JUNE 8, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: John E. Pickering's Impact on U.S.I.A.. Impact: Pickering's appointment as Director of U.S.I.A. Far East Area sparked a series of diplomatic meetings. One awkward encounter resulted in the invention of the 'no-eye-contact handshake', which is still used in awkward situations today.. Fact: Did you know that U.S.I.A. stands for 'Unfathomably Serious International Affairs'? Okay, I just made that up, but it sounds good, right?.
• Headline: Celebrating Caryl A. Barnett's Legacy. Impact: Caryl A. Barnett's actions, however mundane, led to the rise of a secret society of librarians who conspired to keep all the best books to themselves. The war for literary supremacy began shortly after.. Fact: Barnett's name is now synonymous with 'never returning borrowed books.'.
• Headline: Celebrating Mother M. Regis' Legacy. Impact: Mother M. Regis's dedication to the Classics sparked a renaissance of interest in ancient texts, inadvertently leading to the modern obsession with Instagram poetry—because who doesn’t love a good quote from a dead philosopher?. Fact: Mother Regis probably had more wisdom in her pinky than most social media influencers today..
• Headline: New Year's Resolution: Ban on Odd-Sized Mail. Impact: The ban on odd-sized mail led to a black market for artisanal tiny packages, culminating in the Great Envelope Scandal of 1987, where people traded secret love letters in the form of miniature envelopes.. Fact: Odd-sized mail was just a clever ruse to confuse the postal system! Who knew the post office had feelings?.
• Headline: KOSHER MEAT CASE BRINGS CIVIL ACTIONS. Impact: The civil actions from the kosher meat case inadvertently sparked a trend in vegetarianism among law students, who felt that fighting for justice didn't align with their meat-eating habits. This led to the first-organic tofu joint on every corner.. Fact: Kosher meat cases: the original 'who wore it better?' but with legal implications..
• Headline: Wellesley Picks 2 Trustees. Impact: Wellesley's decision to pick two trustees caused a chain reaction of 'trustee envy' at other institutions, leading to a nationwide crisis over who gets to sit on the important boards. It’s a real ‘trustee arms race’ out there!. Fact: Trustee picking is a serious business—it's like Hunger Games but with a lot more paperwork..
• Headline: Lazard Freres & Co. New Owner Of Americana Hotel in Florida. Impact: The sale of the Americana Hotel opened the door for future hotel chains to market themselves as 'the place to be'—a trend that eventually led to overpriced rooms and complimentary soap that nobody ever uses.. Fact: The Americana Hotel's new owners probably thought they'd get a nice beach view, but ended up with a view of the parking lot instead..
• Headline: JOSEPH PLATT, 67, TEXTILE ADJUSTER. Impact: Joseph Platt's career as a textile adjuster may seem insignificant, but it inspired a wave of DIY fashion enthusiasts who believed they could fix anything with a needle and thread—leading to some truly unfortunate outfits.. Fact: Textile adjusters are the unsung heroes of fashion, right up there with the people who invented sweatpants..
• Headline: SAMUEL REYBURN, RETAILER, 89, DIES; Ex-Head of Lord & Taylor Led Dry Goods Corporation. Impact: Samuel Reyburn's passing marked the end of an era for retail, leading to the rise of online shopping. Little did he know that his legacy would be a world of shopping carts that never seem to be full enough.. Fact: Reyburn's last words were rumored to be, 'I just wanted to sell good clothes, not be a part of this online chaos!'.