DECEMBER 7, 1938

Full News Archive

• Headline: Public Backs Hull's Treaty Efforts. Impact: This overwhelming support for Hull might have been the first step towards social media influencers. If only they had Twitter back then, Hull would have been trending. #HullForPresident?. Fact: A whopping 85% of people also believe that pineapple belongs on pizza, but that's a different survey entirely..
• Headline: Nicaragua Expands Trade Partnerships. Impact: By granting trade benefits, Nicaragua unknowingly set the stage for a global economy that would one day include avocado imports and a crisis over toilet paper.. Fact: This was probably the first time Nicaragua thought, 'Hey, maybe we should be nice to other countries!'.
• Headline: INDUSTRY TO OFFER AID FOR RECOVERY; Desire to Work With Farmers, Labor and U. S. to Be Voiced at Sessions Opening Today EDEN ADDRESS AWAITED At Least 4,000 to Hear Visitor at Dinner Friday-Hook to Sound Keynote. Impact: The call for cooperation between farmers, labor, and government sparked an age-old debate. This was the genesis of the phrase 'We're all in this together,' which has been used to justify everything from tax hikes to reality TV.. Fact: If only they had known that 4,000 people would show up just for the free dinner..
• Headline: REBELS PUSH RAIDS ON LOYALIST TOWNS; Allow No Let-Up in Bombing Drive--30 Places Attacked Since Friday-300 Killed RESIDENTS ARE HELPLESSI Aim to Break Civilian Morale Is Seen in Campaign--306 British Fighters Depart Rebels Raid Valencia Zone. Impact: The relentless bombing campaign by rebels not only shaped the immediate conflict but also inspired future generations of filmmakers to create action movies featuring 'the good rebels' versus 'the bad government.'. Fact: 300 people could fit into a small-town diner, but apparently, they couldn't fit into a safe zone..
• Headline: COLOMBIA TRANSFERS ENVOY TO DENMARK; Minister to Berlin Shifted After Hilter Delays Receiving Him. Impact: The diplomatic shuffle of envoys would eventually lead to diplomats perfecting the art of 'please don't bomb us,' which is still a popular phrase today.. Fact: This move was a precursor to the classic game of 'musical chairs'—only with more paperwork and fewer chairs..
• Headline: JAPANESE EXTEND CANTON OFFENSIVE; Invaders Driveto Southwest, Taking Kongmoon-Macao to Be Isolated HAINAN ATTACK EXPECTED Defenders at Pakhoi Reported to Have Defeated Landing Parties From Warships Chinese Report Pakhoi Victory Foreigners Still at Ruling. Impact: The Japanese offensive and territorial gains in Canton would set the stage for a series of territorial disputes, leading to 'who can claim what' becoming a favorite board game among nations.. Fact: Isolating Macao was just a warm-up for future isolationist policies, leading to a lot of countries saying, 'You can’t sit with us!'.
• Headline: INDICTED AS VIOLATOR OF NEUTRALITY ACT; Mexicans and Americans Accused of Sending Planes to Spain. Impact: The indictment of Mexicans and Americans for violating the Neutrality Act foreshadowed countless future diplomatic faux pas, eventually leading to the invention of the phrase 'It's complicated.'. Fact: The Neutrality Act was actually just a big sign saying, 'You’re not supposed to be here, but we won't stop you... maybe?'.
• Headline: Whaler's Oil Seized Here Under Treaty In Slaughter of 900 Whales Off Austrialia. Impact: The seizure of whaler's oil not only highlighted the environmental concerns of the time but also inadvertently fueled the future movement for veganism and animal rights. Who knew 900 whales would lead to tofu?. Fact: 900 under-size whales is just a fancy way of saying someone really messed up their fishing license..
• Headline: HARVARD STUDENTS OPEN REFUGEE DRIVE; Eddie Cantor Donates $1,000 as 2,000 Attend Meeting. Impact: Harvard students rallying to support refugees marked the beginning of a long tradition of college students thinking they can save the world while still managing to binge-watch the latest Netflix series.. Fact: Eddie Cantor donating $1,000 was the equivalent of a celebrity today donating a single tweet to a cause..