MAY 24, 1937

Full News Archive

• Headline: A. F. of L. Declares War on C. I. O.. Impact: If the A.F. of L. had actually succeeded in their war on the C.I.O., we might have ended up with a world where unions were just fancy book clubs. Imagine the reading lists!. Fact: The A.F. of L. was famous for its deep philosophical debates like 'What are dues and why should we double them?'.
• Headline: Dr. Fosdick's Wisdom on Personal Failures. Impact: Dr. Fosdick's advice sparked a movement that led to millions of people searching for their 'holy ground.' Spoiler alert: it was usually just under their couch cushions.. Fact: The only person who ever took Dr. Fosdick's advice literally ended up finding a hidden stash of potato chips. Holy Ground indeed!.
• Headline: Tragic Drowning of Alfred D. Stark. Impact: Alfred D. Stark's untimely demise led to stricter safety regulations by lakes, which resulted in the birth of the life jacket fashion trend. Who knew drowning could inspire haute couture?. Fact: Alfred was reportedly a terrible swimmer, which should have been a sign, but hey, sometimes you just need a fisherman to reel you in..
• Headline: LA SALLE CADETS HONORED; Awards Presented at Review as 5,000 Watch Ceremonies. Impact: The La Salle Cadets' honors ceremony inadvertently inspired a new trend in military appreciation events, which later became popular among high schools eager to hand out ribbons for participation.. Fact: 5,000 people watched this event, probably because they were promised free snacks. Cadet awards and snacks: the ultimate motivation!.
• Headline: TROTH ANNOUNCED OF HELEN LAWSON; Brooklyn Girl Is Engaged to Frederick van 0. Longacre Jr. of Yonkers, N. Y.. Impact: Helen Lawson's engagement set off a chain reaction of matchmaking in Brooklyn, leading to a boom in awkward family gatherings and the invention of the 'I can't make it' excuse.. Fact: Frederick van 0. Longacre Jr. had the most complicated name, which definitely made filling out forms a nightmare!.
• Headline: LABOR AND MANAGEMENT. Impact: Ed's advice to labor to study management problems led to an unexpected rise in 'How to Manage Your Boss' seminars, which are still being ironically ignored today.. Fact: Ed's real name was Edward 'Management Problems' Edson, but he thought it was too on the nose..
• Headline: SIT-IN MINERS GET OFFER OF C. I. O. AID; Illinois Union Leader Goes to A. F. of L. Session as Talks to End Strike Progress. Impact: The offer of aid from the C.I.O. to the sit-in miners created a legendary alliance that led to the slogan 'Better Together'—which was later co-opted by various failed political campaigns.. Fact: The Illinois Union Leader was known for his negotiation skills, but his cooking skills? Not so much. He once tried to serve a strike meeting with cold pizza..
• Headline: MARJORIE V. PELL BECOMES ENGAGED; Betrothal of Greenwich Girl to L. E. Katzenbach 2d Is Announced by Mother. Impact: Marjorie V. Pell's engagement announcement initiated an era of 'social media' in the form of telegrams and letters, leading to a surge in postage stamps and the eventual rise of mail carriers as unsung heroes.. Fact: L. E. Katzenbach 2d was known as 'the second,' which really did a number on his self-esteem. Imagine being stuck in your father's shadow forever!.
• Headline: Boardwalk Fete Put Off. Impact: The postponement of the Boardwalk Fete led to the profound realization that sometimes, life’s best moments are the ones that never happen. This deep philosophical thought was promptly ignored.. Fact: Boardwalks have a long history of being dedicated to nothing, which is why many still have plaques commemorating the dedication of the 'Boardwalk of Lost Dreams.'.
• Headline: NEW CRISES FACE C . I. O STEEL DRIVE; Union Leaders Meet Officials of Crucible Company Today to Call for a Showdown STRIKE TO BE ULTIMATUM 5,000 Workers of the Sharon Steel Company Will Ballot on the C. I. 0. Issue Tomorrow J. & L. Vote Will Be Stressed Other Showdowns Impend. Impact: The crises facing the C.I.O's steel drive created a domino effect, resulting in strikes that would shape labor laws for decades. It turns out, sometimes you have to rattle some cages to get the steel flowing.. Fact: Union leaders love showdowns so much they often use them as a pretext for potlucks. You haven't lived until you've had to negotiate for the last piece of pie!.