JULY 20, 1935

Full News Archive

• Headline: First American Meeting Planned for 1938. Impact: This meeting in London sparked a chain reaction that eventually led to the establishment of the International Association of Overly Formal Meetings, which still meets annually to debate the merits of biscuits versus cookies.. Fact: The first American meeting in 1938 was likely filled with more tea and crumpets than actual decision-making..
• Headline: Drafting Will Rogers for President. Impact: Drafting Will Rogers set off a political whirlwind, leading to the invention of the phrase 'If you can't beat them, draft a comedian'. This paved the way for every future celebrity wannabe politician.. Fact: Will Rogers was already a political commentator before it was cool. He had a knack for making fun of politicians, which is probably why they wanted him to run..
• Headline: House Group Surveys Flood Conditions. Impact: The House committee's trip to the flood area inadvertently inspired the creation of the 'Disaster Tourism' industry, where people now flock to witness nature’s wrath on a guided tour.. Fact: Surprisingly, surveying flood conditions isn't as glamorous as it sounds—it's mostly mud and paperwork..
• Headline: TUGWELL AIDES TO USE BIG M'LEAN MANSION; $3,000,000 Structure of 54 Rooms Will Provide Offices for Resettlement Staff.. Impact: Using the McLean mansion for offices caused a ripple effect in office design, leading to an influx of over-the-top corporate spaces that would eventually include ball pits and nap rooms.. Fact: A mansion with 54 rooms is just a fancy way of saying, 'We have way too much space for actual work to happen.'.
• Headline: NEW DEAL ATTACK STIRS MAYOR'S IRE; No Time to Stab President in the Back, He Tells Virginia Editors at Luncheon.. Impact: The mayor's outburst sparked a nationwide trend of political leaders saying things they regret, which eventually led to social media as we know it—thanks, mayor!. Fact: Lunchtime debates over political loyalty are rarely productive, but they do make for excellent lunch gossip..
• Headline: BANKS' HELP ASKED IN FLOOD DISTRICTS; Lehman Says Federal Housing Plan offers Way to Aid in Rehabilitation Work.. Impact: The call for bank cooperation in flood areas inadvertently led to the rise of bank-sponsored charity events, where bankers dress up as superheroes to save the day—because that’s what we needed.. Fact: Banks have always wanted to help, especially if it involves lending money at high interest rates..
• Headline: CROMWELLS AT HONGKONG; Husband of Doris Duke Says 'Collapse' Here Hastens Return.. Impact: The Cromwells' arrival in Hong Kong triggered a massive wave of ‘celebrity culture’ that made people think being rich and famous was an actual job description.. Fact: When Doris Duke's husband said they were returning due to a 'collapse', he was probably referring to their plans to navigate social circles..
• Headline: Yonkers Slate Is Chosen.. Impact: The Republican slate announcement in Yonkers contributed to the ongoing saga of local politics, where every election cycle is just a re-run of the last one, with slightly different actors.. Fact: In Yonkers, a 'slate' isn't just a list of candidates—it’s the name of the local coffee shop that serves the best gossip..
• Headline: RAIL HEADS SEE EASTMAN.; He Urges Them to Adopt His Plans for Cutting Costs.. Impact: Eastman's cost-cutting proposals led to a revolution in corporate efficiency that somehow still resulted in the creation of 1,000-page reports no one reads.. Fact: Executives discussing cost-cutting is like a bunch of cats discussing which one of them is the best at catching mice—everyone has their own opinion, but nothing changes..