JULY 23, 1944

Full News Archive

• Headline: Pencil Eraser Saves Flying Boat. Impact: If only that humble pencil eraser knew it would single-handedly prevent a mid-air catastrophe, the next time someone needed to fix a leaking gas tank, they might just have reached for a pencil instead of a wrench. The repercussions? An unexpected pencil shortage that led to the rise of the 'Pencil-Repair' movement in the late 21st century.. Fact: Did you know that pencil erasers were initially made from rubber before someone thought, 'Hey, why not make them less effective?'.
• Headline: Bastille Day Parades Amidst Turmoil. Impact: The lynching of Vichy Militiamen set off a chain reaction of mob justice that could only be described as the world's most chaotic game of telephone, where the last person to hear the story thought they were supposed to lynch the local bakery for undercooked croissants instead.. Fact: Bastille Day celebrations are a great way to remember that revolutions often come with a side of chaos and occasional mob mentality..
• Headline: Clark's Narrow Escape in Italy. Impact: General Clark's repeated escapes from danger led to the creation of a new military doctrine: 'Just Avoid It.' This strategy would later be adopted by countless leaders, including those in business, politics, and even your average couch potato.. Fact: General Clark was so skilled at dodging trouble that he was rumored to have once avoided his own birthday party!.
• Headline: A Wing and A Prayer; GORE AND GLORY. By Capt. William Crawford Jr., as Told to Ted Saucier. 192 pp. Philadelphia: David McKay Company. $2.50.. Impact: Crawford's book, 'Gore and Glory,' somehow inspired a future generation of writers to mix action with melodrama, leading to the rise of the 'action-romance' genre. The literary world has never been the same since someone thought a soldier could fall in love while dodging bullets.. Fact: The original title was 'Gore and More Gore,' but the publisher thought it would scare off the romance crowd..
• Headline: YAP ATTACKS AIDED LANDING ON GUAM; Heavy Bombers' Softening of Island, Kept Up for Month, Expected to Continue. Impact: The strategic bombing of Yap inadvertently led to a significant spike in island tourism once the war ended. Tourists flocked to the sites of past destruction, leading to what we now call 'War Tourism,' because who doesn't want to stand on the very ground where heavy bombers once wreaked havoc?. Fact: Yap is famous for its stone money, which is a lot more valuable than the currency tourists usually bring—unless you count the selfies..
• Headline: Broadcast German Version. Impact: The broadcast of the German version of events became the precursor to the modern phenomenon of 'alternative facts.' Little did they know this would pave the way for decades of confusing news cycles.. Fact: This was the first instance of 'translation gone wrong' leading to a German-American feud that lasted until someone finally explained the meaning of 'Wurst.'.
• Headline: URUGUAY TIGHTENS GUARD; Authorities Ban Port Traffic at Night -- Docks Patrolled. Impact: Uruguay's nighttime port ban led to a dramatic decrease in late-night shipping, which in turn caused a drop in the number of shipping-related accidents, but also resulted in an inexplicable rise in the population of nocturnal raccoons who took over the docks.. Fact: The raccoons became such a problem that they were eventually granted citizenship, making them the first non-human citizens of Uruguay..
• Headline: Truman Had 1,031, Wallace 105 Votes. Impact: The surprising vote count in favor of Truman led to an unexpected confidence boost, inspiring him to create the 'Truman Doctrine'—which was less about foreign policy and more about ensuring that the next election wouldn't be a cakewalk. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.. Fact: Truman famously said, 'If I had a nickel for every vote, I’d have... well, more than a nickel!'.
• Headline: BRITISH END THREAT TO FLANK ON ORNE; Seize Maltot and Etavaux -Americans Gain -- Allies Repel Four German Attacks. Impact: The British securing positions on the Orne led to an unexpected chain reaction that would later inspire military strategies centered around 'securing the snacks' during long campaigns, proving that even in war, hunger is the greatest motivator.. Fact: The phrase 'Hold the line' was later replaced with 'Hold the sandwich' in military circles, leading to a much more relaxed battlefield atmosphere..