JUNE 5, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: The Birth of Newsreels in 1938. Impact: If only newsreels had been invented earlier, maybe we could have avoided a few historical blunders. Imagine if people had actually seen what was happening instead of just reading about it in the newspaper. The world might have been a tad more enlightened—or at least less confused about the color of that dress.. Fact: Newsreels were basically the TikToks of their day—short, somewhat informative, and often featuring a random cat or two..
• Headline: First FHA Approved Housing in Bronx. Impact: This FHA approval was the spark that ignited the housing market, leading to gentrification, skyrocketing rents, and a never-ending quest to find affordable housing. Thanks a lot, Bronx. Your shiny new project set off a chain reaction that still haunts us.. Fact: This project could have been the inspiration for the phrase 'Location, Location, Location'—but let's be real, it just became 'Rent, Rent, Rent.'.
• Headline: Marksmanship Competition at Peekskill Camp. Impact: The fierce competition in marksmanship at Peekskill might have inadvertently inspired a future generation of reality TV competitions. Who knew shooting could lead to 'Nailed It!' or 'Top Shot: The Musical'?. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more dangerous than a thousand people with guns is a thousand people with opinions on the best way to shoot..
• Headline: THE LOG OF A GLOBE-TROTTER. Impact: J.C. Vermeer’s globe-trotting might have inspired future travelers to take more selfies, leading to an epidemic of travel envy. Now everyone thinks they need to go to Bali just to post a picture with a swing over a cliff.. Fact: The term 'globe-trotter' was originally used for people who didn't want to pay for their luggage—no one knew how to pack properly back then!.
• Headline: ABDUCTED BY 2 MEN, WAITRESS CHARGES; Accuser of Extortion Suspect Found by Police in Jersey. Impact: The waitress's dramatic kidnapping story might have inadvertently inspired the plot for an off-Broadway play titled 'Waitress: The Sequel,' where extortion takes the stage, and everyone learns a valuable lesson about dining out.. Fact: Turns out, being a waitress can be a real-life thriller—who knew serving coffee could lead to such high-stakes drama?.
• Headline: PEOPLE ON RELIEF ATTACK INQUIRERS; Beatings of Investigators by Recipients of Aid Brings Plea for Courts' Help. Impact: The attacks on relief investigators led to a long-standing stereotype that people on welfare are aggressive. This has somehow morphed into a reality where our society continues to stigmatize those in need rather than support them. Bravo, humanity.. Fact: Assaulting an investigator is not the best PR move if you're trying to prove you're 'just misunderstood.'.
• Headline: AGAIN INVADES HOLD CHINA'S GREAT WALL; Many Fierce Battles Have Been Fought There, But Today the Barrier Is Only a Mighty Relic GREAT WALL OF CHINA. Impact: The Great Wall, once a mighty barrier, became a mere tourist attraction and a symbol of wasted effort. This led to countless selfies and the realization that sometimes the walls we build are just for show—much like many political debates.. Fact: The Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from space. Too bad it couldn't stop people from taking bad selfies in front of it..
• Headline: SEC LETS A UTILITY BORROW FROM REA; N. Y. State Electric and Gas Wins Plea on $250,000 Note. Impact: This utility borrowing was a pivotal moment that contributed to the endless cycle of utilities needing bailouts while customers wonder if their bill is a ransom note. Oh, the irony.. Fact: When it comes to borrowing money, utilities are basically the equivalent of that friend who always 'forgets' their wallet..
• Headline: ROUND ABOUT THE GARDEN; Who Said Spinach?. Impact: The garden hobbyist's obsession with plant pests may have led to the rise of organic gardening and the subsequent hipster trend of growing your own herbs. Now everyone thinks they can just sprinkle some seeds and become farmers.. Fact: The real question is: who actually said spinach? It was probably someone trying to make vegetables sound cool—spoiler alert: it didn't work..