FEBRUARY 15, 1934

Full News Archive

• Headline: Du Ponts Visit Ford Plantation. Impact: Had the Du Ponts not visited the Ford plantation, the rubber industry might have gone into a rubber banding crisis, ironically causing world leaders to develop an obsession with rubber ducks instead.. Fact: The Du Ponts used to be known for explosives, but visit a rubber plantation and suddenly they're just a couple of guys looking for a bouncy ball..
• Headline: Chile Considers Thawing Frozen Funds. Impact: This thawing of funds led to a global warming of relations, which ironically caused the ice caps to start melting. Thanks, finance ministers!. Fact: When it comes to thawing funds, Chile’s finance ministers are the original icebreakers—just not the kind you'd want at a party..
• Headline: Sue Newport on Villa Taxes.. Impact: This tax dispute led to the creation of the first 'Villa Taxation Support Group,' which eventually became a reality show about rich people complaining about taxes.. Fact: Newport's tax assessments are so high, they make the price of gold look like pocket change..
• Headline: Roland R. Witte Is Found Shot.. Impact: This tragic event sparked a series of unsolved mysteries that inspired countless novels, where every character's name sounded suspiciously like 'Roland R. Witte.'. Fact: The mystery of Roland R. Witte remains unsolved; in today's world, he would probably have his own podcast about it..
• Headline: Named New Jersey Librarian.. Impact: H. Ivins' appointment as State librarian unleashed a wave of literary enthusiasm, resulting in a state-wide book club that accidentally turned into a political debate society.. Fact: New Jersey's librarians are like superheroes, fighting ignorance one overdue book at a time..
• Headline: TRAVIATA' FOR BROOKLYN.; Billed for Tuesday -- 'Butterfly' Is Sung Second Time Here.. Impact: The popularity of 'Madame Butterfly' led to a butterfly-themed café movement, causing an influx of hipsters wearing butterfly wings to Brooklyn.. Fact: If only Puccini had known that his opera would inspire a butterfly craze; he might have added a few more fluttering characters..
• Headline: RETAIL COAL CODE FINALLY APPROVED; Price-Fixing Provision Will Get Ninety-Day Trial Under Johnson's Suggestion. PROVIDES 48-HOUR WEEK Minimum Wage Scale Runs From 25 to 50 Cents for Yard and Office Forces.. Impact: This approval led to a nationwide debate over coal pricing, which ultimately resulted in a trend of people replacing coal with overpriced artisanal wood.. Fact: Price-fixing in coal is like trying to set a price for air—good luck with that!.
• Headline: SHUMSKY GIVES RECITAL.; Young Philadelphia Violinist Wins Approval at Town Hall.. Impact: Shumsky's recital inspired a generation of violinists who believed they could also bring the house down—literally—when their playing was too 'out there.'. Fact: Winning approval at Town Hall is like winning a participation trophy in the Olympics of classical music..
• Headline: 1,000 RIOT IN 5TH AV. IN AUSTRIA PROTEST; Many Bruised Battling Police at Library as Socialists and Reds Oppose Fascism.. Impact: This protest was a pivotal moment that fueled the fire for political activism, leading to countless debates over coffee and the birth of the phrase 'I can't even.'. Fact: When a riot breaks out over politics, you know it’s serious; when it involves books, well, then it’s just an intellectual brawl..