DECEMBER 6, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Phillips' Remarks Affecting German Perceptions. Impact: The U.S. decision to have the 'Man in the Street' pay for the war led to an underground economy of street performers trying to raise funds by putting on shows, inadvertently creating the first 'GoFundMe' campaigns. Who knew that juggling would lead to better fundraising than political speeches?. Fact: Did you know that 'Man in the Street' is also a euphemism for 'the average Joe'? So basically, politicians have been blaming regular people for their bad decisions since forever!.
• Headline: Jimmy Savo's Unique Pantomime Show. Impact: Jimmy Savo's one-man show inspired a future generation of comedians to believe they could perform solo without a safety net, leading to an era of existential dread in comedy that still haunts open mic nights today.. Fact: Did you know that 'Mum's the Word' is a phrase that means to keep silent? Ironically, Jimmy Savo didn't get the memo, as he was quite the talker!.
• Headline: Knox Inspects Caribbean Defenses. Impact: Knox's inspection of defenses led to panic among Caribbean nations, resulting in a decade-long obsession with overly elaborate sandcastle fortifications that still exist as a tourist attraction today.. Fact: Did you know that the Caribbean is more than just beautiful beaches? It's also a hotbed for secret government inspections disguised as tropical vacations!.
• Headline: Fire Destroys Army Building. Impact: The fire at Westover Field prompted a nationwide campaign for better fire safety in military buildings, which eventually led to the invention of the fire extinguisher with a built-in alarm system. Thanks, Army recreation hall!. Fact: Did you know that fire is just nature's way of saying, 'I need more room'? Though in this case, it was the Army's recreation hall that needed less flammable decor..
• Headline: The International Situation. Impact: The bombing of Italian columns by Greek planes and RAF led to a series of retaliatory pranks that escalated into a full-blown game of aerial tag, rewriting the rules of international warfare with an unexpected sense of humor.. Fact: Did you know that aerial bombardments were sometimes just misunderstandings? One wrong turn and you’re suddenly at war instead of a game of catch!.
• Headline: DENTISTS TO AID DEFENSE; State Units Are Organized for Emergencies, Meeting Hears. Impact: The organization of dentists for defense sparked a wave of dental-themed superhero movies in the 1950s, where dentists became the unsung heroes of the battlefield. Who knew wisdom teeth could save the world?. Fact: Did you know that dentists are technically the only medical professionals who can say they fight cavities while fighting for freedom? Truly, a double-edged sword!.
• Headline: Buried With Military Honors. Impact: The military honors for the buried individual sparked a nationwide trend for extravagant funerals, where people began competing over who could have the most elaborate send-off—turning death into a social event.. Fact: Did you know that military honors date back centuries? But it wasn't until recently that they turned into a kind of 'who wore it best' for coffins!.
• Headline: PLAY ON DICKENS ENDS TOMORROW; Will Leave Playhouse After 8 Performances--'The Flying Gerardos' Next Tenant M'CLINTIC PLANS OPENING Lists Jan. 2 for Premiere of 'Lady Who Came to Stay'-- Other Items of Theatre. Impact: The end of the play on Dickens led to a massive revival of interest in classic literature, resulting in countless adaptations that made the book industry weep tears of joy over sales while simultaneously raising the stakes for theater productions.. Fact: Did you know that Dickens' works are so timeless that they could probably survive the apocalypse? Just imagine zombies arguing over who gets to play Ebenezer Scrooge!.
• Headline: FREED IN CAMPAIGN CASE; Charges Against Holzworth Are Dismissed by Chicago Judge. Impact: The dismissal of charges against Holzworth sparked a wave of legal loophole exploitation that would later be chronicled in a bestselling series of legal thrillers, forever altering the way people viewed the justice system.. Fact: Did you know that getting cleared of charges can sometimes lead to a second career in writing? Holzworth could have easily penned a bestseller titled 'How to Get Out of Trouble: A Step-by-Step Guide!'.