DECEMBER 28, 1941

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mexico Strengthens Anti-Sabotage Measures. Impact: If Mexico hadn't acted on sabotage, the entire spy film genre might have never existed. Imagine a world without James Bond! The horror!. Fact: The bill also inspired countless movies featuring incompetent spies who trip over their own shoelaces..
• Headline: 1941 Favorite Entertainers Revealed. Impact: The results of this poll probably led to an influx of terrible variety shows that haunt our screens even today. Thanks a lot, poll!. Fact: Spoiler alert: the winning entertainer was probably someone who eventually faded into obscurity, just like your uncle's karaoke nights..
• Headline: Air Raids: A Unique Woman's Perspective. Impact: This woman’s escape from cooking during air raids potentially inspired generations of women to 'forget' to make dinner. The legacy lives on!. Fact: Cooking during WWII was so overrated that it became a form of wartime rebellion. Who knew burnt toast could be a form of protest?.
• Headline: ' Solitaire' Preview Performance Jan. 22 To Be Given in Behalf of Speedwell Society; Organization Founded Forty Years Ago Supplies Convalescent Care to Children in Foster Homes. Impact: The Speedwell Society's benefit performance may have inadvertently spawned the entire genre of feel-good theater. Thanks for all those cheesy musicals, Speedwell!. Fact: Forty years later, this organization would still be around, likely still supplying convalescent care and still not getting enough funding..
• Headline: Chiang Heads Foreign Ministry. Impact: Chiang Kai-shek taking the Foreign Ministry might have changed the course of international relations, but let's be honest, it mostly just complicated dinner parties.. Fact: In a shock twist of fate, he later discovered that 'foreign ministry' is just a fancy term for 'constant diplomatic headache.'.
• Headline: Keeping Up Our Spirits. Impact: This discussion on spirits probably led to the invention of more bizarre cocktails. Who knew cheers could change the world one drink at a time?. Fact: Keeping up spirits has never been harder than when you realize your spirits are just the result of a mediocre gin and tonic..
• Headline: NAZIS CLAIM 10 IN CONVOY; Running U-Boat Attack Off Gibraltar Is Reported. Impact: The claim of U-boats sinking ships could have been the catalyst for the phrase 'Don't go near water!' spreading like wildfire among sailors.. Fact: The U-Boat crew probably had a secret club where they bragged about sinking ships while sipping tea on their luxurious submarines..
• Headline: EARTH QUAKE ROCKS LISBON; Residents Rush to Streets -- Tremor Recorded Here. Impact: The earthquake in Lisbon might have led to the invention of 'earthquake drills,' which are just fancy ways to practice panicking.. Fact: People in Lisbon probably thought the earthquake was just a really intense new dance craze..
• Headline: FLEET ROLE HUGE IN LIBYAN VICTORY; British Sailors' Work in Throttling Axis Line of Supply Is Big Factor. Impact: The British Fleet's role in Libya could have inspired countless naval-themed games and movies that glorify sea battles, leading to an explosion of poorly-made war films.. Fact: Fun fact: naval officers probably had more fun than they let on, playing cards and avoiding actual combat in between battles..