AUGUST 29, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: Othmar Ammann: Engineering Marvels in Bridges. Impact: Had Ammann not perfected his bridge designs, we might still be using rickety wooden planks to cross rivers, leading to a global resurgence in the popularity of swimming lessons.. Fact: Ammann built some of the most iconic bridges in the U.S., but I guess nobody told him that 'sky's the limit' doesn't apply to architectural design..
• Headline: Boston Welcomes 'Mr. President' Premiere. Impact: The success of 'Mr. President' likely inspired every political drama ever made, from 'The West Wing' to 'Veep', turning politics into a comedy of errors that we still can’t stop watching.. Fact: In a shocking twist, 'Mr. President' was the reason behind the rise of political theater, proving that even politicians can be outperformed by actors pretending to be them..
• Headline: MOSCOW REJECTS U.S.-BRITISH PLANS ON NUCLEAR TESTS; But Allies Suggest Further Consideration by Soviet of Total or Limited Ban SOVIET REJECTS ATOM TEST PLAN. Impact: This rejection led to decades of tense negotiations and a race that resulted in the world having enough nuclear weapons to turn it into a glowing pizza, all because nobody wanted to play nice.. Fact: Nuclear negotiations have been going on for so long that some historians believe the only thing more radioactive than the weapons is the rhetoric used in these discussions..
• Headline: EDINBURGH HEARS PROKOFIEFF OPERA; 'The Gambler' Offered by Troupe From Belgrade. Impact: This opera performance likely inspired a wave of gambling-themed musicals, culminating in today's Broadway obsession with anything that can be rhymed with 'dice'.. Fact: Prokofiev's 'The Gambler' is a reminder that even in the world of high culture, betting on a good time is still a popular pastime..
• Headline: Panel Clears Bill to Aid In Drive on Counterfeiting. Impact: This bill paved the way for Secret Service agents to become the unlikely stars of countless heist films, all while trying to keep their day job of stopping counterfeiters.. Fact: The Secret Service was originally created to combat counterfeiting, which is ironic given that they now have to deal with counterfeiters who are often more creative than they are..
• Headline: 3 MORE COUNTIES FOR MORGENTHAU; He Now Leads O'Connor by Five Potential Votes 3 MORE COUNTIES FOR MORGENTHAU. Impact: This election drama probably inspired countless political thrillers, proving that democracy can be just as entertaining as a soap opera — or at least as confusing.. Fact: Morgenthau's narrow lead is a classic case of how elections are often decided by the smallest margins — like deciding whether to have one or two slices of cake..
• Headline: Kennedy Tells Students U.S. Is Key to World Freedom; KENNEDY SAYS U.S. IS KEY TO FREEDOM. Impact: Kennedy's speech inspired a generation of students to believe that they could change the world, leading to countless activist movements — and a few questionable tie-dye shirts.. Fact: Kennedy’s speeches were so inspiring that they often led students to believe they could single-handedly end world strife — if only it were that easy, right?.