FEBRUARY 22, 1944

Full News Archive

• Headline: City's Fundraising Drive Update. Impact: If only they had met their goal, perhaps the city would have invented a time machine in that extra week and solved all future budget crises. But alas, here we are, still waiting for that time capsule to magically fill itself.. Fact: In 1943, people actually believed that a week was enough time to raise almost $550 million. Maybe they should have tried a bake sale..
• Headline: Red Cross Connects Families to WWII Captives. Impact: This cable link had such a profound effect that it might have inspired future generations to think that instant messaging was a good idea. Who knew communication could evolve from smoke signals to cables to emojis?. Fact: The Red Cross was basically the original social media, keeping families updated on their loved ones. #StillNoFacebook.
• Headline: BACK BILL TO LIMIT TAX-EXEMPT PARKS; Westchester Supervisors Cite Problem Faced by County. Impact: This bill prevented tax-exempt parks, which likely caused future generations to forget how to enjoy nature for free. Thanks for paving the way for overpriced amusement parks!. Fact: The tax-exempt park issue was so pressing that it made headlines while the rest of the world was off fighting a war. Priorities, right?.
• Headline: HOUSE GROUP VOTES CURBS IN CCC BILL; Bankhead Offers Measure for Continuation -- Agency Cuts All 'New Business'. Impact: This vote likely led to an endless cycle of bureaucratic delays, setting the stage for a culture of red tape and a love affair with inefficiency that would last for generations.. Fact: The only thing that got extended more than this bill was the collective sigh of frustration from everyone who had to deal with it..
• Headline: CURBS EXPLAINED IN EXPORT LICENSES; Applications for Latin-American Textile Shipments Exceed Supplies, FEA Says ALUMINUM OUTPUT GAINS 1943 Record Over 75% More Than Previous Year -- Other War Agencies' Action Curb on Textile Export Licenses To Americas Is Explained by FEA. Impact: This curbing of export licenses probably made way for the 'great fabric shortage of 1944,' giving rise to a black market for textiles and a new career path for enterprising individuals.. Fact: In 1943, the only thing worse than a shortage of textiles was the punishing realization that fashion was about to take a nosedive..
• Headline: PICADO PICKS 3 MINISTERS; President-Elect of Costa Rica Forming His Cabinet. Impact: The cabinet formation had such ripple effects that it probably set off a chain of political appointments that would lead to some of the most questionable decisions in Costa Rican history. Yay, democracy!. Fact: Picado's cabinet was so carefully chosen that one of them might have actually believed they were going to change the world. Spoiler: they didn't..
• Headline: WAGE ROW HALTS TRUCKS; 500 Drivers and Platform Men Out in Connecticut. Impact: This strike might have inspired future labor movements and countless reality TV shows centered around union disputes. Because who doesn’t love a good drama?. Fact: In 1943, striking was the original 'going on a break'—except it involved a lot more shouting and a lot less coffee..