MARCH 21, 1943

Full News Archive

• Headline: Navy Fencers Claim Three-Weapon Championship. Impact: The Navy fencers' victory inspired a new generation of athletes, eventually leading to a series of fencing-themed blockbuster movies. Who knew swords and spandex would become a cinematic goldmine?. Fact: Fencing was once considered the favorite sport of aristocrats—now it's just a way for college kids to look cool while waving swords.
• Headline: Surge in Youth Crime in 1942. Impact: The alarming rise in juvenile arrests created a national panic that led to the establishment of programs that would eventually result in today's endless discussions on youth justice reform—because nothing says 'we care' like a panic-fueled policy change. Fact: J. Edgar Hoover had a flair for the dramatic—who needs a movie script when you can just report on crime rates?.
• Headline: Svoboda's Sokols; YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO SVOBODA. By John Pen. 195 pp. New York: The Dial Press. $2.. Impact: Svoboda's Sokols became a cult classic, inspiring underground movements and book clubs dedicated to discussing how to not be Svoboda, thus influencing the literary scene for decades. Fact: The title alone—'You Can't Do That to Svoboda'—is enough to make you wonder what exactly 'that' is.
• Headline: Princess Gets Gift From Holland. Impact: The gift from Holland marked the beginning of an international gift exchange tradition among royals, which eventually led to a global holiday for exchanging bizarre and unnecessary gifts—thank you, Princess Margriet!. Fact: Silversmiths have been giving gifts for centuries; the trick is to make them shiny enough that nobody notices how pointless they are.
• Headline: CHICAGO; Beef Is Short, Butter Plentiful and Vegetables High-Priced. Impact: Chicago's fluctuating food prices sparked a culinary revolution that led to the emergence of food critics and the rise of the hipster café—because nothing says 'gourmet' like overpriced kale. Fact: Beef shortages in Chicago could have inspired an entire generation of vegetarians—who knew cows were so persuasive?.
• Headline: RED ARMY PRESSED; Climax Near in Battle for River Crossings Below Kharkov BERLIN REPORTS ADVANCE Says Gains Widen to North -Soviet Drive for Smolensk Approaches Dorogobuzh RED ARMY PRESSED ON DONETS FRONT THE GERMANS SAY THIS IS HITLER AT THE RUSSIAN FRONT. Impact: The pressing of the Red Army against German forces marked a pivotal moment in World War II, altering the fate of Europe and leading to history classes where we all pretend we knew everything about the Eastern Front. Fact: The battles of World War II were so intense that they could make even the most mundane history classes seem like action films.
• Headline: Notes on Science; Measuring Illumination by Use of 'Fish-Eye Camera'. Impact: The innovative use of the fish-eye camera led to advances in photography, which one day would allow for the creation of selfies—because who doesn't want a distorted view of themselves?. Fact: The fish-eye lens: for when you want to capture your entire face and the entire room at the same time—but mostly just your face.
• Headline: COLOMBIA TO VOTE TODAY; Legislatures and Lower House of Congress to Be Elected. Impact: Colombia's decision to hold elections set a precedent for political participation that would echo through the years, leading to the kind of thrilling elections that make you wish you could just stay home and watch paint dry instead. Fact: Voting: the adult version of picking a team in gym class, except nobody wants to be on the losing side.
• Headline: The Mood Of Moscow; The people of Russia's capital are deeply seared by the war. Their mood is one of grim hate for the Nazis.. Impact: The mood in Moscow during the war created a legendary narrative of perseverance, which inspired countless films, books, and justifications for long winter nights spent huddling under blankets and wishing for peace. Fact: Moscow's grim mood during the war was so palpable that it led to the invention of the 'stoic Russian' stereotype—who seems to have a permanent frown and a great taste in vodka.