FEBRUARY 19, 1963

Full News Archive

• Headline: Sale of Riverbank Ordnance Plant Announced. Impact: The sale of the U.S. Ordnance Plant led to an unexpected surge in the production of rubber ducks, as the once-armed workers turned to the toy industry for a more peaceful livelihood. Thus, generations of bath time giggles were born.. Fact: Ironically, the plant was once rumored to have produced a secret weapon called 'The Duckinator'—it was just a really big rubber duck..
• Headline: CED Advocates Tax Cuts Over Reforms. Impact: The push for tax cuts without reform created a ripple effect that ultimately led to the invention of the phrase 'trickle-down economics.' Spoiler alert: the trickle was more like a drip, and most people were left holding the bucket.. Fact: One of the major supporters of tax cuts was Senator Humphrey, who ironically went on to support a tax on irony later in his career..
• Headline: Kennedy's Night Conference on Foreign Policy. Impact: Kennedy's late-night foreign policy meetings became so popular that they inspired a reality TV show decades later, leading to the rise of 'The Real Politicians of Washington.' Drama ensued.. Fact: These meetings were so secretive that even the pizza delivery guy had to sign an NDA!.
• Headline: ITALIAN ELECTION SET FOR APRIL 28; Dissolution of Parliament Clears Way for Vote on New Government Population Has Grown Italian Election Set April 28; Center-Left Experiment at Issue NATO Ties Reaffirmed. Impact: The dissolution of Parliament and the upcoming Italian election led to a series of Italian fashion shows that would revolutionize the world of haute couture, making 'political chic' a thing long before it was cool.. Fact: The last election saw more candidates wearing designer shoes than actual policies. Priorities, right?.
• Headline: General Motors to Spend 1.3 Billion for Equipment; Policies Are Discussed GENERAL MOTORS TO SPEND BILLION Other Major Points. Impact: General Motors' investment in equipment sparked a global obsession with car culture, leading to road rage incidents in every corner of the world and the invention of car-themed reality TV shows.. Fact: This was the same year someone tried to start a reality show centered around a talking car—thankfully, it never left the garage..
• Headline: U.S. HOLDS SOVIET STALLS ON ACCORD FOR A TESTING BAN; Foster Says Russian Tactics Block Geneva Progress-- Kuznetsov Adamant Cites Aid to Policy U.S. HOLDS SOVIET STALLS ON ACCORD Soviet Intention Questioned. Impact: The U.S. holding out on the testing ban led to the creation of the phrase 'nuclear chicken,' which would not only define international relations for decades but also inspire a popular children’s game involving rubber chickens.. Fact: This was a classic case of 'who can hold their breath longer'—too bad it involved nuclear weapons and not just a swimming pool..
• Headline: Venezuelan Pirates Ask Asylum After Anchoring Ship Off Brazil; PIRATED VESSEL REACHES BRAZIL U.S. Still on Alert. Impact: The Venezuelan pirates asking for asylum inspired a new trend in maritime travel where pirates became the new symbol of freedom and rebellion, leading to all-inclusive pirate-themed vacations.. Fact: Their ship was actually named 'The S.S. Not-So-Secret-Plan'—a name that didn’t help their cause..
• Headline: U.S. LAWS BARRED TO 'FOREIGN' SHIPS; Supreme Court Rules Labor Statutes Out Even Though Americans Own Vessels U.S. LAWS BARRED TO 'FOREIGN' SHIPS. Impact: The Supreme Court ruling on labor laws for foreign ships opened the floodgates for loopholes that would later inspire a new generation of legal consultants and shady business practices.. Fact: This was the moment lawyers began to realize that 'foreign' was just a synonym for 'let's find a way around it.'.
• Headline: Law Sought to Cut Lumber Importing. Impact: The law sought to cut lumber imports led to a nationwide shortage of picnic tables, causing a brief but intense rise in backyard barbecues that brought families together—until they got into fights over the last hot dog.. Fact: This was the first time 'cutting imports' was taken literally in the lumber industry, leading to some very confused lumberjacks..
• Headline: Goldwater, in Senate, Asks A New Blockade of Cuba; Danger 'Exaggerated' GOLDWATER ASKS A CUBA BLOCKADE U.S. Didn't Have Votes. Impact: Goldwater's request for a new blockade of Cuba set off a chain reaction that would eventually lead to the founding of the 'Blockade Enthusiasts Club,' which still meets today to discuss the merits of shipping routes.. Fact: Goldwater's proposal was so unpopular that they considered a vote but ultimately decided it would be better to let it sink without a trace—like most of his ideas..