APRIL 26, 1946

Full News Archive

• Headline: France's Massive 1946 Budget Deficit. Impact: This budget deficit sparked a nationwide panic that led to the invention of French fries being served with a side of guilt. Who knew that financial woes could change lunch menus for decades?. Fact: Fun fact: 345 billion francs sounds like a lot, but it’s actually just the price of a single croissant in Paris during rush hour..
• Headline: CIO Pay Rise and OPA Extensions. Impact: This little political tussle led to the creation of the phrase 'pay rise' being used in every workplace argument for the next century. Cheers to using bureaucracy as a bargaining chip!. Fact: Did you know that 'CIO' stands for 'Can't Imagine Outcomes'? Because that’s what they were doing with this negotiation..
• Headline: Honoring 3,100 Volunteer Soldiers. Impact: The mass distribution of draft board medals created an underground medal exchange system; it sparked a subculture where everyone wanted to be 'that guy with the medals'.. Fact: These medals were so popular that they almost made it to the Olympics as a new sport—medal flaunting!.
• Headline: Stockholm-U.S. Phone Resumes. Impact: This resumption of phone service led to an influx of awkward calls between long-lost relatives who had no idea how to say 'hello' in Swedish, thus ruining family reunions for generations.. Fact: Finally, people could complain about the weather across continents; because what else is there to talk about?.
• Headline: COAL STRIKE CURBS BETHLEHEM OUTPUT; Grace Says Labor Act Is Basic Reason 'Nothing Is Being Done' to End Wine Walkout SEES 50% OPERATION SOON Steel Stoppage Cost Concern $11,000,000, Chairman Reports--Reserve Fund Used $1.50 Dividend on Common Weekly Pay Averaged $45.70 COAL STRIKE CURBS BETHLEHEM OUTPUT. Impact: This coal strike led to an unexpected boom in candle-making businesses. Who knew darkness could be profitable?. Fact: The only thing more dramatic than this coal strike was the number of candles people had to buy to light their way through the dark times..
• Headline: 6 Seek Brooklyn Postmastership. Impact: The intense competition for the postmastership turned into a reality TV show pitch, which was rejected due to lack of drama. 'Who knew postal politics could be so boring?'. Fact: In a shocking turn of events, all six candidates promised to deliver mail faster than their competitors, leading to a mail race that never happened..
• Headline: CIO HEAD CHARGES CONGRESS LAXITY; Murray Asks Textile Workers to Help Defeat Rankin, Bilbo, Others at Polls Urges Cooperation of Others. Impact: This charge of laxity caused a widespread panic among politicians, leading to the invention of the 'panic button' in legislative chambers everywhere.. Fact: Fun fact: If you think 'laxity' is a fancy way to say 'lazy', you're not wrong. Welcome to politics!.
• Headline: SOVIET FOR BREAK; Gromyko Inveighs at Delay on Spain as Non-Intervention COMPROMISE IS SOUGHT Russian Says Civil War Is Not Necessarily Bad--Stettinius Bars Haste, Asks Study SOVIET STANDS OFF INQUIRY ON SPAIN Hope for Russian Cooperation 10 Members for Australian Plan Conflict With Big Four Shunned Answer by Netherland Delegate. Impact: This diplomatic deadlock led to an unexpected surge in armchair diplomacy, with citizens everywhere debating international politics while watching soap operas.. Fact: Gromyko’s idea of a 'not necessarily bad' civil war certainly redefined what ‘bad’ means in diplomatic circles!.
• Headline: Stimson Honor Guest at Dinner. Impact: This dinner sparked a trend of honoring guests at gatherings, leading to the awkward custom of inviting people just to fill seats and get free food.. Fact: Stimson probably thought he was just attending a dinner, but little did he know he was starting a legacy of awkward toasts and rubber chicken meals..