For The First Day Of Hanukkah The New York Times Accidentally Publishes Crossword In The Shape Of A Swastika

As usual, the New York Times uploaded a daily crossword puzzle to its website, testing the mental fortitude of its readers to figure out the solution to the questions and complete the crossword.

However, on this first day of Hannukah, less than eagle-eyed viewers were extremely quick to notice the glaringly obvious Swastika pattern that had emerged on the page, sending off alarms as people tried to make heads or tails of the situation.

Can anyone explain why the Times crossword is a swastika on the first day of Hanukkah pic.twitter.com/z3cZ3nPVZ6

— Themperor Kennedy🐸🏳️‍🌈 (@kennedytcooper) December 18, 2022

“Boxcars” and “Brandenburg Gate” are two clues back-to-back in the middle of the swastika design in the @nytimes crossword puzzle. Bro, are you fucking kidding me?? pic.twitter.com/tcaoD2PpF2

— Henrock (@BCHenrock) December 19, 2022

NY Times Swastika?? pic.twitter.com/eP5fIpGiKV

— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) December 19, 2022

Miraculously, this ended up being the third time that such a thing has occurred, with New York Times fans being quick to point out other instances in which this has happened. In doing so, they also began to call out the lead editor of the crossword, saying that it should be a fundamental job aspect to make sure the crossword doesn't include a hate symbol.

On the topic of it being a hate symbol, however, a few small voices tried to talk about the peaceful origin of the Swastika, despite the increasing topic of antisemitic discussion taking place in the media and online recently.

I’m just saying, if my entire job was editing the crossword of the New York Times, I would make extra sure I don’t accidentally publish a fucking swastika a second time. Perhaps extra so on the first day of Hanukkah during a year of rising antisemitism.

— Florence Ashley (@ButNotTheCity) December 19, 2022

The first picture is the NYT crossword puzzle on the first day of Hanukkah.
The second picture is of a NYT crossword puzzle from 2017.

Maybe "don't accidentally share swastikas but esp not on a Jewish holiday" should become part of the NYTs editorial policy. pic.twitter.com/39CpwCJrZ9

— Vex And Silence (@RyanLedbetter20) December 19, 2022

3 times 2014, 2017, and 2022 they’ve “accidentally” put swastikas in their crosswords. This time it happened on the first day of Haunakkah. Anyone remember what you learned about patterns in elementary school? https://t.co/ZHEdHr3vCd

— Uteless and Useless! 👨‍🦽🌿 (@othergaystoner) December 19, 2022

The swastika is actually a very ancient symbol that predates WW2 by several thousand years.

It’s the pattern the Big Dipper makes going around fixed star Polaris in the sky throughout the year. It would be nice to reclaim it back.

— Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸 (@iheartmindy) December 19, 2022