DECEMBER 7, 1957

Full News Archive

• Headline: Soviet Example in Cuban Relations. Impact: This headline set off a chain reaction of distrust that would eventually lead to a million conspiracy theories about the Soviets hiding in plain sight. If only those pesky American journalists had kept their mouths shut, maybe we wouldn’t have had decades of Cold War paranoia.. Fact: Did you know that the Cold War was basically just the world’s longest staring contest? Spoiler: neither side blinked..
• Headline: Nixon's Call for Trade Offensive Against USSR. Impact: Nixon’s fervent cries for a trade offensive led to an arms race that would eventually fuel an entire industry of espionage novels and movies. Who knew that a speech could kickstart the spy genre?. Fact: Nixon was a master of the art of saying a lot without really saying anything. It's like he invented the modern-day political filibuster..
• Headline: Union Violence Inquiry Reveals Special Treatment. Impact: The mention of 'goons' in politics has become a lifelong legacy, leading to a new wave of reality TV shows centered on mobsters trying to make it in the corporate world. Thanks, Tennessee!. Fact: Witnesses are basically the live studio audience in the drama of political disputes—always there but rarely causing the plot twist everyone hopes for..
• Headline: U.S. JOBS DROP 26,404; Byrd Reports Biggest Cut Is in Military Agencies. Impact: This massive job drop sparked an unexpected surge in the economy of self-help books, as thousands of suddenly unemployed workers sought to find their 'true calling'—spoiler alert: it was not in the military.. Fact: In times of economic downturn, the only thing that truly rises is the number of people trying to sell you 'Get Rich Quick' schemes. Good luck with that!.
• Headline: Rensselaer Polytechnic Names Dr. Folsom Head. Impact: Dr. Folsom’s ascension to head RPI was the start of a new age of technological advancements that would eventually lead to people arguing over which social media platform is the best way to share cat memes.. Fact: RPI is known for its rigorous engineering programs, which is great unless you’re trying to ask a graduate about their hobbies—good luck getting them to talk about anything outside of circuits and algorithms..
• Headline: OLDER EMPLOYES VIEWED AS VITAL; Hiring of Them Is Economic Necessity, Federal Aide Tells Chicago Meeting. Impact: This realization that older employees are valuable set off a trend where companies would start hiring them for their 'wisdom,' leading to the eventual establishment of mandatory 'wisdom-sharing' sessions at workplaces. Talk about a new kind of team-building!. Fact: In the workplace, age is often just a number—until it comes time for the holiday party, where suddenly everyone focuses on whether the DJ is playing 'the classics.'.
• Headline: SCHENKEN TEAM LEADS AT BRIDGE; Five City Players Hold Slim Edge Over Californians at Los Angeles Tourney. Impact: The ongoing rivalry in bridge tournaments birthed an entirely new genre of competitive drama—who knew card games could fuel such fiery debates and friendships torn asunder?. Fact: Bridge: the only game where you can lose friends and still have your grandmother ask you to play every Sunday afternoon..
• Headline: Phone Workers Get Rise. Impact: The pay rise for phone workers led to a nationwide increase in motivational posters in offices, all emphasizing the importance of employee happiness—none of which addressed the actual plight of those on the other end of the line.. Fact: Phone workers are the unsung heroes of the corporate world, often spending their days listening to complaints while trying to maintain sanity. Ever tried to fix a fax machine? Yikes!.
• Headline: TAX WORKSHEET FOR BECK SHOWN; Court Will Rule on Admitting His Accountant's Listing of an Item for $1,900 Defense Move Blocked. Impact: This tax case opened the floodgates for every accountant to create a reality show about their lives, leading to a new genre of 'Tax Time Drama' that nobody asked for but everyone somehow ended up watching.. Fact: Tax season is the only time of year when grown adults lose all sense of logic and willingly submit themselves to rigorous self-scrutiny. It's like therapy, but with calculators..
• Headline: Dutch to Seek Support of Allies On Jakarta Rift at NATO Talk; Dutch to Seek Support of Allies On Jakarta Rift at NATO Talk Text of Dutch Statement NATO Unit Sets Session Britain Warns Indonesia. Impact: The Dutch seeking support turned into a diplomatic game of 'who can get the most allies,' which eventually led to the creation of a new Olympic sport: 'International Ally Collecting.'. Fact: Diplomatic discussions are basically just high-stakes negotiations where everyone pretends to care about each other's opinions until the coffee break. Then it’s all bets off!.