Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 6, 1956
Full News Archive
- Headline: Rev Dr Falkemer Appointed Education Head. Impact: When Rev Dr Falkemer was appointed, it triggered a chain reaction of increasingly educated Lutherans who, over decades, would inadvertently become the world's most dangerous trivia team, winning every quiz night and destabilizing local bars.. Fact: Did you know that if every Lutheran in America played trivia, they'd collectively know enough random facts to form their own country? Just kidding, theyβd probably just form a book club..
- Headline: PRESIDENT PLANS TOUR OF STATES HURT BY DROUGHT; Sets Visit for Mid-January --Burgess Resigns Defense Post to Head Airline Burgess Gives Reasons President Praises Burgess PRESIDENT TO SEE DROUGHT-HIT AREA Hughes Appoints Burgess. Impact: Eisenhower's tour of drought-stricken states led to a nationwide trend of politicians awkwardly posing with farmers, resulting in endless memes about 'getting in touch with the land' that are still circulating today.. Fact: Fun fact: When politicians visit drought areas, they often bring water bottles as props. Too bad they canβt bring rain..
- Headline: PARIS ACT FAVORS ARABS IN ALGERIA; Cabinet Decree Authorizes Dissolving 333 Councils Europeans Now Control. Impact: The decree favoring Arabs in Algeria was like opening Pandora's box, leading to a chaotic series of events that inspired countless movies and novels, all featuring the tagline 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?'. Fact: Did you know that dissolving councils can create more drama than a reality show? It's like 'Real Housewives of Algeria' but with more bureaucracy..
- Headline: ISRAEL DISPUTES NASSER; Army Said to Have Met 1,000 Troops in Southeast Sinai. Impact: Israel's dispute with Nasser over troop presence sparked a series of misunderstandings that turned into a decades-long feud, with both sides eventually creating a 'Who's Got More Troops?' competition that no one wanted to win.. Fact: Fun fact: The Sinai Peninsula is like that awkward neighbor who always has too many visitors. Everyone just tries to avoid the drama..
- Headline: Stevenson and Harriman Discuss Party's Future. Impact: Stevenson and Harriman's discussions about the party's future led to a secret underground bunker where disgruntled party members gathered to write strongly worded letters to their representatives for decades to come.. Fact: Did you know that political discussions have been known to cause more headaches than a hangover? And thatβs saying something!.
- Headline: PROPAGANDA ADDS TO MIDEAST PERIL; Conflicting Reports, Coupled With Censorship, Make Nations in Area Uneasy Egyptians Are Blamed Turkey is Greatly Alarmed Jordan Informs Britain. Impact: The propaganda in the Mideast created a feedback loop of misinformation that turned into a game of telephone, where the original message became lost and the only thing everyone agreed on was that they were definitely not getting the full story.. Fact: Fun fact: Propaganda can be more contagious than a bad cold. Just ask anyone whoβs tried to explain the news to their grandparents..
- Headline: POWELL INQUIRY WIDENED BY JURY; Court Orders House Payroll Data in Kickback Study U.S. JURY WIDENS POWELL INQUIRY Aides Due to Testify. Impact: The widening of the Powell inquiry led to a snowball effect of scandals that eventually resulted in a book titled 'How to Get Away with Kickbacks Without Really Trying', which became a bestseller in political circles.. Fact: Did you know that grand juries are the only places where the phrase 'getting paid off' is considered a compliment? At least in certain circles..
- Headline: Consul's Wife to Pay Costs. Impact: The consul's wife's shoplifting charge being dropped for a mere $150 set a precedent that inspired countless other 'high-profile' shoplifters, leading to a spike in overpriced thrift store donations.. Fact: Fun fact: Shoplifting fines can sometimes be cheaper than the items themselves. Who knew crime could be so cost-effective?.
Wall Street Time Machine
PFE
Pfizer
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $3,433,939 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1956, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)