DECEMBER 20, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Kingdon Advocates for Jewish Refugees. Impact: Dr. Kingdon's plea for Jewish refugees led to a wave of compassion that inadvertently inspired the world's first 'Refugee Bake Sale', where cookies somehow became a global currency of goodwill.. Fact: This dinner was likely the fanciest place to hear about refugees, as opposed to the usual corner coffee shop where they just serve bad coffee and worse opinions..
• Headline: NLRB Accusations and Election Ballot Changes. Impact: The allegations against NLRB aide Witt sparked a series of events leading to the creation of 'Corporate Espionage Bingo'—a popular game among bored government employees.. Fact: This was a time when 'trapping' meant something entirely different, and no one was talking about mice..
• Headline: Luxury Ship Columbus Scuttled at Sea. Impact: The scuttling of the liner Columbus set off a chain reaction that began the long-standing feud between luxury cruise lines and the 'Do Not Disturb' sign—nobody wanted to get burnt while sunbathing.. Fact: This was one of those moments that made everyone realize that sometimes, the ocean is just not a safe place for luxury travel..
• Headline: AIR TRAFFIC UP 46.5%; November Figure Brought Total for 11 Months to 40% Above '38. Impact: The 46.5% increase in air traffic led to the invention of the in-flight magazine, which was just a way to distract travelers from the fact they were flying in glorified metal tubes.. Fact: If only folks knew that '40% above '38' would someday inspire the phrase 'the skies are not friendly', they might have stayed home..
• Headline: Dramatic Workshop Opened. Impact: The opening of the Dramatic Workshop eventually led to a nationwide shortage of melodrama, as all the actors decided to take their skills to reality TV instead.. Fact: If only they had known that 'drama' would one day become synonymous with social media posts..
• Headline: PERUVIANS GREET FINLAND; Senate Sends Cable of Sympathy --Honor for Ex-President. Impact: Peru's greeting to Finland set off a diplomatic trend where every country felt compelled to send well-wishes, resulting in a never-ending cycle of holiday cards.. Fact: This was probably the most polite diplomatic exchange until Twitter came along and ruined everything with character limits..
• Headline: $50 Tax Fine Is Imposed On Gift Cigarettes. Impact: The $50 tax fine on gift cigarettes led to the underground economy of 'gift-free' cigarettes, where everyone pretended to be generous while really just keeping their stash.. Fact: Who knew that tax evasion could be so... smoky?.
• Headline: 2 STATE JURISTS HONORED; Lehman and Crane Guests at Bar Luncheon Here. Impact: Honoring jurists Lehman and Crane inadvertently started a trend of lawyers wearing capes to events, leading to an influx of superhero-themed legal terminology.. Fact: This was a time when 'justice' was synonymous with 'fashion statement', and no one seemed to mind..
• Headline: Liner Samaria Puts Back After Crash Off England. Impact: The collision of the liner Samaria led to the creation of a new maritime rule: 'Always check your blind spots, especially when you're in a giant floating metal box'.. Fact: Accidents like this make you wonder how many captains think they're just driving oversized bumper cars..