MAY 27, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Loaded for Baer: 1939 Sports Event. Impact: This article about a sports event led to an unprecedented surge in sports betting, which eventually resulted in the creation of fantasy sports leagues. Who knew a boxing match could pave the way for millions of people pretending to be coaches from their couches?. Fact: Louis Rosenberg was so passionate about boxing that he once tried to punch a computer for suggesting a rematch.
• Headline: Fordham Honors Veteran Teacher Miss Brennan. Impact: Miss Brennan receiving an honorary degree inspired a surge in honorary degrees across the globe, leading to a phenomenon where every local bakery started giving out PhDs in 'Pastry Arts.'. Fact: It turns out that the honorary Doctor of Laws degree actually comes with zero legal power—so if you were hoping to sue someone, you might want to reconsider.
• Headline: First Baseball Stamps Printed. Impact: The printing of baseball stamps sparked a global obsession with themed stamps, ultimately leading to the rise of stamp collectors who would rather discuss postage than politics. Collectors have now become the true rulers of the underground economy. Fact: The first baseball stamp was so popular that it sparked a brief, yet passionate, feud between stamp enthusiasts and baseball card collectors. It was like the Roman Empire, but with fewer togas.
• Headline: TODAY ON THE RADIO; OUTSTANDING EVENTS ON ALL STATIONS. Impact: The radio program listings not only entertained listeners but also led to the invention of binge-listening—because who doesn’t love hearing about events they missed 50 years ago?. Fact: Before television, people actually had to use their imagination to visualize events—what a wild concept!.
• Headline: MOVIE TEST PILOT TERMED A FICTION; Fliers Not Daredevils, but Serious 'Aerodynamicists,' Aviator Tells Engineers ELIMINATING RISKS IS AIM Use of Plastics in Airplanes Discussed at Last Session of Automotive Congress. Impact: The revelation about movie test pilots being serious aerodynamicists led to a greater appreciation for the aviation industry, resulting in a boom of serious pilots who were tired of being called 'daredevils' and just wanted to be seen as the 'nerdy scientists' of the skies. Fact: The first aerodynamicist to fly a plane was actually just trying to impress someone at a party. It's all fun and games until someone takes it too seriously.
• Headline: Application Date Shifted. Impact: Shifting application dates became a trend that would haunt students for decades, creating a culture of procrastination and last-minute essays that became the hallmark of academic life. Fact: The term 'I’ll do it tomorrow' was officially coined during a dramatic application date shift, and it’s been the slogan for students ever since.
• Headline: BRITON HAILS OUR PRESS; Editor Says This Continent Is Better Informed Than Europe. Impact: Britons praising the press in America led to a mutual admiration society that eventually evolved into today's internet trolls arguing about which country's media is worse. Spoiler alert: it’s a tie. Fact: G. Hutton later tried to write a book called 'How to Inform the World,' but it was just a collection of memes.
• Headline: Topics of Sermons That Will Be Heard in the Churches of the City Tomorrow; TOPICS OF SERMONS IN CITY TOMORROW. Impact: The sermon topics listed in churches drove people to contemplate their life choices, resulting in a surge of existential crises and a rapid decline in church attendance as people realized they preferred brunch. Fact: Dr. M. Nadler once delivered a sermon on 'How to Avoid Adulting,' but it was too relatable and led to a mass walkout.
• Headline: Mrs. Roosevelt a Guest As Hotel Fire Breaks Out. Impact: Mrs. Roosevelt being present during a hotel fire created an urban legend that she could control fire with her mind, leading to a slew of fan theories and a sudden interest in fire safety. Fact: The room that caught fire was later turned into a historical landmark, where people could marvel at the place where Mrs. Roosevelt almost became a fire-bending legend.