AUGUST 31, 1935

Full News Archive

• Headline: Buchanan Estate Valuation Announcement. Impact: The Buchanan Estate appraised at $668,320 led to a sudden spike in estate planning seminars. Fast forward a few decades, and the term 'trust fund baby' becomes a must-have in the lexicon of aspiring influencers.. Fact: Did you know that $668,320 in today's money would buy you a decent house or a really nice yacht? Choices, choices..
• Headline: Children Showcase Miniature City Project. Impact: The miniature city exhibit inspired a generation of architects who thought small was the new big. This eventually led to the creation of dollhouses that had more square footage than some New York apartments.. Fact: 200 children participated, which statistically means at least one of them grew up to be an architect, while the rest just became really good at playing Sims..
• Headline: The Potato-Bug Diet of 1935. Impact: The Potato-Bug Diet? It inadvertently kickstarted a trend of bizarre diets that would culminate in the 21st century with people consuming activated charcoal and kale smoothies.. Fact: If you think about it, the potato bug is just a potato's way of saying 'don't eat me'—and now it's a diet. How's that for irony?.
• Headline: Berlin Weakens After Firmness.. Impact: Berlin's moment of weakness led to a series of events that would ultimately inspire a lot of dramatic movies about spies and divided cities. Who knew a little firmness could lead to such a big plot?. Fact: Berlin's weakness was so famous that it became a metaphor for anything that wobbles—like your New Year's resolutions..
• Headline: CHURCH ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST IN CITY; Rev. J.A. Murphy Takes Up Duties as Provincial of Maryland-New York Province.. Impact: Rev. J.A. Murphy's new duties somehow sparked a national debate on the role of religious leaders in community events, leading to the eventual rise of the 'Faith & Fun' festival that combines prayer and karaoke.. Fact: Labor Day retreats: where everyone pretends to relax while secretly checking their work emails..
• Headline: To Choose Air Reserve Planes.. Impact: The decision to choose air reserve planes would eventually lead to the rise of drone racing, a sport that combines technology, speed, and the thrill of ignoring all safety regulations.. Fact: Choosing planes for the Air Corps Reserve is like picking out a new car—only with more red tape and less chance of finding a good deal on Craigslist..
• Headline: Gifford Off Phone Unit's Board.. Impact: W.S. Gifford's resignation from the phone unit's board led to a series of corporate shake-ups that ultimately resulted in the invention of the smartphone. So, you can thank him for your endless scrolling.. Fact: Resigning from a board is basically the corporate version of a dramatic exit. Cue the slow-motion walk away!.
• Headline: Hurley Warns of Despotism.. Impact: Hurley's warning of despotism ignited discussions that would lead to an overabundance of political memes online. Who knew a warning could make the internet so much 'fun'?. Fact: Despotism: when you realize your favorite dictator might actually be less popular than your least favorite reality TV star!.
• Headline: MISS SEAVERS TRIUMPHS.; Captures Horsemanship Event at New York State Fair Show.. Impact: Miss Seavers' triumph at the horsemanship event set off a chain reaction of equestrian competitions, eventually leading to the 21st century obsession with horse girls and their Instagram accounts.. Fact: Winning a horsemanship event means you can officially say, 'I ride horses' without mentioning that the horse does most of the work..