AUGUST 20, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Allied Bombings Across Europe Intensify. Impact: The bombings across Italy unintentionally inspired an entire genre of post-war cinema focused on destruction and resilience, leading to an odd obsession with disaster films that culminated in the 2000s with 'The Day After Tomorrow'—a cinematic masterpiece, or so they say.. Fact: Did you know that disaster films are so popular that they practically have their own religion? It's called 'Armageddonism.'.
• Headline: Topics of The Times. Impact: Ed's invention of the restaurant dumbwaiter table revolutionized dining, leading to a future where robots would take over restaurant jobs, but ironically, they would just stand there, silently judging your food choices.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'dumbwaiter' refers to servants who couldn't talk back? It's the original 'mute button'—how quaint!.
• Headline: Moves to Bar Reds From Ballot. Impact: R Denny's efforts to bar the Reds from the ballot sparked a wave of political memes that would dominate social media in the 21st century, creating a culture where political engagement is reduced to snarky GIFs and hashtags. Thanks, Denny!. Fact: Did you know that memes are now considered a legitimate form of political discourse? Welcome to the future, where 'LOL' is a policy proposal..
• Headline: I.T. & T. IN CONTROL OF SPANISH SYSTEM; Americans Named to Key Posts of Telephone Company at Board Meeting in Madrid AGREEMENT IS REACHED Stockholders Will Meet Next Month for First Time Since 1936--Caldwell in Charge. Impact: The American takeover of the Spanish telephone system set off a chain reaction of corporate espionage and dial tone wars, leading to a heated rivalry between telecom companies that would eventually result in the creation of the world's first smartphone—an unintentional gift of chaos.. Fact: Did you know that the first mobile phone weighed 2.5 pounds and had a battery life of only 20 minutes? Talk about a 'heavy' conversation!.
• Headline: BRITISH TAKE MAIL FROM DIXIE CLIPPER; Forced to Stop at Bermuda for Fuel, She Loses 1,400 Pounds of Postal Cargo 12 AMERICANS ARE ABOARD They Include Our Envoy to Lithuania and 2 Other State Department Attaches. Impact: The British mail crisis on the Dixie Clipper ignited an international postal rivalry that led to the establishment of express delivery services—because nothing says 'urgent' like a letter lost in Bermuda.. Fact: Did you know that the postal service once had a slogan: 'Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night...' but apparently Bermuda Triangle was a whole different story?.
• Headline: Friars Not Auto Crash Victim. Impact: The near-miss of the car crash involving Callara and friends led to a greater appreciation for seat belts, resulting in a 200% increase in car safety campaigns. The world collectively sighed in relief and then forgot about it two weeks later.. Fact: Did you know that seat belts were once considered an optional accessory? Talk about living life on the edge—literally!.
• Headline: Admiralty Lists War Losses. Impact: The sinking of the aircraft carrier Glorious not only caused immediate grief but also set in motion the establishment of stricter naval regulations, leading to a future where naval officers would have to attend 'How Not to Sink' seminars.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'ship happens' was actually coined after a series of naval disasters? It's a real thing, folks..