OCTOBER 19, 1936

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tree Dedicated to Local War Hero. Impact: The dedication of this tree sparked a nationwide trend of memorials that, decades later, would inspire people to plant trees in honor of everything from lost pets to questionable fashion choices. Who knew a tree could be a hipster's way of embracing nature and mourning the past?. Fact: The phrase 'money doesn't grow on trees' was ironically coined shortly after this event, as people realized how much it cost to maintain a memorial tree..
• Headline: Ed Visits Governor Curley in 1936. Impact: Chief Curley’s visit led to a series of increasingly bizarre political stunts, culminating in a future where governors ride unicycles to press conferences to 'connect with the people.' Because nothing says leadership like balancing on one wheel!. Fact: Curley was known for his affinity for theatrics; he once debated a rubber chicken just to prove a point about the absurdity of politics..
• Headline: Devastating Earthquake Rocks Venice Region. Impact: The devastating quakes not only changed the landscape of Italy but also set off a chain reaction of building codes and safety regulations worldwide, leading to future architects designing buildings that can withstand everything from earthquakes to overly enthusiastic dance parties.. Fact: After this earthquake, insurance companies started offering 'shaky ground' policies, which were about as successful as one might imagine..
• Headline: Realistic Fire Drill Causes Traffic Snarl. Impact: This fire drill not only caused a traffic snarl but also inadvertently inspired a new genre of urban legends about firemen being the true traffic villains. From that point on, any traffic jam was blamed on the 'mysterious fire drill brigade.'. Fact: The fire department later claimed that the traffic snarl was a planned 'fire drill' to test how quickly people could complain on social media—decades before it existed..
• Headline: BLEAKLEY FAVORS TEACHERS' PAY RISE; He Comes Out for Restoration of Cuts and 'Full State Aid for Education.' AROUSED OVER PAMPHLET Sent Out by Dr. G.J. Ryan, It Attacks Republican Stand -- Candidate Hits Back. BLEAKLEY FAVORS TEACHER PAY RISE. Impact: Bleakley’s advocacy for teachers’ pay led to an ongoing debate that ignited a massive wave of teacher protests in the 21st century—who knew it would take a century for people to realize teachers deserve actual money?. Fact: In a twist of fate, Bleakley’s name became synonymous with 'underfunded education,' leading to a bizarre meme culture featuring him alongside cats and motivational quotes..
• Headline: Firemen Hold Tournament. Impact: The annual firemen’s tournament became a local tradition, morphing into a highly competitive event where future generations would take pride in spray patterns and hose handling—because who wouldn’t want to be the LeBron James of firefighting?. Fact: Hose Co No 3's victory was so celebrated that they were later invited to 'compete' in an episode of a reality show called 'America's Next Top Firefighter.'.
• Headline: A NEW AND BRIGHTER LEXICON; Remedy Is Offered for the Pernicious Anemia of Political Phraseology.. Impact: The push for a new lexicon resulted in a future where political phrases became so convoluted that people resorted to emoji to express their political opinions, leading to a bizarre era of governance where 'thumbs up' meant 'I agree,' but also sometimes meant 'I'm just here for the snacks.'. Fact: The term 'political phraseology' was later replaced with 'gobbledygook' after it was discovered that no one could actually decipher what politicians were trying to say..
• Headline: AUSLANDER REBUKES GIGGLING GOURMETS; Poet at Dinner Offers Food for the Mind, but Chides Ladies Who Prefer the Menu.. Impact: Auslander’s rebuke of gourmet culture sparked an underground movement where diners began to throw food at each other to express their true feelings about overpriced entrees—this led to the creation of a new sport: 'Food Fight Olympics.'. Fact: The poet’s dinner speech inspired a cult following among foodies, leading to a series of underground gourmet events that required participants to wear blindfolds to 'enhance the experience.'.
• Headline: Formosa Japanese Bare Chinese 'Plot' for Revolt. Impact: This alleged plot by Japanese police to expose a Chinese insurrection led to a decades-long game of political hot potato, with both sides blaming each other for everything from bad weather to slow internet connections.. Fact: The phrase 'plot twist' was reportedly coined during this period when the truth about political plots became more convoluted than a soap opera's storyline..
• Headline: BOOKS OF THE TIMES. Impact: Fleming's book title inspired future authors to take increasingly absurd titles, leading to a literary trend where bestsellers had names longer than the actual content, resulting in readers questioning whether they had actually read anything at all.. Fact: News From Tartary was so captivating that it inspired a whole generation of young readers to explore geography—before they all promptly Googled it instead..