JULY 13, 1941

Full News Archive

• Headline: Gardening Scholarship Awarded to R M Aselin. Impact: R M Aselin's gardening scholarship win inadvertently inspired a global trend of competitive gardening, leading to a secret society of elite gardeners who now influence world politics with their horticultural prowess.. Fact: Did you know that gardening scholarships are just a way to ensure the future leaders of the world can grow their own salad? That's practical education!.
• Headline: Chile's Acquisition of Danish Ships. Impact: Chile acquiring Danish ships was the first step in a long line of events that ultimately led to a fleet of ships being used in an international game of tag, forever known as the 'Danish Ship Chase'.. Fact: Funny how five ships can move a nation, yet traffic in Los Angeles still can't figure out how to move a single car during rush hour!.
• Headline: Japan's Independence Amid WWII Alliances. Impact: Kawasaki's denial of Japan being a German vassal sparked a series of diplomatic misunderstandings, eventually leading to the creation of a new genre of awkward diplomatic encounters filled with cringeworthy small talk.. Fact: Turns out, denying being a vassal is just diplomatic speak for 'we're definitely not besties, but we might share a snack'..
• Headline: Fun and Figures; SLIGHTLY PERFECT. By George Malcolm-Smith. 324 pp. New York: Random House. $2. Recent Fiction. Impact: George Malcolm-Smith's 'Slightly Perfect' inspired the phrase 'perfectly imperfect', leading to a cultural shift where mediocrity became celebrated as a form of art.. Fact: Slightly Perfect? Sounds like the best way to describe my cooking - just don't ask anyone who has actually eaten it!.
• Headline: For Our Defense --. Impact: Germany's reaction to defense measures led to a comedic arms race where nations began competing over who could create the most absurdly elaborate defenses, including inflatable tanks.. Fact: It's true, the only thing more inflated than those tanks was the egos of their creators!.
• Headline: STRAFACI REACHES SEMI-FINAL ROUND; Downs Dr. Harrigan and Stott in L.I. Amateur Golf -- Wins Medal Play-Off With 76 Strafaci Annexes L.I. Golf Medal And Advances to Semi-Final Round QUARTER-FINALISTS BEFORE MATCH AT INWOOD. Impact: The Latin border talks in Washington set off a series of peace agreements that somehow led to the invention of the world's first diplomatic smoothie, blending all nations' grievances into one fruity concoction.. Fact: Peace talks are just like a blender – you throw in a bunch of stuff, hope for the best, and sometimes end up with something deliciously unexpected!.
• Headline: LATIN BORDER TALKS ON IN WASHINGTON; Envoys From Ecuador and Peru Confer With Welles and Other Mediators HOPE FOR A SETTLEMENT Reports Differ, but Both Parties Indicate Wish for Peace -- Chile Feels Slighted. Impact: The takeover of Danish vessels for U.S. defense logistics led to a secret alliance between the U.S. and Denmark, resulting in the world's largest collection of 'Viking' themed defense tactics.. Fact: Who knew shipping defense materials would lead to an unexpected rise in horned helmets making a fashion comeback?.
• Headline: BOARD TAKES OVER 16 DANISH VESSELS; Maritime Body Adds 95,000 Tons of Shipping at Order of Secretary Morgenthau ARMY WILL GET TWO SHIPS Rest to Be Used in Hauling of Defense Materials From South and Central America. Impact: The special election in Wisconsin created a ripple that resulted in a nationwide obsession with election dates, eventually inspiring a reality show called 'Election Date Survivor'.. Fact: Wisconsin: proving that even a congress poll can be more interesting than most reality TV dramas!.
• Headline: Wisconsin Congress Poll Date. Impact: New Zealand's solution to ship shortages led to a global trend of reusing old ships for unconventional purposes, including one ship becoming a floating library that traveled the world.. Fact: They say necessity is the mother of invention, but in this case, it was more like 'desperation leads to really creative ship repurposing'!.
• Headline: NEW ZEALAND SYSTEM BEATS SHIP SHORTAGE; Unrefrigerated Cargoes Permit Use of Plain Freighters.