FEBRUARY 21, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: Relief Rolls Surge During 1938 Recession. Impact: The 76% rise in relief led to the invention of a new sport: competitive waiting in lines for government assistance. This sport has since spawned countless memes about bureaucracy.. Fact: In times of recession, the only thing that rises faster than relief rolls is the number of people who suddenly become experts in economics. Who knew?.
• Headline: 180th Anniversary of East 68th Street Reformed. Impact: The 180th anniversary sparked a nationwide trend in celebrating things that are old, like your uncle's terrible jokes—now they’re considered vintage.. Fact: If churches had a time machine, they’d probably use it to go back and tell their 180-year-old selves to invest in Bitcoin..
• Headline: JANE HARTZOG IS MARRIED; Bethlehem, Pa., Girl the Bride of Richard E. Wengren. Impact: Jane Hartzog’s marriage ignited a wave of romantic comedies in which 'Bethlehem' became a popular setting for love stories—because nothing says romance like a town name associated with a stable.. Fact: Marriage is like a deck of cards; in the beginning, all you need is two hearts and a diamond, but by the end, you’re looking for a club and a spade..
• Headline: How Members From This Area Voted in Legislature Last Week; The Senate The Assembly. Impact: The roll-call of local votes resulted in the invention of the phrase 'vote and let vote,' which is still used by politicians when they ignore their constituents. Great legacy, right?. Fact: Legislators are like a box of chocolates; once you open them, you realize most of them are filled with nuts..
• Headline: CONTACT WITH GOD HELD KEY TO LIFE; Bishop Campbell Says Joy of Spirit Comes Only Through Communing With Creator. Impact: Bishop Campbell’s assertion about contacting God led to a spike in phone bills as everyone tried to reach the divine through prayer, creating the first 'spiritual hotline' for distressed believers.. Fact: If contacting God was as simple as sending a text, we’d all be part-time prophets without any data charges..
• Headline: W. PERCY SIMPSON. Impact: W. Percy Simpson’s brief mention somehow led to the rise of a cult following that still believes he was a secret agent for the U.S.—because every historical figure needs a conspiracy theory.. Fact: Sometimes the most interesting thing about a person is their name. W. Percy Simpson sounds like a character straight out of a detective novel, doesn't it?.
• Headline: COOPER UNION POST TO DR. E.S. BURDELL; Faculty Member at M. I. T. and Expert in Social Service Will Be Director POSITION NEWLY CREATED Appointee, 40, Is Native of Ohio-Served With Infantry in World War Has an Impressive Record Joined M. I. T. in 1934. Impact: Dr. E.S. Burdell’s appointment to Cooper Union led to a surge in social service programs, which eventually resulted in the first 'free hugs' initiative—because nothing says social service like an awkward embrace.. Fact: Becoming an expert in social service is like being a superhero—everyone loves you, but you still have to fight the bureaucracy to save the day..