APRIL 3, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: Truman Requests $51.3 Million for Atom Research. Impact: This request for atomic funding inadvertently led to the rise of the superhero genre. If only those atoms had known they were about to become the building blocks of comic book legends.. Fact: In today’s terms, that amount is about as useful as a dollar bill in a vending machine that only accepts quarters..
• Headline: Haifa Dockworkers' Wage Protest of 1951. Impact: This slowdown was the catalyst for the world's first 'slow food' movement, proving that sometimes, taking your time can really make a difference – or just make everyone late.. Fact: Slow dockworkers became the trendsetters of the 'work-life balance' movement, long before it was cool..
• Headline: Truman Is Shaking Up Staff And Duties of Security Unit; TRUMAN SHAKES UP SECURITY COUNCIL. Impact: By shaking things up, Truman inadvertently inspired a series of office party games that continue to this day, proving that when in doubt, throw a party and hope for the best.. Fact: Little did they know that the next big security move would be to hire a psychic to predict future threats!.
• Headline: Churchill to Speak At U. of P. on May 8; Churchill to Speak at U.of P. May 8; Stassen, Will Invite Nation's Chiefs Rejects Other U.S. Invitations. Impact: Churchill's choice to speak at a university instead of a government summit led to countless future politicians thinking they could improve their public speaking skills through college courses. Spoiler: they didn’t.. Fact: Rumor has it that Churchill was simply there to scout for good cigars..
• Headline: SENATOR IN R.F.C. CASE DROPS HEARING PLEA. Impact: This dropped plea created a chain reaction of politicians learning that sometimes it's better to just give up than to face public scrutiny – a lesson that has echoed through the decades.. Fact: In a related story, the phrase 'I give up' became the unofficial motto of Congress..
• Headline: 63 ENEMY DIVISIONS MASSED IN KOREA, M'ARTHUR REPORTS; Foe's Strongest Potential Is in Field--Some U.N. Officers See Offensive 'at Any' Time BRITAIN CALLS FOR PEACE Morrison Says 'Psychological Moment' for All Parties to End Fighting Has Arrived Enemy Is Regrouping HUGE ENEMY ARMY MASSED IN KOREA No Special Significance Resistance Slight. Impact: This buildup caused a ripple effect that resulted in countless military analysts dedicating their lives to studying the art of over-exaggeration in reports. Because clearly, 63 divisions was just a 'slight' issue.. Fact: It's often said that the only thing bigger than the armies was the amount of coffee consumed while strategizing..
• Headline: REDS 'INVADE' HELGOLAND; Police Call for Aid to Dislodge Barricaded Group of 13. Impact: This 'invasion' resulted in the creation of the world's first extreme sport: barricade resistance. Today, it’s a popular pastime among bored college students.. Fact: The 'Reds' were so dedicated to their cause that they even brought snacks for the long haul. A true revolutionary spirit!.
• Headline: PARIS STRIKE TO END; Transport Workers Vote to Terminate Stoppage. Impact: This strike's end led to the creation of the phrase 'strikes are for amateurs' as businesses everywhere learned that sometimes walking out is just a great way to get a vacation.. Fact: Interestingly, the freight rates went up only because someone accidentally spilled coffee on the original rates and they were never the same again..