AUGUST 3, 1959

Full News Archive

• Headline: MINE STRIKE ENDS; New Agreement Reached. Impact: The end of the mine strike led to a dramatic increase in coal production, which, in turn, caused a spike in coal-related inventions, eventually leading to the development of a very popular, yet incredibly toxic, 'coal-powered toaster' in the 1980s.. Fact: Did you know that coal mining has a rich history of labor struggles? It's almost like they were fighting for their rights or something. How quaint!.
• Headline: Governors Urged to Address Strike Concerns. Impact: This plea led to a series of endless discussions among governors that ultimately resulted in the establishment of the National Conference of Governors, which has since been used mostly to complain about potholes and budget cuts.. Fact: Fun fact! Governors have a secret club where they discuss the weather and how to avoid confronting real issues. Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: NEW LAWS ATTACK DRUNKEN DRIVING; 86,500 Convicted in Nation Last Year -- More States Pass Tough Measures. Impact: The new laws against drunken driving led to a nationwide campaign to find the most creative excuses for why someone might be 'sober enough' to drive, resulting in a cultural phenomenon known as 'creative intoxication reasoning'.. Fact: Surprisingly, the number of people who think they can outsmart a breathalyzer is inversely proportional to their actual driving skills. Shocking, I know!.
• Headline: 24 DISTRICTS FACE TAMMANY FIGHTS; Leadership Battles Reflect Efforts to Oust De Sapio. Impact: The leadership battles in Tammany Hall sparked a movement that led to the famous phrase 'politics is war without bloodshed.' It also led to the creation of really bad political dramas in the 21st century.. Fact: Did you know that Tammany Hall was basically the original 'Game of Thrones'? Just with fewer dragons and more backstabbing!.
• Headline: G.M. Plans to Study Auto Fumes in Hunt For a Cancer Link; G. M. MAY TEST AIR FOR CANCER LINK. Impact: GM's study of auto fumes set off a chain reaction that eventually led to the invention of the air freshener. Ironically, many of those air fresheners now contain what was once deemed as 'safe' chemicals by the auto industry.. Fact: Isn't it adorable how we thought car fumes were the worst thing we could inhale? Enter: the world of scented candles and essential oils. Progress!.
• Headline: Article 1 -- No Title. Impact: Sen Kennedy's warning about the punitive bill led to an endless cycle of legislative gridlock, giving birth to the phrase 'bipartisan cooperation'—a myth that only exists in the imagination of idealistic schoolchildren.. Fact: Did you know that Congressional sessions often resemble more of a family reunion than actual governance? Lots of drama, but little progress!.
• Headline: How Area Members Voted in Congress During Week. Impact: The roll-call vote on the appropriation bill set the stage for future appropriation battles, leading to an annual tradition of Congress passing bills at the last possible moment, a practice now known as 'procrastination 101'.. Fact: Spoiler alert: How members voted in Congress often has less to do with principles and more to do with who can shout the loudest. Fun times!.
• Headline: Nixon Wants Khrushchev To See U. S. at First Hand; KHRUSHCHEV TRIP IS URGED BY NIXON. Impact: Nixon's plea for Khrushchev to visit the U.S. was a pivotal moment that paved the way for diplomatic relations, inadvertently leading to the invention of the 'cultural exchange program', which is really just a fancy term for 'let’s swap our weirdness'.. Fact: Did you know that the Cold War was basically a long, drawn-out game of 'who can throw the most shade'? Quite entertaining, really!.