OCTOBER 10, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Books Released on October 10, 1938. Impact: The publication of 'American Reader' led to a sudden spike in tea consumption across the nation, as readers felt an inexplicable urge to sip tea while pretending to be intellectuals. This eventually evolved into today's insatiable need for overpriced lattes at hipster cafes.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more predictable than a book being published is the number of people who will buy it but never read it..
• Headline: Jacob Atkins: A Life Remembered. Impact: Jacob Atkins, a seemingly unimportant figure, set off a series of events that led to the accidental invention of the modern day selfie stick when a distant descendant struggled to take a group photo at a family reunion.. Fact: Did you know that Jacob Atkins was just as likely to have been a world-class potato peeler as he was a notable figure? The history books just didn’t care to mention that..
• Headline: New Dance Styles Debut in NYC. Impact: The introduction of the Yam and Palais Glide dance moves led to the creation of the 'awkward uncle at weddings' stereotype, which continues to haunt family gatherings to this day. Thank you, 1920s socialites.. Fact: Did you know that if you tried to do the Yam today, people would probably call it a new TikTok trend instead of a dance? Progress!.
• Headline: HON. MONTAGU O. FORBES; Son of English Lord and Father of Coldstream Guards Major. Impact: Montagu O. Forbes’s lineage inadvertently sparked a trend of naming children after British aristocracy, leading to the rise of countless little ‘Winston Churchill’ and ‘Victoria Elizabeths’ who will never inherit a penny.. Fact: Fun fact: Montagu O. Forbes is the name that makes every child’s first day of school sound like a royal announcement..
• Headline: STRACHEY TO FACE U. S. INQUIRY AS RED; Due Here Today for Lecture Tour, He Will Be Thoroughly Examined--May Be Barred Old Inquiry to Be Continued May be Barred on Visa U. S. TO INVESTIGATE STRACHEY AS RED Left England on Wednesday. Impact: Strachey’s arrival in the U.S. sparked a nationwide panic about communism, leading to the invention of the 'Red Scare' bingo game. Players would nervously mark off names of suspected communists while clutching their wallets.. Fact: Did you know that the real reason for Strachey’s inquiry was that the U.S. was just trying to figure out if he brought tea or crumpets with him?.
• Headline: Anne R. Ryan a Bride. Impact: Anne R. Ryan's marriage created a butterfly effect that led to the popularization of extravagant wedding hashtags, which would become a source of both joy and regret for countless future couples.. Fact: Fun fact: Wedding planning has come a long way since then. Today, brides are more likely to have a Pinterest board than a sense of reality..
• Headline: Blazing Plane Alights on Westbury Links; Golfers Watch 2 Occupants Flee Safely. Impact: The incident inspired a new golf rule: 'If a plane lands on your course, you get a free mulligan.' The golfers were so traumatized that they needed extra chances to cope.. Fact: Did you know that this is the only time in history where golfers were more concerned about planes than their swing?.
• Headline: MRS. BEATRICE BLOCK WED IN HER HOME; Becomes the Bride of Morris Weinfeld, Ex-Assemblyman. Impact: Beatrice's wedding sparked a neighborhood rivalry that led to an annual potluck competition, which eventually prompted the invention of the 'best casserole' award. The tradition continues to this day, with mixed results.. Fact: Fun fact: In the history of weddings, it's often said that the ex-assemblyman only showed up for the free food..
• Headline: DRAWING OF COLONIAL-STYLE PUBLIC SCHOOL TO BE ERECTED IN QUEENS; Sketch of building planned for site on Forty-sixth Road, between 211 th Street and Bell Boulevard, Bayside. Eric Kebbon is the architect.. Impact: The colonial-style school became a model for future public buildings, leading to a decades-long debate about whether historical architecture is really just a fancy way of saying 'we ran out of ideas.'. Fact: Did you know that colonial architecture was just a way of saying, 'We like our buildings to look like they might fall over at any moment'?.