OCTOBER 23, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: $29 Million Utility Loan Legislation. Impact: The exemption of this loan led to a chain reaction where utility companies began to operate with reckless abandon. Fast forward a few decades, and you have the birth of the phrase 'as useful as a utility company on a holiday.'. Fact: Did you know that $29 million in 1930s money is like a billion dollars today? Yeah, that’s how much they thought it would help utility companies. Spoiler alert: it didn’t..
• Headline: State Senate Endorsements Narrow Down. Impact: The citizens union list sparked a minor uproar, resulting in a political witch hunt that saw more incumbents flee than rats from a sinking ship. This set the stage for political endorsements to become the Olympic sport we know today.. Fact: Only four incumbents? Sounds like the political version of a high school reunion where only the popular kids show up..
• Headline: Earl of Athlone in Ottawa. Impact: The Earl’s return was so riveting that it inspired a new trend of aristocrats 'vacationing' in exotic locations like the U.S., which eventually led to influencers pretending to be royalty on Instagram.. Fact: The Earl of Athlone? Sounds like a character from a British soap opera, but nope, just the real deal. Talk about a family reunion gone international!.
• Headline: WALLACE CAUSES RIFT IN WISCONSIN; Endorses La Follette for Senate Renomination, ArousingAnger of DemocratsFOUR WALKOUT ON SPEECH Endorsement, Following White House Conference, Allies New Deal With State Progressives. Impact: Wallace’s endorsement caused such chaos that it prompted a decades-long feud between Democrats and Progressives, paving the way for future political alliances that are as stable as a Jenga tower.. Fact: They walked out during his speech? Guess some people take 'political disagreement' a bit too far. Maybe they just needed a snack..
• Headline: BROWDER CHARGES DEMOCRATIC 'STEAL'; Sees Effort to Get 200,000 Red Votes for Roosevelt. Impact: Browder’s accusation of a 'steal' turned into a legendary political narrative that has been used ever since to justify every election loss, leading to the modern phrase, 'It was rigged!' that we all love to hear.. Fact: Browder saw a conspiracy where there was none! Makes you wonder if he was the original conspiracy theorist before they were cool..
• Headline: GRACE 'REPAYS' LEHIGH; Lays Cornerstone of Sports and Recreation Building. Impact: Grace laying that cornerstone led to a series of sports buildings popping up across the nation, which ultimately made college sports a multi-billion dollar business. All thanks to a single stone!. Fact: Nothing screams 'I care about sports' like laying a cornerstone. The sports world needs more of this kind of dedication… or maybe just better marketing..