FEBRUARY 3, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: End of Soviet Film Distribution in U.S.. Impact: This event led to a chain reaction where American film critics developed an inexplicable fondness for foreign cinema, ultimately resulting in the rise of hipster film festivals featuring silent films from Kazakhstan.. Fact: Despite the dissolution, many Americans still thought 'Soviet film' was just a fancy term for bad romcoms..
• Headline: Tragic Auto Accidents in 1940. Impact: The accidents prompted Mrs. Roosevelt to advocate for better road safety regulations, inadvertently leading to the invention of the airbag—saving countless lives and giving car manufacturers an excuse to charge extra.. Fact: Mrs. Roosevelt's luck in accidents would later inspire a popular phrase: 'Never ride with Theodore's wife.'.
• Headline: Fined $99 for Overparking. Impact: This fine set off a series of parking regulations that would eventually lead to the invention of the parking meter, which now serves as a silent witness to humanity's worst road rage moments.. Fact: It's said that parking fines are the universe's way of reminding you that your car is not your best friend..
• Headline: $2,421,682,471 Deficit for U.S. in 7 Months Laid in Part to National Defense Cost Rise. Impact: This deficit led to a long-term tradition of budget cuts and creative accounting, which eventually resulted in the U.S. government becoming a master of spending money it doesn't have.. Fact: They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure can buy a lot of military equipment and a nice shiny deficit!.
• Headline: MRS. ROOSEVELT HAILS ORPHANS' JOB SERVICE; Spends Hour Here Discussing Work With Director. Impact: This event laid the groundwork for modern advocacy for orphans, inspiring future generations to create organizations that would help children find jobs as YouTube influencers.. Fact: Mrs. Roosevelt's support for orphans was so strong that even the orphans started to think they could outshine her in the job market..
• Headline: French Net Championships Off. Impact: The cancellation of the championships led to an unexpected revival of lawn tennis in America, which eventually paved the way for the invention of the tennis racket that doubles as a selfie stick.. Fact: Some believe the French were just trying to get out of hosting a tournament that would have favored the 'racket' of the century!.
• Headline: PRESIDENT'S WIFE GIVES NEWS PRIZES; Presents Awards to 4 Women for Professional Achievement at Front Page Ball SHE IS GUEST OF HONOR Miss Tomara, Miss Worden, Miss Pope and Miss Millett Get $100 and Scrolls. Impact: This event inspired a long line of award ceremonies that would eventually lead to the glitzy, over-the-top awards shows we see today, where the real winners are the producers of the show.. Fact: The scrolls were so popular that a few years later, they were replaced by gold-plated participation trophies..
• Headline: BANK INVESTMENT PARLEY; First of 5 to Be Held Monday Under State Bankers' Group. Impact: This parley initiated a wave of banker meetings that ultimately resulted in the annual tradition of financial conferences, where bankers can pretend to understand each other's jargon while secretly Googling terms like 'credit default swap.'. Fact: The only thing parleyed more than investment advice at these meetings is the free coffee and stale pastries!.