DECEMBER 16, 1937

Full News Archive

• Headline: Rangers vs. Americans Hockey Showdown. Impact: The Rangers versus Americans game was so thrilling that it sparked a worldwide trend of overly enthusiastic sports fans, leading to the invention of foam fingers and wildly inappropriate face paint.. Fact: Did you know that in the future, people will pay to watch other people play video games? Bet the 16,000 fans never saw that coming!.
• Headline: Tragic Auto Accident Claims Realty Executive. Impact: The death of the realty man started a bizarre series of events where real estate agents became incredibly cautious, leading to the infamous 'no driving while showing a house' law in some alternate timeline.. Fact: Statistics show that auto mishaps have been responsible for more dramatic real estate decisions than actual market fluctuations. Who knew a fender bender could change the housing market?.
• Headline: SURVIVORS SCOUT JAPANESE 'ERROR'; Writer Relates Bombers Flew So Low That Identity of the Panay Was Unmistakable. Impact: The Panay bombing survivors' accounts led to an obsession with low-flying aircraft, which inadvertently inspired future generations to invent the drone—although thankfully, they were not used for bombing civilians.. Fact: The Panay incident was so significant that it was almost like the world collectively decided to pay attention to the airspace above them. Who knew that low-flying bombers would lead to more regulations than your average airport?.
• Headline: BRITISH ASK TOKYO FOR REAL REMEDIES; Point Out Steps Taken to Halt Attacks on Foreign Ships Have Proved Ineffective. Impact: The British requests for remedies to halt attacks on foreign ships led to the eventual creation of international maritime laws, which still struggle to keep up with modern pirates—who, by the way, have better fashion sense.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'there's no such thing as bad publicity' could be applied to Japan's maritime policies? They sure kept the world talking!.
• Headline: Masonic Honor for Dr. Johnson. Impact: Dr. Johnson's Masonic honor inadvertently set off a wave of interest in fraternal organizations, ultimately leading to the creation of the world's weirdest social clubs, where members take secret handshakes way too seriously.. Fact: Masonry is one of those organizations that makes you wonder: why are people so fascinated with secret handshakes? Next thing you know, there'll be a reality show about it..
• Headline: OFFER JERSEY BEACH PLAN; State Planning Board Members Would Buy Island for Park. Impact: The proposal to buy the island for a park led to a long-standing debate about the value of green spaces, eventually inspiring future generations to reclaim concrete jungles in favor of urban parks—because who doesn't love a good picnic?. Fact: Isn’t it funny how people in the future will spend more time in parks than in their own backyards? Thanks, planning board!.
• Headline: FIGHT ON NAZI POLICY RENEWED BY MANNING; Bishop, Replying to Attack by Streicher, Repeats Comment on Anti-Semitism. Impact: Bishop Manning's stand against Nazi policies sparked a movement that fueled the rise of religious activism, eventually leading to more hashtags than you can count on social media. Who knew a bishop could be a trendsetter?. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'anti-Semitism' became so prevalent that it made its way into everyday vocabulary. Who thought a bishop could be the original influencer?.
• Headline: TAXI STRIKE LOOMS AS MORE MEN VOTE; 2,300 Employes of 3 Systems to Meet Tonight on Alleged Breach of Contract. Impact: The looming taxi strike stirred up a frenzy that encouraged future generations of workers to unionize over even the smallest grievances—leading to the immortal phrase, 'If I don't get my coffee on time, I'm striking!'. Fact: Who knew that a few disgruntled taxi drivers could lead to the evolution of worker rights? Future drivers will be grateful… and probably still late..
• Headline: NEW VIRGIN ISLANDS STAMP; It Commemorates 21Years Under Rule of United States. Impact: The new Virgin Islands stamp became a collector's item, sparking a bizarre trend of stamp collecting that led to future generations hoarding everything from pizza boxes to ticket stubs, all in the name of nostalgia.. Fact: Stamps: the original form of social media. Who wouldn’t want to commemorate 21 years of U.S. ownership with a piece of paper? Talk about a collector's dream!.