APRIL 20, 1941

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring Artistry in Chinese Porcelain. Impact: The art of porcelain became a hot topic, leading to a worldwide obsession with china so fragile that it could shatter dreams. This obsession ultimately resulted in more dinner parties than anyone could handle, where the only thing people discussed was how to avoid breaking the dishes.. Fact: Did you know that porcelain is so delicate it might just be the only thing more fragile than your aunt's feelings?.
• Headline: FLIGHT TO THE WEST. By Elmer Rice. 152 pp. New York: Coward-McCann. $2.. Impact: Elmer Rice's 'Flight to the West' inspired generations of writers to explore the West, even if they had never been there. This led to the creation of countless cowboy movies, where the best form of communication was a dramatic stare and a six-shooter.. Fact: Did you know that every time someone yells 'Yeehaw!' in a cowboy movie, a writer somewhere gets a dollar?.
• Headline: THE NEW NOVEL BY REMARQUE; "Flotsam" Is a Story Dealing Poignantly With the Life of Refugees FLOTSAM. By Erich Maria Remarque. Translated from the German by Denver Lindley. 436 pp. Boston: Little, Brown Co. $2.50.. Impact: Remarque's 'Flotsam' opened the floodgates for literary depictions of war and refugee experiences. This inspired future generations of authors to tackle heavy subjects, ensuring that every book club would have at least one deeply depressing novel to discuss over overpriced wine.. Fact: Did you know that 'Flotsam' is not just a book title, but also a great description of my dating life?.
• Headline: 5 ENEMY VESSELS CLAIMED BY R.A.F.; 4 Merchantmen and an Escort Ship Are Bombed in Forays Across the North Sea HELGOLAND CONVOY RAIDED 3 Craft Fired in Attack Off Island -- 2 Others Near Norse Coast Left in Sinking Condition. Impact: The RAF's claims of downing enemy vessels pushed propaganda to new heights, convincing the public that the skies were filled with heroism and not just a bunch of guys with bad aim. This led to a national obsession with air combat movies, where explosions are more common than coherent plots.. Fact: Did you know that the RAF's motto could easily be 'Aim for the sky, but don’t worry if you miss!'?.
• Headline: 3 VESSELS ADDED TO AMERICAS TRADE; Moore-McCormack Lines Sends Freighters to Argentina and Brazil to Get Cargoes CALLED AID TO DEFENSE Lee Says Needed Materials Must Be Moved and Good Neighbor Policy Preserved. Impact: Sending ships to South America to aid defense turned into a full-blown trade frenzy, leading to the establishment of 'good neighbor' policies that ensured everyone kept up with the Joneses—across continents. This ultimately resulted in more international relations than any diplomatic summit could handle.. Fact: Did you know that 'good neighbor policy' is just a fancy way of saying 'we'll trade you our problems for yours'?.
• Headline: AWAKENER OF RELIGION ON THE CAMPUS; AWAKENER OF RELIGION. Impact: The awakening of religion on campuses ignited a movement for spiritual exploration that would later lead to every college having at least one student with dreadlocks and a guitar, preaching about peace and love, often while skipping class.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more elusive than a college degree is a coherent religious conversation during finals week?.
• Headline: MARK TWAIN SEQUOIA. Impact: The transfer of the Sequoia tree exhibit sparked a national fascination with nature and conservation, leading to a flurry of eco-conscious movements. This resulted in more people taking selfies with trees than with their loved ones, forever revolutionizing Instagram feeds.. Fact: Did you know that hugging a tree is now considered a legitimate form of therapy? Just don’t expect it to hug you back..
• Headline: 28 Nazi Fliers Tunnel to Liberty in Canada; 11 Recaptured Near Ontario Prison Camp. Impact: The escape of the Nazi fliers became a point of intrigue that fueled both tension and tales of heroism. This bizarre event eventually inspired a slew of Hollywood films where escape plans are executed with the precision of a Swiss watch—albeit without the timepiece.. Fact: Did you know that escaping from a prison camp is now a popular plot twist in movies, right next to 'it was all a dream'?.