JUNE 19, 1941

Full News Archive

• Headline: Willkie Urges Aid for China. Impact: Willkie's plea for aid to China inadvertently led to a secret society of cat lovers who believed that the war could be won with the help of feline spies. They never succeeded, but a lot of cat memes were born from it.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'Dollars Don’t Count These Days' was later used by every broke college student trying to convince their parents they didn’t need a loan?.
• Headline: Henry E. Kleine's Notable Contributions. Impact: Kleine's name was so forgettable that it led to a temporary decline in the popularity of the name 'Henry,' causing a massive shortage of baby boys named Henry for years.. Fact: Henry E. Kleine’s life was so thrilling that he was the only person who could make a tax form seem like an adventure..
• Headline: Change in Argentine Military Diplomacy. Impact: The shift in aides led to a series of misunderstandings that ultimately resulted in a bizarre tango competition between Argentine military officers and U.S. diplomats.. Fact: Did you know that 'mil attache' translates to 'military attaché' and not 'master of awkward dinner parties'?.
• Headline: ARMY, NAVY FIGHT SEA 'RAID' ON CITY; ' Enemy' Fleet Met Off Harbor in First Test of Joint Coastal Defense Plan BREAK THROUGH' IS SEEN Coast Artillery Guns to Open Attack Today -- Mock Battle Will Continue Tonight. Impact: This mock battle practice was so realistic that it inspired the first-ever coast-themed theme park, 'Navy Adventure Land,' where guests could enjoy simulated naval warfare without any of the actual danger.. Fact: The first rule of a mock battle: if you’re going to pretend to fight, at least do it with style and maybe a catchy theme song..
• Headline: A TEN-YEAR TREATY; Ankara Agrees Not to Fight Nazis -- Troop Passage Not Given HOLDS TO BRITISH PACT Undertakes to Increase Trade With Germany and to Control Press, Radio in Friendship TURKS AND NAZIS SIGN AMITY PACT. Impact: Turkey's amity pact with Nazis sparked a chain reaction where every country felt the need to sign treaties with obscure nations, leading to an avalanche of 'friendship' agreements that no one really understood.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more complicated than international treaties is trying to explain them to your grandma during Thanksgiving dinner..
• Headline: CHARLES K. GARRISON; Philadelphia Investment Broker, Once of New York Exchange. Impact: Garrison’s investments were so influential that they inadvertently led to the rise of the 'Investment Broker' as a career, paving the way for countless get-rich-quick schemes and reality TV shows.. Fact: Charles K. Garrison once attempted to invest in invisible ink. Spoiler alert: it didn't pan out..
• Headline: GEN. COLIN R. BALLARD; British Veteran of World Waru Author of Work on Lincoln. Impact: Ballard’s literary works on Lincoln inspired a generation of authors to write about historical figures, leading to an explosion of 'historical fan fiction' where Lincoln battles zombies.. Fact: Gen. Colin R. Ballard's books were so good that they made history feel like a soap opera—complete with dramatic plot twists..
• Headline: MISS RACHEL LYDECKER. Impact: Miss Rachel Lydecker’s fleeting fame resulted in an entire generation of 'Rachels' who felt the need to be extraordinary, leading to all sorts of wild career choices including extreme ironing.. Fact: Rachel C. Lydecker was so underappreciated that even her name could not be remembered by anyone other than her postal service..
• Headline: Strikes in Canada Cost Only Ten Seconds a Day. Impact: The Canadian strikes led to a global movement to optimize coffee breaks, forever changing the way workers viewed breaks and leading to the invention of the 'caffeine clock.'. Fact: Ten seconds a day lost to strikes sounds small, but that’s basically a whole week of time spent just waiting for coffee to brew!.
• Headline: SENATORS PROTEST PLANT DRAFT BILL; Group Contends 'Little' Owner of Machine Tools Would Be Wiped Out in Process PATTERSON URGES ACTION War Undersecretary Decries Fears Voiced at Hearing and Tells Defense Needs. Impact: Senators protesting the plant draft bill inadvertently led to the creation of a secret underground market for machine tools, which became the basis for many dystopian novels.. Fact: When senators protest, the only thing that really gets wiped out is any hope of a good night's sleep for their staff members..