MAY 9, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: Texans Endorse Johnson's Victory in 1956. Impact: This Johnson victory was the butterfly that flapped its wings, leading to the eventual birth of a Texan-sized ego that would echo through history, making future politicians believe they could win elections with sheer charisma and a twangy accent. Fact: Did you know that Johnson once had a pet dog named ‘Yuki’? Because if you're going to be a political giant, you might as well have a cute sidekick.
• Headline: Wilson Defends Defense Budget in 1956. Impact: Wilson's attack on 'fear mongers' sparked a chain reaction leading to an entire industry devoted to scaring people for profit. Today, we call it reality TV. Fact: Fun fact: 'Fear Monger' was actually a popular band in the 1980s, right before they were overshadowed by those pesky boy bands.
• Headline: Cities Service Raises Gas Prices. Impact: Cities Service raising gas prices set off a global chain reaction of anger, leading to the invention of the carpool and the ultimate rise of 'Sunday drives' as a way to escape the high costs. Fact: Did you know that gas stations once offered full-service? Imagine someone filling up your tank while you lounged in the back seat. Now that's luxury!.
• Headline: WIDER WAGE ACT ASKED BY MEANY; He Urges Congress Extend Benefit to 9,500,000 More in Low-Pay Category WIDER WAGE ACT ASKED BY MEANY. Impact: Meany's call for a wider wage act not only aimed to help the underpaid but also inadvertently led to the creation of countless 'we pay our interns in experience' job postings. Fact: Did you know that G. Meany’s full name was George Meany? But calling him G. Meany just sounds way cooler, don’t you think?.
• Headline: MISSION ACHIEVED, U.N. CHIEF HOLDS; Hammarskjold Will Release Mideast Report Tomorrow --Asks Delay in Action MISSION ACHIEVED, U.N. CHIEF HOLDS Mission in Three Stages. Impact: Hammarskjold’s mission, while seemingly straightforward, turned into a multi-layered political chess game that continues to haunt peace talks today, proving that some things never change. Fact: Hammarskjold was so well-regarded that people still argue about his mysterious death. Some say it was an accident, while others believe he stumbled onto a secret too big to tell.
• Headline: BANS ON SECRECY IN CAPITOL URGED; Legal Experts Propose That Congress Force Federal Units to Open Records. Impact: The call to ban secrecy in the Capitol was like opening Pandora's box, leading to a world where politicians were forced to answer questions and we had to listen to them for hours on end. Thanks, democracy. Fact: Did you know that if Congress had a dollar for every time they proposed to be transparent, they could probably fund a small country? But hey, at least they’d look good doing it.
• Headline: Tax Deductions Granted. Impact: Harrington's ruling on tax deductions for construction workers was the start of a long tradition of workers finding loopholes to make their financial burdens lighter. Thanks, Uncle Sam!. Fact: Did you know that construction workers are some of the most resourceful people? They can build a house with two pieces of wood and a dream... and maybe a tax deduction.
• Headline: KEFAUVER CLAIMS 8 MORE DELEGATES; Supporters Say Half of North Dakota Convention Slate Favors Tennessean. Impact: Kefauver's claim of more delegates started a political trend where every candidate would claim they were 'winning' even when they were just counting their friends and relatives as supporters. Fact: Did you know that the term 'delegate' comes from the Latin word 'delegatus,' meaning 'to be chosen for a purpose'? Kind of like how we choose people to take out the trash at parties.