APRIL 5, 1943

Full News Archive

• Headline: William F. Kurtz's Historic Insight. Impact: If only Kurtz had invented a time machine instead of just being a regular guy. Imagine a world where he could have actually helped prevent future headlines from being written about mundane affairs instead of just being a footnote in history.. Fact: William F. Kurtz once considered running for office, but decided that being a minor historical figure was more his speed..
• Headline: Church Damaged by Mine Cave-In. Impact: This mine cave-in not only damaged a church but also sparked a massive trend in safety regulations. Who knew that a cave-in would lead to a religious revival in safety protocols? The church became a sanctuary for miners seeking divine intervention against falling rocks.. Fact: Mine cave-ins have been known to create spontaneous prayer meetings. This one was particularly well-attended..
• Headline: Tax Bill Defeat Blamed on New Deal Politics. Impact: Ditter's defeat on the tax bill led to a chain reaction of political blunders, eventually resulting in an annual 'National Blame Day' where politicians gather to point fingers and sip coffee in silence.. Fact: The term 'politics' comes from the Greek word meaning 'many bloodsucking leeches.' Just kidding! Or am I?.
• Headline: STORE SETS UP UNIT IN JERSEY WAR PLANT; Bamberger Displays Its Wares for Otis Women Employes. Impact: By setting up a unit in a war plant, Bamberger inadvertently started the trend of retail therapy for war workers. Now, if only they had a therapy department for all the emotional shopping.. Fact: Retail therapy was originally designed to distract workers from the harsh realities of war, but it somehow became a lifelong addiction for many..
• Headline: SERGEANT SCHMID WEDS; Marine Who Hurt Eyes Slaying 200 Japanese Takes Bride. Impact: Sergeant Schmid's wedding distracted him from his combat experiences, leading to a new military tradition where soldiers are required to wed immediately post-service to avoid PTSD. The 'Happily Ever After' clause was born.. Fact: Marine weddings are such a big deal that they often outshine the actual battles fought. Just ask Sergeant Schmid!.
• Headline: C.I.O. Group Sees OPA in Test Of Its Ability to Stop Inflation; Voices Concern Lest It Lose Effectiveness -- Insists Byrnes, Not Chester Davis, Have Final Rule Over Food Prices. Impact: The C.I.O. group's concerns over inflation led to a secret society of economists who met in basements to trade tips on how to keep food prices down. They called themselves the 'Inflation Avengers'—because who doesn't love a good superhero story?. Fact: The OPA stands for 'Overly Paranoid About inflation.' Just kidding, but they really did have a knack for making things sound more dramatic than they were..
• Headline: Arthur B. Newhall Gets Post. Impact: Arthur B. Newhall's appointment inspired countless others to pursue bureaucratic positions, knowing that if he could make it, anyone could. Thus began the age of mediocre leadership.. Fact: The Combined Production and Resources Board was actually founded as a support group for those who couldn't find real jobs in the private sector..
• Headline: Coal Parleys to Resume Today; WLB Reported About to Step In; PARLEYS ON COAL TO RESUME TODAY. Impact: The coal parleys led to a never-ending saga of negotiations that eventually inspired an entire genre of soap operas. 'As the Coal Turns' became a household name, highlighting the drama of resource management.. Fact: Coal parleys were so tedious that many attendees would rather watch paint dry—or even engage in actual parleying with their walls..