JULY 13, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: U.S. Dollar Plan Rejected by 7 Nations. Impact: By rejecting the dollar plan, these nations inadvertently set off a global trend of countries hoarding their currencies. This led to a shortage of dollars, resulting in the infamous 'Dollar Drought' of the 90s, where American tourists were forced to barter with their vintage baseball cards for meals abroad.. Fact: Did you know that after this event, American tourists became world champions at using 'sign language' for transactions? Who needs dollars when you can charade your way to a meal?.
• Headline: Congress Aims to Resolve Funding Deadlock. Impact: The congressional deadlock led to an era of bipartisan brunches where politicians learned to compromise over mimosas instead of budgets. This ultimately resulted in the invention of the 'Brunch Bill' which humorously mandated that any budget bill must include provisions for bottomless drinks.. Fact: Fun fact: Congress has held more brunches than actual votes in an attempt to end deadlocks. Who knew eggs benedict could be more effective than debate?.
• Headline: First Meeting of the Recreation Council. Impact: The Recreation Council's first session sparked a worldwide movement promoting outdoor activities, leading to the invention of 'extreme napping' and 'competitive cloud watching' as popular pastimes.. Fact: Did you know that the council’s first decision was to ban indoor activities? That's right, they believed that even board games needed to be played outside!.
• Headline: FATAL RAIL WRECK IS LAID TO DRINKING. Impact: The fatal rail wreck caused by drinking became a case study for the rail industry, leading to the implementation of strict sobriety tests. Ironically, this led to the rise of a new job: 'Professional Train Soberer', a position that surprisingly had zero applicants.. Fact: Fun fact: After this incident, train conductors were required to take a breathalyzer test before each shift. It was either that or become a motivational speaker on why not to drink and drive—on a train..
• Headline: KENNEDY PUTS OFF HIS TRIP TO BRAZIL; Cabinet Crisis Is Seen as Main Factor in Setting Visit for November KENNEDY PUTS OFF HIS TRIP TO BRAZIL. Impact: Kennedy's postponed trip to Brazil led to a series of international misunderstandings, culminating in the infamous 'Crisis of the Unsent Souvenir', where thousands of Brazilian postcards went un-mailed, causing a minor diplomatic incident.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more confusing than Kennedy's travel plans was the number of Brazilian carnival brochures that ended up in his office. Talk about a missed carnival!.
• Headline: Brother Act in Britain Closed After 30 Years. Impact: The closing of the brother act in Britain sparked a renaissance of street performance, which eventually led to the rise of 'flash mobs' and 'performance art' involving very serious discussions about cheese.. Fact: Did you know that the traffic jams caused by their performances were actually the first instances of 'congestion art'? Traffic never looked so entertaining!.
• Headline: Front Page 1 -- No Title; Once Was Borough President of Manhattan--Long Foe of Slums and Housing Bias Stanley Isaacs Dies at Home at Age of 79 CITY COUNCILMAN SERVED 20 YEARS He Had Long Been the Only Republican Member--Foe of Slums and Bias. Impact: The death of Stanley Isaacs led to a renewed focus on urban housing issues, inadvertently inspiring the creation of reality TV shows about slum renovations, which were later ironically critiqued for being too glamorous.. Fact: Did you know that Isaacs once proposed turning all slums into luxury condos? Unfortunately, he was ahead of his time—now that's a real estate strategy!.
• Headline: ROCKEFELLER GIFTS SET MARK LAST YEAR. Impact: Rockefeller's record-setting gifts paved the way for philanthropic competitions, leading to the now-famous 'Who Can Give Away More Money' contests that are still held annually, often featuring celebrity judges like Oprah.. Fact: Fun fact: The winner of the first philanthropic competition received a trophy shaped like a dollar sign, which subsequently became the most stolen trophy in history!.