OCTOBER 31, 1951

Full News Archive

• Headline: Shipping Dispute and NLRB Complaint. Impact: The shipping industry's dramatic fluctuations caused by this strike led to the invention of the 'Back-to-Work' motivational poster—a true masterpiece depicting a ship sailing towards mediocrity.. Fact: Fun fact: Roving pickets are like roving reporters, but instead of gathering news, they just gather grievances. Quite the career switch!.
• Headline: Minneapolis Manufacturer Cuts Prices Significantly. Impact: Minneapolis cutting prices kicked off a chain reaction: suddenly, every small business owner thought they could be the next big discount hero, which ultimately led to the invention of the 'everything must go' sale—spoiler alert, it never does.. Fact: Did you know that price cuts in Minneapolis once led to a local craze where people were literally cutting prices with scissors? True story..
• Headline: U.S. STEEL NET OFF FOR THIRD QUARTER; Earnings Drop to $27,936,060 Compared With $59,742,302 for Like 1950 Period DECLINE LAID TO TAXES $295,000,000 Set Aside in 9 Months for Federal Levies --Shipments Set Record. Impact: U.S. Steel's earnings drop led to a nationwide panic about taxes, which ignited the great American pastime of blaming the IRS for everything—even the weather.. Fact: Did you know that $295 million is just a drop in the bucket when you consider how much Americans spend on coffee to cope with tax season? Talk about a double whammy!.
• Headline: Capital Dusts Off Old Centerpiece For Tonight's Dinner to Royal Pair; RARE CENTERPIECE FOR ROYAL DINNER. Impact: The decision to dust off an old centerpiece sparked a revival of tacky dinner party decor that still haunts us today—thankfully, we now have Pinterest to guide us.. Fact: Did you know that old centerpieces often have more personality than the guests? They just sit there, judging your party planning skills silently..
• Headline: CIVIL SERVICE RULE AIM FOR TAX HEADS; Kefauver Plans Bills on Status for Collectors, Curbing Unit's Aides on Outside Activities. Impact: Kefauver's bills aimed at tax heads led to a new era of bureaucratic red tape, which is still celebrated today in offices everywhere—happy anniversary, endless forms!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more complicated than tax codes is trying to understand why anyone thought making them complicated was a good idea..
• Headline: KEFAUVER UPHOLDS NAMING OF HALLEY. Impact: Kefauver's support for Halley paved the way for future scandals—because nothing says 'trustworthy' like a politician clearing their buddy's name. Cheers to cronyism!. Fact: Did you know that the word 'cronyism' originated from the ancient Greek term for 'I owe you a favor, now let’s have a cocktail'?.
• Headline: French Visitors Hear Lecture. Impact: The French visitors' lecture on U.S. methods resulted in a cultural exchange where Americans learned how to eat a croissant without spilling crumbs—an art form that remains elusive to this day.. Fact: Did you know that the French have a secret handshake that involves a croissant? Just kidding, they just wave their hands dramatically..
• Headline: STEEL FLOW BEGUN IN NEW J. & L. PLANT; 1,200,000 Ingot Tons Added to Nation's Annual Output by Mill in Pittsburgh BOON TO DEFENSE IS CITED Mobilization Head and Others at Opening Hail Meaning of $70,000,000 Expansion. Impact: The addition of 1,200,000 tons of steel from the new plant meant that the U.S. could finally build those backyard grills everyone wanted, leading to the great American barbecue boom of the 1950s.. Fact: Fun fact: 1,200,000 tons of steel is enough to make every American a grill master—if only they could master the art of not burning the burgers..