JUNE 9, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: Truman's New Psychological Warfare Initiative. Impact: This new board inadvertently led to the rise of reality TV; after all, if you can manipulate perceptions, why not do it on a reality show? Causation, correlation – who’s keeping track?. Fact: The psychological warfare techniques developed here were so effective that they inspired a whole new genre of social media influencers. Thanks a lot, Gray!.
• Headline: Drama Thrives in 1950s Theatres. Impact: This explosion of musicals led to the eventual creation of Broadway, which then caused a worldwide obsession with karaoke. You can thank Alice for your neighbor's terrible renditions of 'Don't Stop Believin.'. Fact: The original 'Alice in Wonderland' was so trippy that even Lewis Carroll would be shocked at how many people still try to interpret it as a straightforward story!.
• Headline: Ford Dealers' Awards Dinner in NYC. Impact: This event marked the beginning of the Ford dealer's secret society, which reportedly still meets to discuss the most efficient ways to sell cars and avoid answering your questions.. Fact: If you think car sales are aggressive now, imagine how they were back then! They probably had to wrestle you to the ground just to get you to test drive a Model T..
• Headline: TAMMANY CHOOSES 3 FOR MUNICIPAL COURT. Impact: This decision set the stage for countless political dramas, where every choice in court appointments would lead to a new episode of 'As the Political World Turns.'. Fact: Tammany Hall was basically the original 'Game of Thrones'—minus the dragons, but with plenty of backstabbing..
• Headline: TRUCKERS TO FIGHT GARMENT AREA BAN; Threaten Court Move to Block Restriction Due to Go Into Effect on Monday TRUCKERS TO FIGHT GARMENT AREA BAN Similar to Voluntary Plan. Impact: This struggle over truck bans eventually led to the modern era of road rage and honking symphonies. Who knew a garment area ban could have such a lasting legacy?. Fact: If only these truckers had known that the only real ban they needed to fight was the one on wearing socks with sandals!.
• Headline: CRIME BILLS SET UP NEW BETTING CURBS; One in Senate Would Bar Wagers Across State Lines by Phone, Wire or Radio Bill Aimed At Professionals Ban on Shipping Horses Urged. Impact: These betting curbs led to the rise of underground betting rings, which eventually gave birth to the phrase 'I bet you didn't see that coming!' in sports commentary.. Fact: This bill was so popular among lawmakers that they started betting on how many times they could say 'interstate commerce' in a single session. Spoiler: it was a lot..
• Headline: LAW TO CURB CRIME IN PARK IS SOUGHT; Residents From 59th to 110th Street Soon Will Petition Albany for Action NEW WARNING TO CITIZENS Churches and Synagogues to Alert Worshipers to Rid Themselves of Apathy Reports Encouraging Support Warned of "Vintage". Impact: This push for crime reduction led to the birth of neighborhood watch groups, which eventually evolved into the 'nosy neighbor' phenomenon we all know and love today.. Fact: Churches and synagogues rallying against crime might not have been as effective as they hoped, especially when the biggest crime was still the price of parking!.
• Headline: Strasfogel WABF Music Head. Impact: Strasfogel's appointment led to a dramatic shift in music programming, making it the breeding ground for future musicians who would go on to revolutionize elevator music.. Fact: Becoming the music director at WABF was the equivalent of being handed the keys to the world's most boring playlist. Good luck with that!.