DECEMBER 28, 1950

Full News Archive

• Headline: State Officer Quota Set at 937 Volunteers. Impact: When the state officer quota was filled, it unknowingly ignited a nationwide trend of competitive volunteerism. By the time we reached the 21st century, people were volunteering for everything from knitting clubs to extreme ironing competitions just to feel a part of that original excitement.. Fact: In 1940, volunteering was so popular that even your grandma's cat probably had a 'volunteer' status for chasing mice..
• Headline: Soviet Tactics and Spanish Propaganda Unveiled. Impact: The rise of anti-U.S. propaganda in Spain led to an unexpected boom in hipster coffee shops. With all the distrust brewing, people needed a place to sip their lattes while discussing the fallacies of capitalism.. Fact: Nothing says 'I hate capitalism' quite like paying $6 for a cup of coffee that was probably harvested by someone in a 'fair trade' t-shirt..
• Headline: Measles Outbreak Claims Young Lives. Impact: The measles outbreak in Ontario highlighted the importance of vaccinations. This eventually led to a massive increase in the anti-vaccine movement, which is now a key part of internet troll culture, ensuring that misinformation could spread as quickly as the virus itself.. Fact: The measles virus is so contagious that if it were a public speaker, it would have been booked for every TED Talk ever..
• Headline: EX-WIFE SAYS REDS GOT REMINGTON AID; Tells of His Giving Top Secret Formula for Explosives to Agent for Russia. Impact: The exposure of Remington's secretive dealings had a butterfly effect that led to an era of espionage thrillers in Hollywood. Little did they know that 007 would eventually be the guy who gets all the credit for the real-life spies’ work.. Fact: James Bond would probably have a heart attack if he knew how many bureaucratic hurdles real spies had to jump through just to borrow a pen..
• Headline: 2 UNIONS TOLD TO PAY DISCHARGED MEMBERS. Impact: The ruling by the NLRB regarding discharged members led to a monumental shift in labor rights, resulting in the creation of the annual 'Back Pay Day,' where disgruntled former employees gather to share their 'should-have-been' paychecks over cold pizza.. Fact: Labor unions have been known to throw the best parties. Just don’t expect the music to be anything other than union-approved folk songs..
• Headline: Inspector Curry Transferred. Impact: Inspector Curry's transfer inadvertently resulted in a reality TV show about police transfers, which subsequently spawned a multi-series franchise that would forever alter America's view of law enforcement.. Fact: In the world of police transfers, drama is the main character, and ‘Who will get transferred next?’ is the cliffhanger of every episode..
• Headline: BOMB FOUND IN LIBRARY; Belgrade's U.S. Information Unit Is Scene of Discovery. Impact: The bomb discovery in the library marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition of library patrons looking over their shoulders, which led to a rise in 'quiet panic' as the new norm among bookworms.. Fact: Libraries once had a reputation for being quiet, but after this incident, they became the go-to place for awkwardly whispering about potential disasters..
• Headline: 34 D.P.'S DONAT BLOOD; Group of Estonians in Jersey Shows Its Gratitude to U.S.. Impact: The blood donation by Estonian D.P.s in Jersey turned into a worldwide movement, ultimately resulting in the rise of themed blood drives. Who knew that 'Donate Blood and Get a Free T-Shirt' would become a thing?. Fact: There’s nothing quite like the thrill of saving a life and getting a sticker that says 'I donated'—the ultimate badge of honor..