NOVEMBER 26, 1937

Full News Archive

• Headline: George H. Weed Wins Curtin Scholarship. Impact: George H. Weed winning the Curtin scholarship set off a chain reaction in academia, inspiring future generations of students to chase after scholarships named after people they might not have ever heard of. Soon, every school had a 'Memorial Fund for the Unknown,' which ironically benefited no one.. Fact: Did you know that George H. Weed is actually a distant cousin of the famous 'Weed' strains used for relaxation? Talk about family legacy!.
• Headline: David Lewis Davies: Welsh Labor Politician. Impact: David Lewis Davies' six-year stint in the British Parliament made him an unsung hero of political mediocrity. His average performance caused a ripple effect that led future politicians to believe that being 'just okay' was enough, which eventually resulted in infinite debates about nothing.. Fact: Fun fact: If you think listening to political speeches is boring now, imagine doing it in the 1930s! They had no streaming services..
• Headline: Children's Costume Parade of 1937. Impact: The children's costume parade, especially the Haile Selassie impersonator, sparked a worldwide trend in children dressing as historical figures instead of superheroes. This led to awkward Halloween parties where kids dressed as obscure monarchs, confusing everyone.. Fact: In a shocking twist, the prize for the best outfit became a lifetime supply of oatmeal. Yes, really..
• Headline: STATE TO GET $10,935,027; This Federal Road Fund Expected In the Next Fiscal Year. Impact: Receiving $10,935,027 in federal road funds set off a massive construction boom that made every road in the U.S. so smooth, it became a conspiracy theory that the government was secretly trying to make everyone drive faster to get to their next bad decision.. Fact: This amount was so specific, it’s rumored that the budgeters were just playing darts with numbers and hoping for the best..
• Headline: Sinking Ship, 7 Aboard, Vanishes Off Haiti; 10 Dead in Flood in Cuba; Jamaica Toll 70. Impact: The sinking ship off Haiti and the tragic flooding in Cuba reminded the world of the perils of maritime life and weather. This led to an unexpected increase in sales for life jackets, which became the hottest fashion item of the decade. Who knew safety could be so chic?. Fact: Ten people died in the Cuba flood, but the real tragedy was that there was only one lifeboat available for 500 people—talk about bad planning..
• Headline: RECORD QN GANGSTERS TO BE SENT TO COAST; Picked Squad Gathering Data to Help Los Angeles Get Public Enemies. Impact: The New York City police sending gangster records to help Los Angeles tackle public enemies resulted in a legendary game of cat and mouse that turned into a cross-country gangsters' reunion tour. Because nothing says 'I’m a public enemy' like a road trip.. Fact: The records were supposed to help the police but instead turned into a bestseller: 'Gangsters: The Unofficial Travel Guide.'.
• Headline: JAPANESE DRIVING NEARER TO NANKING; Smash Strong Chinese Line and Advance 13 Miles Westward of Wusih. Impact: The Japanese advancing towards Nanking created a ripple effect that led to countless diplomatic debates, treaties, and a whole lot of disappointment in global peacekeeping efforts. The world was just one awkward dinner party away from a full-blown international incident.. Fact: It's said that during this time, diplomatic dinners were rife with tension, mostly because no one knew how to pass the salt without starting World War III..
• Headline: MRS. ADA MOHR, 89, WORKER FOR G. A. R.; Gave More Than Half-Century in Behalf of Veterans--Dies in Jamaica Hospital. Impact: Mrs. Ada Mohr's lifelong dedication to veterans sparked a movement that inspired communities to honor their local heroes. Sadly, this led to an influx of 'Veterans of the Month' plaques that cluttered town halls and confused everyone.. Fact: She was often mistaken for a war hero, despite the fact that her biggest battle was trying to get a decent cup of coffee at the local diner..
• Headline: MONSTERS' PARADE DELIGHTS THRONGS; Children and Grown-Ups Line Streets as Macy Show Is Put On Under Cloudless Sky. Impact: The Monsters' Parade during Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade set off a series of extravagant parades that eventually led to the modern-day Thanksgiving tradition of watching large balloons float by while you slowly digest your third helping of turkey. Truly a 'ballooning' achievement!. Fact: The first balloon was a giant turkey, but it was so poorly designed that it became a symbol of why we can’t have nice things..