JUNE 7, 1955

Full News Archive

• Headline: North Vietnam Proposes Elections with South Vietnam. Impact: This little chat about elections spiraled into a decades-long conflict where everyone forgot what they were actually voting for. Spoiler: it wasn't democracy.. Fact: Did you know that the Geneva Accords were basically the world's first 'we promise, no backsies' agreement? Yeah, that worked out well..
• Headline: Sparkman Predicts Stevenson’s 1956 Run. Impact: Stevenson running for president sparked a chain of events leading to endless debates about what 'electable' really means. Thanks, Adlai!. Fact: Fun fact: Stevenson was so popular that his campaign slogan was, 'Vote for me. I’m not that guy.'.
• Headline: Donegan's Journey to the Far East. Impact: Donegan's trip led to an unforeseen increase in the global backpacking trend, as every college student suddenly felt the urge to explore 'the Far East' with nothing but a guidebook and a questionable supply of instant noodles.. Fact: In 1956, the 'Far East' was basically any place that wasn’t the U.S., which was just about everywhere else..
• Headline: FORDHAM HONORS GIVEN; Awards Presented to Leading Education School Seniors. Impact: The Fordham Honors ceremony ignited a competitive spirit that resulted in future generations being traumatized by their GPA. Thanks a lot, Fordham.. Fact: Did you know that awards are basically just fancy paperweights that make you feel good until the next round of exams?.
• Headline: NIXON VISITS CITY FOR 2 FUNCTIONS; Here for Day, He Presents a Carver Award and Does Flag Fete Recording. Impact: Nixon's day of flag waving and award presenting led to a series of unfortunate events, including a slight uptick in political memes referencing his name. Who knew?. Fact: Nixon recording for Flag Day is the original version of 'I’m not a crook,' but with more red, white, and blue..
• Headline: FORD AND UNION REACH 3-YEAR PACT INCLUDING MODIFIED ANNUAL WAGE; PATTERN SET FOR GENERAL MOTORS; COMPANY PRAISED Reuther Applauds Its Courage, Puts Benefit at 20 Cents an Hour FORD, UNION AGREE ON NEW CONTRACT. Impact: This pact led to the realization that workers actually like being paid, which eventually rippled into a nationwide obsession with collective bargaining. Shocking, I know.. Fact: Fun fact: 20 cents an hour was considered a generous raise back then. Today, that might just buy you a cup of coffee—if you’re lucky..
• Headline: WEST ASKS SOVIET TO GENEVA PARLEY OF BIG 4 ON JULY 18; U. S., Britain, France Send Notes Proposing Meeting of Heads of Government PRELIMINARY TALKS SET 3 Powers' Foreign Ministers to Gather Here June 16-17 to Prepare for Session WEST ASKS SOVIET TO GENEVA TALKS. Impact: This request led to a long-standing tradition of diplomatic gatherings that often ended with everyone agreeing to disagree. How very civilized.. Fact: Did you know that diplomatic meetings are just fancy versions of, 'Let’s sit down and argue, but in a really nice building'?.
• Headline: Woman Named Head By Christian Scientists. Impact: The election of Mrs. G.W. Eiseman opened the floodgates for women in leadership roles, although it took the world a few more decades to catch up. Baby steps.. Fact: Mrs. Eiseman's election was a big deal because, at the time, women were still fighting for the right to be taken seriously—especially in religion..
• Headline: SICILY'S VOTE WON BY SCELBA'S PARTY; Communists and Allies Hold Their Own -- Minor Groups Virtually Overwhelmed SICILY'S VOTE WON BY SCELBA'S PARTY. Impact: Scelba's victory ensured that Sicilian politics would remain as chaotic as a family dinner at a reality TV show. Thanks for that, Scelba.. Fact: Did you know that Sicilian elections often looked like a strange mix of a circus and a soap opera? Always entertaining!.
• Headline: DEMOCRATS DENY NEW BID TO QUINN; Queens Executive Committee Sees Indictment in Fee Case Too Big a Liability. Impact: Quinn’s rejection by the Democrats set the stage for future political maneuvering that would make Shakespeare's plays look like children’s stories.. Fact: In politics, 'liability' is just code for 'we don’t want to deal with your drama right now.'.