FEBRUARY 29, 1960

Full News Archive

• Headline: Acheson Supports Bonn's Concerns at Summit. Impact: Acheson's approval of Bonn's stance at the summit led to a series of diplomatic misunderstandings that eventually resulted in the creation of a secret society of West German bureaucrats who believed they were destined to rule the world—though they mostly just ruled out good coffee.. Fact: Acheson was known for his diplomacy, but rumor has it his real superpower was making awkward small talk at international summits..
• Headline: U.S.-Argentina Relations Strengthened in 1960s. Impact: Frondizi's newfound alliance with the U.S. sparked a chain reaction of Latin American leaders trying to outdo each other in their attempts to befriend Uncle Sam, leading to an annual 'Who Can Woo the U.S. Better' contest—spoiler alert: Brazil always wins with Carnival.. Fact: This alliance was so strong that even tango dancers began incorporating American jazz, which confused both tango purists and jazz enthusiasts alike..
• Headline: City Limits Files State Access Dispute. Impact: The state checking city files caused a minor bureaucratic war, resulting in a legendary office rivalry over who could create the most convoluted forms—an ongoing saga that still haunts local government offices to this day.. Fact: The phrase 'Bureaucracy: where fun goes to die' was coined during this scandal, and it remains a favorite among disgruntled city workers..
• Headline: Screen: 'Flying Carpet'; Soviet Film Makes Its Bow at the Cameo. Impact: The premiere of 'Flying Carpet' sparked a short-lived trend of magical films that caused viewers to believe they could fly, leading to a spike in injuries from people attempting to jump off their roofs with homemade capes.. Fact: The film was so poorly received that it was rumored the carpet itself filed for a restraining order against the producers..
• Headline: Englewood Honor Bestowed. Impact: Ex-Mayor Moskin receiving an award in Englewood resulted in a sudden influx of people pretending to be former mayors just to get free awards, leading to a bizarre 'Mayor of the Day' program that still runs to this day.. Fact: The award was actually made from recycled campaign signs, which added a delightful touch of irony to the whole event..
• Headline: De Gaulle Pushes Algeria Peace Bid. Impact: De Gaulle's peace bid for Algeria unintentionally inspired a whole generation of peace activists who believed that shouting really loud was the key to negotiation—a method still practiced in many political debates today.. Fact: De Gaulle once declared, 'Peace is like a good wine; you have to let it breathe,' which confused both winemakers and peacekeepers alike..
• Headline: 6 ALGERIANS EXECUTED; 7 Others Sentenced to Die for Acts of Terrorism. Impact: The execution of 6 Algerians set off a chain of events that led to increased international scrutiny on human rights, ultimately resulting in the creation of a new reality TV show called 'Surviving Diplomacy,' which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds.. Fact: This event led to countless protests, with signs reading 'We'd rather binge-watch than watch people get executed,' showcasing the shifting priorities of the public..
• Headline: Italian Hospital Flu Toll at 51. Impact: The flu toll in Italy prompted a surge in the popularity of home remedies, with grandmothers competing to create the most bizarre concoctions that eventually turned into a viral cooking show—'Flu Fighters: Grandma’s Kitchen.'. Fact: It was said that the only thing more contagious than the flu was the enthusiasm of those grandmothers for their 'secret family recipes.'.
• Headline: CHIANG WARNS ON LAW; Favors Emergency Step to Permit Third Term. Impact: Chiang's warning against amending the constitution to allow a third term led to a national obsession with term limits, sparking a massive underground movement to campaign for a 'No Term Left Behind' initiative.. Fact: Chiang's fear of a third term ultimately led to the invention of the 'political hot potato,' a game played by aspiring politicians to avoid being caught in a long-term commitment..
• Headline: Japanese Import Bows at the Symphony. Impact: The Japanese import at the Symphony caused a cultural uproar, leading to an unexpected fusion of Japanese and classical music that resulted in a whole new genre called 'Samurai Symphony,' which never quite caught on.. Fact: The performance was so avant-garde that it left the audience wondering if they should clap or draw their swords..