JANUARY 23, 1950

Full News Archive

• Headline: Belgrade Blocks Bulgarian Diplomatic Return. Impact: The Bulgarian envoy's barring triggered an international incident that somehow resulted in an obscure dance craze in the 80s known as the 'Bulgaria Shuffle.' No one really understood it, but it was a hit at parties.. Fact: Did you know that diplomatic relations could be improved with a simple game of charades? No? Well, neither did the Belgrade government..
• Headline: Yugoslav Reform Promotes Decentralization. Impact: The end of single-list voting led to a dramatic increase in the number of people pretending to care about politics, resulting in a new genre of literature called 'Political Fiction.' Spoiler alert: it was all fiction.. Fact: Did you know that in some places, they still vote with smoke signals? Probably not, but it sounds more exciting than a single-list ballot..
• Headline: 75 New Scout Units for Nassau. Impact: The establishment of 75 new Scout units in Nassau led to the creation of a secret society of cookie enthusiasts who only meet at midnight. Rumor has it, they are plotting to take over the world one Thin Mint at a time.. Fact: Did you know that scouting was originally about surviving in the wild? Now it’s mostly about surviving the yearly cookie sales!.
• Headline: U.S. MADE TARGET BY ARGENTINE BODY; Inquiry Into Newsprint Builds Up the Recurring Theme of American Intervention. Impact: The Argentine body targeting the U.S. for intervention led to a new trend in conspiracy theories, including the ridiculous idea that America was secretly controlling all the world's cats. This theory still has millions of followers today.. Fact: Did you know that the CIA once considered adopting cats as agents? They thought they could be stealthy. Turns out, they just napped a lot..
• Headline: Rome Police Seize Dynamiter. Impact: The dynamiter's plan to blow up the Spanish Embassy inadvertently created a new line of defense strategies, inspiring future diplomats to always carry a backup plan—preferably one that doesn’t involve explosives.. Fact: Did you know that dynamite was originally intended for peaceful construction purposes? Apparently, someone forgot that part..
• Headline: LABORITES WOOING BRITISH FARMERS; Conservatives Getting a Run From Socialists Even in the Fox-Hunting Vales. Impact: Laborites wooing British farmers caused a ripple effect that eventually led to an aggressive campaign for organic kale. Now, kale is the undisputed king of pretentious salads.. Fact: Did you know that farmers would be much more successful if they just offered free Wi-Fi? Seems to work in coffee shops!.
• Headline: COMDR. EDWARD H. CONNOR. Impact: Commander Edward H. Connor's career trajectory inspired a reality show about military strategists that became a hit in the early 2000s, though no one really understood the rules.. Fact: Did you know that military leaders often have a secret handshake? It's more like a 'let's not blow up the world' agreement than anything else..