiter's misfortune in an auto plunge inspired a generation of 'don't text and drive' campaigns—well, eventually. First, they had to recover from the shock of actual cars existing.. Fact: Auto accidents used to be so common that they almost inspired a new Olympic sport—until someone realized that dying isn't exactly a medal-worthy achievement..
• Headline: CANNIBAL EXHIBIT OPENS.; Museum of Natural History Displays New Guinea Collection.. Impact: The opening of the cannibal exhibit has been linked to a rise in 'dinner and a museum' date ideas, which may or may not include a side of ethical concerns about how we view indigenous cultures.. Fact: The museum could have just served potato salad and called it 'Culinary Anthropology.' But no, they had to go all out..
• Headline: SYRUP GROUP HEADS PACE PROSECUTION; Bennett Suggests Dissolution and Criminal Proceedings Against Alleged Racketeers. CALLS COERCION OBVIOUS Flynn, in Concluding Hearings, Says Evidence Against Association From Small Dealers is Sufficient.. Impact: The prosecution against the syrup group revealed just how deep the rabbit hole of corporate corruption goes. Who knew that syrup could be as sticky as the politics surrounding it?. Fact: In a shocking twist, the syrup industry is less about pancakes and more about a sweet, sticky web of deceit. Maple trees are the real underappreciated heroes..
• Headline: FIGHTING IN CUBA.. Impact: Fighting in Cuba led to a long history of U.S. intervention in foreign conflicts, which eventually developed into a fascination with 'spontaneous' international crises that we just can't seem to resist.. Fact: Cuba’s fighting might have inspired more than just military intervention; it also led to a rise in salsa dancing as a way to cope with the chaos..
• Headline: Heads Hewes & Potter Company.. Impact: Hewes & Potter Company’s new leadership may have sparked a revolution in corporate culture, setting the stage for the eventual rise of leaders who actually care about what their employees think. Shocking, I know.. Fact: In a world where companies hire motivational speakers, H.L. Brummett probably would have been better off hosting a TED Talk instead of just running a company..