DECEMBER 11, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Britain Rejects Hoover's Food Aid Proposal. Impact: When Britain decided to reject the Hoover Food Plan, it inadvertently set off a chain reaction that would lead to the invention of the microwave. Yes, because when you're not allowed to send food, you might as well learn how to cook it in record time.. Fact: Did you know that Herbert Hoover later became known for his unsuccessful attempts at being a humanitarian? Talk about a career pivot!.
• Headline: Steingut Calls for State Redistricting Action. Impact: Steingut’s push for redistricting led to the eventual creation of 'committee meetings,' which have since been used as a form of punishment in office cultures worldwide. Who needs a soap opera when you have a committee meeting?. Fact: Did you know that the word 'committee' actually comes from the Latin for 'let's all sit around and make this way more complicated than it needs to be'?.
• Headline: MIAMI CROWD GIVES WINDSORS OVATION; Thousands at Pier and Along Way to Hospital Hail Their Arrival From Bahamas. Impact: The ovation for the Windsors sparked a decade-long trend of celebrity arrivals being celebrated like rock stars, which ultimately led to the invention of the red carpet. It's all downhill from there, folks!. Fact: Did you know that the Duchess later complained about the crowd? Apparently, she preferred the quieter, more exclusive Bahamas crowd where everyone was too busy sipping cocktails to notice her..
• Headline: NEW BALKAN MOVE HELD BLOW TO AXIS; Yugoslav-Hungarian Pact Is Seen as Effort by Budapest to Avoid Aid to Reich WIDER ACCORD HOPED FOR Csaky Visit to Belgrade Aims at Inclusion of Bulgaria and Turkey in Treaty. Impact: The Balkan diplomatic maneuvers eventually led to a series of complex alliances that would make any family Thanksgiving dinner look like a simple game of checkers.. Fact: Did you know that these treaties were so convoluted that even the diplomats had to take a nap halfway through signing them? A real snooze-fest!.
• Headline: METALS RESTRICTED; Ores, Alloys and Some Manufactures Put on License List DEFENSE BASIS FOR ACTION Tokyo Is Not Mentioned in Proclamation, but Purport Is Believed Clear. Impact: The restriction on metals inadvertently led to the rise of the DIY movement—people just had to get creative with what they had. Who knew toilet paper tubes could become the latest trend in crafting?. Fact: Did you know that during this period, people began hoarding metal scraps like they were gold bars? Spoiler alert: they weren’t..
• Headline: ROOSEVELT CALLS BUSINESS AND U.S. PARTNERS IN CRISIS; A DISCUSSION ON DEFENSE AT THE ECONOMIC CLUB. Impact: Roosevelt's call to action set off a chain of events that eventually led to the corporate world becoming more involved in politics, paving the way for today's reality where politicians are basically just glorified salespeople.. Fact: Did you know that the Economic Club is where many politicians go to practice their stand-up routines? Because nothing says 'serious business' like a good punchline..
• Headline: PRO-AMERICAN AIDE CHOSEN BY NOMURA; Former Consul General in New York Will Be Adviser to Washington Embassy WAS REMOVED IN 'PURGE' New Japanese Envoy Plans Trip to China--Will Confer With Military Commanders. Impact: This appointment changed the course of diplomacy, leading to the infamous 'Diplomatic Bingo' game where each country tried to one-up each other in ridiculous envoy selections.. Fact: Did you know that 'Nomura' actually translates to 'the one who knows too much'? Tough gig, really..
• Headline: SIDI BARRANI IN NET; Italians Driven to the Coast Within Range of Warship's Guns COMMONS CHEERS NEWS Churchill Tells How Fleet and Air Force Blasted Path for 75-Mile Thrust. Impact: The successful military maneuvers at Sidi Barrani inspired future generations of military strategists to think that perhaps a little teamwork goes a long way—who would have thought?. Fact: Did you know that Churchill famously said, 'Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm'? Sounds a bit like my attempts at baking..
• Headline: TENNIS STAR RAISES AMBULANCE FUND; Alice Marble's Lecture Earns Vehicle and Upkeep for the British-American Corps TIPS ON GAME MARK TALK Champion Tells of Fight for Health and World Title-- Speaks at Junior League. Impact: Alice Marble's efforts to raise funds for ambulances led to the eventual realization that athletes were better at fundraising than politicians, which caused a nationwide identity crisis in Congress.. Fact: Did you know that Alice Marble once served lemonade at a charity event and it sold out faster than her tennis matches? And that's saying something!.