JULY 3, 1949

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Children's Books Released. Impact: The rise of children's literature led to an increase in literacy rates, which eventually resulted in the invention of adult coloring books as a coping mechanism for all those who learned to read but had no idea how to deal with life.. Fact: Little Golden Books were so popular that they could probably convince your toddler that broccoli is a form of candy..
• Headline: Nationalism Surges in Post-War Europe. Impact: This wave of nationalism sparked a series of awkward family reunions in Europe, leading to a whole new genre of reality TV called 'Who’s Your Nation?'. Fact: Nationalism is just like a high school clique: once you're in, you can't help but make everyone else feel left out..
• Headline: Hawaii Rejects Big 5 Business Control. Impact: This denial created a ripple effect that led to a national obsession with semantics, culminating in a 21st-century meme culture where everyone argues about the definition of 'big'.. Fact: In Hawaii, it’s not just the surf that’s big; the confusion over asset ownership is also a wave you can ride..
• Headline: MILITARY TO BUDGET ON DROPPING PRICES; Fiscal 1951 Requests to Be Set on Dollar Value This Aug. 1 -- Savings Seen Possible. Impact: This budgeting strategy inadvertently led to military personnel becoming the best bargain hunters, eventually spawning the phrase, 'We’ll take your surplus and raise you a tank!'. Fact: In military budgeting, 'saving' is just code for 'we're pretending we can afford more donuts'..
• Headline: NEWS FROM THE FIELD OF TRAVEL. Impact: As travel news spread, so did the idea of vacation selfies, which inadvertently led to the modern-day obsession with documenting every meal on social media.. Fact: In the world of travel, the only thing more abundant than hotel chains is the number of people who think they’re travel bloggers after one trip..
• Headline: M'CLOY HINTS WEST SEEKS GERMAN TIES ON POLITICAL BASIS; New U. S. Chief Emphasizes Need to Integrate Nation 'Into European Family'. Impact: This hinting led to a series of awkward diplomatic dinners where the U.S. tried to relate to Germany by discussing how great their beer is, ignoring the fact that they can’t drink the same beer after a certain hour.. Fact: Integrating into the European family is just like being the new kid at school; you’re never sure if you’re supposed to bring snacks or just stand awkwardly in the corner..
• Headline: Tension; I AM AFRAID. By Elma K. Lobaugh. 185 pp. New York: Doubleday-Crime Club. $2.25.. Impact: This book contributed to the surge of psychological thrillers, leading to a cultural phenomenon where binge-watching crime dramas became a coping mechanism for existential dread.. Fact: Reading about fear has been proven to be far less scary than actually experiencing it—unless you're reading at night alone, of course..
• Headline: Democrats Pick Chattanooga. Impact: The choice of Chattanooga as a Democratic stronghold led to a surprising increase in the number of people who could correctly spell 'Chattanooga'—which, let’s be honest, is a feat in itself.. Fact: Chattanooga: where the Democrats go to remind themselves that sometimes you have to pick a lesser-known city to avoid drama..
• Headline: INDIA HOTELS CLOSE IN TAX RESISTANCE; Movies Stage One-Day 'Token' Strike Against New Levies -- Censorship Is Also Hit. Impact: This act of resistance set off a series of protests that would eventually lead to the invention of a new genre of Indian cinema: the Tax Strike Musical—where everyone spontaneously breaks into song about their grievances.. Fact: Striking against taxes is just like trying to escape a bad date; you know it’s going to be awkward, but you’re not sure how to make it end..
• Headline: TENDERFEET ON BEAR MOUNTAIN'S TRAILS. Impact: The commentary on hiking led to a massive increase in outdoor gear sales, which then created a society of overly prepared hikers who bring a five-course meal to a trail that’s just a two-hour walk.. Fact: The only thing scarier than a bear on the trail is a hiker with a GPS who thinks they're an expert because they watched one documentary..