DECEMBER 25, 1935

Full News Archive

• Headline: JAMES A. REED URGES 'AMERICANISM RETURN'; Former Senator in Kansas City Says Issue Is Between That and Paternalism.. Impact: Reed's call for a return to 'Americanism' inadvertently paved the way for a slew of overly patriotic bumper stickers and the rise of the 'America, Love It or Leave It' movement. Thanks to him, we now know what it feels like to be bombarded with flags and eagles at every turn. Fact: Reed's 'Americanism' was so intense that it could have been a new flavor of ice cream. 'Patriotic Vanilla'—the flavor that makes you shout the Pledge of Allegiance with every scoop!.
• Headline: Oil Company Bans Sales To Intoxicated Drivers. Impact: By banning sales to intoxicated drivers, the oil company inadvertently contributed to the rise of the designated driver phenomenon. Who knew that saving a few lives could lead to a national trend of sober fun and awkward car rides home?. Fact: Before this ban, many thought the safest way to drive home was to do it with a buddy who also had a few too many. Cheers to progress!.
• Headline: Fire Destroys High School.. Impact: The fire that destroyed the high school led to countless students being relocated, but on the bright side, it gave rise to the mobile classroom concept. Because nothing says 'education' like learning in a trailer!. Fact: High school fires were a common occurrence back then. At least they weren’t boring, right? Who needs chemistry experiments when you can have fire drills?.
• Headline: SOVIET TELLS FOES OF FLEET INCREASE; Japan and Germany Warned of Quintupling of Submarines and Destroyers in 4 Years.. Impact: The Soviet warning about fleet increases escalated tensions and contributed to the arms race that followed. If only they had just sent a nice card instead—we could have avoided decades of Cold War drama!. Fact: Japan and Germany were probably more scared of the Soviet Union's submarines than of their own military blunders. Talk about irony!.
• Headline: INDICTED IN FLOGGING.; Eight Are Named in Fatal Beating of Shoemaker.. Impact: The indictment in the fatal beating case highlighted the racial tensions of the time, setting the stage for a long, arduous journey toward civil rights. Who would have thought a shoemaker’s death could have such a profound effect on American history?. Fact: The Klan denying responsibility is like a cat denying it knocked over a vase—everyone knows the truth. Spoiler alert: it was them!.
• Headline: FLEMING ASKS HALT ON NEW BANK LAWS; A.B.A. Head Explains Move to Have Private Lenders Replace Government.. Impact: Fleming's proposal for halting new bank laws led to a decade of financial chaos, paving the way for the Great Depression. Thanks, A.B.A. Head, for ensuring that the banks would keep their shenanigans under wraps for just a little longer!. Fact: If only Fleming knew that his proposal would lead to more bank panic than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.