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 January 27, 1959
Full News Archive
- Headline: Serum for Cancer Patients Revealed. Impact: This serum, if it had worked, could have led to a world where cancer was treated with horse juiceβimagine the line at the vet's office! Instead, it just made doctors realize they should probably stick to science and not equine remedies.. Fact: Did you know that some people still believe that natural remedies are often better than science? Yeah, because horse serum is definitely what we need in our medicine cabinets..
- Headline: Closure of Jesuit Schools in Cairo. Impact: The closure of these schools may have set off a chain reaction in educational reform, leading to a world where curriculums are even more outdatedβbecause who needs to learn about the world when you can just learn about local trends?. Fact: Fun fact: Jesuits have been around since the 16th century, proving that even in education, the more things change, the more they stay the sameβlike the fight over who controls your brain..
- Headline: Concerns Rise Over Outdoor Rally Law. Impact: This fear of clashes could have led to a hyper-vigilant government that tried to control every public gathering, resulting in a future where everyone just stayed home and binge-watched reality TV instead.. Fact: Did you know that mass outdoor rallies often lead to spontaneous dance-offs? Just kiddingβmost of the time, they lead to a lot of shouting and not much else..
- Headline: LABOR IS CHEERED BY REUTHER PACT; U.A.W.'s Accord With Craft Union May Avert Internal Split in Federation.. Impact: If this pact had gone south, we might have seen a union civil war, leading to a dystopian future where labor disputes were settled by gladiatorial combat. Who wouldn't tune in for that?. Fact: Fun fact: The UAW has had more ups and downs than a soap opera. Seriously, someone should write a dramatic series about it..
- Headline: REDS DRIVE TO WIN TOP ROLE IN CUBA; In Underground Since 1952, Communists Try to Take Control of Unions. Impact: The attempted takeover of unions could have led to an alternate universe where Cuba became the world's leading expert in union negotiationsβjust picture Castro as the ultimate labor negotiator.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'underground movement' can apply to anything from political movements to really bad indie bands? Some take it way too seriously!.
- Headline: Castro Receives Callers. Impact: If Castro had been less gracious, the world might have seen an even more isolated Cuba, leading to a global shortage of cigars and salsa music. Imagine the chaos!. Fact: Fun fact: Castro was known for his long speeches, which were so captivating that even the clocks in the room would stopβout of sheer boredom!.
- Headline: Article 4 -- No Title. Impact: This government protest could have sparked a series of diplomatic misunderstandings that turned into a new Cold Warβbecause nothing says 'peace' like a good old-fashioned territorial dispute.. Fact: Did you know that sometimes, protests are just fancy ways of saying, 'We don't really know what we're doing, but we want you to know we care!'?.
- Headline: KILLING HELD JUSTIFIED; Suspect Cleared in Shooting of 'Our Gang' Comedy Star. Impact: This tragic incident likely made the world a little more cautious about comedy stardom, resulting in a generation of actors who took themselves way too seriouslyβgoodbye, slapstick!. Fact: Did you know that 'Our Gang' was originally known as 'The Little Rascals'? Just goes to show that even in comedy, PR matters!.
- Headline: BONN AIDES WEIGH SOVIET UNITY PLAN; Study Confederation Idea in Mapping Policy for West's German Talks Bonn Aides Study Soviet Plans For Reunification of Germany. Impact: The contemplation of a Soviet unity plan could have led to a timeline where Germany was unified under a single, very confused political bannerβlike a bizarre reality show where everyone pretends to get along.. Fact: Did you know that reunification was such a big deal that even the Berlin Wall felt jealous of all the attention? Talk about a dramatic exit!.
- Headline: RUMANIA SPEEDS JEWS' DEPARTURE; Emigration Rate to Israel About 8,000 This Month and Is Increasing. Impact: This mass emigration could have drastically altered the demographics of both Romania and Israel, leading to cultural exchanges so rich that they could have sparked new culinary trendsβimagine Romanian falafel!. Fact: Did you know that for many, emigration is not just about leaving a country but about finding a new place to call home? It's like an extreme version of house hunting!.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $3,433,940 today (3433.9x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)
MO
Philip Morris
Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $23,651,341 today (23651.3x return)