JANUARY 31, 1932

Full News Archive

• Headline: National Trade Council Proposal in 1932. Impact: H.I. Harriman's call for easing trust laws triggered a series of bizarre interpretations of 'trust' leading to a new reality show: 'Who's Got Your Trust Fund?'. Fact: Trust laws: because nothing says 'capitalism' like a group of wealthy individuals trying to help each other get wealthier.
• Headline: Farley Reply to Roosevelt in 1932. Impact: The uproar from the plumbing inquiry inadvertently caused the invention of the phrase 'leaky pipe' to describe political scandals, which is still used today. Fact: Fun fact: plumbing and politics have more in common than you'd think—both often lead to messy situations!.
• Headline: 'HI, MARS, EARTH CALLING!'; Research Expert Creates Radio Waves Almost Identical With Light for Long-Distance Communication. Impact: The creation of radio waves almost identical to light caused a minor existential crisis for scientists, eventually leading to the rise of conspiracy theorists claiming aliens were trying to contact us. Fact: Fun fact: If only the aliens had known about text messaging, they could have saved us all the trouble!.
• Headline: MINERS REJECT PLEA OF ILLINOIS DISTRICT; Vote at Indianapolis Is Victory for Lewis After Two Days' Debate.. Impact: The miners' rejection of the plea sparked a series of labor movements that ultimately led to the modern concept of work-life balance—thank you for the 40-hour work week!. Fact: Did you know that miners rejecting pleas back then meant they were just as bad at saying 'no' as we are today?.
• Headline: PROTESTS ATTACK IN CAIRO.; Our Minister Asks for Inquiry on Incident Affecting University.. Impact: The U.S. protests in Cairo set the stage for a long history of diplomatic awkwardness that would make even a middle school dance look smooth. Fact: Fun fact: Protesting is just another way of saying, 'We're not mad; we're just disappointed!'.
• Headline: Leland Stanford, Whose Monument Is a University; LELAND STANFORD, War Governor of California, Railroad Builder and Founder of Stanford University. By George T. Clark. 491 pp. Stanford University: Stanford University Press. $4.. Impact: Leland Stanford's influence in California led to the establishment of many universities, which eventually became the breeding grounds for hipsters and overpriced coffee. Fact: Did you know that Stanford University is often referred to as the 'Harvard of the West,' but mostly for its ability to charge students an arm and a leg?.
• Headline: NANKING INVOKES AID OF WORLD'S POWERS; Calls on League Members and Treaty Signatories to Prevent Japan Destroying Pacts. CHINESE MAY DECLARE WAR Formal Action to Be Deferred for Several Days -- Capital Is Moved to Loyang. NANKING SEEKS AID OF WORLD'S POWERS. Impact: Nanking's call for help from world powers inadvertently sparked a dramatic increase in diplomatic memes, proving that even in crisis, humor finds a way. Fact: Did you know that calling on world powers can sometimes lead to more 'world powers' memes than actual assistance?.
• Headline: IN THE AGE OF CHAPERONS HALF A CENTURY AGO; Mary Countess of Lovelace Describes the Conventions as Well as the Glories and Simplicities of Society When Victoria Was on the Throne and the Great Family Houses of England Were the Meeting Places of the Nation's Leaders. Impact: Mary Countess of Lovelace's reminisces about Victorian society reminded future generations that while fashion has changed, the awkwardness of social gatherings has not. Fact: Fun fact: The age of chaperones was just another way of saying, 'We’ll let you mingle, but only if you promise not to embarrass us!'.