JUNE 17, 1944

Full News Archive

• Headline: Missouri River Flood Devastates Communities. Impact: The flood damage led to a sudden surge in the construction of levies, which inadvertently inspired a nationwide trend of DIY flood-proofing. Fast forward a few decades, and you'll find suburban homeowners using inflatable barriers for their garden parties.. Fact: For $13 million, you could buy a lot of inflatable pool toys. Just saying..
• Headline: Brazil's Export Rates Amid Wartime Challenges. Impact: This heavy export trend to Brazil led to a rise in both imported coffee and overpriced hipster coffee shops in the U.S., forever changing brunch culture. Thanks, Ferraz!. Fact: The black market is less about shady dealings and more about overpriced avocados. Who knew?.
• Headline: JOE HENRY GILL, 67, UTILITY E~CUTI~; I Head of Electric Power andI Light Corp. and the United I I i Gas Corp. Is Dead Here I. Impact: Joe Henry Gill's departure from this world triggered a massive power struggle (pun intended) in the electric utility sector, resulting in an unexpected rise in alternative energy sources. Who knew his death would spark eco-friendly initiatives?. Fact: Gill was part of a dying breed—utility executives who actually understood power lines instead of just spreadsheets..
• Headline: LONGO PROSECUTION IS UPHELD BY BIDDLE; Attorney General, in a Report Long Withheld, Says Hague Foe Was Not 'Framed' EDISON ASSAILS THE VIEW Wonders Why Result of U.S. Inquiry Is Released Now With Case Still Pending. Impact: Longo's case inspired a series of legal dramas that shaped the modern political landscape and developed a whole genre of courtroom reality TV. Yes, folks, this is how we got 'Law & Order: Vote Fraud Unit'.. Fact: Biddle's report was like the 'tell-all' book everyone wanted but no one knew they needed—except for Longo, probably..
• Headline: JOSEPH MURPHY I DANIEL; Organist at St. Patri=k's Church,~. Impact: Murphy's contribution to the church made him a local legend, setting off a chain of organists trying to outdo each other with more elaborate performances. Let's just say, the competition got a bit... loud.. Fact: Being an organist is like being a wizard—lots of magic, but nobody really understands what you do until they hear the music..
• Headline: INSURANCE URGED AS SOCIAL SECURITY; State Commissioners Advocate Action by Private Companies Instead of Government ONLY FOR THOSE IN NEED Supreme Court's Decision on Interstate Commerce to Be Taken Up Later. Impact: The push for insurance over government support led to a gradual shift toward privatization of social services, eventually resulting in your neighbor's 'insurance for everything' garage sale. Thanks, state commissioners!. Fact: Insurance companies have more fine print than a novel. Good luck reading your policy without a magnifying glass!.
• Headline: VITAL TOWN SEIZED; U.S. Forces Also Drive Nearer La Haye, Key Rail-Highway Center MONTEBOURG RE-WON Allied Troops Advance in Carentan Area -- Push On From Caumont VITAL TOWN SEIZED BY BRADLEY FORCES. Impact: The seizure of vital towns during the war inadvertently led to the creation of 'strategic town planning' courses in universities. Who knew warfare could inspire urban design?. Fact: Bradley's forces probably had a better GPS than your average commuter. War does have its perks, I guess..
• Headline: Advertising News and Notes. Impact: The readership study ultimately led to a wave of clickbait journalism, where headlines became more outrageous than the stories themselves. Thank you, Los Angeles Daily News, for paving the way for '10 Reasons Why Cats Are Actually Aliens'.. Fact: Readership studies are like popularity contests, but for newspapers. Spoiler alert: The winner usually has the biggest headlines..