OCTOBER 11, 1945

Full News Archive

• Headline: Traffic Chaos Strikes Midtown Streets. Impact: This traffic jam led to the invention of the first car horn, which later became a universal symbol of frustration and a means of expressing one's deep-seated rage at fellow drivers, ultimately contributing to road rage incidents worldwide.. Fact: In the 1950s, people couldn't just sit in traffic and scroll social media. Imagine the horror of having to actually talk to your passengers!.
• Headline: Truman Dedicates Kentucky Dam in 1945. Impact: Truman's dedication of the Kentucky Dam sparked a nationwide trend of politicians finding obscure projects to dedicate, leading to the eventual establishment of 'National Dedication Day', where mayors across the country would dedicate anything from potholes to park benches.. Fact: Fun fact: No one really cared about dams until they learned they could hold back water, thus creating the perfect excuse for not washing their cars..
• Headline: UK Government Seeks Huge Financial Support. Impact: This call for a massive credit led to financial anxiety across the British Empire, culminating in a secret society of accountants who plotted to create a currency made entirely of shiny rocks to alleviate the stress of managing debts.. Fact: Did you know that in 1948, the British government thought about minting coins with the faces of famous accountants? Talk about a real 'money shot'!.
• Headline: CITY REGISTRATION LAGS FOR THIRD DAY; Total of 789,949 Voters Listed, Against 917,011 in Same Period in 1941. Impact: The lagging voter registration led to the invention of the phrase 'my vote doesn't matter', which has echoed through time, giving lazy citizens everywhere a convenient excuse to avoid civic duty.. Fact: In 1941, more people were interested in registering to vote than in binge-watching shows on streaming services. Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: TYSON TAKES FIELD TRIAL; Pointer Dog Captures National Pheasant Honors at Buffalo. Impact: Tyson's victory at the field trial sparked a nationwide craze for dog shows, eventually leading to the reality TV show 'The Real Woofers of Dogtown', which changed the face of canine entertainment forever.. Fact: Did you know that Pointer dogs can actually point out where their owners left the remote? True story!.
• Headline: COAL, ICE GROUPS OPPOSE PAY RISES; 65c-an-Hour Level Would Cut Fuel Output, Limit Ice Sales to Localities, Leaders Say. Impact: The opposition to pay rises resulted in a nationwide debate over minimum wage, which eventually led to the creation of the phrase 'living wage', inspiring countless social media posts and hashtag campaigns that ultimately did nothing.. Fact: Fun fact: In 1948, people thought a 65-cent minimum wage would allow them to retire in style. Spoiler alert: It didn't..
• Headline: OHIOANS END DRAFT TILL STRIKES STOP; Local Board Refuses to Induct Any More Men Until Government Halts Tie-Ups. Impact: The decision to end the draft until strikes stopped created a ripple effect that led to a temporary surge in job openings, which eventually resulted in the rise of the 'professional protester', a career that continues to thrive today.. Fact: It's true: many people in 1948 were just waiting for the right moment to strike... or was it just their lunch break?.
• Headline: 450 PICKETS SEIZED AT WARNER STUDIO; PICKETS ON THE ARREST LINE. Impact: The seizure of pickets at Warner Studio incited a wave of protests across the entertainment industry, ultimately leading to the establishment of the 'No Picketing Zone', which is now a sacred area on every studio lot.. Fact: In 1948, picketing was just like a flash mob, but with less dancing and more shouting about wages. Who knew labor disputes could be so dramatic?.
• Headline: WRIGHT AND UNION AGREE; New Pact Includes 22-Cent an Hour Increase in Jersey. Impact: The wage agreement at Wright Aeronautical Corp led to a dramatic increase in demand for airplane engineers, which ultimately resulted in the rise of the 'fly-by-night' engineer, a term that now describes anyone who just watched a YouTube tutorial.. Fact: 22 cents an hour was considered a fortune back then. Now, that wouldn't even buy you a cup of coffee in most big cities!.
• Headline: LAUNDRY DELIVERERS TO CONTINUE STRIKE. Impact: The laundry deliverers' strike paved the way for the modern gig economy, where even the most mundane chores could be turned into a revolutionary act of defiance, inspiring countless memes about laundry day.. Fact: At that time, people actually had to wash their clothes by hand. Today, we just complain about our washing machines being too slow!.