SEPTEMBER 17, 1955

Full News Archive

• Headline: Rosh ha-Shanah Celebrations in 1955. Impact: As people gathered to reflect on their lives during Rosh ha-Shanah, a few deep conversations led to the founding of several popular bagel shops worldwide. Who knew that a holy day could spawn a carb empire?. Fact: Did you know that Rosh ha-Shanah is often called the Jewish New Year? Because apparently, we all needed more reasons to eat our weight in challah..
• Headline: Harry A. Cunningham's Historic Contribution. Impact: This mysterious headline sparked a nationwide search for the elusive Harry A. Cunningham II, leading to a decade-long trend of naming children after famous people, resulting in an entire generation of 'Harrys' who now dominate the internet.. Fact: Harry A. Cunningham II may or may not have been the most notable person in history, but he definitely made it onto the list of people you should never name your dog after..
• Headline: Major Industrial Flood Damage in 1955. Impact: The flooding incident led to the rise of waterproofing technology. Little did the floodwaters know that they would create a billion-dollar industry focused on keeping things dry.. Fact: Did you know that the floods impacted the brass industry so badly that some people thought it was a government conspiracy to make brass instruments scarce? No brass, no band!.
• Headline: MILTON WOLF I. Impact: Milton Wolf's name being in the headlines triggered a bizarre chain of events that led to a resurgence in werewolf-themed films. Hollywood, as usual, missed the point.. Fact: Milton Wolf was not a werewolf, but the rumors sparked a series of Halloween costumes that still haunt thrift stores today..
• Headline: WILLIAM R. RYAN I. Impact: William R. Ryan's mention here led to an unexpected spike in baby name registrations for 'William,' causing countless future generations to be known as 'Billy'—for better or worse.. Fact: William R. Ryan I was not a monarch, but with that name, he certainly could have been mistaken for one at a very lackluster royal event..
• Headline: Coast Art Festival Bans Satire on Nixon, Titled 'Dick McSmear' and Priced at $25. Impact: The ban on 'Dick McSmear' fueled an underground movement for political satire, which eventually led to the rise of memes. Thank you, Nixon, for paving the way for cats in politics.. Fact: If only Nixon had embraced satire instead of banning it, he might have won the coveted 'Best Comedy Album' award instead of, you know, infamy..
• Headline: AIR FORCE ERASES 'GUILT BY DESCENT'; Airman Wins Honorable Discharge -- Bedell Smith Replies to Wriston. Impact: This decision led to the realization that sometimes, your relatives can be the worst part of your career. The concept of 'guilt by descent' inspired countless family therapy sessions in military families.. Fact: It turns out that Air Force personnel have a lot of family drama—who knew that being in the military was just as complicated as a soap opera?.
• Headline: A "DAY" FOR PHIL. Impact: Phil Rizzuto's day became a national holiday, inspiring countless other sports figures to demand their own days. Now, we celebrate 'National Cheesehead Day'—thanks, Phil.. Fact: Phil Rizzuto Day is a reminder that some people will celebrate anything, even if it’s just a random day they decided to claim for themselves..
• Headline: G. O. P. May Select Latham To Run for Supreme Court; G.O.P. Eyes Latham for Justice, Halpern for His Congress Seat. Impact: This political maneuvering led to a series of bitter rivalries, which ultimately birthed the phrase 'politics as usual'—because, let’s face it, nothing changes.. Fact: Political party strategies are like bad sitcoms: predictable, often laughable, and somehow still getting renewed for another season..
• Headline: Transit Peace to 1958; An Analysis of the Factors Involved and The Tactics Used to Satisfy Both Sides. Impact: The transit peace agreement led to a nationwide movement for public transportation reform. Who knew that a peaceful bus ride could change the course of history?. Fact: The negotiations were so intense that they could have been the plot of a bad action movie—'Transit Wars: The Quest for the Perfect Route.'.