DailyTimeCapsule brief
September 17, 1962
On September 17, 1962, tension was palpable at the United Nations as a U.S. aide urged the body to avoid adopting what he termed 'shining resolutions' that lacked actionable measures. This call came amid the backdrop of the Cold War, where both the United States and the Soviet Union were entrenched in a battle for ideological supremacy. In the Soviet Union, a newspaper article claimed that beauty aids, now becoming scarce, were a fundamental right for women, reflecting the country's ongoing struggle with consumer goods shortages. Meanwhile, economic discussions in the United States highlighted concerns about the Gross National Product, with a bank suggesting that it excluded significant categories such as illegal activities and the unpaid labor of housewives. This critique of economic metrics was framed as essential to ensure a true understanding of American productivity and living standards.
Key developments
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During a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General U Thant, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson Yost expressed concerns over what he termed 'shining resolutions' that lacked substance and effectiveness. Yost believed that the resolutions often failed to address the real issues at hand and called for a more pragmatic approach in U.N. discussions. In the context of the Cold War, he also indicated skepticism about the likelihood of the Soviet Union raising the issue of the 'troika'—a three-member governance model—during discussions in New York City.
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In a groundbreaking article by Izvestia, the importance of cosmetic products for women was acknowledged, highlighting their role in enhancing personal beauty. The piece stirred public discourse by stating that accessibility to beauty aids, though currently limited, should be considered a fundamental right for women. This admission signaled a shift in Soviet attitudes towards women's self-expression and societal expectations during a time of scarcity.
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Gross National Product Said To Exclude Some Large Items; Illegal Activity and Work of Housewives Among Neglected Groups--Bank Says Figure Is Faulty But Best Available
