JANUARY 22, 1945

Full News Archive

• Headline: Freedom of Press Advocated in 1945. Impact: K Cooper's push for press freedom set off a domino effect, leading to the establishment of 'What Happens If You Upset a Journalist' support groups, which eventually paved the way for the 'Free the Press, Free the World' movement. Who knew a plea for diplomatic immunity would lead to journalists wielding more power than most politicians?. Fact: Adolph S. Ochs, the man being tributed here, was basically the original 'fake news' warrior, fighting for what he thought was the truth while people still argued over how to spell 'truth.'.
• Headline: Major Health Funding Announcement in 1945. Impact: This generous donation ignited a worldwide competition among billionaires to see who could give away the most money without making it obvious that they were trying to buy goodwill. Spoiler alert: they all lost.. Fact: In 1944, $1,254,988 could buy you a small country... or at least a really nice yacht. Just saying..
• Headline: BARS AID OF LIQUOR MEN; Baylor University Refuses to Accept Check for $25,000. Impact: Baylor University refusing the liquor money led to a hypothetical alternate timeline where students had to choose between studying and actually having fun. The horror!. Fact: In Texas, refusing liquor money is like refusing a handshake; everyone just stares in confusion..
• Headline: FLIES 15,698,000 MILES; Pan American Gives Data on Contract Operations for Navy. Impact: Pan American's extensive flights for the Navy not only ensured military readiness but also inadvertently started the 'Frequent Flyer Miles War' in which competing airlines would later offer ridiculous perks like free Wi-Fi—because nothing says 'defeating the enemy' like posting on Instagram.. Fact: 15,698,000 miles is roughly 629 times around the Earth, which means Pan Am could've just wrapped the globe in flight tickets..
• Headline: $1,000,000 DRIVE OPENED; Jewish Labor Committee Seeks Fund for Work in Europe. Impact: The Jewish Labor Committee's fund drive sparked a collective effort that would later inspire countless charitable organizations, leading to a world where everyone feels guilty enough to donate to at least one cause.. Fact: A million bucks in 1944 could fund a small army, or at least a really impressive party with enough bagels to feed a small nation..
• Headline: DODDS ON PLANE FOR WEST; Will Preach There Until March 1 and Then Return Here. Impact: Dodds' preaching tour might have inadvertently led to the rise of the 'traveling preacher' trend, giving birth to mega-churches and the notion that you can take your faith on the road—right next to your coffee shop.. Fact: Preaching tours: the original 'influencer' gig, but with less social media and more fire and brimstone..
• Headline: SURRENDER LEAFLETS SHOWERED ON REICH. Impact: The Allied leafleting was a classic case of 'words over weapons,' leading to future strategies where nations realized that sometimes, it’s just easier to make your enemy feel really bad about themselves.. Fact: Surrender leaflets: the only time dropping something from the sky was meant to be a good thing—unless you were on the receiving end..
• Headline: NO PIN-BOY AGE CHANGE; State Bowling Association Votes Against Any Reduction. Impact: By not lowering the pin-boy age, the State Bowling Association inadvertently ensured that the future generation of bowlers would have to deal with not-so-great customer service until they were old enough to complain about it.. Fact: Bowling alleys: where age restrictions are more rigid than your grandma's rules about dessert before dinner..
• Headline: Social Workers to Meet. Impact: The community meeting led to a series of 'let's talk about our feelings' sessions that spiraled into a nationwide trend of endless discussions about needs, wants, and the existential crisis of modern living.. Fact: Social workers meeting? Just a bunch of people sitting around trying to fix everyone else's problems while ignoring their own..