JANUARY 7, 1944

Full News Archive

• Headline: Von Stade Re-elected as Hunt Group Leader. Impact: Von Stade's re-election led to the establishment of the National Steeplechase Championship, which eventually resulted in a global obsession with equestrian sports. Who knew that a horse could become the next big influencer?. Fact: Did you know that the steeplechase is the only sport where horses have a better chance of winning than some politicians?.
• Headline: New Leadership at Bloomingdale Bros.. Impact: The election of a new Vice President at Bloomingdale Bros. sparked a secret society of retail executives who conspired to make shopping a competitive sport. The Olympics of retail is just around the corner!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more inflated than retail prices is the egos of retail executives..
• Headline: Debate on Mr. Green's Strike Claim. Impact: Mr. Green's statement about avoiding a strike led to a series of misunderstandings that ultimately resulted in a national 'No Strike Day,' where everyone awkwardly pretended to agree on everything. It was a disaster.. Fact: Did you know that in the world of labor disputes, 'no strike' is just code for 'we'll settle this over a lukewarm cup of coffee'?.
• Headline: Books of the Times. Impact: The reviews of 'Persons and Places: The Background of My Life' inadvertently inspired a generation of memoirs that made every mediocre life seem extraordinary. Thank goodness for ghostwriters!. Fact: Did you know that every time a mediocre memoir is published, a ghostwriter gets their wings? Or at least a nice paycheck..
• Headline: JOHN P. PETTY; Mfning Engineer, Ex-Official of Jersey Utilities Commission. Impact: John P. Petty's legacy as a mining engineer led to a sudden spike in interest in mineral rights, resulting in a bizarre trend where people started buying land with the hopes of striking gold—literally.. Fact: Fun fact: John P. Petty once claimed he could find gold in a parking lot. Spoiler alert: he was wrong..
• Headline: Books -- Authors. Impact: High-priced book purchases by studios in '43 led to the great Hollywood book club scandal, where stars pretended to read classics but were actually just looking for good PR. Who knew Moby Dick could boost your Instagram followers?. Fact: Did you know that the average Hollywood actor reads more scripts than books? Just don't tell their book clubs..
• Headline: MRS. JOHN C. iL/kNGAN I. Impact: Mrs. John C. Mangan's name in the headlines inspired a movement to recognize women by their own names instead of their husbands', leading to a social revolution of epic proportions. Sorry, patriarchy!. Fact: Fun fact: Mrs. John C. Mangan was probably the first woman to roll her eyes at being defined by her husband's achievements..
• Headline: SOLDIERS IN AFRICA ASK FEDERAL BALLOT; Thousands in Italy Join in Plea to Exercise Franchise. Impact: Soldiers in Africa asking for federal ballots led to an unprecedented voter turnout that would confuse future generations trying to understand why their great-grandparents cared about democracy more than they do.. Fact: Did you know that voting from overseas is still easier than trying to figure out how to use a public restroom in a foreign country?.
• Headline: NUT CEILING PLACED AT OCT. 25-30 LEVEL; Sellers Permitted to Charge Highest Figures in Effect During Base Period OPA RULES ON FOOD SALES U.S. Agencies Not Held to Ceilings in Foreign Dealings -- Other Agency Action. Impact: The nut ceiling implementation became the catalyst for the great nut shortage of the 40s, sparking a black market for peanuts that would make even the most seasoned criminals blush.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more nutty than the ceiling on prices was the lengths people would go to for a single peanut..