MAY 13, 1946

Full News Archive

• Headline: Dismissal of Austrian Trade Minister. Impact: The dismissal of Dr. E Fleischhacker led to a chain reaction in Austrian politics, where ministers started to treat their jobs like hot potatoes. This eventually led to a 'Ministerial Musical Chairs' trend that saw politicians swapping positions more often than people change their socks.. Fact: In Austria, the political turnover is so high that they should probably start selling 'Minister of the Month' calendars..
• Headline: Eisenhower Inspects U.S. Forces in Tokyo. Impact: Eisenhower's review sparked a trend of military inspections that eventually led to a series of overly elaborate parades. By the 1960s, troops were marching with confetti cannons and choreographed dance moves.. Fact: Before becoming president, Eisenhower was an experienced general. Good thing he didn’t try to manage a reality show instead!.
• Headline: DR. DUGGAN RESIGNS AS INSTITUTE HEAD; EDUCATOR TO RETIRE. Impact: Dr. Duggan's departure left a power vacuum that was filled with a series of increasingly eccentric educational methods, including 'The Great Balloon Classroom' where students learned by floating away with their ideas.. Fact: Retirement for educators often means a lifetime of intense crossword puzzle competitions. Who knew teaching math could lead to such a passion for number puzzles?.
• Headline: Nation-Wide Drive on Today For Gifts to World's Hungry; PRESENTING THE WHEAT PICTURE IN THE NATION. Impact: This charitable drive not only sparked a global awareness about hunger but also led to an explosion of baking shows as people tried to figure out how to use all that wheat. Spoiler: bread became the new currency.. Fact: Ironically, this drive to feed the hungry led to the first-ever 'Bread Olympics' where participants competed for the title of 'Fastest Loaf Baker'!.
• Headline: M. WILNER, PRESIDENT OF TEXTILE CONCERN. Impact: Wilner’s presidency inspired a whole generation of textile professionals to think they could run for office. By the 1980s, the fashion industry was rife with candidates sporting fabulous suits and questionable hairstyles.. Fact: In the textile world, Wilner was known as 'The Fabric King'—not to be confused with 'The Fabric Queen,' who ruled the realm of upholstery..
• Headline: CALLS FOR REFORM IN MENTAL HYGIENE; National Unit Says Hospitals Need Replanning--Apathy of Public Is Deplored MORE PSYCHIATRY URGED Report Cites 37-Year Drive to Banish 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' Policy. Impact: This call for reform ignited a movement that actually made people start talking about mental health instead of pretending it didn’t exist. We’re still waiting on that next revolution, though – maybe in 2060?. Fact: Despite being a serious issue, the term 'mental hygiene' has led to some truly bizarre infomercials for 'Brain Wash' products in the 70s. No, they didn't work..
• Headline: St. Louis Has Car Phone Service; Motorist Can Call Any U.S. Home; CAR PHONE SERVICE BEGUN IN ST. LOUIS. Impact: This innovation led to a dramatic increase in distracted driving, sparking the eventual invention of Bluetooth headsets – which made people look like they were talking to themselves long before it was cool.. Fact: St. Louis residents were so thrilled about car phones that they almost started a new trend: 'Car Karaoke.' Spoiler: it was a disaster..
• Headline: INDIA ROUND TABLE CLOSES IN FAILURE; ALL PARTIES SILENT; Hindus, Moslems Are Unable to Reach Common Ground in Search for Independence NEXT MOVE UP TO MISSION British May Proceed With Plan for Interim Regime, State Long-Range Proposals. Impact: This failure was pivotal in shaping India's independence struggle, with the round table discussions leading to more heated debates and eventually the birth of political rallies that would go on to be the loudest in history.. Fact: The round table discussions were so quiet that the chairs probably started gossiping about how no one was getting along. Now that's a real 'chair-ity' case!.