DECEMBER 23, 1937

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic House Collapse in Bronx. Impact: The tragic collapse of the house made local architects re-evaluate their designs, leading to an unexpected boom in the 'house of cards' construction style–the one that can withstand the most playful of children.. Fact: In the wake of this event, window-jumping became a popular escape tactic for kids. Who needs fire drills when you can leap to freedom?.
• Headline: Liquor Tax Receipts Decline in November. Impact: The drop in liquor tax receipts led to a sudden spike in DIY cocktail recipes, resulting in a generation of home bartenders who would later invent the infamous Jell-O shot. Cheers to that!. Fact: It turns out that liquor taxes are like a roller coaster: they go up, they go down, and at the end of the day, you might just regret your choices..
• Headline: Western Union, Postal and Mackay Radio File Joint Plea for 15% Rise in Charges. Impact: This plea for higher charges led to a hilarious ripple effect where every other service provider demanded to raise their rates too, because who wouldn't want to cash in on the 'everyone's doing it' trend?. Fact: Western Union once charged a fee for sending a telegram that was more than some people's monthly rent. Clearly, they understood the importance of urgency—at a price!.
• Headline: New Dormitory for Skidmore. Impact: The construction of a new dormitory sparked fierce debates over whether or not students should really have a place to sleep, leading to several late-night 'study' sessions that turned into epic parties.. Fact: Skidmore's new dormitory was almost named 'The Place Where Sleep Goes to Die'—but they opted for something a little more subtle..
• Headline: 25 States in Anti-Crime Pact. Impact: The anti-crime pact instigated a nationwide trend of states forming pacts for everything from crime prevention to pancake breakfast fundraisers. Because nothing unites people like a good stack of pancakes!. Fact: In a surprising twist, the anti-crime pact led to the invention of the 'crime pancake,' a culinary abomination that was promptly forgotten..
• Headline: NIGHT SCHOOLS GET 5 NEW PRINCIPALS; Board Also Moves to Set Up Separate Personnel for Them, Ending Dual Jobs LOBBYISTS TO KEEP PAY Proposal to Deduct for Trips to Albany Is Defeated -$1,000,000 Contracts Voted The New Principals Evening School Reorganization. Impact: The introduction of new principals to night schools resulted in an unexpected rise of nighttime drama, inspiring countless students to pursue careers in acting rather than academics. Who said learning can't be theatrical?. Fact: Night schools have often been called 'the land of misfit teachers,' where the curriculum is a mix of knowledge and late-night snack runs..
• Headline: CITY URGED TO DROP ITS LUNACY BOARDS; Blanshard,.Reporting on Long Survey, Wants Hospitals to Act in Criminal Cases AMENDED CODE IS SOUGHT $150,000 Yearly Saving Seen in Eliminating Political 'Gravy' of Present Plan Cost Per Case Put at $850. Impact: Urging the city to drop lunacy boards caused a minor existential crisis among local politicians, who suddenly had to find new ways to justify their existence beyond the realm of 'gravy' jobs.. Fact: The term 'lunacy board' still evokes laughter in some circles, especially when one recalls the actual lunatics in charge of making important decisions..
• Headline: CAROLYN BEARDSLEY WED; Plainfield, N. J., Girl Becomes Bride of Buckley Crist. Impact: Carolyn Beardsley's wedding led to a series of awkward family reunions, where distant relatives suddenly became experts in matchmaking, inadvertently creating the world's most uncomfortable dating scene.. Fact: Weddings are often said to be the best place to catch the bouquet or the flu—your choice..