FEBRUARY 8, 1932

Full News Archive

• Headline: Gorgas Essay Contest Begins Today. Impact: This contest sparked a global mosquito appreciation society, which eventually led to the invention of mosquito-themed fashion. Now, the world’s top designers are fighting over who can make the most stylish bug repellent.. Fact: Did you know that mosquitoes are the real winners in this contest? They’ve been annoying humans for centuries and now they get an essay contest about their awesomeness. Talk about a buzz-worthy legacy!.
• Headline: Traffic Lights and Safety Debates. Impact: The debate over traffic lights leading to accidents caused a new wave of traffic signal redesigns that ultimately inspired an entire genre of action movies featuring rogue traffic lights.. Fact: Did you know that traffic lights were initially designed as helpful guides? Now they’re just like that one friend who always makes things more complicated at brunch..
• Headline: MOVES TO SUPPLANT NINE-POWER TREATY; Japan Plans to Ask the Powers at Shanghai Parley for Their Control of 5 Chinese Cities. MANCHURIA TO BE EXCLUDED Foreign Office Spokesman Says Tokyo Can Take Care of Newly Seized Area Without Aid.. Impact: Japan’s ambitions were like a stone thrown into a pond, creating ripples that would lead to international tensions, World War II, and now, a never-ending question of who really controls what.. Fact: This was basically the diplomatic equivalent of saying 'I can handle this on my own'—a classic last words scenario that everyone saw coming..
• Headline: DR. FOSDICK DENIES CHANGE IN MORALITY; Lays Talk of New Standards to Persons Seeking to Defend Their Own Conduct. SAYS OPINIONS MOLD LIVES Attributes Unconscious Hypocrisy to Many Who Believe That Logic Governs Their Actions.. Impact: His assertion that morality is just a reflection of self-justification led to generations of philosophers arguing about whether 'goodness' is just a social construct, paving the way for reality TV.. Fact: Philosophical debates have been around longer than the internet—how’s that for a mind-bending thought?.
• Headline: HOOVERS WORSHIP IN PEW OF LINCOLN; Hear Sermon by Dr. Sizoo Saying Every Crisis of Nation Will Find Leader Like Emancipator.. Impact: This event set a precedent for future leaders being compared to Lincoln, which has now reached the level of absurdity where even local dog catchers get compared to him on social media.. Fact: If only Abraham Lincoln could see how many people are using his name to justify their political agendas. He might just roll over in his grave... or start a TikTok account..
• Headline: J.M. Cox Sees Way Open to Test Extent of Smith Sentiment. Impact: Cox's comment led to an ongoing saga of political sentiment testing, which ultimately resulted in the first-ever 'political mood ring'—a gadget that just turns purple and confuses everyone.. Fact: If only sentiment could be measured like blood pressure—then politicians wouldn't need to guess if they still have any support left!.
• Headline: ASK RETURN OF CEMETERY.; Merchants Hold Potter's Field Is Needed by East Chester Church.. Impact: The request for returning part of a cemetery kickstarted a local grassroots movement that eventually inspired a yearly 'Return to the Past' festival, complete with ghost tours and questionable souvenirs.. Fact: Cemeteries have always been prime real estate—just ask the people who attend. It’s the only place where ‘resting in peace’ is a literal term!.