AUGUST 17, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Helen Westley Returns from Europe. Impact: Westley's return marked the beginning of an obsession with European theatre styles in America, leading to a chain reaction of overly dramatic performances that caused popcorn sales to soar in cinemas across the nation.. Fact: Did you know that Vienna was once the cultural capital of Europe? Now it’s just known for its schnitzels and waltzes... and we wonder why everyone loves to dance around their problems..
• Headline: Rev. Robinson Speaks Out Against Despair. Impact: Rev. Robinson's comments sparked a religious movement where people believed they could pray away economic downturns, leading to an increase in 'miracle' financial seminars that still plague the internet today.. Fact: Isn’t it funny how the Great Depression was the only thing more depressing than the constant reminder of it? Talk about a real downer!.
• Headline: Illinois Inmate Growth Outpaces State Population. Impact: This statistic led to the creation of a bizarre reality show that aired decades later, 'America's Next Top Inmate', which surprisingly drew in millions of viewers and created a whole new genre of entertainment.. Fact: Fun fact: In Illinois, you can actually serve a sentence so long that you age faster than the people outside. Who knew prison was a time machine?.
• Headline: WICKERSHAM STUDY LAYS RISE IN CRIME TO UNEMPLOYMENT; This Is Experts' Finding, but Commission Holds All Theory on Causes Disputable. ONE MEMBER DISAGREES H.W. Anderson Blames Bad Laws and Urges "Institute of Human Research." SING SING RECORDS GIVEN Experts Say These Show Effect of Idleness--Corrupt Police Here Called Crime Factor. Commission's Comment Brief. Anderson Cites Lawlessness. CRIME RISE LAID TO UNEMPLOYMENT Urges "Wisdom in Time." Idleness Held Crime Breeder. City Populates Sing Sing. Data on Causes "Inadequate." Many Convicts From Slums. Gravity of Situation Stressed. Police Corruption Here Cited. Delinquency a Group Behavior.. Impact: The Wickersham Study initiated the rise of 'Crime as Unemployment' awareness campaigns, which eventually led to the popular phrase 'Crime doesn’t pay, but it does teach you valuable skills,' influencing countless future generations.. Fact: It's ironic how we call it 'unemployment' when it seems like a full-time job trying to figure out how to avoid it. Ah, the cycle of life!.
• Headline: Buffalo Boy Drowns in Lake Erie.. Impact: This tragic event served as a somber reminder of the dangers of water and led to increased safety measures around lakes, which ironically resulted in the rise of inflatable pool sales.. Fact: Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes, but it has also earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous bodies of water. Who knew that ‘Great’ could also mean ‘greatly risky’?.
• Headline: Thomashefsky's Condition Critical.. Impact: Thomashefsky's health crisis drew attention to the mental and physical toll of performance art, influencing generations of artists to take more breaks than actual performances, leading to a boom in the 'self-care' industry.. Fact: Thomashefsky was a trailblazer for Yiddish theatre. Who knew that critical health could lead to critical acclaim for self-care?.
• Headline: TOPICS OF THE TIMES.. Impact: The discussion on separatism in China sparked a series of 'separation anxiety' workshops worldwide, leading to a peak in therapy sessions by the time the internet came around.. Fact: Topics of the Times sounds like a fancy way of saying, 'We have no idea what to talk about, so let's just throw out some buzzwords.'.
• Headline: WILL STUDY DIALECTS FOR LINGUISTIC ATLAS; Scholars fo Start in New England and Will Ask 1,000 Persons 1,000 Questions Each.. Impact: This ambitious linguistic project inadvertently led to the rise of online quizzes and surveys, making it possible for future generations to endlessly discover how much they really don't know about each other.. Fact: Asking 1,000 people 1,000 questions each sounds like an excellent way to validate your own existence. Plus, it’s a great way to become an expert in awkward small talk!.