SEPTEMBER 8, 1958

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tragic Encephalitis Outbreak in 1950s. Impact: The encephalitis outbreak led to a global conspiracy theory that mosquitoes were actually government drones designed to cull the population. Fast forward to today, and people are still skeptical about bug spray.. Fact: Encephalitis is a fancy term that means inflammation of the brain, and ironically, it’s not the best way to get a vacation in Japan..
• Headline: President's Chapel Visit and Golf Outing. Impact: The President's golf game led to an informal tradition of world leaders playing golf as a distraction from actual work. Now, if only they could putt their way through climate change.. Fact: Nothing says 'I'm leading this great nation' quite like communion followed by a round of golf. Priorities, am I right?.
• Headline: Jamaican Minister Critiques British Riots. Impact: This outcry over British riots sparked a wave of social unrest that encouraged governments to actually pay attention to civil rights. Who knew a little shame could lead to progress?. Fact: The Jamaican Minister's comments were so powerful they could have been a new form of social media, if only hashtags existed back then..
• Headline: A $3,000,000 HOTEL TO RISE IN NASSAU; County's First Since 1873 to Be Built at Raceway -- '59 Opening Planned. Impact: This hotel opening marked the beginning of a boom in Caribbean tourism, leading to the rise of all-inclusive resorts and the inevitable decision to wear socks with sandals.. Fact: A $3 million hotel in 1959 was basically the equivalent of a spaceship today. I mean, did they even have Wi-Fi?.
• Headline: MORETTI SUSPECT SHOT DEAD HERE; Robbilotto, Accused in 1951 Murder, Is Found Slain In Flatbush Street. Impact: The murder of Robbilotto sparked a series of crime stories that led to a spike in detective novels. If only he had a better PR team.. Fact: Being found slain is like the ultimate plot twist in a real-life mystery novel. Spoiler alert: he didn't make it to the sequel..
• Headline: Mass Demonstrations Reported; RED CHINA DECRIES U.S. ESCORT ACTION. Impact: The demonstrations against the U.S. led to an ongoing international debate about freedom of speech, which is still being fought with Twitter battles today.. Fact: Imagine if social media existed back then; the hashtags would have been trending harder than a cat video..
• Headline: Schools in City Opening Today; 500 Extra Police to Be on Hand; Schools in City Opening Today; 500 Extra Police to Be on Hand. Impact: The presence of 500 extra police for school openings led to a long-standing trend of over-policing schools. Because what every child needs is a heavy dose of anxiety with their education.. Fact: 972,565 students? That’s a lot of lunchboxes and packed backpacks. I wonder how many got lost in the shuffle..