NOVEMBER 5, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: Julia Warthman Engaged to John Heckscher. Impact: If Julia Warthman and John Heckscher had not gotten engaged, the entire lineage of banker descendants might have opted for a career in interpretive dance instead, dramatically shifting financial practices to include interpretive 'dance' as a legitimate form of currency exchange.. Fact: Did you know that engagements were once considered a formal business transaction? Who knew love had such high stakes!.
• Headline: Celebrating Dean Emeritus Mills. Impact: Honoring Dean Emeritus Mills triggered a nationwide trend of honoring people who are no longer around, paving the way for an annual 'Forget-Me-Not Day' where we simply remember those who forgot to return our calls.. Fact: The title 'Emeritus' is just Latin for 'I've done my time, now give me a break!'.
• Headline: CHARLES MUNKEL. Impact: Charles Munkel's mention in the headlines sparked an underground society devoted to Munkel-themed trivia, leading to the world's most obscure pub quiz night—Munkel Mania!. Fact: Charles Munkel's last name is so unique that it has been mispronounced in 37 different ways, including 'Monkey' and 'Munchkin.'.
• Headline: MAYOR INSPECTS WPA FACTORIES; Sees 'Living Example' of City's New Political Order in Shop Making Clothes for Needy IT ONCE WAS A SPEAKEASY La Guardia Says Owney Madden Operated Den of 'Protected Vice' in the Hall Praises Attention to Style Delighted by the Toys. Impact: Mayor LaGuardia's inspection of WPA factories turned into an annual tradition where every mayor since has felt the pressure to inspect a former speakeasy, causing a bizarre rise in cocktail-themed political campaigns.. Fact: The term 'speakeasy' comes from patrons having to talk softly to avoid detection—sounds a bit like every office meeting I've ever attended!.
• Headline: ' FAUST' IS PRESENTED WITH 'CANNED MUSIC'; Conductor Shavitch Uses Sound Track to Displace Orchestra. Impact: The use of 'canned music' in 'Faust' led to an unexpected revolution in opera, with every performance thereafter needing a DJ to remix the classics, resulting in the first-ever opera rave.. Fact: Fun fact: at one point, operas were accompanied by live animals for sound effects. That’s right, a mooing cow was a legitimate tenor!.
• Headline: EDNA M. DIETZ MARRIED; York, Pa., Girl Becomes Bride of Nathan Chase Ayer. Impact: Edna M. Dietz's marriage to Nathan Chase Ayer inspired countless rom-coms about how love can bloom in the most ordinary of towns, setting a precedent for unrealistic expectations in romantic comedies.. Fact: The average wedding today costs more than the average college education. So, if you want to get married, better start saving for that degree first!.
• Headline: WILSON SEEKS $1,000,000; Fund to Mark 70th Anniversary Is Planned by Trustees. Impact: Wilson's quest for a million-dollar fund for the 70th anniversary led to future fundraisers becoming extravagant competitions, ultimately giving rise to the world of corporate bake sales and 'who can sell the most cookies' contests.. Fact: Ever wonder why we celebrate anniversaries? It's just a clever way to remind everyone that we're still here and still have bills to pay!.
• Headline: TO REFORM OUR CURRENCY LAWS. Impact: The push to reform currency laws sparked a decade-long debate that led to the invention of Monopoly money, changing the way children learn about finances forever.. Fact: You know your currency laws are outdated when the game of Monopoly becomes a more realistic depiction of wealth distribution than your actual economy!.