Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON April 6, 1956
Full News Archive
- Headline: National Parks Poetry Contest Winners Announced. Impact: These poems inspired a wave of environmental awareness, leading to the creation of the first 'Poet's Park' where you can only communicate through haikus. Unfortunately, it's located in a desert.. Fact: Poetry contests are like regular contests, but with more existential dread and less cash. Who knew nature could rhyme?.
- Headline: Stevenson Receives Illinois Delegation Backing. Impact: The Illinois delegation's support for Stevenson had a butterfly effect that ultimately led to the invention of deep-dish pizzaβbecause who needs political unity when you can have carbs?. Fact: Supporting a candidate is much like choosing a pizza topping; it could lead to a cheesy disaster or a savory success..
- Headline: JAPAN, RUMANIA WIN TEAM TITLES; Czech Men's Defensive Play Fails Against Japanese in World Table Tennis. Impact: Japan's victory in table tennis sparked a global obsession with ping pong, leading to the creation of the first international 'Paddle Olympics'βwhere only the truly obsessed participate.. Fact: Table tennis is the only sport where you can be an Olympic champion and still be the most unathletic person at a party..
- Headline: MANY MARKS SET BY AMERADA CORP; Oil Concern's Earnings, Net Output, Drilling and Other Costs at Record Levels MINING CORP. OF CANADA 1955 Profit Was $1.81 a Share, Against $1.23 in 1954 PUROLATOR PRODUCTS Earnings Up 57% and Sales 17% to Record Highs GENERAL TIRE & RUBBER COMPANIES ISSUE EARNING FIGURES LEAR, INC. PACIFIC WESTERN OIL NEW JERSEY ZINC OTHER COMPANY REPORTS. Impact: Amerada Corpβs booming profits significantly shifted the oil market, causing a chain reaction of corporate greed that ultimately gave rise to the phrase, 'Let's drill for more money!'. Fact: Making record profits in oil is like winning the lottery, except everyone else is left holding the bill for environmental disasters..
- Headline: GAZA STRIP FIGHT RAGES 10 HOURS; U.N. WINS TRUCE; Egypt and Israel Accuse Each Other of Starting Battle-- Cairo Protests to Council ARAB DEAD PUT AT 33 Civilian Casualties Are Cited --Burns Issues Cease-Fire After Meeting Sharett Burns Asks for Cease-Fire GAZA STRIP FIGHT RAGES 10 HOURS. Impact: The Gaza Strip conflict led to a series of diplomatic faux pas that inspired countless sitcoms about international relationsβbecause nothing says 'peace talks' like slapstick humor.. Fact: In conflicts, the ceasefire often leads to an increase in awkward family gatherings. Itβs like Thanksgiving but with more tension..
- Headline: MUSTAFA FIRST IN SWIM; Defeats Abouheif by Second in Nile Twenty-Mile Marathon. Impact: Mustafa's swim victory ignited a fascination with extreme sports, ultimately leading to the creation of the 'Extreme Couch Potato Olympics'βwhere the only competition is who can binge-watch the most shows.. Fact: Swimming 20 miles is impressive, but have you ever tried swimming through the sea of Netflix options? Now that's endurance!.
- Headline: CHURCH VENTURES INTO COLOR VIDEO; Southern Baptist Convention Produces 13 Films--Some May Be Shown in Russia. Impact: The Southern Baptist Convention's venture into color video sparked a revolution in religious media, resulting in the first viral church memeβ'Jesus Saves, but Wi-Fi is Eternal.'. Fact: Color video in churches was revolutionaryβbefore that, congregations had to rely on the captivating power of spoken word alone. Yawn!.
- Headline: SENSE OF ETERNAL URGED; Bishop Dun Blames Loss of It for Much Restlessness Today. Impact: Bishop Dunβs call for a sense of the eternal led to the widespread adoption of mindfulness practices, eventually giving rise to the 'Zen Barista'βa coffee shop where you can meditate instead of order.. Fact: The loss of 'eternal' is just another way of saying 'we got distracted by TikTok.'.
- Headline: RE-ELECTION SURE FOR 2 IN CAROLINA; Last-Minute Primary Rivals for Johnston and Thurmond Cancel Senate Filings Third Party Threat Sounded. Impact: The lack of competition for Johnston and Thurmond's re-election led to a wave of apathy that ultimately inspired the phrase 'meh' to be added to the political lexicon.. Fact: Re-election without competition is like winning a race against yourselfβyou still get a medal, but it feels a bit hollow..
Wall Street Time Machine
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $3,433,939 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)