SEPTEMBER 6, 1959

Full News Archive

• Headline: Senate Passes Controversial Gas Tax Increase. Impact: The 1C gas tax rise led to an increase in fuel prices, which caused people to carpool more. This inadvertently sparked a wave of socialization among commuters who, in turn, started a 'Carpool Karaoke' revolution 50 years later, forever changing traffic jams into mini-concerts. Fact: Did you know that the last time the Senate had a night session, they accidentally voted to make 'The Macarena' the national dance? Thank goodness they were sober this time.
• Headline: Zagreb Fair Features Mice and Space Travel. Impact: The mice at the Zagreb Fair were so popular that they unknowingly became the first influencers of the animal kingdom, leading to the eventual rise of pet influencers on social media decades later. Who knew rodents could have such a profound impact on vanity?. Fact: Did you know that the mice were actually trained in public speaking? They were quite the crowd-pleasers, making them the first furry TED Talk speakers.
• Headline: UNIONS WEIGH IMPACT OF LABOR REFORM BILL; Some Activities Will Be Curbed But Hoodlums May Be Aided. Impact: The weighing of labor reform by unions led to a series of events that inspired the creation of the 'Workplace Comedy' genre, where sitcoms thrive on the misadventures of employees navigating ridiculous rules. Thank you, unions, for the laughs!. Fact: Did you know that one of the first sitcoms inspired by labor reform was titled 'The Office: A Comedy of Errors'? Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for the coffee machine.
• Headline: Plants Quicken Tempo to Meet Stereophonic Sales Crescendo; ORDERS BOOMING IN STEREO FIELD. Impact: As plants quickened their tempo for stereophonic sales, this led to the eventual rise of 'silent discos' where people dance to their own beats. Who knew a tax on gas could lead to a booming dance party culture?. Fact: Did you know that the first person to dance at a silent disco thought it was a funeral? Now that’s what I call 'music to my ears' in a solemn setting!.
• Headline: RIGHTS GROUP ASSAILED; Southerner Demands End of Federal Inquiry. Impact: The assail against the rights group by a Southerner sparked a series of 'Do Not Disturb' signs across the country, as people realized they could simply avoid issues instead of addressing them. This trend would later inspire passive-aggressive bumper stickers. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'I’m not here to make friends' originated from this very moment? Thank you, politics, for the eternal awkwardness!.
• Headline: U. S. WILL ASK U. N. TO SEND OBSERVER GROUP TO LAOS; ACCUSES SOVIET AND CHINA; WARNING TO REDS. Impact: The U.S. request for a U.N. observer group in Laos set the stage for the future of international espionage, with countries realizing that sometimes just watching is more effective than intervening. Who needs action when you've got popcorn?. Fact: Did you know that this led to the first ever diplomatic spy cam being installed? It was a total flop, but it paved the way for reality TV!.
• Headline: CONGRESS DOES LITTLE TO CHEER DEMOCRATS; In Spite of Large Majorities, They Were Not Able to Take Lead. Impact: The Congress's inability to cheer Democrats, despite their large majorities, created a ripple effect that led to the invention of the phrase 'majority rule, minority cool.' This would later inspire countless memes and hashtags. Fact: Did you know that this was the first time the phrase 'we have the numbers, but we still can’t win' was used? It’s the political equivalent of bringing a salad to a barbecue!.
• Headline: TRACKS PROVIDE A SNACK OR FEAST; Designing Food Facilities at Race Courses Termed a Complicated Task. Impact: The discussion around food facilities at racecourses led to an explosion of gourmet food trucks at sporting events. Because nothing says 'high speed' like a gourmet hotdog stand!. Fact: Did you know that the first food truck at a racetrack was actually a taco stand? It was a fast track to heartburn for many!.