JANUARY 25, 1934

Full News Archive

• Headline: Windels Appeals for Appraisal Assistance. Impact: This appeal for reasonable fees triggered a chain reaction where every appraiser in the city suddenly raised their prices, leading to a minor economic crisis known as 'The Great Appraisal Inflation of 1953'. Historians debate whether this caused the first real estate bubble or just made everyone really good at playing Monopoly.. Fact: In real estate, 'reasonable fees' is just a euphemism for 'we're going to charge you as much as we can get away with.'.
• Headline: New Cocker Spaniel Joins White House. Impact: This new pup’s cuteness sparked a nationwide obsession with dog adoption, leading to the eventual rise of social media dog influencers. Who knew a Cocker Spaniel could change the trajectory of pet culture forever?. Fact: The White House has had more dogs than some countries have had leaders. Clearly, dogs are the real power players here..
• Headline: TWO ARE CONVICTED IN KENNEDY MURDER; First and Second Degree Verdicts Returned Against Brengard and William French.. Impact: The conviction led to a wave of conspiracy theories that solidified the idea that everyone is a potential suspect in a crime. This would later inspire countless movies, TV shows, and conspiracy theorists everywhere.. Fact: Kennedy's assassination is still studied in law schools as the example of how NOT to do a political assassination—because apparently, there are rules..
• Headline: Treasury in Its Estimates Counts on 'Better Times'. Impact: This optimistic statement led to the creation of countless financial forecasts that basically read as wishful thinking. Economists still argue whether 'better times' actually exist or are just a figment of Treasury's imagination.. Fact: The term 'better times' is often used in finance to mean 'we're just hoping things won't get worse.' It's a classic case of managing expectations..
• Headline: THE LATE JOHN H. McCOOEY.; Leader Regarded as an Example to the Youth of Brooklyn.. Impact: His leadership inspired a generation of Brooklyn youth to strive for greatness, which ultimately led to the creation of Brooklyn’s hipster culture. Who knew his legacy would culminate in artisanal toast?. Fact: John H. McCooey was so influential that even the pigeons in Brooklyn started dressing better, just to keep up with his legacy..
• Headline: Ethyl Hayden in Recital.. Impact: This recital led to a series of overzealous music critics who wrote reviews so flowery that they inadvertently created the modern art of pretentiousness in music criticism.. Fact: Ethyl Hayden's recitals were so popular that they had to be scheduled around the local cat population’s napping schedule to avoid chaos..
• Headline: 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' to End Tour.. Impact: This phrase became the rallying cry for dessert lovers everywhere. Historians argue that it may have been the catalyst for the cake industry’s most lavish marketing campaigns. 'Let them eat cake' became the unofficial motto for bakeries, much to the confusion of nutritionists.. Fact: Marie Antoinette was not the first to say 'Let them eat cake'—she just had the best PR team to make it sound glamorous..
• Headline: WASHINGTON HAILS SINGER AND PIANIST; Mrs. Laurence Townsend Presents Mme. Stueckgold and Mr. Gieseking. NOTABLES AT LUNCHEON German Envoy and Daughter Among Guests at Event in Artists' Honor.. Impact: This event marked the beginning of the ‘celebrity culture’ that led to politicians thinking they could sing or play an instrument. Flash forward to today, and we have a reality show star as a former president.. Fact: Luncheons like this are why we have awkward political selfies today—everyone trying to look classy while secretly hoping for a free meal..