As Jesse H. Newlon prepared to speak at Teachers College on July 10, 1940, he apparently did not appreciate the impact his words would make. He had not prepared a complete text of his remarks, as was his habit for important speeches, speaking instead from a three-page outline. His ultimate title, "The Teaching Profession and the World Crisis," was not among the alternatives he had proposed to a colleague a mere 12 days earlier (Newlon, 1940, June 28). By all appearances, Newlon anticipated neither the press coverage nor the public response he received, but this would not be the first time his work led to personal attention or controversy. The penultimate section of Newlon's speech addressed "The Responsibilities of the Teaching Profession." Here again, although the world context had changed, his suggestions remained remarkably similar to those he had offered throughout his career. He encouraged his audience to "[p]rovide a more realistic and thorough social education" and to "[t]each democracy directly and deliberately." Newlon's presentation of "The Teaching Profession and the World Crisis," while plain spoken and seemingly out of step with some of his more visible Teachers College colleagues, was logical and consistent with his prior notions of democracy, the nation, and its schools. His speech should not have surprised those who were familiar with his long held beliefs.