DECEMBER 25, 1950

Full News Archive

• Headline: Truman's Christmas Message Broadcast. Impact: Truman’s broadcast made the world tune in and sparked a global obsession with presidential Christmas messages. Fast forward a few decades, and now we have holiday commercials that outshine the actual holiday spirit. Thanks, Truman!. Fact: Did you know that Truman's voice was so smooth it could make a gravel driveway sound soothing? Who knew politics could be so melodious!.
• Headline: Dr. Joseph Gorfinkle's Impactful Leadership. Impact: Dr. Gorfinkle's title as 'Rabbi' led to the emergence of countless rabbi-themed sitcoms in the 1980s. It’s all fun and games until someone starts a 'Rabbi in Space' series.. Fact: Did you know that Gorfinkle's name was so unique that it inspired an entire generation of parents to consider more creative baby names, like 'Zorblatt'?.
• Headline: TRUMAN SAYS FAITH IS BEST U.S. WEAPON; THE PRESIDENT AT CEREMONY IN MISSOURI. Impact: When Truman declared faith as America's best weapon, it inadvertently led to a surge in inspirational quote posters. Now every office has at least one framed quote about 'believing in yourself' instead of actual productivity.. Fact: Did you know that Truman often joked about his faith being stronger than his coffee? It’s a miracle he survived those long nights in politics!.
• Headline: AID FOR BOMBED CHURCHES; Ex-German Navy Officer Here on Saturnia Seeks Funds. Impact: The quest for funds to rebuild churches set off a chain reaction of charity events that eventually led to the awkwardness of 'Let’s Save the World' fundraisers that nobody really wants to attend, but they feel obligated to show up.. Fact: Did you know that Baron Royk-Lewinski could charm the coins right out of a piggy bank? If only fundraising were that easy!.
• Headline: 2 LIFEBELTS FOUND; TUG STILL MISSING. Impact: The missing tugboat incident sparked a new genre of maritime mystery novels. Who knew that two lifebelts could inspire the next big bestseller? Spoiler: it’s always the butler.. Fact: Did you know that tugboats have a secret club where they gossip about the boats they’ve towed? It’s a real hull of a time!.
• Headline: A TRIBUTE TO AUTHOR OF 'A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS'. Impact: The pilgrimage to honor the author of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' kickstarted an annual tradition of pilgrimages for literary figures, leading to the rise of 'bookish tourism' where fans visit graves instead of living authors. Talk about a plot twist!. Fact: Did you know that the author’s grave is now a hotspot for all the wrong reasons? People leave cookies, and the squirrels have never been happier!.
• Headline: HAROLD F. BURTON. Impact: Burton’s mention in the headlines ensured that his name would forever be associated with obscure historical trivia contests. You’ll never forget who Harold F. Burton is during a game of Jeopardy!. Fact: Did you know that Harold F. Burton once tried to win a hot dog eating contest? He lost, but he did bring his own mustard!.
• Headline: PRAYER FOR PEACE OFFERED IN BRITAIN; 20 Faithful in War-Wrecked Church Ask Deliverance From Another Conflict. Impact: The prayer for peace in a war-wrecked church became a blueprint for countless peace-themed songs and movies, all of which feature the same sad piano melody. Because nothing says 'peace' quite like a good old-fashioned piano ballad.. Fact: Did you know that the church’s choir was so off-key that the prayers had to be sent to a sound engineer for a remix?.
• Headline: JOHN NORTON SQUIRES. Impact: John Norton Squires’ name was so unremarkable that it became the inspiration for the phrase 'common as a name'. It’s now used to refer to anything bland and forgettable.. Fact: Did you know that John Norton Squires tried to become famous by inventing a new color? Spoiler alert: it was the same as beige!.