AUGUST 17, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tributes Pour In for Hearst Bier. Impact: The funeral of Hearst led to a sudden spike in the sale of sensationalist newspapers, which inadvertently caused a rise in conspiracy theories about his life and death. These theories eventually culminated in a cult dedicated to believing Hearst faked his death to start a new life on a deserted island.. Fact: Did you know that William Randolph Hearst once had a pet lion? Because nothing screams 'responsible journalism' like a big cat roaming your mansion!.
• Headline: Tragic Jersey Auto Crash Claims Lives. Impact: This tragic auto crash led to stricter automotive safety regulations, which ultimately inspired the invention of the first airbag shaped like a fluffy cloud. Drivers everywhere were slightly less terrified, but also confused about their new fluffy companions.. Fact: Auto safety advocates often say that the best safety feature is a good driver; too bad nobody told that to the mother and son involved in this crash..
• Headline: Gunman Disarmed at Biltmore Hotel. Impact: The capture of gunman C. Adcock led to the rise of anti-robbery seminars in hotels, which coincidentally gave birth to the first-ever hotel security dance-off – a bizarre, yet effective way to deter criminals.. Fact: Fun fact: robberies in hotels decreased by 200% after the dance-off trend began. Who knew the Macarena could save lives?.
• Headline: TU YUEH-SEN DEAD; AIDED CHIANG RULE; Former Shanghai Businessman and Underworld Chief Had Backed Kuomintang Rise. Impact: Tu Yueh-sen's death caused a sudden shift in power dynamics in Shanghai, inadvertently leading to the 1950s trend of 'underworld chic' in fashion. Everyone wanted to be an underworld chief, if only for the stylish trench coats.. Fact: Tu was so influential that even after his passing, people still wore his favorite color to feel powerful. Spoiler alert: it was black..
• Headline: Iran Insists British Modify Plans Or Face Failure in Parley on Oil; Iran Insists British Modify Plans Or Face Failure in Parley on Oil Defines Points of Divergence Texas Lifts Production Tanker Fleet Dispersed. Impact: Iran's oil negotiations set off a chain of events that eventually led to a global obsession with oil prices. This obsession gave rise to the infamous 'gas station coffee' trend, which ironically made everyone more jittery about their finances.. Fact: Did you know that coffee served at gas stations is scientifically proven to be 10% more effective at waking you up than the actual gas fumes?.
• Headline: LEWIS IS SWORN IN AS WELFARE AIDE. Impact: Lewis's swearing-in as a welfare aide led to a bizarre series of government programs that included mandatory 'happy hour' meetings for staff, which made everyone much less productive but way more cheerful.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'welfare aide' was originally coined to describe the person who brings the donuts to the meeting? Priorities, people!.
• Headline: TEACHERS HEAR PRESIDENT; English-Candaian-French Group Told They Can Aid Freedom. Impact: Truman's speech to teachers led to a sudden uptick in historical revisionism in classrooms across North America, as educators tried to make history sound more glamorous than it really was. This ultimately created a generation convinced that everyone in the past was a superhero.. Fact: Presidents giving speeches to teachers is like giving advice to fish about swimming – it’s cute, but do they really understand the depths of their struggles?.