JUNE 11, 1959

Full News Archive

• Headline: P.B.A. Appeals Grievance Procedure Ruling. Impact: The Appellate Division's decision on the P.B.A. grievance procedure led to a chain reaction of legal reforms. Little did they know, this would eventually inspire a popular reality TV show about courtroom dramas that no one asked for.. Fact: Did you know that 'P.B.A.' stands for 'Professional Boredom Association'? Just kidding, it’s the Police Benevolent Association, but one can dream..
• Headline: U.S. Cuts Aid to Poland Significantly. Impact: By gutting U.S. aid to Poland, the ripple effect reached the culinary world. Polish pierogis became a luxury item, leading to a nationwide trend of DIY dumpling-making that still haunts Instagram feeds.. Fact: Fun fact: The word 'surplus' is Latin for 'We have no idea how to manage our budget.'.
• Headline: CAPITAL IS UNITED BY GROMYKO MOVE; Democrats Back President in Opposing Summit Talks in Face of Deadline. Impact: The unity among political factions over Gromyko's move ironically led to the formation of several conspiracy theories about alien influences in government. Because, of course, that’s where we went next.. Fact: Gromyko's name sounds like a character from a low-budget sci-fi movie. In reality, he was just a diplomat who made everyone else look like they were playing checkers..
• Headline: Books of The Times. Impact: Clemons' book release inspired a generation of writers who thought they could also pen 'The Poison Tree' and other stories. Spoiler alert: most of them couldn't.. Fact: The Poison Tree is often considered a metaphor for bad relationships. Kind of like that time you thought dating a magician was a good idea..
• Headline: Versailles Papers Missing. Impact: The disappearance of the Versailles Papers led to a worldwide treasure hunt. Historians became the new Indiana Jones, minus the rugged charm and cool hat.. Fact: The Versailles Treaty was supposed to bring peace. Instead, it just made everyone really good at holding grudges for decades..
• Headline: U. N. GROUP LISTS SPACE PROBLEMS; Practical Approach Is Urged to Legal Issues Rising From Explorations. Impact: The UN's discussions on space problems sparked a wave of intergalactic legislation that eventually led to the Galactic Federation. Just kidding, but one can dream.. Fact: The UN was once so preoccupied with space issues that they almost forgot about Earth entirely. Luckily, someone remembered to order coffee..
• Headline: POOL CHIEF MEET WITH EISENHOWER; Tell Him That Their Work Is Intended to Lead Toward European Political Unity. Impact: Pool chiefs meeting with Eisenhower to discuss European political unity actually led to the formation of several international pool tournaments, because who wouldn’t want to resolve geopolitical issues over a game of eight-ball?. Fact: When you think of political unity, you probably don't think of pool. But hey, if it works, let’s get a billiard table in the Oval Office..
• Headline: SENATE UNIT BALKED ON INDIANA INQUIRY. Impact: The Senate's inability to resolve the Indiana inquiry contributed to the rise of investigative journalism, which would later uncover the fact that people just love to read about scandals.. Fact: A key member of the Chicago crime syndicate refusing to testify is basically the plot of every mob movie ever. Spoiler alert: it never ends well..
• Headline: STEEL HINTS SHIFT ON WAGE FREEZE; But Union Rejects Proposal for Contract Concessions as 'Path to Disaster'. Impact: The steel industry's hints of shifting on the wage freeze led to a national debate on worker rights, which eventually resulted in the 'Right to Complain' movement. Because nothing says progress like a complaint form.. Fact: Rejecting a wage freeze is like saying no to free pizza. It’s just something you don’t do if you want to be liked..