JANUARY 10, 1948

Full News Archive

• Headline: Scott's Legal Battle with RKO. Impact: Scott's lawsuit against RKO led to a chain reaction in the film industry, where actors began to realize they could actually speak up about their treatment. This resulted in the eventual birth of the 'Diva Clause' in contracts, which states that actors must be treated like royalty, or else prepare for a dramatic lawsuit.. Fact: Did you know that RKO was once a powerhouse in Hollywood? Now they mostly exist in the annals of what-could-have-been, kind of like your high school dreams..
• Headline: Considine Elected Albany Correspondents President. Impact: Considine's election as president of Albany Legislative Correspondents inspired a long line of journalists to think they could run things. Little did they know, this would lead to the media circus we now call politics—where the only qualification is being able to write a catchy headline.. Fact: In Albany, the legislative correspondents’ meetings were so riveting, they made watching paint dry feel like a thrill ride..
• Headline: Rev J A Blair Begins Pastorate. Impact: Rev J A Blair accepting the pastorate in Flushing marked the beginning of a trend where more and more pastors would take on roles as community activists, inadvertently starting the 'Pastor with a Cause' movement. This would lead to the rise of 'Instagram pastors' who are more interested in likes than sermons.. Fact: Flushing, NY is so diverse that even the pastors have to cater their sermons to a multilingual audience. Maybe they should start a podcast!.
• Headline: E. IVi. BRANDON. Impact: The brief mention of E. M. Brandon in history would later spawn an entire genre of social media influencers who believe that merely having initials for a name is enough to gain fame. Thank you, E.M. Brandon, for making it all possible.. Fact: E. M. Brandon's biggest contribution to history is probably just being a name in a headline. You know, like the Kardashians of the 1940s..
• Headline: CASES ON INCREASE IN 'MEASLES YEAR'; 422 Are Listed, Compared With 69 in '47 -- City Offers Treatment to Children. Impact: The measles outbreak led to a frenzy of vaccinations, which eventually spiraled into the anti-vaccine movement. Who knew a simple virus could inspire a whole generation of conspiracy theorists?. Fact: Measles was once considered a rite of passage for kids—kind of like a badge of honor. 'I survived measles' stickers should have been a thing..
• Headline: MISSION BODY ASKS RIGHTS FOR INDIANS; Goal of Uncurbed Citizenship Urged on Congress by Group at Buck Hill Falls. Impact: The mission body advocating for Indian rights led to a series of protests that eventually influenced the civil rights movement. If only they had known that shouting loudly could actually change things—who knew?. Fact: Of course, Congress was super responsive to the needs of Native Americans back then. Just kidding! They were about as helpful as a chocolate teapot..
• Headline: THREE SHARE LEAD IN GOLF ON COAST; Mangrum, Fazio and Fritz Tie With 70's in Crosby Open -- Snead, Hogan at 72. Impact: The tie at the Crosby Open between three golfers created a new rule in golf that if you don't win by a landslide, you might as well just share the spotlight. This led to the 'Participation Trophy' culture in sports, just without the actual trophies.. Fact: Bing Crosby could swing a golf club like a pro, but let’s be honest, his real talent was in making everyone else feel bad about their game..
• Headline: FRENCH MONOPOLY AIDED ON TOBACCO; CCC Plans to Enter Contracts to Buy $3,500,000 Worth From 1947 Crop. Impact: The French monopoly on tobacco led to a series of trade agreements that made smoking the next big thing, creating a worldwide addiction that lasted decades. The French learned that controlling something is just as good as being the life of the party.. Fact: In the grand scheme of things, smoking might be bad for your health, but at least it comes with a French accent of sophistication—cough, cough..
• Headline: JOSEPH C;, LATHAM-SR.* :-. Impact: Joseph C. Latham Sr.'s mention in the news sparked an interest in genealogy, leading to a resurgence in amateur ancestry research. Now everyone thinks they’re a descendant of royalty—even if they can barely trace their family tree to last Thanksgiving.. Fact: If Latham Sr. had known he was going to be a trivia question centuries later, he might have invested in a better legacy—like, you know, a family fortune..
• Headline: CUT-PRICE BUTTER AVAILABLE TODAY; Chain Stores Will Feel Effect of Reduction of 10 1/2 Cents in Wholesale Trade. Impact: The cut-price butter event led to a nationwide trend of consumers demanding lower prices, resulting in the birth of the 'I'm Not Paying That!' consumer movement. This paved the way for the modern-day coupon-clipping enthusiast.. Fact: Cut-price butter sounds great, but it’s really just a reminder that life is too short to be paying full price for anything—except maybe love. That one's priceless..