MAY 17, 1954

Full News Archive

• Headline: Election at Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Impact: The Brooklyn Chamber's decision to elect S Williams led to the rise of an influential group that would eventually lobby for a pizza place on every corner of Brooklyn, forever altering the pizza landscape of America. Who knew a chamber could be so cheesy?. Fact: Did you know that the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce was once voted 'Most Likely to Attempt World Domination' in 1955? Well, not really, but it could've been! They definitely had plans..
• Headline: Dewey Dedicates Jewish Hospital in 1954. Impact: The dedication of the Jewish hospital by Gov Dewey sparked a series of charitable events that resulted in the creation of the first-ever 'hospital bingo night'—who knew health care could involve such thrilling entertainment?. Fact: The $7,000,000 price tag in 1955 would be the equivalent of about $67 million today. Hospitals sure know how to put a price on life, huh?.
• Headline: PEOPLE'S CHORUS SINGS; Special Work Marks 300 Years of Jewish Life in America. Impact: The People's Chorus singing about 300 years of Jewish life in America set off a chain reaction of community choirs across the nation, ultimately leading to karaoke nights that would haunt us forever.. Fact: Did you know that the Jewish People's Chorus of NY was founded just for the sheer joy of annoying the neighbors? Just kidding! They actually wanted to celebrate their culture—go figure!.
• Headline: SEAWAY PORTS AIM FOR TRAFFIC RUSH; Hope for 87% Cut in Costs of Shipping Freight -- But Much Planning Remains SEAWAY PORTS AIM FOR TRAFFIC RUSH. Impact: The ambitions of the seaway ports aimed at cutting shipping costs led to the eventual rise of online shopping, where people now expect free shipping on everything, including that weird garden gnome they never wanted.. Fact: 87% cut in costs? If only my bills could get that kind of discount! But I guess shipping gnomes is a bit more complicated than it sounds..
• Headline: WOUNDED STUDENT TALKS; Asserts Dead Youth Shot Him at Fraternity Party. Impact: The student who was shot at the fraternity party became the unwitting star of a cautionary tale about the dangers of college life, leading to a national 'Don't Shoot Your Friends' campaign that changed party dynamics forever.. Fact: Fraternity parties have a reputation for being wild, but this one took a tragic turn that certainly wasn't on the invite. 'Bring your own drinks, leave your guns at home' was definitely added to the RSVP..
• Headline: FERGUSON IS COOL TO M'CARTHY AID; Doubts He Would Give 'Issues I Wanted' -- White House Firm on Inquiry Silence FERGUSON IS COOL TO M'CARTHY AID. Impact: Ferguson’s cold shoulder to McCarthy's campaign aid became the turning point in the political drama of the era, leading to a long-standing tradition of politicians pretending to care about issues while actually just caring about their hair.. Fact: If only Ferguson had known that rejecting help would lead to a 1950s version of 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' in politics. He could’ve been a star!.
• Headline: RAIL REPORT CRITICIZED; Union Chief Says It 'Kills' All Pattern Settlements. Impact: The union chief’s criticism of the rail report sparked a series of labor disputes that led to the invention of the phrase 'railroaded'—because nothing says 'we care about your rights' like a good pun.. Fact: The rail industry has been the subject of labor disputes for centuries. If only they’d take a cue from the airlines and just offer free snacks!.