MARCH 15, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Air Wreck in Brussels. Impact: The tragic air wreck in Brussels set off a series of safety regulations that eventually led to the invention of the parachute. However, the parachute only made it more dramatic when people started jumping out of perfectly good airplanes during mid-flight. Thanks, Brussels!. Fact: Air travel was still a bit like playing Russian roulette back then. You could either arrive at your destination or become a headline..
• Headline: Czech Leaders Concede to Nazi Demands. Impact: Hacha's meeting with Hitler was the first domino in a chain that led to the creation of the phrase 'Do what the dictator says, or else.' It paved the way for future leaders to say, 'You know what? That sounds like a great idea!' in times of crisis.. Fact: Czechoslovakia's loss of freedom was so swift that it makes modern-day political debates feel like an episode of 'The Great British Bake Off'—a lot of fluff and not much substance..
• Headline: Historic Soviet Fur Auction Breaks Records. Impact: The fur auction in Leningrad led to a fur frenzy that sparked a fashion revolution. Little did they know, this would later inspire the hipster movement to ironically wear faux fur while sipping overpriced lattes.. Fact: For $2.5 million, you could have bought enough fur to keep an army of squirrels warm for a winter. Just think of all the potential fashion faux pas!.
• Headline: INDIA LACKS UNITY FOR INDEPENDENCE; Congress Party Unable to Speak for Moslems, Sikhs and Other Minorities PRINCES BALK AT REFORMS Object to 'Dictation'--Insist on Power to Rule and Funds to Balance Budgets. Impact: The disunity in India stirred up some serious discontent, which led to more factions forming. If only they had a group chat back then to hash things out instead of meeting in chambers. Spoiler alert: It wouldn't have helped.. Fact: The Congress Party's struggle to unite was like herding cats—if those cats were divided by religion, caste, and a healthy dose of British colonialism..
• Headline: MUNDELEIN RECEIVED BY POPE IN PRIVATE; Pontiff Also Grants Audience to Portland, Me., Bishop. Impact: Mundelein's private audience with the Pope was the start of a trend where religious leaders became the original influencers, setting standards for future meetings that would require extensive PR teams.. Fact: The Pope granting audiences is basically the medieval version of getting a selfie with a celebrity. Who wouldn't want that on their resume?.
• Headline: In The Nation; Tax Revision Dose Is Hard to Swallow. Impact: The tax revision debate was a classic case of politicians trying to make themselves look good while effectively doing nothing. This paved the way for future generations to realize that tax reform is just code for 'we'll keep taking your money.'. Fact: Krock's comment on tax revision was so hard to swallow that it probably could have been used as a punishment for bad behavior, right alongside Brussels sprouts..
• Headline: Senate Upholds Dog in Right to One Bite; Defeats Bill Backed by Mailmen of State. Impact: The Senate's decision on dog bite legislation meant that canines across the state could continue their reign of terror unpunished, leading to a generation of overly confident dogs that now believe they can get away with anything.. Fact: The right to one bite sounds like the start of a very questionable doggy dating app. Swipe right if you're ready for a bite!.
• Headline: ARGENTINA AND REICH NEAR WHEAT BARTER; German Railway Equipment to Be Obtained by Deal. Impact: The wheat barter may have seemed like a harmless trade, but it ultimately led to a global agricultural market that could rival the most intense reality TV show—complete with backstabbing and plot twists.. Fact: Who knew wheat could be the ultimate bargaining chip? Forget stocks; it’s all about the gluten these days!.
• Headline: BRUCE SCOTT; Vice President of Burlington System Was General Counsel. Impact: Bruce Scott's tenure as Vice President of Burlington System highlighted the importance of legal counsel in business, which later inspired every corporate office to hire at least one lawyer to remind them they can't do whatever they want.. Fact: Being a general counsel means you're the adult in the room, which is probably why they keep getting called into those endless meetings. Lucky them!.