NOVEMBER 8, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: Wisconsin's Turbulent 1938 Election Campaign. Impact: The confusion in Wisconsin led to the establishment of the 'Three-Party System'—a system that would later inspire countless sitcom writers who just couldn't get their plot twists straight.. Fact: Ah yes, the classic political strategy: confuse your opponents so much that they end up agreeing with you out of sheer bewilderment..
• Headline: Court Denies Large Fee for Veteran's Lawyer. Impact: This ruling against a Brooklyn lawyer sparked a nationwide debate on legal fees, leading to a future where every lawyer’s first question is, 'So, how much are you willing to pay for my advice?'. Fact: Fun fact: This lawyer's fee could have bought nearly 200,000 cups of coffee—just enough to keep a law student awake during finals!.
• Headline: CHARGES FLY IN MINNESOTA; Final Hours of Three-Cornered Governorship Race Are Bitter. Impact: The bitter charges exchanged in Minnesota led to the invention of 'political mudslinging' as a competitive sport. This eventually became a major selling point for reality television.. Fact: Who knew that politics could be so dramatic? It’s like a soap opera, but with fewer well-written scripts and more people yelling at each other..
• Headline: APPEAL MADE TO LEHMAN; He Is Asked to Assure Fair Election in Yonkers. Impact: The plea to Lehman for fair elections ignited a chain reaction of political promises that would lead to the eventual creation of the phrase 'trust us, we’re politicians.'. Fact: The phrase 'fair election' has been used so often, it now qualifies for a spot in the political hall of fame next to 'change' and 'hope.'.
• Headline: FARLEY IS SOLICITED FOR VOTE FOR BARTON; His Reply Thanks Representative for Aiding Postal Revenue. Impact: Farley’s thank-you note to Barton changed the landscape of political endorsements into a bizarre exchange of pleasantries that made future politicians wonder if they should send thank-you notes for votes.. Fact: In politics, a thank-you note can be worth more than a million dollars—unless it’s written in crayon, then it’s just adorable..
• Headline: All Liquor Sales Banned In Hours Polls Are Open. Impact: Banning liquor sales on Election Day resulted in a nationwide spike in 'pre-voting parties'—because nothing says 'I care about democracy' like a drink before you vote!. Fact: Ironically, the ban led to some of the most creative campaigning, with candidates pushing for 'hydration stations' instead of bars!.