Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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The biggest hits of the year β Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON March 31, 1940
Full News Archive
- Headline: Martin Calls for Clarity in Republican Policies. Impact: This call for clarity led to an endless loop of political jargon that eventually birthed the phrase 'It's not what you say, it's how you say it.' This notion spiraled into decades of political debates that sound like two squirrels arguing over a nut.. Fact: Politicians have been promising to clarify issues since the dawn of time... or at least since they figured out how to talk in circles..
- Headline: Celebrating Coronado's Expedition Anniversary. Impact: This renewed interest in global travel sparked an era of frequent flyer miles, leading to the modern-day conundrum of how to pack a suitcase efficiently β a skill still largely unmastered by the average traveler.. Fact: Explorers were the original influencers, except their posts were mostly about sea monsters and uncharted territories, not brunch..
- Headline: Pennsylvania Jobs and Political Testimonies. Impact: This incident marked the beginning of the never-ending blame game in politics, where every party tries to outdo each other in the art of finger-pointing, leading to the invention of the 'blame pie' in political debates.. Fact: In Pennsylvania, itβs not just the jobs that are at stake, but also the ability to blame someone else for the loss of those jobs..
- Headline: VICTUALS AND VITAMINS. Impact: The obsession with healthy eating began here, spiraling into a world where kale is worshipped and 'cheat day' has become a sacred ritualβthank you, ancient victuals!. Fact: Victuals is just a fancy way of saying food, and yes, it does sound like a medieval spell gone wrong..
- Headline: PROGRESS IS CITED IN SLUM REMOVAL; Nathan Straus Reports 33,000 Unfit Home Units Have Been Demolished. Impact: The demolition of slums created a chain reaction that would eventually lead to gentrification, which is like a makeover for neighborhoods, complete with artisanal coffee shops and yoga studios where people do downward dog while discussing their stock portfolios.. Fact: Demolishing homes sounds dramatic, but itβs just urban renewalβs way of saying, 'We need to put a Whole Foods here.'.
- Headline: YOU WOULD WRITE A PLAY?; A Writer New to the Field Notes a Few of The Dramatist's Problems. Impact: This moment inspired countless writers to grapple with their inner demons, leading to more tragic plays and the eventual rise of the 'sad clown' trope in theater.. Fact: Writing a play is basically just shouting at blank pages until they start to sound like someone elseβs problems..
- Headline: AT THE WHEEL. Impact: This headline hints at the early days of luxury car culture, which would lead to the current obsession with shiny things that go fast and the inevitable traffic jams where people contemplate their life choices.. Fact: Luxury vehicles are just like regular cars, but with a much higher chance of being stuck in traffic while you ponder the meaning of life..
- Headline: Article 7 -- No Title. Impact: The lack of a title here reflects the confusion of bureaucracy, which would go on to inspire generations of students to skip reading the fine print in legal documents, leading to many 'I didn't read the terms and conditions' moments.. Fact: An untitled article is just a rebellious statement against the tyranny of naming conventionsβbecause who needs clarity?.
- Headline: THE FISHERMAN TRIES HIS LUCK; Today the Salt-Water Angler Sets Out, and on Saturday Trout Streams, Stocked by the Government, Will Open Legally. Impact: This fishing expedition set off a chain reaction in the fishing community, leading to a long-lived tradition of competitive angling, where the biggest catch is often more about the story than the actual fish.. Fact: Fishing is the only sport where the losers come home with a taller tale than the winnersβ'It was THIS big!'.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $3,433,941 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
KMB
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark - If you invested $1,000 in 1940, it would be worth $147,887 today (147.9x return)