I AM old enough to remember vividly. If what you say is true, that it was overzealous individuals reading between the lines, who wrote the lines? Who fostered the attitude? Who appointed the elders, COs, DOs who whipped up the frenzy? Who commended (in writing) those who sold all their possessions to pioneer for the "remaining months"? Who selected the speakers and wrote the outlines and manuscripts for the assemblies and conventions where it was repeatedly stated that the millennium reign of Christ HAD to be included in the 7th day of Jah's rest "day" that they stated as fact is 7,000 years long?
They stated as fact that 6,000 years of mankind's existence ended in 1975, therefore the "Great Tribulation" would occur on or BEFORE 1975 to make the entire time period EXACTLY 7,000 years long.
Hey third gen sounds like me and you went to the same special talk in Toronto. LOL
The WBTS can try all they want to rewrite their history. I wish them good luck! In the internet age we are all in now it can't be done.