JULY 28, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Amateur Championship in Horse Racing. Impact: The amateur horse racing champion of yesterday inadvertently sparked the trend of people betting on anything from squirrels to the weather, leading to an unexpected boom in the gambling industry. You can thank this event for your uncle's questionable choices at family gatherings.. Fact: Did you know that horse racing is the only sport where you can lose your shirt and gain a horse in the same day? Talk about multitasking!.
• Headline: Real Estate Committee Formation. Impact: The appointment of H Bruere and J I Downey to the committee has set off a chain reaction where every neighborhood now has a committee for absolutely everything. Next thing you know, there’ll be a committee for deciding what committee to form next!. Fact: Fun fact: Committees are like a group of people trying to find a solution to a problem they created in the first place!.
• Headline: Plans for Permanent Yacht Marina in 1940. Impact: The decision to create a permanent marina led to an eventual yacht explosion, where people started using yachts for everything from floating parties to the world's most expensive Airbnb. Who knew luxury living would become a competitive sport?. Fact: Did you know that in some circles, owning a yacht is more of a status symbol than actually attending to its maintenance? Good luck with that!.
• Headline: VICEROY'S SON PRISONER; Lord Hopetoun Captured While Serving With Armored Car Unit. Impact: The capture of Lord Hopetoun created a ripple effect that inspired countless movies about brave prisoners and daring escapes, none of which include the actual boredom of captivity. Hollywood thanks you, Lord Hopetoun!. Fact: Did you know that being a prisoner of war often involves more paperwork than actual war? Just ask the historians!.
• Headline: SPAIN RATIONS GASOLINE; Also Bars Operation of Cars in Excess of 25 Horsepower. Impact: Spain's gasoline rationing inadvertently led to the popularization of alternative transport methods, like riding bicycles and walking. Little did they know they were paving the way for today's hipster culture!. Fact: Fun fact: Rationing gasoline also meant that cars became rare sightings, which in turn made them the ultimate status symbol—who knew scarcity could be so trendy?.
• Headline: REICH DENIES AIM TO SUPPRESS DUTCH; Seyss-Inquart Says Germany Has No Intention to Impose Methods or Opinions PRESS WELCOMES SPEECH Right to Decide on Fate and Assurance on Colonies Is Met With Appreciation. Impact: Seyss-Inquart's denial of German intentions to suppress the Dutch became a classic case of 'we're not invading, we swear!' This has inspired generations of politicians to master the fine art of saying nothing while looking very serious.. Fact: Did you know that in politics, saying 'we have no intention' almost always means the exact opposite? It’s like a universal law of diplomacy!.
• Headline: TOKYO ARRESTS NEWS MAN; British Correspondent Reported Held for Military Reasons. Impact: M J Cox’s arrest for military reasons led to a slew of conspiracy theories about spies in plain sight, eventually resulting in people believing that every journalist is a secret agent. Spoiler alert: most are just trying to get the scoop.. Fact: Did you know that back in the day, journalists were considered the original spies? Except they traded secrets for coffee and a good story!.
• Headline: PARAGUAY SEEKING A MILITARY ACCORD; Havana Conference Is Asked by Foreign Minister to Act Boldly and at Once COOPERATION IS OFFERED Delegates May Soon Agree on Plans for Joint Protection of This Hemisphere. Impact: Paraguay's call for military cooperation led to an unexpected trend of countries holding formal conferences over brunch. Because nothing says 'let's protect ourselves' like mimosas and croissants!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more complicated than military accords are the menus at diplomatic brunches—who knew avocados could cause such conflict?.
• Headline: Grey Simon, Clifton's Beau Share Jersey Shore Hunter Group Lead; Blues Annexed by Side Slip and Randle's Princess in Fixture at Spring Lake-- Miss Morgan Triumphs Twice. Impact: The triumphs of Grey Simon and Miss Morgan at the Jersey Shore may have inadvertently led to the beach becoming a prime location for competitive sports and reality TV shows. Thanks for the sand castles and drama!. Fact: Did you know that the Jersey Shore has inspired more reality TV shows than actual historical events? Priorities, right?.
• Headline: IROQUOIS HOTEL LEASED; Peterken Management to Spend $25,000 in Alterations. Impact: The leasing of the Iroquois Hotel and the subsequent renovations prompted a wave of overpriced hotels popping up everywhere, making 'luxury' just a word thrown around to justify ridiculous room rates.. Fact: Fun fact: Spending $25,000 on hotel renovations often yields one new chandelier and a lot of confused guests trying to figure out what happened to the old bar!.