JANUARY 17, 1942

Full News Archive

• Headline: La Guardia's Silence on Future Plans. Impact: LaGuardia's silence on his plans caused a ripple effect that left future mayors wondering if they could just ghost their constituents. Spoiler alert: they could!. Fact: Did you know that LaGuardia was known for his strong personality? So much so that when he refused to comment, it was like the sun refusing to rise. Just as bright but absolutely no help to anyone..
• Headline: Miss Ingalls' Trial Announcement. Impact: Miss Ingalls' trial set the stage for future courtroom dramas, inspiring countless TV shows where the 'innocent until proven guilty' mantra was hilariously ignored.. Fact: Fun fact: Trials used to be public spectacles where people would bring popcorn. Now, we just bring our opinions on social media..
• Headline: Yachting Union Proposal for Independent Clubs. Impact: The push for a single rules body in yachting opened the floodgates for yacht clubs everywhere to start holding meetings about how to spice up their boring lives. Spoiler: It mostly involved more champagne.. Fact: Yachting: The only sport where you can literally float around and still call it exercise. Who knew laziness could be so classy?.
• Headline: TIRE ORDER EASED FOR CERTAIN USERS; Eligible Owners May Now Buy 6 and 8 Ply if They Prove 4 Ply Are Unsuitable ASKS LEATHER PRICE DATA OPA Seeks Figures for Setting Levels to Replace Current Emergency Ceilings. Impact: Easing tire orders for certain users created a world where tire inflation became a metaphor for inflation in general—a slippery slope that eventually led to the invention of the 'inflation-proof' donut.. Fact: Tires: the only thing between you and being a total wreck, yet somehow they become political pawns. Who knew rubber could be so controversial?.
• Headline: 21 ON A LOST PLANE; MISS LOMBARD ONE; TWA Airliner Vanishes After Leaving Las Vegas -- Blast Heard, Fire on Peak Seen 21 ON A LOST PLANE; MISS LOMBARD ONE. Impact: The disappearance of the TWA airliner introduced a whole new level of paranoia about flying, leading to the rise of conspiracy theories that still have people convinced the Bermuda Triangle is a vacation hotspot.. Fact: Air travel: where you’re always just one lost plane away from becoming a conspiracy theorist. Buckle up!.
• Headline: Cubs on N.Y.U. Minor Teams I. Impact: NYU allowing freshmen on minor teams laid the groundwork for future generations of college students to claim they were 'athletes' while still relying heavily on ramen noodles.. Fact: Nothing says 'I’m a collegiate athlete' quite like a 4.0 GPA and zero athletic ability. Go, team!.
• Headline: JAPANESE ART GUARDED; Galleries at Boston Closed to Foil Possible Fanatics. Impact: The closure of galleries for Japanese art due to fanatic threats ironically increased the allure of those artworks, making them the hipster favorites of future art collectors.. Fact: Art galleries: the only places where you can get a serious workout from dodging overzealous fans and art critics alike!.
• Headline: WM.G. VAN SCHMUS RITES; 600 Attend Funeral of Former Music Hall Managing Director. Impact: William G. Van Schmus's funeral attracted 600 attendees, establishing a precedent that funerals are the original networking events—because nothing says 'let's connect' like grief.. Fact: Funerals: the only social event where you can simultaneously mourn and argue about who gets the best seat in the house..
• Headline: Laurence Steinhardt Honored. Impact: Laurence Steinhardt's honor led to a tradition of people getting feted for the most mundane accomplishments, paving the way for future award shows that celebrate just showing up.. Fact: Getting honored: because sometimes just being alive is an achievement worthy of applause. Bravo!.
• Headline: 'BARBER OF SEVILLE' GIVEN; Lily Pons, Nino Martini, John Brownlee in Rossini Opera. Impact: 'Barber of Seville' being performed signaled the start of an era where opera became the 'cool' thing to do, transforming it into the hipster's guilty pleasure for centuries to come.. Fact: Opera: the only art form where you can scream at the top of your lungs and call it music. Who knew drama could be so melodramatic?.