NOVEMBER 21, 1956

Full News Archive

• Headline: H.C. Davis Contempt Trial Verdict Delayed. Impact: H.C. Davis's defiance inspired a generation of educators to consider the consequences of answering to authority. Thus, the 'Refuse to Answer' movement began, leading to a future where teachers simply teach kids how to dodge questions instead of answering them.. Fact: Did you know that this trial would eventually lead to the invention of the phrase 'I plead the fifth' being used at family dinners?.
• Headline: Meyner and Fiancee Celebrate Industry Recognition. Impact: The poultry industry recognized the couple, setting off a trend of poultry-themed wedding gifts. As a result, many couples now think a chicken figurine is the perfect wedding centerpiece.. Fact: Fun fact: The poultry industry has never been so romantic, proving that love really can be fowl..
• Headline: Hungary's Economic Crisis in 1956. Impact: This reduction in output led to a long history of Hungarian resilience, inspiring future generations to turn their protests into art and music, ultimately giving birth to the phrase 'You can't stop the music!'. Fact: Despite the hardships, Hungary's spirit of resistance became the basis for numerous songs that still echo in protests around the world today..
• Headline: FIRST POLAR 'HIGHWAY'; 650-Mile Trail Is Being Blazed Across the Ross Ice Shelf Tractors Tow Huge Sleds. Impact: The creation of this polar highway kickstarted a long-standing rivalry between penguins and polar bears over who would dominate the Arctic travel scene. Spoiler alert: the penguins are winning.. Fact: Did you know that this highway ultimately led to the establishment of the first Arctic trucking company, 'Penguin Express'? Their motto: 'We deliver on ice!'.
• Headline: NOTED FLAGSHIP SINKS; Hartford, Farragut's Sloop, Was Launched in 1858. Impact: The sinking of the Hartford made naval commanders reconsider the design of their ships, which eventually led to the creation of the unsinkable Titanic. Irony is a cruel mistress.. Fact: The Hartford's sinking was so infamous that it inspired countless sea shanties, one of which is still sung by sailors today: 'The Ballad of the Unsinkable Ship.'.
• Headline: PRESBYTERIANS VOTE HUGE MISSION FUND. Impact: This vote solidified the Presbyterians' reputation for generosity, leading to an unending stream of bake sales and charity events that have now taken over social calendars everywhere.. Fact: It's estimated that for every mission fund vote, at least three new church potlucks have been spawned. Truly, a divine intervention in the culinary world..
• Headline: GRANGE EXPECTED TO BACK SOIL BANK; Committee Scraps a Report Attacking Plan--Seaton Sees No Oil Rationing. Impact: The Soil Bank plan sowed the seeds for future agricultural policies, which eventually gave rise to the term 'organic'—a buzzword used more for marketing than for actual farming.. Fact: Did you know that soil banks were the original 'green' initiative? They just didn’t have the right marketing team behind them at the time..
• Headline: JAVITS SIDESTEPS ON JOB FOR PERCY; Tells Harriman He Will Put Off Decision on Suffolk Post Pending Study March Dispute Recalled Assails Percy Appointment. Impact: This political sidestepping set a precedent for future politicians, leading to an entire generation that mastered the art of 'not answering the question'—a skill that is still in high demand today.. Fact: Fun fact: Politicians have since taken 'sidestepping' to a competitive level; it's now an Olympic sport—with gold medals for the best evasive maneuvers..
• Headline: Swiss Honor Hungarians. Impact: The Swiss honoring Hungarians sparked a cultural exchange that led to the invention of the 'Swiss-Hungarian Fusion' cuisine—think fondue stuffed with goulash. It went downhill from there.. Fact: This moment of silence became so famous that it actually inspired a three-minute silence trend at every awkward gathering thereafter..