JULY 12, 1950

Full News Archive

• Headline: Establishment of Wellington Defense Unit. Impact: The establishment of the Wellington Defense Unit set off a series of events that ultimately led to New Zealand becoming the world’s go-to location for conspiracy theories about sheep. Who knew defense could be so... woolly?. Fact: Did you know that Wellington is often called the 'Windy City'? Apparently, it’s not just the weather; it’s also the sound of all those defense strategies being blown around..
• Headline: Truman Advocates for Aid to Undeveloped Countries. Impact: Truman's plea for funding may have appeared trivial at the time, but it actually sparked a chain reaction that led to the rise of countless coffee shop debates about foreign aid. Today, baristas everywhere are still rolling their eyes.. Fact: Did you know that $26.9 million is roughly equivalent to the amount spent by Americans on avocado toast in a year? Priorities, right?.
• Headline: Induction Speed-Up Ordered in 1950. Impact: The induction speed-up not only bolstered military ranks but also inspired a generation of 'I’m too cool for the draft' t-shirts. Fashion meets patriotism, folks!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'draft dodger' has been used so much that it’s practically an honorary title in some circles? Talk about a 'get out of jail free' card!.
• Headline: Friends Begin a Move For a Truman Library. Impact: The movement for a Truman Library not only preserved history but also inadvertently set the stage for many dinner table debates about the merits of libraries versus Netflix. Spoiler: libraries are winning—just barely.. Fact: Did you know that Truman famously said, 'If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen'? Apparently, he preferred the library, where it’s always nice and quiet..
• Headline: HOUSE GROUP VOTES ARMS AID AND ASKS FOR PACIFIC PACT; Committee Approves Senate's Measure Unchanged, 22-0, for Swift Action on Floor FAR EAST-U.S. TIE SOUGHT Mutual Defense Plan Favored --Eastland for Doubling Aid, Speeding Europe's Weapons Says Europe Is Russia's Goal Bill Authorizes $1,222,500,000 HOUSE GROUP VOTES ARMS AID BY 22-0. Impact: The arms aid vote may have seemed like a straightforward decision, but it turned into a geopolitical game of Jenga. Pull one block, and the whole thing might collapse, leading to a global obsession with military strategy that persists today.. Fact: Did you know that $1,222,500,000 could buy a lot of really terrible political ads? Just think of all the awkward family dinners that could have been avoided!.
• Headline: Pope Advised to Leave Rome. Impact: The Pope being advised to leave Rome early? A classic case of 'better safe than sorry.' This led to future popes being overly cautious, resulting in some rather dramatic escape plans—think Mission Impossible but with more incense.. Fact: Did you know that the Pope has a summer residence called Castel Gandolfo? It's basically the Vatican's version of a beach house, minus the surfboards..
• Headline: INDUSTRY AND MINING AT WORLD-WIDE PEAK. Impact: The peak of industry and mining signaled a brief moment when everyone thought they were living in a boom. Little did they know, this was just the calm before a storm of economic rollercoaster rides.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'what goes up must come down' was likely coined by someone who just invested in the mining industry? The thrill of the climb, followed by a panic attack!.