SEPTEMBER 12, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: Oil Boom Set to Transform Venezuela's Economy. Impact: The $350 million investment in Venezuela kickstarted an oil boom that would eventually lead to a nationwide addiction to oil revenues. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for anyone involved.. Fact: Venezuela's oil fields are so rich that if they had a dollar for every barrel they produced, they might still be broke, but at least they'd have a really nice yacht..
• Headline: Tensions Rise Over Suez Canal Control. Impact: The Suez Crisis set off a chain reaction of geopolitical maneuvering that would eventually lead to more wars, more treaties, and a lot more confusion over who owns what. Thanks, Egypt!. Fact: The Suez Canal is so vital that losing it would be like losing Wi-Fi in a coffee shop—utter chaos would ensue..
• Headline: NEW RECORD SET BY WARD'S SALES; Mail Order House Reports Peak of $467,495,321 for First 6 Months Catalogue Stores Opened ALLIED STORES CORP. 3, 6 and 12 Months' Sales Up but Net Is Slightly Off COMPANIES ISSUE EARNINGS FIGURES. Impact: Ward's sales record became the envy of every mail-order house, leading to a retail revolution where people could now buy everything from shoes to shovels without leaving their couches. Ah, progress.. Fact: In 1956, mail-order catalogs were basically the Instagram of shopping; everyone was trying to curate the perfect 'look' from the comfort of their homes..
• Headline: Eban Calls on Hammarskjold. Impact: Eban's meeting with Hammarskjold was a diplomatic dance that would eventually lead to the creation of new alliances and a lot of awkward handshakes in the years to come.. Fact: Every time diplomats shake hands, a tiny angel gets its wings. Or so the saying goes—who knew diplomacy could be so uplifting?.
• Headline: RIGHTS PLANKS ASSAILED; But Powell, in Belgrade, Says Issue Will Aid Republicans. Impact: Powell's critique of the Democratic plank inadvertently created a ‘who can be more wishy-washy’ competition that continues to this day. Politics truly is the art of saying nothing while sounding profound.. Fact: Political platforms are like fashion trends: they change every season, and you can bet they’re just as confusing..
• Headline: CLINTON TO BEGIN ABSENTEE CHECK; But Plans No Court Action as School Rolls Increase-- Matoaka Boycott Fades. Impact: Clinton's absentee check plan was the first step towards a world where students could skip school without consequences, paving the way for future generations to master the art of the 'sick day.'. Fact: In the 1950s, students were more likely to be punished for being absent than for actually being present—talk about a twisted sense of priorities!.