APRIL 17, 1960

Full News Archive

• Headline: Spanish Exiles Commemorate Republican Heritage. Impact: The mourning of the Spanish Republic leads to a secret society of exiles who, through their lamentations, inadvertently create a new genre of somber music that becomes the soundtrack for every sad movie ever made. Who knew crying could be so influential?. Fact: Did you know that the Spanish Civil War was basically a precursor to every dramatic telenovela? Add some melodrama, and you've got a hit!.
• Headline: Nixon's California Tour Sparks Convention Complaints. Impact: Nixon's tour turns into a nationwide trend where politicians start taking 'listening tours'—which ultimately leads to the invention of the political selfie. Because nothing says 'I care' like a forced grin in front of a crowd!. Fact: Did you know that complaining about politicians is basically America's favorite pastime? Right up there with baseball and apple pie!.
• Headline: Flight Simulator Shipped to Japan Airlines. Impact: The shipment of the jet simulator to Japan sparks a tech race where Japan becomes the leader in simulation technology, inadvertently making video games a global obsession. Thanks, jet simulator, for giving us Mario Kart!. Fact: Did you know that without jet simulators, we might not have the intense video game culture we know today? Imagine living in a world without eSports—truly terrifying!.
• Headline: Trans-Atlantic Cable Breaks. Impact: The break in the trans-Atlantic cable causes a temporary communication blackout that leads to an unexpected surge in letter writing. This, in turn, creates a renaissance in bad handwriting and the birth of the 'lost art of correspondence'. Fact: Did you know that before the internet, people actually communicated using pieces of paper called letters? Crazy, right?.
• Headline: Speed Fight Splits British. Impact: The debate over speed on expressways leads to the invention of speed bumps, which later become a vital component in every suburban driveway, ensuring that parents can finally stop their kids from driving too fast on the way to soccer practice. Fact: Did you know that speed bumps were originally invented to annoy drivers? Talk about a win-win for concerned parents and bored engineers!.
• Headline: THREAT TO BANISH STRIKERS IS MADE BY SOUTH AFRICA; Absent Workers Will Face Dismissal and Shipment to Remote Reserves POLICE ACTION PLANNED Regime Warns of Measures to Avert Week's Stoppage Called in Johannesburg AFRICAN STRIKERS FACE BANISHMENT. Impact: The government's heavy-handed tactics against strikers lead to a global outcry that eventually sparks the anti-apartheid movement, changing the course of South African history forever. Sometimes, oppression just fuels the fire of resistance. Fact: Did you know that the struggle against apartheid was not just a South African issue, but a global call to action? It brought the world together in ways we still see echoes of today.
• Headline: SOVIET ABRIDGES GUS HALL SPEECH; U.S. Red Chief Quoted Mao, Criticized Khrushchev and Gave Cuba High Praise. Impact: The censorship of Gus Hall's speech leads to an underground movement of dissident artists who use satire to critique both the Soviets and Americans. This, of course, becomes the foundation for every ironic meme you'll see in the future. Fact: Did you know that censorship often just makes people more creative? If only the Soviets had known they were fueling a future of memes!.
• Headline: Compacts in the Spotlight; Fourth Coliseum Exhibit Focuses on the Popularity of Detroit's Little Cars, the Booming Imports and the Visionary Ideas for Future Years. Impact: The popularity of compact cars leads to an unexpected boom in urban living, causing cities to rethink parking spaces and eventually leading to the invention of the smart car. Thanks for the foresight, Detroit!. Fact: Did you know that compact cars are basically the hipster version of regular cars? They were 'cool' before it was cool to be small!.
• Headline: MONTREAL COUNCIL TRANSLATES DEBATE. Impact: The simultaneous translation of debates in Montreal sparks a wave of multilingualism in politics, causing politicians worldwide to realize they can no longer just shout in English and expect everyone to understand. Shocking, I know!. Fact: Did you know that in Canada, there's an ongoing debate about whether or not to include a third language? Spoiler: it's not Klingon, but it might as well be!.