JANUARY 31, 1946

Full News Archive

• Headline: Powdered Milk Shipment to Austria. Impact: This seemingly innocuous shipment of powdered milk led to a bizarre dairy renaissance in Austria, resulting in a cheese obsession that eventually inspired the world's first cheese-themed amusement park, where visitors ride roller coasters shaped like Swiss cheese wheels.. Fact: Did you know that powdered milk can last longer than most reality TV shows? It's true!.
• Headline: Resolution in Billboard Industry Strike. Impact: The resolution of this billboard dispute led to an unexpected rise in billboard art, which eventually caused an international movement advocating for billboard graffiti as a legitimate form of artistic expression. Now, street artists have more fame than some actual painters.. Fact: Billboards are the only medium that can simultaneously promote a diet soda and a fast-food burger without a hint of irony. Bravo, advertising!.
• Headline: Benefactor of Blind Visits Home. Impact: The presence of this benefactor sparked an increase in donations to blindness charities, eventually leading to the invention of 'Blind Experience' restaurants where sighted people are served in complete darkness. They claim it enhances taste, but really, it's just a great excuse for terrible service.. Fact: Blindness has inspired many innovations, including guide dogs, Braille, and the awkward moment when you realize you've been talking to someone who isn't actually there..
• Headline: UNO IN FIRST TEST AGREES ON DIRECT SOVIET-IRAN TALK, WITH COUNCIL KEEPING REINS; RUSSIA WINS POINT Her Plan to Negotiate With Small Country Is Not Turned Down BLUNT TALK IS A NEW NOTE Bevin Accuses Soviet of 'War of Nerves'--Vishinsky Speaks of 'Hotheadedness'. Impact: The UNO's decision to negotiate with the Soviets prompted a series of international talks that unintentionally led to the founding of a global game night. Now, world leaders bond over Monopoly instead of nuclear threats.. Fact: The original intent of the UNO was to prevent wars, not to create a competitive spirit where world leaders argue over the rules of Scrabble..
• Headline: $433,440 REALIZED AT JEWELRY SALE. Impact: This jewelry sale sparked a nationwide obsession with bling, leading to the rise of reality TV stars who now make millions flaunting their 'genuine' diamond-encrusted everything. Thanks for starting that trend, random jewelry sale!. Fact: That amount translates to approximately 1,000,000 pairs of earrings that will eventually end up in the back of your closet!.
• Headline: TRUMAN PRAISES HOPKINS' SERVICE; Calls Him 'Great, Commanding Figure' Who Carried Heavy Burdens in Frail Health. Impact: Truman's praise of Hopkins led to the rise of political public relations stunts, where praise became the currency of politics, eventually resulting in political figures writing glowing reviews about each other's performances like they're on Yelp.. Fact: Truman's support for Hopkins was so strong, it almost turned into a buddy cop movie. Spoiler alert: there were no actual cops involved..
• Headline: ARMY OF 1,000,000 AS REGULAR FORCE ASKED BY JULY,'47; War Department Hopes to Get This Volunteer Total for the Occupation Years BUT DIFFICULTIES APPEAR Officials Fear if Draft Ends in May, Many Who Might Enlist Will Not Do So. Impact: This proposal for a million-strong army inadvertently led to a surge in army recruitment marketing, including catchy slogans and overly enthusiastic mascots. Who knew a draft could lead to the rise of military-themed sports teams?. Fact: Recruitment slogans today are so catchy that some people enlist just to have a chance at winning a t-shirt. Priorities, right?.
• Headline: PALESTINE DIVISION IS URGED BY AMERY; Partitioned Arab and Jewish States Is Only Solution, He Says at London Hearings. Impact: Amery's push for a partition led to a series of complex geopolitical issues that continue to influence global politics today. In a way, you could say he sparked a never-ending episode of 'How Not to Solve a Problem'.. Fact: The idea of partitioning Palestine is still a hot topic today, almost as heated as the debates about pineapple on pizza..
• Headline: BARRED FROM SUGAR SALE; 20 Dealers Suspended for Violating Regulations of OPA. Impact: This sugar sale scandal led to a sugar shortage that inadvertently sparked the baking of 'sugar-free' cookies, which are still trying to convince people they taste just as good as the real thing. Spoiler: they don't.. Fact: Sugar is the only substance that can cause arguments about health while simultaneously being the top ingredient in birthday cakes!.