FEBRUARY 27, 1957

Full News Archive

• Headline: Soviet Airpower Underestimated in 1957. Impact: This revelation about Soviet airpower led to a global arms race where nations began to invest in increasingly ridiculous military technology, including laser-equipped squirrels. Thank you, Wilson!. Fact: Did you know that during this time, the Soviets were secretly training cats to pilot planes? Just kidding, but wouldn't that have been a sight?.
• Headline: Harriman's Take on Budget Cuts. Impact: Harriman's assertion that the budget cuts were 'phony' sparked a long tradition of politicians using the term 'phony' to describe practically everything, including their own holiday plans.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'phony budget cuts' would eventually be adopted by every politician ever, regardless of party affiliation. Truly bipartisan!.
• Headline: Senator Investigates Newsprint Price Fixing. Impact: Magnuson's suspicion of a newsprint cartel ultimately led to the rise of digital news, which ironically has become its own confusing cartel of misinformation. Well played, Senator!. Fact: Did you know that back in the day, newspapers were printed on actual paper? Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: HAVANA CENSORSHIP LIFTED FROM PRESS. Impact: The lifting of censorship in Havana sparked a wave of creative expression that led to the world's first 'Salsa Poetry' movement. Who knew dancing and literature could mix!. Fact: Did you know that before this, the only way to express dissent in Cuba was through interpretive dance? Talk about a workout!.
• Headline: HECK BID WIDENS REPUBLICAN SPLIT; His Action to Bar Phone Rate Rise Brings Into the Open Rivalry With Mahoney. Impact: Heck's actions to bar a phone rate rise exposed the deep-rooted political rivalries that would inspire countless sitcoms and reality shows about dysfunctional families. Thanks, politics!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'phone wars' originally referred to actual fights over who got to use the rotary phone in a household?.
• Headline: INTERIOR AIDE NAMED; President Picks a Coloradan as Assistant Secretary. Impact: Chilson's appointment as Assistant Secretary may seem mundane, but it set off a chain reaction leading to a thousand PowerPoint presentations on the importance of color coordination in government.. Fact: Did you know that before this appointment, the Interior Department was just a bunch of people in khaki pants trying to figure out how to plant trees?.
• Headline: School in Jerusalem Mapped. Impact: Dr. Griffith's pharmacy school project in Jerusalem inadvertently led to the creation of the world's first pharmacy that specializes in over-the-counter holy water. Miracles all around!. Fact: Did you know that the original plan for the pharmacy included a drive-thru for instant blessings? Missed opportunity!.
• Headline: STAMPS BRING $16,500; Newfoundland Block, Part of Lieb Collection, Sold. Impact: The sale of the Newfoundland block for $16,500 marked the beginning of stamp collecting as a 'serious investment', leading to countless sleepless nights for collectors obsessively hunting for rare stamps. Thanks, Lieb!. Fact: Did you know that some stamps are more valuable than gold? If only my collection of 'I Love Lucy' stamps was worth anything!.
• Headline: BINGO ISSUE IS PUT TO A REFERENDUM; Assembly Votes Amendment for Local Authorization-- Balloting Next Fall. Impact: The referendum on bingo led to a national obsession with gambling, ultimately resulting in the rise of bingo nights that turned into wild parties where geriatric grandmas became the life of the party.. Fact: Did you know that at one point, bingo was considered a sport? I'm still waiting for the Olympic version..
• Headline: City Auto-Tax Repeal Voted By Both Houses in Albany; Meeting Set for Today. Impact: The repeal of the city auto-tax sparked a movement that led to the eventual introduction of the carpool lane, where everyone pretended to have more friends than they actually did.. Fact: Did you know that the original carpool lane was just a suggestion? They didn't really expect anyone to use it!.