APRIL 11, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: Celebrating Boys' Farm Centennial. Impact: The celebration of the Boys' Farm centennial sparked a nationwide movement for farming for boys, leading to the invention of the world's first 'Boy-Scarecrow' designed to frighten away teenagers with poor work ethic. Ironically, this caused a decline in workforce productivity for decades.. Fact: The original Boys' Farm was actually a front for a secret society of young farmers plotting to overthrow the local vegetable market!.
• Headline: Pope Appoints Bronx Priest as Chamberlain. Impact: The elevation of Bronx Priest Rev J Retagliatta as Papal Chamberlain initiated a trend of appointing clergy based on their geographical origin, leading to a Papal office filled with local baristas and pizza makers. This inadvertently created a new branch of theology based on coffee and carbs.. Fact: Rumor has it that if you bless a pizza, it becomes a holy slice. No, really!.
• Headline: Books of The Times; Father Was Artillery Colonel Views on Yalu River Policy. Impact: Matthew B Ridgway's memoirs ignited a surge in military autobiographies, eventually leading to a bizarre trend where soldiers began writing cookbooks instead. 'Cooking with Combat' became a bestseller, teaching readers how to make the perfect MRE soufflé.. Fact: Ridgway's memoirs are credited with inspiring the phrase 'war is hell, but have you tried my chili?'.
• Headline: CAIRO TALKS BEGUN BY HAMMARSKJOLD; U.N. Chief Sees the Foreign Minister--To Confer With Nasser Today on Crisis 'No Statement' CAIRO TALK BEGUN BY HAMMARSKJOLD. Impact: The Cairo talks led to an odd series of peace conferences that ended up creating the international 'Talk It Out' Day, where world leaders were required to sit in a circle and share their feelings about global crises. It was awkward, but at least everyone got a hug.. Fact: Cairo Talk was originally going to be a cooking show, but they decided to stick with diplomacy instead..
• Headline: Canada to Join U.S. In July Atom Alert; U.S., CANADA PLAN JOINT ATOM ALERT. Impact: Canada's decision to join the U.S. atomic alert inadvertently led to the first-ever atomic-themed summer camp for children, where they learned about nuclear physics through fun games like 'Pin the Tail on the Atomic Bomb'.. Fact: Campers at the atomic summer camp were often asked to bring their own fallout shelter supplies. Safety first!.
• Headline: ARMS CUP PARLEY IS AT STANDSTILL; Next Move Is Up to Soviet, West Holds--Talks Said to Be in Peril of Stalling Basic Differences Noted. Impact: The stalling of arms talks resulted in a secret competition between the Soviets and the West to outdo each other in absurd armament designs, leading to the creation of the inflatable tank. This later became a popular item at birthday parties.. Fact: Inflatable tanks were all the rage until someone realized they weren't very effective in real battles..
• Headline: HARRIMAN VETOES SICK-PAY TAX CUT; Rejects Bill Without Comment --Accepts Board to Set Up State Worker Health Aid HARRIMAN VETOES SICK PAY TAX CUT. Impact: Harriman's veto of the sick-pay tax cut caused a ripple effect in state politics, where every politician thereafter was too afraid to take a sick day. This led to the legendary 'Flu Epidemic of 1962' where politicians held press conferences from their hospital beds.. Fact: The flu epidemic resulted in the first-ever 'Sick Day' awards ceremony, where the best excuses for absence were celebrated..
• Headline: Turks Report Bulgarians Spies. Impact: The report of Bulgarian spies being caught led to a massive increase in spy-themed board games in Turkey. This created a cultural phenomenon where families would gather around to play 'Spy vs. Spy' instead of discussing real espionage.. Fact: Bulgarian spies were actually just tourists taking 'spy selfies' in Turkey. Very sneaky!.
• Headline: TOP OKINAWA RED FREE TO AGITATE; Party Founder is Cheered as He Ends Jail Term--U.S. Keeps Eye on Leftists Pro-American Party Victor. Impact: The release of the Okinawa Red leader from jail led to a decade-long trend of political prisoners becoming local celebrities. Soon, anyone incarcerated became part of a reality show called 'Prison Breakout', leading to a rise in the number of people committing minor crimes for fame.. Fact: The U.S. had to step in when 'Prison Breakout' contestants started demanding their own reality TV spinoff..