JUNE 5, 1936

Full News Archive

• Headline: George M. Cohan Performs in Paris. Impact: Cohan's charming tunes somehow caused a butterfly to flap its wings, leading to the birth of musical theater in America. Without it, Broadway would just be a sad place filled with crickets and tumbleweeds.. Fact: Cohan was known as the 'Father of American Musical Comedy.' So, without him, we might be stuck with operas about sad kings instead of catchy tunes about rent and heartbreak!.
• Headline: Commencement at Webb Institute 1936. Impact: Whalen's inspiring words convinced at least one student to build a ship that would sink less than the Titanic, inadvertently altering the course of maritime safety forever. Who knew a speech could save lives?. Fact: The Webb Institute is so specialized that if you mention boats at a party, they'll probably start debating the hydrodynamic efficiency of a rubber duck..
• Headline: Burlington Not Buying Railroads. Impact: By refusing to buy rival railroads, Burlington inadvertently set off a chain reaction where no one ever learned how to share, leading to decades of corporate tantrums. Thanks, Burlington!. Fact: Railroads were the original social network – connecting people and goods, but apparently Burlington preferred sitting alone at the lunch table..
• Headline: DUTCH LOSE GOLD HEAVILY; Netherlands Bank Shows Exports of 57,800,000 Guilders.. Impact: The loss of gold led to a national treasure hunt that inspired countless Dutch children to become amateur archaeologists. Unfortunately, all they found were old wooden shoes.. Fact: The Dutch have a long history of financial ups and downs – much like their weather, only less predictable and with fewer windmills..
• Headline: CARDINAL TO PRESENT DEGREES TO 53 GIRLS; Prof. Ross J. S. Hoffman Will Speak Today at College of the Sacred Heart.. Impact: This event sparked a wave of female empowerment that eventually led to women demanding equal pay, which is still a work in progress. Who would have thought a graduation ceremony could change the world?. Fact: Graduates probably had to sit through a speech that was longer than their entire college experience. Ah, the joys of commencement!.
• Headline: Schwacke -- McBride. Impact: This engagement set the stage for a series of overly elaborate wedding proposals, resulting in couples everywhere feeling the pressure to outdo each other. Thanks, Schwacke!. Fact: Engagements are like reality TV shows, except the drama is real and usually involves in-laws and cake tastings..
• Headline: 25 TO BE GRADUATED AT RIVERDALE SCHOOL; C.E. Hughes Jr., Vice President of Trustees, Will Preside at Exercises Tonight.. Impact: Those 25 graduates went on to become the backbone of their communities, proving that even small classes can produce leaders – or at least someone who knows how to file taxes.. Fact: Graduation is the only time in life when you can wear a robe and a funny hat and not be arrested for it!.
• Headline: SPANISH WALKOUTS THREATEN CABINET; Syndicalists, Refusing to Obey Government's Orders, Attempt to Extend the Strikes. 3 MORE PERSONS KILLED Garbage Men Return to Work in Barcelona, Ending the City's Fear of Pestilence.. Impact: The strikes led to a greater awareness of workers' rights, eventually inspiring the labor movements of the future. Unfortunately, they did not inspire the Spanish government to learn how to handle a crisis without chaos.. Fact: Strikes often mean that people are willing to fight for change – or, at the very least, take a break from work to make a point..
• Headline: JAPAN DEMANDS CUTS IN AUSTRALIAN TARIFF; Threat of Retaliatory Duties Is Said to Have Been Made by the Consul General.. Impact: This little trade spat inadvertently led to future diplomatic tensions, eventually resulting in enough paperwork to fill a library. Who knew tariffs could be so complicated?. Fact: Tariffs are like the world's most boring game of chess – everyone moves carefully, hoping the other side makes a mistake!.