NOVEMBER 27, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Navy Enlistment Surge Following Minor Ruling. Impact: Because nothing says 'I want to serve my country' like a legal loophole. Next thing you know, we’ll have a whole army of teenagers with questionable motives.. Fact: Fun fact: This is how the Navy ended up with a bunch of 17-year-olds who thought enlisting was just a cool way to skip school..
• Headline: ROOSEVELT SIGNS AGENCY MERIT BILL; Ramspeck Measure Would Give Civil Service Status to 200,000 Employes TESTS WOULD BE REQUIRED Executive Order Is Necessary to Effect Change--WPA and TVA Staffs Are Exempt. Impact: In a twist of fate, giving civil service status to 200,000 employees might have been a catalyst for the bureaucratic maze we now know and love. Thanks, Ramspeck!. Fact: Did you know that an executive order is like a magic wand for presidents? Just wave it and poof, civil service status for everyone!.
• Headline: OPPOSE EXPANDING CIVIL AIR FLEETS; Roosevelt, Stimson Say That Commercial Planes Keep Plants From Defense Work NEED OF ENGINES STRESSED Charge That Military, Private Types Are Different Is Denied --Douglas Defends Builders. Impact: Roosevelt and Stimson opposing commercial planes? Little did they know, that decision would eventually lead to the rise of Uber and the eventual chaos of air travel.. Fact: So, they wanted to keep commercial planes grounded to preserve defense work? Good luck explaining that to the next generation of travelers still stuck in airport security lines..
• Headline: DEFENSE SACRIFICE IS URGED BY WILSON; Longer Hours May Be Needed, Says G.M. Acting President. Impact: C.E. Wilson's call for longer hours may have inadvertently inspired the modern-day hustle culture. Congratulations, you've birthed the 'workaholic' generation!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'work smarter, not harder' probably didn’t exist yet? Thanks for the inspiration, C.E. Wilson!.
• Headline: Will Sponsor Launching Of New Liner Today. Impact: Sponsoring a new liner? This could have led to a future where all ships were sponsored by various questionable brands. Picture a ship named 'SS Taco Bell'.. Fact: Did you know that every time a ship is launched, a sailor's dream of adventure is also launched? Or does that just go for the taco boat?.
• Headline: 63,025 REFUGEES HELPED; Hebrew Society Reports on Work From Jan. 1 to Oct. 31. Impact: Helping 63,025 refugees? In an alternate timeline, this effort inspired the formation of an elite superhero team called 'The Refugees'.. Fact: Fun fact: This was one of the largest refugee assistance programs of its time. Who knew kindness could be so revolutionary?.
• Headline: Gives Talk in Drive For Hospital Fund. Impact: Fundraising for hospitals might have led to an era where everyone just assumes hospitals will magically fix everything. Spoiler alert: they don’t.. Fact: Did you know that hospital fundraisers are basically the original crowdfunding? Except instead of a t-shirt, you just get a bill!.
• Headline: Power Tool Strike Settled. Impact: The resolution of this strike could have set the stage for every worker’s fantasy of a peaceful resolution, thereby preventing every future labor dispute from escalating to epic proportions.. Fact: Did you know that power tool strikes were once a thing? Yeah, it was like the lumberjack version of a protest – just with less flannel..