FEBRUARY 18, 1953

Full News Archive

• Headline: Teachers Protest Against McCarthyism. Impact: Mrs. Agnes Meyer’s passionate denouncement of McCarthy sparked a nationwide movement of teachers hiding in supply closets, fearing that their chalkboards might be bugged. This led to a significant increase in the popularity of chalk art as a form of silent protest.. Fact: Did you know that 17,000 teachers in one meeting is just about the number of people who have ever actually read the fine print on a textbook?.
• Headline: The Legacy of Dr. Peter Bisher. Impact: Dr. Peter Bisher's name went largely unnoticed, but little did anyone know that he would eventually inspire a line of motivational 'Bisher-isms' that would become the foundation of countless self-help books. The world now knows him as the forgotten godfather of positive thinking.. Fact: Fun fact: Doctors back then were often called 'Dr.' as a sign of respect, unlike today where it’s just a way to identify the guy who will charge you $200 for a sneeze..
• Headline: Seamen Aid in Union Store Heist Capture. Impact: The seamen's heroic act of stopping a robbery led to the establishment of a new law that required all stores to hire at least one sailor, resulting in the world’s most nautical customer service experience.. Fact: Did you know that this heist was so audacious it inspired a film called 'Pirates of the Retail'? Spoiler: the seamen win..
• Headline: President for Free Economy In Farm and Consumer Goods; President Urges Free Economy For Farm and Consumer Goods. Impact: President's push for a free economy caused farmers to start holding 'free-range' debates in barnyards, leading to the first-ever livestock debate team. The cows were particularly compelling.. Fact: Did you know that 'free economy' is often just code for 'let's keep the farmers guessing and the prices unpredictable'?.
• Headline: BROWNELL OPINION ON OIL CHALLENGED; Two Democratic Senators Say Truman Had Power to Set Up Offshore Naval Preserve. Impact: The debate over Truman's powers to create naval reserves indirectly led to a rash of naval-themed Halloween costumes, as people pondered how a president could be so powerful yet not be able to set up a simple party.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more confusing than legal jargon is trying to understand why anyone would challenge a president who just wanted to play with boats..
• Headline: JEREMIAH. -MU.BPH. Impact: Jeremiah Murphy's headline went unnoticed, but his name has since become the go-to pseudonym for people who want to remain anonymous in awkward situations, like signing emails or attending family gatherings.. Fact: Did you know that 'Jeremiah' means 'appointed by God', which makes him the most qualified person to dodge questions at family reunions?.
• Headline: F. C. ERDMAN, HEADED ASCAP CONCERT UNIT. Impact: Fredk C Erdman's role in the concert unit led to the world's first 'silent concert', where everyone just sat in silence and contemplated life. Surprisingly, ticket sales skyrocketed.. Fact: Did you know that ASCAP stands for 'American Society of Can't Actually Play,' which is ironic since they were just trying to get everyone to pay for the music they love?.
• Headline: Bomb Scare Charge Killed. Impact: The dropping of the bomb scare charge led to a newfound fearlessness among Bronx youths, who took it as an open invitation to prank their friends with more outrageous bomb scares. This culminated in the infamous 'whoopee cushion incident of '62'.. Fact: Fun fact: Bomb scares in the Bronx have more plot twists than most Hollywood movies, but they rarely involve actual bombs..
• Headline: Obscene and Other Objectionable Comics Are Targets for a Series of Albany Bills. Impact: The series of bills targeting objectionable comics unintentionally boosted the popularity of underground comics, which then became the breeding ground for future graphic novel geniuses. Thanks, Albany!. Fact: Did you know that banning something usually just makes it cooler? Just ask any teenager about the magic of forbidden fruit..
• Headline: EISENHOWER DOUBTS TAX CUT THIS YEAR; HOUSE IS HOPEFUL; President Opposes Expiration of Levy on Excess Profits Unless Substitute Is Found. Impact: Eisenhower's skepticism about tax cuts led to a nationwide panic among accountants, who suddenly found themselves out of work and having to take up interpretive dance classes to make ends meet.. Fact: Did you know that 'excess profits' is just a fancy way of saying 'too much money for your own good'? It's like being told you’re too attractive for your own good..