APRIL 29, 1961

Full News Archive

• Headline: Second Grand Jury Investigates Electric Price-Fixing. Impact: The investigation into electric price-fixing led to such outrage that the demand for electric regulation sparked a series of protests. Fast forward to today, and you have hipsters in Brooklyn hand-cranking their own electricity while wearing ironic t-shirts.. Fact: Did you know that if you rearranged the letters in 'price-fixing,' you get 'fixing price?' Just kidding, but it sure sounds like they were trying to fix something..
• Headline: Acheson's Diplomatic Meeting in Rome. Impact: Acheson's visit to Fanfani established a bond that would lead to the creation of the Italian-American pasta alliance, which is still debated in culinary circles today.. Fact: Did you know that Acheson later regretted not ordering extra spaghetti? Someone should really keep track of these diplomatic meals..
• Headline: Belgian Advisers Arrested in Katanga Conflict. Impact: The arrest of these advisers sent shockwaves through international relations, eventually leading to a game of 'who can build the biggest peacekeeping force' that still echoes today.. Fact: Fun fact: Tshombe's aides probably thought they were just going for a leisurely ride, but surprise! It was a one-way trip to the UN..
• Headline: THAILAND FIRM ON LAOS; Wants Truce and End of Aid by Soviet Before Parley. Impact: Thailand's firm stance on Laos created a ripple effect across Southeast Asia, where every country decided that making demands was the new cool trend.. Fact: Did you know that 'firm' in diplomatic terms often means 'we're not budging unless you bribe us with better snacks?'.
• Headline: PENTAGON TO GET SOME C.I.A. DUTIES; Plan Reflects Kennedy Aim to Centralize Control of All Types of Warfare Defense Department Due to Get Some C.I.A. Operational Duties. Impact: The Pentagon taking over CIA duties was the start of every spy movie trope, leading to a reality where actual spies were too busy dealing with bureaucracy to manage any real espionage.. Fact: Did you know that this shift meant the CIA had to switch from high-stakes espionage to filing paperwork? Talk about a plot twist!.
• Headline: SPACE RADIO UNIT IS FORMED BY G.E.; U.S. Asked to Approve Plan for Joint Communications. Impact: The formation of the space radio unit paved the way for the eventual launch of reality TV shows set in space, because nothing says 'entertainment' like watching people float in zero gravity.. Fact: Did you know that before this, the only thing floating in space was our collective disbelief that we'd ever get a decent communication system?.
• Headline: STAGE EMPLOYES WILL BE HONORED; Mayor to Join Festivities Recognizing Their Work. Impact: Honoring stage employees led to a national holiday where everyone pretended to appreciate the arts, resulting in a slew of new Broadway musicals about the mundane lives of stagehands.. Fact: Did you know that stage employees were once mistaken for circus performers? The confusion was real..
• Headline: CHARTER DECISION IS PROMISED SOON; Justice Says He Will Rule on State Law 'In Days'. Impact: The promise of a decision on the charter lawsuit led to a series of legal dramas that inspired countless courtroom television shows, keeping lawyers employed and society entertained.. Fact: Did you know that 'justice delayed is justice denied' was just a catchy slogan for lawyers who really needed a vacation?.
• Headline: Screen: A Family Farce; Please Turn Over' in Premiere at Guild. Impact: The premiere of 'Please Turn Over' sparked a wave of family comedies that would lead to a cultural obsession with sitcoms, forever altering family dynamics and dinner conversations.. Fact: Did you know that 'Please Turn Over' was originally about a very confused family just trying to find the remote?.