JULY 20, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Lamberton Joins Philadelphia Mayoral Race. Impact: Lamberton's entry into the race sparked a series of political debates that eventually led to the invention of the phrase 'politics as usual,' which was ironically never used in politics again.. Fact: Did you know that the real winners of political races are usually just the people who get to throw all those fancy parties? Hope Lamberton brought snacks!.
• Headline: Tokyo's Reaction to Vandenberg's Statements. Impact: The comment from Tokyo initiated a complex web of diplomatic interactions that eventually led to the invention of sushi rolls, which somehow became a staple of American cuisine and a hipster brunch menu must-have.. Fact: Did you know that back in the day, people actually thought 'Tokyo' was just a fancy name for a type of tea? The more you know!.
• Headline: Japanese Police Board U.S. Liner. Impact: The boarding of the U.S. ship by Kobe harbor police ignited a trans-Pacific detective story that would later inspire a series of B-movies about smuggling, but nobody ever made a sequel. Go figure.. Fact: Did you know that illegal currency hunting is just a fancy way of saying 'we're looking for the money you thought you lost behind the couch'?.
• Headline: MORE MEN ARE TEACHING; School Survey Shows Rise From 18 to 25 Per Cent Since 1920. Impact: The rise in male teachers led to a long-term trend of more men in education, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the 'male kindergarten teacher' stereotype—so, thanks a lot for that.. Fact: Did you know that 25% of teachers being men is about the same percentage of men who think they can fix a leaky faucet without help?.
• Headline: MIDTOWN COAT FIRM DOUBLES ITS SPACE; Olive Company's Quarters Now Among Largest in Area. Impact: The Olive Company doubling its space led to the rise of the 'bigger is better' philosophy, which eventually turned into the notion that if you don't have a warehouse-sized closet, are you even living?. Fact: Did you know that space is relative? Just ask the Olive Company; they're now in a committed relationship with square footage!.
• Headline: COLOMBIA CONFIRMS TITLE; Supreme Court Finds Mines Belong to American Company. Impact: Colombia's Supreme Court decision regarding the mines created a legal precedent that would later lead to the phrase 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' in the mining industry, turning it into a national pastime.. Fact: Did you know that mining for resources is just another way of saying 'I'm here for the free rocks and minerals?'.
• Headline: WOMEN WILL TOUR 6 NATIONS BY PLANE; TO TOUR SOUTH AMERICA. Impact: The women's plane tour sparked a global movement for female empowerment that led to more women flying planes, although they still can't seem to get their male counterparts to ask for directions.. Fact: Did you know that in the early days of air travel, women were often asked to serve tea instead of fly the plane? Progress, right?.
• Headline: Beauty Contest Winner Is Here From Bermuda. Impact: The arrival of the Bermuda beauty contest winner in New York symbolized the start of a transatlantic obsession with beauty standards that would lead to a million Instagram filters and a beauty influencer on every corner.. Fact: Did you know that beauty contests are basically the original 'who wore it best?' but with more sequins and less actual talent?.
• Headline: GIRL INJURED IN RODEO; Thrown From Horse at Fair and Taken to Hospital. Impact: The rodeo injury led to stricter animal safety regulations, which inadvertently inspired the creation of rodeo clowns—who are basically the unsung heroes of the Wild West.. Fact: Did you know that rodeo clowns are just trying to keep their day jobs, while dodging bulls? Talk about multitasking!.
• Headline: ESKIMOS 'MUSH' ALONG TO DINNER AT FAIR; Sled (on Wheels) Carries Family to Event for Curators. Impact: The Eskimos' dinner event was the catalyst for a series of cultural exchanges that eventually led to the popularization of fusion cuisine—so, thank you, New York World's Fair, for that sushi burrito.. Fact: Did you know that 'mushing' is just a fancy way of saying 'let's see how many friends we can cram into a sled?'.