DECEMBER 7, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Swedes and Danes Unite Against Communism. Impact: The dramatic walkout by Swedish and Danish parliaments led to an unexpected surge in Scandinavian solidarity against communism. This event inadvertently inspired the creation of the world's first 'Anti-Communism Dance Party' in the 1980s, which was ironically a huge hit in communist countries.. Fact: Did you know that the Swedish Parliament once debated whether to officially declare meatballs a national treasure? It's true! Communism wasn't the only thing they were walking out on..
• Headline: Surge in City Sanitation Job Applicants. Impact: The overwhelming number of applicants for city sanitation jobs led to a bizarre twist in the job market, where aspiring sanitation workers became the most sought-after guests at social events, leading to the rise of 'Sanitation Chic' in the 1950s.. Fact: Fun fact: The first job in sanitation was actually invented by a guy who just really hated garbage. His name? Nobody remembers, but he definitely left a mark—just like the garbage he was trying to clean up..
• Headline: Hitler Celebrates Mackensen's 90th Birthday. Impact: Hitler's visit to Mackensen on his 90th birthday sparked a yearly tradition of sending horses as birthday gifts, which eventually morphed into the modern-day trend of extravagant pet birthday parties.. Fact: Did you know that Mackensen's gift horse was actually a metaphor? It represented the military strategies that aged just as poorly as the field marshal himself..
• Headline: COUNCILMAN BELOUS WED; Miss Grace Timen Is Bride of City Legislator From Queens. Impact: Councilman Belous's wedding sparked a local trend of politicians marrying in public ceremonies, which eventually led to the rise of 'Political Weddings,' where instead of exchanging vows, they exchanged policy proposals.. Fact: Did you know that Grace Timen's dress was made entirely of recycled campaign flyers? Talk about being eco-friendly—though it definitely didn’t win any fashion awards..
• Headline: LLOYD GEORGE TELLS HOW TO WIN A WAR; Describes Victory Measures 23 Years After Becoming Premier. Impact: Lloyd George's retrospective on winning wars led to an influx of retired politicians attempting to give unsolicited advice on everything, resulting in a long-standing tradition of politicians becoming life coaches—because who wouldn’t want a war strategist telling them how to live?. Fact: Did you know that Lloyd George once tried to win a game of chess by shouting at the pieces? Turns out, they didn’t listen—much like his advice on winning wars..
• Headline: HAITI'S PRESIDENT WELCOMED TO WASHINGTON. Impact: Haiti's president being welcomed to Washington sparked a series of diplomatic visits that eventually resulted in a tourism campaign for Washington, D.C., featuring 'Presidential Selfies'—because nothing says diplomacy like a good photo op.. Fact: Did you know that Under-Sec Wells accidentally called the President 'Haitian Oatmeal' during the welcome speech? Thankfully, the president took it in stride—probably because he was too busy thinking about brunch..
• Headline: 4 MORE FREIGHTERS SUNK IN WARFARE; One British Ship Missing and Three Neutrals Are Sunk-- Some Survivors Rescued GERMAN VESSEL CAPTURED Craft Taken in South Atlantic After Run From African Port --Scuttling Attempt Fails Danish Ship Sunk Chile Watching Straits. Impact: The successful rescue of individuals from Mexican kidnappers inadvertently led to a boom in Hollywood kidnapping dramas, where the more outrageous the plot, the more likely it was to get funded.. Fact: Did you know that the kidnappers were actually just trying to start a reality show? They thought they could get famous on the backs of their captives—turns out they were just bad at business..
• Headline: Mexican Kidnappers Free Pair.