DECEMBER 30, 1939

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tribute to John F. Walsh's Legacy. Impact: Had John F. Walsh not passed away, the Bronx would have been the premier destination for garden enthusiasts, potentially leading to a worldwide gardening craze led by hipsters in fedoras and cargo shorts. Think artisanal composting and yoga in the flowerbeds.. Fact: John F. Walsh wasn’t just a gardener; he was the original plant influencer before Instagram was a thing..
• Headline: Miss Collingwood's Engagement Announcement. Impact: The engagement of Miss Collingwood and Henry Haskell 2d might have sparked a wave of romantic engagements that led to the creation of 'wedding planning' as a multi-billion dollar industry. Thanks a lot, lovebirds!. Fact: Engagements in the early 1900s were less about extravagant rings and more about ensuring the bride could cook. What a time!.
• Headline: Mary Hopkins Engaged to Nicholas Biddle Jr.. Impact: Mary Hopkins' engagement to Nicholas Biddle Jr. likely resulted in an influx of socialites attempting to one-up each other with their own engagements, leading to an escalating arms race of wedding bling.. Fact: In the late 1800s, engagement rings were primarily used to establish family alliances, not to impress your Instagram followers..
• Headline: Parents Spread 200,000 Leaflets Demanding State Aid for Schools; Society Representing 100,000 in City Opens Campaign to Prevent Further Cuts in Budget for Education. Impact: The campaign by parents for state aid in education might just be the reason why we have such a complex bureaucracy today. Who knew that leaflets could lead to a never-ending cycle of paperwork?. Fact: In the age of social media, this campaign would have totally gone viral, complete with hashtags like #HelpOurSchools..
• Headline: Pace to Box Olivera Feb. 16. Impact: The Pace vs. Olivera boxing match could have changed the trajectory of boxing history, possibly creating a new class of celebrity boxers that would outshine today's sports stars. Move over, TikTok influencers.. Fact: Boxing matches in the early 1900s were the original reality TV shows, complete with drama and fanfare – just without the Kardashians..
• Headline: Broker's Registration Revoked. Impact: The revocation of the broker's registration could have caused a ripple effect that led to stricter regulations, ultimately paving the way for all those 'too good to be true' investment schemes we see today.. Fact: Brokerage scandals are as old as time, yet somehow, we still fall for the same tricks. History really does repeat itself!.
• Headline: RAIL VETERAN TO RETIRE; Noel W. Smith Rose to Assistant Chief Engineer of the P.R.R.. Impact: Noel W. Smith's retirement might have opened the floodgates for younger engineers to shake things up in the rail industry, potentially leading to the first-ever train powered by organic kale.. Fact: Retiring from a job as an assistant chief engineer probably means a lifetime of model trains and lamenting the good old days..
• Headline: LINKED WITH RICE POST; Neely and Morrison Mentioned for New Coaching Job. Impact: The mention of Neely and Morrison for the new coaching job could have led to a series of competitive coaching rivalries that would eventually result in a reality show about college sports coaching. Because why not?. Fact: Coaching positions are the ultimate game of musical chairs – it's all fun and games until you end up coaching the team with the worst record..
• Headline: MINNESOTA BLANKS YALE; Vanquishes Elis at Hockey, 3-0, in Contest at St. Paul. Impact: Minnesota's hockey victory over Yale might have sparked a fierce rivalry that changed the face of collegiate hockey, leading to some sort of dramatic movie adaptation starring a bunch of brooding teens.. Fact: Hockey players were basically the rock stars of the early 1900s – not just because of their skills, but also for their incredible hair..