JULY 13, 1954

Full News Archive

• Headline: Farm Loan Measure Advances to House Approval. Impact: This seemingly boring bill gave farmers a slight financial break, which led to an agricultural boom that inadvertently caused a 1980s hipster trend of artisanal bread-making. Who knew farm loans could create gluten enthusiasts?. Fact: Did you know that a 1% interest hike is basically the government saying, 'We're not going to help you that much, but good luck with those crops!'?.
• Headline: French Forces Defend Against Insurgent Attack. Impact: The French victory against insurgents led to a misunderstanding that French fries were somehow related to this battle. Thus, the global obsession with fried potatoes was born. Thanks, France!. Fact: Fun fact: This five-hour battle was longer than most people spend deciding what to binge-watch on Netflix..
• Headline: Mexico's Push for Private Investment in Industry. Impact: Mexico's flirtation with private capital ultimately led to the rise of taco trucks in every corner of the U.S. If only they knew that would be the future of lunchtime!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more difficult than getting private investment is getting people to stop putting pineapple on pizza?.
• Headline: Halt in U. S. Atom Tests Rejected; U. N. Unit Bars Soviet-Indian Bid; U. N. UNIT REJECTS ATOMIC TEST BAN. Impact: The rejection of the atomic test ban led to a series of nuclear tests that made for some rather awkward conversations between nations. Good job, folks, let's just keep building bigger bombs!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more explosive than these tests was the diplomatic fallout in the years to come..
• Headline: Lehman Corp., at 25, Reports Record Assets of $158,409,024; ASSETS PEAK SET BY LEHMAN CORP.. Impact: Lehman Corp.'s record assets were so impressive that they became the benchmark for every financial firm that followed, leading to the eventual creation of the phrase 'too big to fail.'. Fact: Did you know that $158 million in 1950 is roughly equivalent to the amount of money it takes to make a single avocado toast today?.
• Headline: SWISS CLARIFY BAR TO LOYALTY BOARD; Assert Geneva Hearing by U.S. Panel Would Be Incompatible With Nation's Sovereignty. Impact: Switzerland asserting its sovereignty led to a long tradition of neutrality that allowed them to become the world's most famous chocolate-makers. Who needs to get involved in politics when you have chocolate?. Fact: Did you know that Switzerland is so neutral, they probably wouldn't even take sides in a pie-eating contest?.
• Headline: EASTMAN STAMP ISSUED; Hundredth Year of the Inventor Is Honored at Rochester. Impact: Eastman's stamp issuance made him a household name, which inspired a series of inventions that eventually led to social media—after all, who doesn't love a good snapshot?. Fact: Did you know that Eastman invented photography just to give people a way to capture their awkward family moments forever?.
• Headline: BIG TEST REACTOR ORDERED BY A.E.C.; First Sodium-Graphite Project in Hunt for Cheap Power Will Cost $10,000,000. Impact: The A.E.C.'s reactor project sparked a race for cheap energy that led to many questionable decisions, such as the creation of the 'nuclear-powered' toaster that never quite took off.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing cheaper than the power from this reactor is the energy spent in endless debates about energy policies?.
• Headline: CHURCHILL TO BAR ACTION IN U. N. NOW ON RED CHINA SEAT; Tells the Commons Peiping Must First Abide by Charter -- Warns British of Perils CHURCHILL TO BAR CHINA ENTRY NOW. Impact: Churchill's stance against Red China ultimately led to decades of diplomatic tension, which somehow paved the way for the modern-day fascination with Chinese takeout. What a twist!. Fact: Did you know that Churchill probably thought 'takeout' was a military term before realizing it was about food?.