JUNE 12, 1942

Full News Archive

• Headline: Celebrating La Rue Peck's Legacy. Impact: Thanks to La Rue Peck's long service, we now have a national holiday dedicated to veterans who simply refuse to retire. The tradition of 'never-ending stories' in the military began here.. Fact: La Rue Peck's name translates to 'The Street Peck.' So really, he was just a guy who walked around and pecked at things for 75 years..
• Headline: Bir Hacheim Falls to Axis Forces. Impact: Bir Hacheim's fall led to a series of unfortunate strategic errors that turned the tide of the war, proving that if you can't hold a position for 16 days, you might as well just pack it up and go home.. Fact: The Free French were so tired of retreating that they considered starting a new sport called 'Backpedaling Olympics.'.
• Headline: Historic Candlesticks Auctioned in London. Impact: The candlesticks auction sparked a trend of overpriced antiques, leading to a future where people pay thousands for used socks. The ultimate slippery slope of 'collectibles' began here.. Fact: These historic candlesticks were made from the finest wax, which ironically is what most buyers will feel when they see the final price..
• Headline: JAMES K. CLEMENTS. Impact: James K. Clements was so influential that his name became synonymous with 'forgotten footnotes' in history books, inspiring future generations to aim for mediocrity.. Fact: If you Google 'Clements,' you might find more recipes than historical records. Who knew he was a culinary innovator in his spare time?.
• Headline: Citations Read by Conant With Degrees Conferred on 13 at Harvard Exercises. Impact: Harvard's honorary degrees ceremony set the stage for the modern practice of giving degrees to anyone who shows up, paving the way for today's social media influencers.. Fact: Rumor has it that one of the honorary degrees was awarded to a houseplant that had survived a semester on a dorm windowsill. True resilience!.
• Headline: MUSIC UNION RETAINS LOCAL RULE ON WAGES; Delegates Balk Plan to End This Autonomy as Aid to Vaudeville. Impact: The music union's decision to retain local wage rules led to a major shift in the music industry, eventually allowing for the rise of 'pay-to-play' gigs where exposure is the only currency accepted.. Fact: In a shocking twist, the music union's delegates argued if they didn't raise wages, the next big trend might be 'performing for free while wearing clown costumes.'.
• Headline: JERSEY CITY DISPLAY BRINGS DIMOUT ORDER; Defense Head, Who Was Present, Bans Fireworks in State. Impact: The dimout order in Jersey City led to the invention of glow-in-the-dark fireworks, which people used for parties when they decided being dark was overrated.. Fact: The defense head's ban on fireworks was seen as a personal attack by local pyrotechnicians, who promptly started a petition to rename the state 'New Jersey Fireworks-Free Zone.'.
• Headline: Art Objects Sold for $4,068. Impact: The sale of art objects for over $4,000 inspired countless thrift store treasures to be mispriced as 'vintage art,' resulting in an entire generation of amateur appraisers.. Fact: Judge M. Hatfield later became a sought-after expert on 'what’s art' vs. 'what’s just a mess,' which is a crucial distinction in modern art galleries..