MAY 12, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: Surge in Church Building Activity in 1956. Impact: The $219 million spent on church buildings eventually led to the Great Church Wars of 1967, where congregations fought over who had the best-looking steeple. Spoiler alert: it was the one with the neon cross.. Fact: Did you know that if you spent $219 million on church buildings today, you could probably buy a small country? Or at least a really nice yacht?.
• Headline: Hammarskjöld's Diplomatic Breakthrough. Impact: Hammarskjold's success was so monumental that it inadvertently inspired a generation of diplomats to wear bow ties, believing that looking sharp would solve international issues.. Fact: Fun fact: 'breathing spell' is actually a term that later became popular in yoga classes worldwide..
• Headline: Police Get Safety Belts That Glow in the Dark. Impact: The glowing safety belts inspired a fashion trend among teenagers who thought they were the hottest new accessory for raves—until they realized it was just for police.. Fact: Did you know that glowing safety belts were actually the precursor to glow-in-the-dark party gear? Talk about a bright idea!.
• Headline: STEVENSON URGES ARMS FOR ISRAEL; Tells California Jewish Unit Embargo Should Follow New Balance of Power. Impact: Stevenson's push for arms for Israel led to a never-ending debate over whether it’s better to arm a nation or give it a really good hug. Spoiler: the arms won.. Fact: Did you know that Stevenson's speech was so persuasive it made some people consider a career in arms dealing? Because, you know, who doesn’t love a good debate?.
• Headline: CITY'S SODALITIES TO JOIN IN RITES; 25,000 Catholics Will Pray at Fordham--Queens Fund Sought by Protestants. Impact: The massive turnout of Catholics praying at Fordham turned into an annual event where they all wondered who would bring the donuts, leading to the creation of the 'Rite of the Donut.'. Fact: Did you know that gathering 25,000 people for a prayer service is just another Tuesday for Catholics? They were just getting warmed up for the next potluck!.
• Headline: SUFFOLK INQUIRY OPENED BY COURT; Bronx Justice Orders Panel of 100--Grand Jury to Sift Charges of Corruption. Impact: The inquiry into corruption opened the floodgates for every conspiracy theory imaginable, leading some to believe that even the pigeons in the Bronx were somehow involved.. Fact: Did you know that grand juries have been so effective at finding corruption that they could probably find it in a box of cereal? 'Where's the prize?'.
• Headline: PUERTO RICAN BOOTSTRAP. Impact: Puerto Rico's economic gains led to such envy that other countries started their own 'Bootstrap Weeks,' which only resulted in everyone wearing oversized boots and complaining.. Fact: Did you know that Munoz Marin's 'Bootstrap Week' actually inspired a dance trend? It’s called 'The Bootstraps,' but nobody knows how to do it..
• Headline: TRUMAN CAUTIONS ON G.O.P.'S TACTICS; A.D.A. Told Republicans Will Offer President's 'Smiles' and 'Smears' by Nixon. Impact: Truman's caution on GOP tactics laid the groundwork for future politicians to master the art of the 'smile-and-sneer' combo, a technique still in use today.. Fact: Did you know that Truman’s warnings are still relevant? Politicians now have 'smiles' and 'smears' in their job descriptions!.
• Headline: Rebuke to Israelis By Hammarskjold On Gaza Reported; Hammarskjold Is Said to Rebuke Israel on Gaza Shooting Charge. Impact: Hammarskjold's rebuke of Israel was so impactful that it led to an ongoing game of diplomatic chess, where each side pretended to be on the same page while plotting their next move.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'hasty accusation' is still used in diplomatic circles to this day? It’s the polite way of saying, 'Oops, my bad!'.