NOVEMBER 11, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Brooklyn Fire Claims Lives. Impact: If only that fire had been a little less enthusiastic, Brooklyn might have avoided becoming the poster child for 'Don't Play with Matches'. The tragedy led to stricter fire codes, which in turn made fire inspections the number one most boring job in the city. Thanks, fire!. Fact: Did you know that fire safety regulations were actually inspired by a cat named Sparky who survived a similar incident? Sparky went on to become the face of fire safety campaigns, proving that even felines can have a sense of duty..
• Headline: Tammany Settlement on Sculptor's Dispute. Impact: This $1,000 lawsuit settled faster than people's interest in Tammany Hall. Little did they know, this bust would pave the way for future sculptors to realize they could get away with charging exorbitant fees for their questionable art—thank you, Tammany!. Fact: Fun fact: The sculptor later decided that making busts was less lucrative than creating abstract pieces resembling melted cheese. Who knew art could be so gouda?.
• Headline: Bethlen Causes Uproar in Hungarian Parliament. Impact: Count Bethlen’s dramatic entrance caused a ruckus that made politicians realize that a little chaos can be a great publicity stunt. Fast forward to today, and we have politicians staging even wilder entrances just to get a headline.. Fact: Did you know that the Hungarian Parliament has a secret chamber where they practice their dramatic exits? It’s like a soap opera, but with more paprika..
• Headline: Strike Impedes Work on Hospital.. Impact: This strike was the pebble that started the avalanche of labor disputes, leading to the rise of labor unions and the occasional 'everyone just wants a coffee break' rebellion. Spoiler alert: they still don’t have coffee breaks.. Fact: Interestingly, the term 'strike' was originally coined by a bunch of unhappy bakers who were tired of being rolled out like dough. And yes, they did demand pastries as compensation..
• Headline: Rutgers Passes 165th Anniversary.. Impact: Celebrating 165 years of Rutgers might have inspired other universities to throw bigger birthday bashes, leading to a modern-day phenomenon of campus parties that make spring break look like a tea party.. Fact: Fun fact: Rutgers once had a mascot that was a literal rat, which makes a lot of sense if you think about it—college life can be pretty gnarly!.
• Headline: SAYS JOBLESS GIRLS FACE HARDEST WINTER; Mrs. Hays Appeals for Gifts in $236,000 Drive of Y.W.C.A., Citing Wide Distress.. Impact: Mrs. Hays' appeal for gifts might have inadvertently kickstarted the 'charity drive' trend, leading to the modern-day Black Friday where people trample each other for discounted TVs instead of warm clothing. Thanks, Mrs. Hays!. Fact: Did you know that the Y.W.C.A. once had a line of scented candles called 'Desperation'? They were a hit during the holidays..
• Headline: WIN DELAY ON LABOR BANK; Directors Get 2 Weeks to Perfect Plans for Reorganization.. Impact: The delayed labor bank reorganization was a classic case of 'let's put it off until we can't anymore', which caused a domino effect of financial confusion that still haunts economists today. Thanks to this delay, 'waiting for the big reveal' became a popular pastime.. Fact: Fun fact: The directors actually spent the two weeks perfecting their coffee-making skills instead of working on the plan. Priorities, right?.
• Headline: DICTATORSHIP ENDED BY MONACAN RULER; Prince Louis Accedes in Part to Demands for Return of Rights and Legislative Regime.. Impact: Prince Louis's half-hearted concessions led to a slippery slope of political appeasement, eventually resulting in the classic ‘give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile’ scenario. Today, we just call it 'politics'.. Fact: Did you know that the Prince later regretted his decision and tried to retract it by sending a strongly-worded letter? Spoiler alert: it didn’t work..
• Headline: ACTORS PRAY FOR JOBLESS.; 700 Attend Novena at St. Malachy's in Petition for Relief.. Impact: The actors’ desperate prayers for jobs set a precedent for all future artistic communities to engage in collective whining. Now, they just post on social media about their struggles. Progress?. Fact: Did you know that the novena was initially started because the actors thought it might get them a better audition? Turns out divine intervention doesn’t have a casting couch..