AUGUST 15, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Vintage Cars Shine at 1939 World's Fair. Impact: The arrival of these vintage cars at the World's Fair sparked an obsession with automobiles that led to every family eventually arguing over whose turn it was to wash the car. This, in turn, created a thriving market for car washes, leading to the invention of the car air freshener—thank you, 1910 Model T.. Fact: Did you know that the Model T was so popular that it literally changed the fabric of American society? No, really. People started saying, 'I'm off to the grocery store' instead of 'I'm off to the market on my horse.' Game changer..
• Headline: The Danzig Crisis of 1939. Impact: By not inviting the Poles, this conference inadvertently set the stage for a series of misunderstandings that would lead to a highly effective Polish game of telephone that continues to this day. Essentially, they missed a chance to clear things up, resulting in decades of discontent and a lot of puzzled historians.. Fact: Fun fact: The Danzig issue was so contentious that it could've been a reality TV show—'Real Housewives of Danzig,' anyone? Drama and political intrigue galore!.
• Headline: Dr. Butler Hosts Lord Baldwin's Dinner. Impact: This dinner was the catalyst for a series of high-society events where people pretended to care about democracy while secretly just wanting to show off their new ties and hats. Little did they know, these gatherings would lead to the invention of the term 'networking,' which has since ruined countless social events.. Fact: Did you know that Dr. Butler's dinner was likely the most excitement these guests had in years? Because nothing says 'democracy' like rich people eating fancy food and discussing how much they care about the common man while avoiding eye contact with the waitstaff..
• Headline: BIG AMERICAN PLANE IS SOLD TO JAPANESE; Douglas Concern Enters Race to Book Foreign Business. Impact: This sale led to a friendly rivalry that made the aviation industry as competitive as a high school prom. Suddenly, everyone wanted to show off their planes, leading to over-the-top aviation marketing and, of course, the eventual rise of 'plane spotting' as a hobby—an elite pastime for those who thought watching clouds was too mainstream.. Fact: Did you know that the Douglas DC-4 was so popular that it inspired countless travel brochures? If you ever wanted to know about 'exotic' places, just look at a 1940s travel ad featuring a DC-4. Spoiler: it was mostly just more airports..
• Headline: SHANGHAI SETTLEMENT BARS MORE REFUGEES; 500 Already on Way From Europe Held Unaffected by Order. Impact: This decision to bar refugees likely sowed the seeds of international tension, putting a damper on Shanghai's reputation for being a cosmopolitan city. Who knew that a few bureaucratic roadblocks could lead to a ripple effect that would last for decades and ruin dinner parties across Europe?. Fact: Fun fact: The irony of restricting refugees in a city known for its mixed cultures is not lost on historians. It’s like a potluck dinner where the host says, 'No more lasagna, we have enough!' even though the lasagna is the best dish..
• Headline: SUPERVISOR FIGHTS SITE FOR AIRPORT; Taylor of Harrison in Westchester Says Proposal Imperils the Homes of Estate Owners TO CALL PROTEST MEETING Committee Named by Bleakley Recommends 425-Acre Tract in North Purchase. Impact: This protest over the airport site led to a long-standing debate about urban planning versus the rights of wealthy homeowners, creating a blueprint for future battles over zoning laws that would take decades to resolve. Spoiler alert: the wealthy usually win.. Fact: Did you know that this protest is likely the reason why your airport is so far from your house? Thanks to people like Supervisor Taylor, we can now enjoy the lovely sound of planes flying hundreds of miles away from our suburban backyards..
• Headline: HORSE HAVEN HEAD HALED; Suit Brought to Dispossess Mrs. Ehrlich From Her Farm. Impact: This event marks the beginning of a long saga of land disputes that led to the phrase 'the farm was taken by the man' becoming a common lament in rural communities. Ironically, it also fueled a boom in land ownership documentaries that no one wanted to watch.. Fact: Did you know that Mrs. Ehrlich's case became a classic example of 'land hoarding' in the early 20th century? Because nothing says 'I love my home' like a good old-fashioned lawsuit to keep it..
• Headline: ANTI-BRITISH MOBS VIOLENT IN CHEFOO; Consulate Attacked and Homes of Britons Stoned--Tientsin Drive Is Strengthened Londoners Will Push Efforts TERRORIST CASE IN COURT for Writ--U.S. Warship Takes Cargo to Foochow. Impact: This violent protest not only escalated tensions between Britain and China but also established a precedent for future diplomatic incidents that would be debated in cafe corners worldwide. The term 'anti-British mob' would soon be used liberally in various other contexts, including family gatherings.. Fact: Fun fact: This incident was so intense it could have been an episode of 'Game of Thrones'—minus the dragons. Just good old-fashioned mob violence, political intrigue, and a whole lot of drama..
• Headline: AAA PLANS TO STORE RELINQUISHED CORN; 25,500 Steel Bins to Cost Total of $3,611,520 to Be Set Up. Impact: The decision to store corn ultimately led to the invention of the corn maze, which would later become a popular fall activity. Who knew that a simple storage plan would morph into a family-friendly activity that involves getting lost and arguing over directions?. Fact: Did you know that this storage plan cost more than some small countries' annual budgets? If only they had known they could have just sold corn on the cob at fairs instead!.
• Headline: Aid to Robber Suspect Charged. Impact: This charge against J. Rizzolo set off a chain reaction in the criminal justice system, leading to a series of laws that would eventually make it harder for the average person to help anyone in need—because, naturally, helping others is now considered suspicious behavior.. Fact: Did you know that aiding a robber is now a great way to get yourself a life lesson in what not to do? Kind of like trying to help your friend move when they really just want to borrow your truck for a weekend..