DECEMBER 20, 1947

Full News Archive

• Headline: Massachusetts Requests Oil Assistance. Impact: The request for oil aid led to a series of fuel shortages in the 1970s, causing a nationwide obsession with gas-guzzling SUVs. Who knew a plea to a president could lead to a world of traffic jams and road rage?. Fact: Did you know that Massachusetts has more Dunkin' locations than any other state? Because nothing fuels a crisis like a good coffee fix!.
• Headline: Discovering Harry Moss's Legacy. Impact: Harry Moss's name slipping into headlines caused a minor revolution in the world of obscure names, leading to a surge in baby names that sound like failed 80s sitcom characters.. Fact: Fun fact: Harry Moss probably had no idea that one day, people would be Googling his name to find out what he did. Spoiler alert: not much..
• Headline: Family Legacy in Law Enforcement. Impact: Two sons joining the police force inspired a whole generation of 'family businesses'—from law enforcement to pizza shops—leading to an uptick in questionable family reunions and awkward Thanksgiving dinners.. Fact: Did you know that becoming a cop is basically a rite of passage in some families? It's like the family business, except with more donuts and fewer actual family gatherings..
• Headline: Clark Promotes Abbot Rosen. Impact: Abbot Rosen's promotion sparked a flurry of appointments in the criminal justice system, leading to a series of 'who you know' scenarios that still plague bureaucracy today. It's basically the world's longest game of musical chairs.. Fact: Did you know that 'Rosen' means 'rose' in German? Which is ironic, considering the prickly nature of criminal law!.
• Headline: RALPH W. BULLOCK, 52,. OFFICIAL OF Y. M. C. A.. Impact: Ralph W. Bullock being an official of the Y.M.C.A. contributed to the gradual evolution of community centers, eventually leading to a rise in awkward dance classes and questionable fitness trends.. Fact: Fun fact: Ralph Bullock probably never imagined that the Y.M.C.A. would become synonymous with a catchy disco song. Talk about a legacy!.
• Headline: PRESIDENT IS GRAVE; Warns Poverty and Fear of Tyranny Will Grip All if Europe Falls URGES SWIFT ACTION Asks $6,800,000,000 for 15 Months From April 1, and New ERP Agency TRUMAN REQUESTS 17 BILLION FOR ERP. Impact: Truman's dire warning about poverty and tyranny resulted in a series of funding programs that, ironically, ended up creating more bureaucracy than actual economic recovery. Thanks, government!. Fact: Did you know that $17 billion in aid is roughly equivalent to a single year's budget for a medium-sized country? Or about 50 billion cups of coffee. Priorities!.
• Headline: MRS. V. MARAGLIOTTI. Impact: Mrs. V. Maragliotti's mention in the headlines led to a resurgence of interest in Italian-American culture, eventually leading to a nationwide obsession with pasta and questionable spaghetti recipes.. Fact: Did you know that there are more variations of spaghetti sauce than there are stars in the galaxy? Okay, maybe not, but it sure feels like it..
• Headline: Court Reduces Jury Award. Impact: The court reducing the jury award set off a chain reaction of appeals that would eventually lead to more lawyers than people in the world. Good luck getting a fair trial when everyone’s got a lawyer!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'trial by jury' is almost as old as the dinosaurs? And just as slow!.
• Headline: GROUP PLANS DRIVE ON HEART DISEASES; $500,000 for Education and Research Asked in Campaign to Open Here on Jan. 1. Impact: The drive on heart diseases led to a worldwide obsession with health and wellness trends, resulting in everything from juice cleanses to bizarre yoga poses that only make sense to a select few.. Fact: Did you know that heart disease is often called 'the silent killer'? Which sounds ominous, but really just means you should probably eat more salads..