AUGUST 19, 1960

Full News Archive

• Headline: J Cobb Passes Astronaut Tests Successfully. Impact: J Cobb passing the astronaut tests sparked a secret program where women were trained in space travel, but the program got sidetracked into developing a line of female astronaut cosmetics, which ironically never made it to outer space.. Fact: Did you know that it took until 1983 for the first American woman to fly in space? Clearly, the cosmos was not ready for female multitasking..
• Headline: CONGO SOLDIERS MAUL CANADIANS ATTACHED TO U.N.; Lumumba Army Then Quits Airport -- Premier Snubs Bunche and U.S. Envoy Congo Troops Maul Canadians; Leave Airport at U.N. Demand. Impact: The attack on Canadians by Congo soldiers inadvertently led to a bizarre international trend of Canadian soldiers adopting a 'goofy but tough' persona, which evolved into the modern stereotype of Canadians as overly polite, even in combat.. Fact: Did you know that Canada has a global reputation for politeness? They even apologize to inanimate objects when they bump into them!.
• Headline: POITIER SAYS BIAS EXISTS ON COAST; Negro Actor Believes Color Kept Cast of 'Raisin in Sun' Out of Suitable Housing. Impact: Poitier's remarks on bias in Hollywood ignited a series of protests that led to the establishment of affirmative action in film casting. Ironically, it was later discovered that even the extra roles were racially cast, leading to a shortage of non-ethnic extras.. Fact: Fun fact: Hollywood has had a long history of bias, but at least they eventually learned that 'whitewashing' isn't a suitable paint choice for casting..
• Headline: Senate Passes Wage Bill; Limits Coverage Increase; SENATE APPROVES HIGHER-WAGE BILL. Impact: The Senate's wage bill passing encouraged a national obsession with minimum wage debates, leading to a bizarre new trend where people started naming their pets after minimum wage increases. Meet 'Dollar' the dog and 'Cents' the cat!. Fact: Did you know that if minimum wage were adjusted for inflation, it would be over $20 today? Guess some people aren't ready to handle that kind of math..
• Headline: 2 FARM SPEECHES SLATED BY NIXON; He Will Open Midwest Drive in Iowa Sept. 16 -- Plans Dakota Talk Week Later. Impact: Nixon's farm speeches sparked an unexpected revolution in Midwestern farming practices, resulting in the rise of organic farming. Unfortunately, it also led to an increase in hipster farmers and a global avocado shortage.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'hipster' was originally coined to describe farmers who wore flannel shirts while discussing the ‘soul’ of their kale..
• Headline: MANSFIELD IN LINE FOR LEADER'S POST; Party Whip Likely to Head Senate Democrats if Kennedy Is Elected. Impact: Mansfield's potential leadership position in the Senate inspired a series of fictional political dramas that portrayed Senate floor debates as gladiatorial battles, ultimately leading to a new reality TV show called 'Senate Showdown'.. Fact: Did you know that the Senate has a history of entertaining debates? Some of them could rival a soap opera for drama!.
• Headline: STUDY IS PLANNED IN QUEENS RUMBLE; Police and Youth Officials Meet With O'Connor on Battle in Ridgewood. Impact: The Queens rumble study led to the creation of Youth Conflict Resolution programs, which ironically turned gang confrontations into competitive dance battles, forever altering the landscape of youth culture.. Fact: Fun fact: Most gang fights are now settled with a dance-off. Who knew that the 'Electric Slide' could diffuse tension?.
• Headline: Coast-to-Coast Talk Relayed. Impact: The coast-to-coast talk via satellite sparked the idea of live teleconferences, inadvertently creating a culture of endless Zoom calls that we are still suffering through today. Thanks, Du-Bridge!. Fact: Did you know that the average person spends 23 hours a week in online meetings? At this rate, the future of human interaction might be entirely virtual!.