Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON September 8, 1946
Full News Archive
- Headline: Low Voter Turnout in Maine Elections. Impact: This lackluster voter turnout was the first domino that led to Maine's legendary status as the state that inspires everyone to stay home on election day. Fast forward to today, and every time someone says 'I can't be bothered to vote,' a little piece of Maine's spirit lives on.. Fact: Maine is known for its lobsters, but apparently, itβs also known for its commitment to avoiding democracy with the same enthusiasm as a cat avoids a bath..
- Headline: World Bank Staff Tax Reimbursement Proposal. Impact: The convoluted tax reimbursement discussions sparked a worldwide trend of people wondering why they ever trusted the government with their taxes in the first place. This led to the rise of tax advisors who, ironically, charge you fees to save you money.. Fact: This is the same World Bank that thinks 'income tax' is a complex puzzle but still canβt figure out how to lend money without charging interest. Genius, really..
- Headline: Anti-Dewey Rally Features Wallace and Pepper. Impact: This rally was a pivotal moment in political history. Had it not happened, we might have been spared decades of 'Dewey defeats Truman' jokes that nobody really wanted to hear in the first place.. Fact: Senator Pepper was not just a name; he was a whole condiment of political flavor! Makes you wonder if his speeches came with a side of fries..
- Headline: PENNSYLVANIA GOP FAVORS FEPC LAW; State Committee Takes Surprise Action--Martin CallsU.S. Solvency an Issue. Impact: This unexpected support for the FEPC law was like a sneeze in the political landscape that led to a debate on civil rights. Today, we still feel the effects of that sneeze, particularly in the form of endless political debates that make you wish you had earplugs.. Fact: It's amazing how 'solvency' is the political buzzword that no one can define but everyone can argue about. Itβs like the 'abracadabra' of economic discussions..
- Headline: MUST WORK ON DAYS OFF; Jersey Policeman Penalized for Doing Auto Repairs. Impact: This incident set a precedent that led to the creation of 'no side jobs' policies, which ultimately resulted in the birth of 'moonlighting'βthe art of working two jobs and still not having enough to pay rent.. Fact: Nothing screams 'dedication' like a cop getting penalized for fixing cars instead of catching criminals. Maybe he should've just called it 'community service.'.
- Headline: OUT HOLLYWOOD WAY; The Voice of the Turtle" MORE NEWS OUT OF HOLLYWOOD Coastscripts. Impact: This Hollywood headline fueled the rise of animal-themed movies, which led to an entire genre where turtles became the unlikely heroes, forever changing the way we look at reptiles on screen.. Fact: Turtles were the original underdogs of Hollywood. If only they had known, they could've demanded a better contract!.
- Headline: THE LESSON OF WARTIME TEAMWORK; The Victory It Won, Says Donald Nelson, Can Be Repeated in Our Present Economy Teamwork. Impact: This rallying cry for teamwork in the economy eventually led to every company adopting 'team-building exercises' that nobody actually wanted to participate inβexcept for the free snacks.. Fact: Teamwork sounds great until you realize it usually involves awkward trust falls and someone stealing your lunch from the fridge..
- Headline: People Who Read and Write; Old Store Reading the Papers Non-Stop Family Gathering. Impact: This seemingly innocuous family gathering around newspapers may have contributed to the rise of 'family debates' over breakfast, resulting in the dawn of the 'dysfunctional family sitcom' genre.. Fact: Reading newspapers once brought families together, but now it just leads to arguments over who gets to use the wifi first..
- Headline: UNION VOTES TODAY; O'Dwyer Ready to Act to Move Trucks if Men Reject Peace Plan EMPLOYERS HOLDING OUT Industry Leader Insists Pay is High and City Proposal Must Be Rejected HAULING OF FOOD BY CITY DEFERRED Employers to Meet Wednesday Mayor More Conciliatory Other Details Discussed Mayor's Proposal Attacked. Impact: This union vote was the spark that ignited a thousand debates over labor rights, resulting in more strikes and negotiations than you could shake a picket sign at. Today, we still hear echoes of that day in every labor dispute.. Fact: In the end, this vote was less about food delivery and more about who gets to eat firstβbecause nothing says 'solidarity' like a good sandwich..
Wall Street Time Machine
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)