DECEMBER 29, 1944

Full News Archive

• Headline: Teen Escapes Jail for Price Violation. Impact: This boy's minor brush with the law led to a sudden influx of teen rebels who thought they could get away with anything, including wearing socks with sandals. The world may never recover.. Fact: Did you know that if you avoid jail time as a minor, you might just end up running for office someday? Welcome to politics!.
• Headline: Soldier Arrested for Kidnapping in 1944. Impact: This former soldier, now a kidnapper, set off a chain reaction that led to the military introducing a 'no kidnapping' clause in future enlistment contracts. Spoiler: It didn't work.. Fact: Fun fact: Kidnapping was once just a creative job title for a very different type of soldier. Times have changed!.
• Headline: Celebrating Dr. Lovisa I. Blair. Impact: Dr. Lovisa I. Blair's name being in the headlines caused a ripple effect of people googling 'who is Lovisa I. Blair?' resulting in a surge in searches for obscure historical figures. Search engines are now confused.. Fact: Did you know that there are more people named Lovisa than there are notable historical records of them? Coincidence? I think not!.
• Headline: LEBLANG-GRAY LOSES PLEA; Court Refuses to Order Return of Ticket Broker License. Impact: The court's refusal to reinstate the ticket broker's license sparked a nationwide movement to create a new sport: 'Ticket Broker Licensing Court Battles.' It’s a hit, but only in very niche circles.. Fact: Did you know that ticket scalpers are basically modern-day pirates? And just like pirates, they also have their own code... of dishonor!.
• Headline: 'Gas' Coupons and Auto Stolen. Impact: The theft of gas coupons led to an underground economy of coupon forgers, which ultimately resulted in the invention of the modern-day black market. Thanks, burglars!. Fact: Did you know that gas rationing during wartime created a thriving market for bicycle sales? Turns out, cycling is good for the environment and your wallet!.
• Headline: RETAIL BUTCHERS IN BEEF STAMPEDE; Markets Bureau 'Persuades' a Brooklyn Dealer to Sell to All Comers. Impact: The beef stampede incident led to livestock stampedes becoming a popular event at state fairs. Who knew meat could be so entertaining?. Fact: Did you know that if you scream 'stampede' in a meat market, you might just get a free steak? I mean, it’s worth a shot!.
• Headline: Burma and the Churchills. Impact: Burma's mention in headlines led to a sudden increase in interest in Burmese cuisine, which eventually resulted in a wave of trendy Burmese restaurants popping up everywhere. Thanks a lot, Churchills!. Fact: Did you know that the Churchills once hosted a dinner with Burmese food? Too bad nobody actually showed up. Awkward!.
• Headline: GERMAN STRATEGY IN THE WEST. Impact: The discussion of German strategy led to a surge in military strategists trying to outsmart each other, eventually giving birth to a whole new genre of board games. Monopoly was not one of them.. Fact: Did you know that playing strategy games can make you better at real-life decision-making? Just don’t tell that to the generals!.
• Headline: WLB PANEL ALL WOMEN; First Group of Its Kind to Hear Helena Rubinstein Dispute. Impact: The all-women panel hearing labor disputes sparked a wave of women taking over boardrooms. The world is still trying to catch up to that level of equality.. Fact: Did you know that the first all-women panel also led to the first-ever all-male panel being created to complain about it? Classic!.
• Headline: CORPORATIONS LIST THEIR CAPITAL GAIN; Sum Is Put at $803,000,000 by 1,271 Companies for First 6 Months of Year ALL TYPES SHARE IN RISE Financial Group Only One to Show a Decrease, SEC Report Discloses. Impact: The massive capital gains reported by corporations led to a sudden rise in corporate greed, ultimately contributing to the invention of the phrase 'too big to fail.' Thanks for the financial crisis!. Fact: Did you know that $803 million in capital gains sounds a lot more impressive before you realize it’s just a fraction of what one CEO makes in a year? Yikes!.