NOVEMBER 28, 1931

Full News Archive

• Headline: London Jobless Riot Erupts During Dole Cuts. Impact: As the riots spread, the government decided that maybe, just maybe, listening to the people was a good idea. This led to the eventual rise of social programs, which ironically made future riots more organized and possibly more entertaining.. Fact: Rioting over dole cuts—because nothing screams 'I care about the economy' like throwing stones instead of a well-crafted letter..
• Headline: Fines Imposed on Detroit Protesters. Impact: The fines imposed on these demonstrators led to the establishment of a new industry: professional protester training. Today, you can get a degree in 'How to Make Your Voice Heard Without Getting Fined!'. Fact: Fines for protesting? Sounds like a great way to make protesting unaffordable for the average citizen. Welcome to capitalism!.
• Headline: DOROTHEA S. SMITH FETED AT LUNCHEON; Mrs. Edmund Abdy Hurry Gives Party at the Pierre for Her Debutante Granddaughter. DANCE FOR MISS ASPEGREN Her Mother Is Hostess at Colony Club Reception--Miss Townsend and Miss de Peyster Honored. Amy Aspegren Honored. Reception for Nancy Townsend. Party for Miss de Peyster.. Impact: This lavish luncheon for debutantes inadvertently set the standard for future generations of wealthy socialites. Today, we have influencers who think a brunch is an acceptable excuse for a selfie.. Fact: A party for debutantes? Because nothing says 'I’m ready for adulthood' like being paraded around in a fancy dress and eating finger sandwiches..
• Headline: Crowds Seek 1932 Auto Plates; Quick Service Is Planned Here. Impact: The desperate search for auto plates became a comical reminder of how bureaucracy can drive people mad. This eventually led to the invention of online vehicle registration—thank you, chaos!. Fact: I mean, who doesn’t dream of waiting in line for a plate? It’s the adult version of waiting for a roller coaster, but with fewer thrills and more paperwork..
• Headline: KIDNAP CONTRACTOR, GET CAR AND $5,000; Three Armed Thugs Drive Off With Builder and Chauffeur From Bronx School. ELUDE PURSUIT IN TRAFFIC Worker Sees Robbery From Roof and Starts Chase--Men Are Freed Near City Line.. Impact: This incident triggered a wave of 'how not to be kidnapped' seminars across the city. Little did they know, it would also inspire a series of low-budget action movies that no one asked for.. Fact: Getting kidnapped for a car and cash? Sounds like the world’s worst heist film where the protagonists forgot to read the script..
• Headline: Hinkler Lands in Africa in Hop From Brazil, Alone in Tiny Plane on First Eastward Flight. Impact: Hinkler’s solo flight inspired generations of aviators, but it also made countless couch potatoes think they could conquer the skies too—until they realized they would need actual flying lessons.. Fact: Flying solo? A daring feat that makes your regular road trip seem like a leisurely stroll in the park..
• Headline: 50 AT SILURIAN DINNER.; Speakers Give Reminiscences of Journaliam of Thirty Years Ago.. Impact: This dinner turned into a nostalgia fest that made journalists look back on the good old days—before they had to deal with 24/7 news cycles and Twitter trolls.. Fact: Reminiscing over dinner? The original way to complain about the good ol' days before social media made it a group chat..