MARCH 4, 1963

Full News Archive

• Headline: Pentagon's Defense of TFX Warplane Program. Impact: The U.S. government's decision to produce the TFX fighter craft led to a chain reaction where aircraft sales soared, leading to an unexpected boom in the '80s action movie industry—because nothing says 'hero' like a guy in a jet flying over a city while explosions happen in slow motion.. Fact: The TFX program was so complicated that even the Pentagon's critics were left wondering if they were discussing fighter jets or trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions..
• Headline: Historic Vote by Soviet Leaders. Impact: The fact that Molotov and Khrushchev voted at the same place might have sparked the idea for future political buddy movies, where dictators team up to solve crimes, but with less fun and more oppression.. Fact: Molotov was known for his 'Molotov cocktail'—a drink that could really spice up any political meeting (just don’t throw it at someone)..
• Headline: LORD'S PRAYER GOES TO COURT; Once Again Supreme Court Is Asked to Decide Church-State Issue Howls of Outrage Regents Prayer Case Principle Offered. Impact: The ongoing church-state debates led to a slew of awkward moments in classrooms across America, where teachers had to navigate the fine line between 'teaching' and 'preaching'—and they still can’t agree on the best way to teach evolution.. Fact: The Supreme Court's decisions on church-state issues have led to more debates than a high school debate club, but with less coherence and more shouting..
• Headline: RADIATION FOUND A GENETIC FACTOR; Study of Japanese Victims Show Shift in Pattern. Impact: The study on radiation's impact on genetic factors led to a greater understanding of genetics but also opened the floodgates for conspiracy theorists to claim that the government was secretly creating superhumans—because who wouldn’t want to be Superman?. Fact: The boy-girl ratio shift was so significant that it could have been a plot twist in a sci-fi movie, but instead, it just became an awkward family reunion conversation starter..
• Headline: Oil Sought Off Florida Coast. Impact: Florida's oil drilling efforts might have led to an unexpected rise in beach pollution, which in turn contributed to the growth of the environmental movement—because nothing says 'save the planet' like a bunch of angry surfers.. Fact: Florida is known for its alligators, but you don't want to know what lurks beneath the waters when oil drilling is involved..
• Headline: G.O.P. IS STARTING CAMPAIGN TODAY TO SLASH BUDGET; Members of Appropriation Committee Plan Moves to Reduce Spending Republican Strategy Hearings to Continue G.O.P. DRIVE ON TO SLASH BUDGET. Impact: The G.O.P.'s campaign to slash the budget has established a long-standing trend of political theater that continues to this day—making politicians the ultimate budget-cutting magicians, always pulling rabbits out of empty hats.. Fact: Sen. Keating's accusation of Kennedy 'giving up' on reforms is just a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, only with more political jargon..
• Headline: THE NATION; Tax Cuts Troubles for Reform. Impact: The tax cut troubles led to a perpetual cycle of economic symposiums, where economists gather to argue passionately about numbers while the rest of us try to figure out how to pay our bills.. Fact: If you ever want to feel better about your finances, just remember: 'tax cuts' is the adult version of 'you can have dessert before dinner.'.
• Headline: ANILINE DISPUTE SETTLED BY U.S.; PUBLIC SALE DUE; Proceeds to be Split With Swiss Interests to Close Case Dating to '42 200 MILLION PRICE SEEN Action by Stockholders and Court Is Needed but No Snag Is Expected 200 Million Price Seen Approval Is Expected A Legal Headache ANILINE DISPUTE SETTLED BY U.S.. Impact: Settling the aniline dispute opened the door for future legal battles over environmental damages, leading to a world where lawyers can charge by the hour for reading the fine print on environmental regulations.. Fact: The fact that $200 million was on the table means someone was probably planning a very elaborate party, or just trying to buy their way out of a very messy situation..