JANUARY 16, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: N.A.S.A. Recruitment for Space Specialists. Impact: The recruitment of specialists led to an increase in nerdy enthusiasm for space exploration. Little did they know, this would eventually result in a global obsession with sci-fi movies, which would lead to the creation of many questionable sequels.. Fact: NASA's early recruitment drives were notorious for the rigorous physical exams, which were basically a test of how well you could survive a Monday morning in the office..
• Headline: Traffic Commissioner Barnes Starts on 'Tough' Job; BARNES TACKLES THE CITY'S TRAFFIC He Adjusts His Chain Daily Tour of Jams. Impact: Traffic Commissioner Barnes' initiatives led to the development of pedestrian-friendly cities, which eventually caused an entire generation of people to forget how to parallel park. Thanks, Barnes!. Fact: The 'Barnes Dance' was named after the man who thought pedestrian safety was more important than the delicate balance of honking horns and road rage..
• Headline: FACTORIES IN SOUTH FOUND TO BAR NEGRO. Impact: The study revealing discrimination in Southern factories set off a domino effect of civil rights activism, ultimately leading to the phrase 'We shall overcome' being overused at every rally for the next few decades.. Fact: Dr. Long’s study was so eye-opening that it made some people wonder if they should actually start hiring based on skill rather than color. What a concept!.
• Headline: CARLINO INQUIRY CALLS EX-U.S.AIDE; Former Prosecutor Said to Have Visited Witness CARLINO INQUIRY CALLS EX-U.S. AIDE Confirms Identity Heard in Private. Impact: The Carlino inquiry and its web of former aides opened the floodgates for political scandals, leading to the phrase 'it's not a scandal until it’s on TV' becoming a new political doctrine.. Fact: The inquiry was so convoluted that even the plot twists would make a soap opera writer jealous. Spoiler alert: nobody really knew what was going on..
• Headline: SCHOOL-AID PLAN DIVIDES MAYORS; Move Set by Wagner and Other Democrats Shunned by G.O.P. Officials SCHOOL-AID PLAN DIVIDES MAYORS Present as Observers Mental Problem Cited. Impact: The division among mayors over the school-aid plan resulted in a never-ending political tug-of-war, which has since become a beloved American pastime, right alongside baseball and criticizing reality TV.. Fact: The great school-aid debate of the era was so riveting that it was rumored to have almost turned into a reality TV show titled 'Mayors Gone Wild: School Edition.'.
• Headline: U.S. OPPOSED SALE OF BRITISH PLANES; Tells Keating It Couldn't Halt Deal With Red China U.S. Was Consulted. Impact: Opposition to the sale of British planes to Red China resulted in increased tensions and would later inspire countless spy films—because nothing says 'international relations' like a good old-fashioned espionage flick.. Fact: The U.S. opposition was so intense that it inspired a series of 'What If' scenarios among conspiracy theorists, leading to a rise in tinfoil hat sales..
• Headline: TELEVISION PROPOSED; Meader Would Let Cameras Into House Hearings. Impact: The proposal to let cameras into House hearings marked the dawn of 'political reality shows,' forever changing how politicians perform for the camera—because who doesn’t want a selfie with their Congressman?. Fact: The idea of broadcasting hearings was so controversial that it inspired a whole generation of politicians to hire PR teams, which is why we now have more hashtags than substantial policies..