DECEMBER 20, 1941

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mitchel Field Activities in 1941. Impact: The activities at Mitchel Field sparked an interest in aviation that led to the creation of air traffic control. Imagine a world where pilots just waved at each other instead of relying on fancy radar systems. Chaos ensued, and now we have the TSA.. Fact: Did you know that if you combined all the paper used for flight plans at Mitchel Field, it could circle the Earth... twice? Guess those trees were really committed to aviation..
• Headline: Walsh Bill Increases Navy Personnel. Impact: This bill led to an increase in Navy personnel, which eventually meant more sailors in uniform, more parades, and thus, the rise of 'Navy Mom' memes that would haunt the internet for decades.. Fact: Fun fact: The Navy doesn’t actually want 500,000 men; they just needed a good excuse to throw a massive party and call it recruitment..
• Headline: Steamfitters in Politics: 1941 Election Buzz. Impact: The idea of a steamfitter in politics opened the door for other 'non-traditional' candidates. Fast forward to today, and we have a reality TV star as president. Thanks a lot, steamfitter.. Fact: Did you know that steamfitters are actually experts at pipe dreams? Because they sure can fill a room with hot air!.
• Headline: CALVIN E. FBITTS I. Impact: Calvin E. Fritts I’s name was inevitably lost to time, but who knows? Maybe he was the ancestor of the next great American inventor! Or, just some guy who really loved the letter 'F'.. Fact: Did you know that Fritts is a name that means 'the one who frits'? Whatever that means. Sounds like a bad cooking show..
• Headline: Retires 48,567 Preferred Shares. Impact: This stock redemption could have led to the next financial crisis had some overzealous investor thought it was a good idea to invest in something called 'preferred shares'. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.. Fact: Did you know that retiring shares is like a corporate farewell party? Instead of cake, you get financial statements. Yum..
• Headline: MARY E. BRECKENRIDGE. Impact: Mary E. Breckenridge's contributions to society eventually led to the establishment of nursing programs. So, next time you’re in a hospital, think of her and how much better we are at avoiding unnecessary deaths... most of the time.. Fact: Did you know that Mary E. Breckenridge once said, 'If you can't heal them, at least make them comfortable'? That's the kind of optimism we all need during flu season..
• Headline: Rejected by Navy at 76, He Complains to Knox. Impact: This man's complaint opened the floodgates for senior citizens everywhere to express their discontent, leading to the eventual creation of 'Grumpy Old Men' clubs nationwide. Thanks, Navy.. Fact: Did you know that at 76, he thought he was still fit for duty? Clearly, someone hadn’t seen him try to get out of a chair..
• Headline: REDS AND BUNDS CURBED BY BILL; House Votes Plan for Registry as Alien Agents -- Moves to Put Enforcement Under FBI HOUSE VOTES CURB ON REDS AND BUNDS. Impact: This bill initiated a series of witch hunts that made everyone paranoid about their neighbors. Thanks to this, the phrase 'Are you a communist?' became the favorite icebreaker at parties.. Fact: Did you know that this was the beginning of the FBI's obsession with paperwork? They still have a filing cabinet full of 'suspicious' barbecue recipes..
• Headline: Gannett Increases 1941 Bonus. Impact: Gannett's decision to distribute bonuses led to an avalanche of employee expectations. This would later evolve into a tradition of 'bonus season' where everyone suddenly becomes very interested in their performance reviews.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing employees love more than bonuses is the promise of bonuses? It's like dangling a carrot they can never quite reach..
• Headline: A Verse to Be Memorized. Impact: This push for memorization led to a generation of people who can quote Shakespeare but can't remember where they left their car keys. The next great debate is whether 'to be or not to be' is a valid excuse for being late.. Fact: Did you know that memorizing poetry was once considered a sign of intelligence? Now, it’s just a great way to clear a room at parties..