FEBRUARY 28, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: U.S. Arms Official Arrives in London. Impact: This event set off a series of transatlantic armament discussions that led to the invention of the 'You can't have enough missiles' club, which still meets to this day, albeit without donuts.. Fact: Did you know that every time a U.S. arms official visits London, a British politician has to buy a new hat? It's a rule, probably..
• Headline: Kardelj Advocates Balkan Rearmament Talks. Impact: Kardelj's push for rearmament discussions inadvertently inspired future politicians to include 'Talks' in their titles, resulting in an endless series of summits that could put a snail on caffeine to sleep.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'Big Four' was almost replaced by 'The Really Important Coffee Break Club' but was deemed less intimidating..
• Headline: Truman Proposes Higher Postal Rates. Impact: Truman's postal rate proposal led to the invention of online shopping. If only he'd known he was giving birth to a world where packages arrive faster than the mail.. Fact: Did you know that if you stacked all the letters sent in the U.S. in 1947, they'd reach the moon? Well, they would, if they weren't delayed by rate hikes..
• Headline: TRUMAN UNEXCITED BY 22D AMENDMENT; Curb on Presidential Tenure 'Does Not Affect Me,' He Says Republicans Are Jubilant Republicans Are Jubilant 164-Year Fight Ended. Impact: Truman's indifference to the 22nd Amendment inspired a generation of politicians to act like they were above the law, leading to the eventual rise of 'presidential term limits? What's that?' parties.. Fact: Did you know Truman's nonchalance about the amendment only fueled conspiracy theories that he intended to run for a third term as a result of a magic eight ball?.
• Headline: YUGOSLAV LAWS RELAXED; New Criminal Code Voted Free Debate Quickly Bogs Down. Impact: The relaxation of laws led to a temporary spike in debates, which eventually evolved into an international competition to see who could talk longest without actually saying anything.. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'free debate' was almost replaced with 'debate that sounds free but is actually just a really long nap.'.
• Headline: C.A.R.E. OBSERVES 5 YEARS' SERVICE; REPORTS ON C.A.R.E.. Impact: C.A.R.E.'s five-year anniversary inspired countless charity organizations to hold elaborate celebrations, leading to the invention of the 'charity gala' where the most charitable thing is the buffet.. Fact: Did you know that the first C.A.R.E. package actually contained a toaster and a can of beans? Because who doesn't love breakfast?.
• Headline: Horse Pulling Phaeton Runs Away In Central Park, Killing Passenger. Impact: This tragic incident led to stricter regulations on horse-drawn carriages, forever changing New York's romantic image into one where horses are now treated like temperamental divas.. Fact: In 1870s New York, horses were known to have more legal rights than some of the people they carried. This may have sparked the first horse rights movements..
• Headline: NEW ATTLEE TACTIC ON FECHTELER SEEN; Aims to Put Conservative Foes of Navy Pact Chief in Role of Damaging U.S. Relations Labor M.P. Offers Motion Shinwell Defends Appointment. Impact: Attlee's tactics led to a long history of political maneuvering resembling a game of chess, where the pawns have better PR agents than the kings.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'political maneuvering' was originally coined to describe a particularly awkward dance move at Attlee's 1948 birthday party?.
• Headline: BYRD WARNS NATION ON 'ALTRUISM' POLICY. Impact: Byrd's warning about altruism paved the way for future politicians to adopt the motto 'Look out for number one!' leading to an era where kindness became an optional add-on.. Fact: Did you know that Byrd's warning caused a surge in self-help books that promised to teach people how to be self-centered without feeling guilty?.