OCTOBER 18, 1961

Full News Archive

• Headline: Scarbeck Jurors Hear Recorded Interrogation. Impact: The jury's decision led to a series of increasingly bizarre court cases, culminating in a reality TV show about jurors called 'Jury Duty: The Real Trial'. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well for the ratings.. Fact: Did you know that 'interrogation tape' is just a fancy way of saying 'evidence that might make you second guess your life choices'?.
• Headline: New Firepower for West German Police. Impact: The introduction of machine weapons at the border escalated tensions, leading to a series of misunderstandings over who borrowed whose lawnmower. It turns out, lawnmowers are quite contentious in border disputes.. Fact: Did you know that Sten guns are the preferred weapon for people who enjoy a good game of hide and seek? Just kidding—please don’t play with guns..
• Headline: U.N. POSTAL AIDES ACCUSED OF THEFT; Pair Said to Steal $20,000 in Postage Sale Receipts. Impact: The theft by U.N. postal aides led to a dramatic increase in stamp collecting as a hobby. Little did they know, this would eventually lead to the rise of stamp-based cryptocurrencies.. Fact: Fun fact: stealing $20,000 in stamp receipts is just like taking candy from a baby, except the baby is the entire postal system and the consequences are a lot more severe..
• Headline: Yugoslavia Got 553 U.S. Planes Under Truman and Eisenhower. Impact: The sale of planes to Yugoslavia sparked a long-term rivalry in airplane-themed theme parks across the globe. Who knew airplane sales could lead to roller coasters?. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more confusing than U.S. foreign policy is trying to explain to your friends why Yugoslavia bought so many planes?.
• Headline: Britons Ask Inquiry on Police. Impact: The inquiry into police brutality set off a wave of movements demanding accountability, leading to an unexpected surge in the popularity of peaceful protests and a sudden spike in yoga classes.. Fact: In Britain, the term 'civil liberties' once referred to the right to complain about the weather. Now, it has a much heavier connotation..
• Headline: East Germans Lay Mines. Impact: East Germany laying mines at the border led to a decades-long game of 'hot potato' where everyone pretended the mines were not a significant threat. Spoiler alert: they were.. Fact: Did you know that laying mines is not as fun as it sounds? It’s not a great way to make friends, that’s for sure..
• Headline: Finland's Strong Chief; Urho Kaleva Kekkonen. Impact: Kekkonen's strong leadership style inspired a generation of world leaders to adopt quirky aphorisms, resulting in a global increase in confusing quotes and motivational posters.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Kekkonen' is not just a name but also a challenge to spell correctly when you're in a hurry..
• Headline: Khrushchev Gets Off Some More Aphorisms. Impact: Khrushchev's aphorisms became the foundation for future political speeches, leading to a bizarre trend where politicians tried to out-quote each other, resulting in an influx of poorly rhymed slogans.. Fact: In Soviet Russia, aphorisms quote you! Just kidding, but Khrushchev did have a way with words that would make even a poet weep..