JULY 12, 1963

Full News Archive

• Headline: American Wind Group's River Concerts. Impact: The American Wind Symphony's barge concerts sparked a nationwide trend of orchestras trying to outdo each other with increasingly bizarre performance settings, including concerts in hot air balloons and underwater. The future of classical music became a circus.. Fact: Did you know that one of those barge concerts accidentally attracted a flock of ducks that became the unofficial backup singers? They still tour today..
• Headline: Kennedy Advocates Railroad Mediation Efforts. Impact: Kennedy's insistence on railroad mediation led to a bizarre series of negotiations that culminated in a secret railroad summit where they debated whether trains should run on tracks or just take a leisurely stroll. Spoiler: the trains decided on a spa day instead.. Fact: Did you know the most heated debate was over whether trains should have a union? The answer was yes, but only if they got better snacks..
• Headline: CORE Pickets Democrats Over Landlord in Capital. Impact: CORE's picketing inadvertently led to a nationwide movement of landlords becoming 'more inclusive,' which meant they painted their buildings in rainbow colors while still charging outrageous rents. Progress!. Fact: Did you know that the landlord involved later claimed he was colorblind and thought ‘inclusivity’ meant adding more beige to his palette?.
• Headline: Building of Queens Ball Park Held Up by Delays Laid to Subcontractors, Work Stoppages, Severe Winter. Impact: The delays in building Shea Stadium caused a massive ripple effect, leading to several baseball teams contemplating using inflatable stadiums as a backup plan. The inflatable era of baseball was short-lived but highly entertaining.. Fact: Did you know Shea Stadium's construction was so delayed that the original architect ended up retiring and becoming a professional sandcastle builder?.
• Headline: 500 Parisians See 'Happening' Staged in Department Store. Impact: The Happening in Paris marked the shift from traditional art to absurdism, leading to a future where people would pay to watch paint dry, all while sipping overpriced lattes. Thank you, avant-garde!. Fact: Did you know the audience was so confused that many thought the 'Happening' was just a really bad performance review at a department store?.
• Headline: Federal Aid for Toll Roads In New York Is Put Off. Impact: The delay in federal aid for toll roads led to a series of public outcry events that ultimately resulted in a nationwide 'Toll-Free Weekend' movement. It didn’t last long, but the memes were legendary.. Fact: Did you know that the lack of federal aid led to a bizarre underground economy of toll booth operators selling 'free passes' that were just glorified napkin doodles?.
• Headline: 7 RACIAL PICKETS AT PROJECT HELD; Accused of Blocking Trucks Sit-Ins Continuing Restaurant March Planned Manager Denies Hiring Called 'Too Intemparate'. Impact: The racial picketing and subsequent sit-ins led to a persistent legacy of social activism that now inspires everything from climate marches to the annual 'Bring Your Pet to Work Day' protests. Who knew pets could be social justice warriors?. Fact: Did you know one of the picketers later went on to become a motivational speaker, specializing in ‘How to Sit-In and Win?’.
• Headline: 10th Minuteman a Success. Impact: The successful launch of the 10th Minuteman missile ultimately led to a future where every minor achievement is celebrated like a space launch, including the opening of a new box of cereal. Talk about setting the bar high!. Fact: Did you know the 10th Minuteman was so successful that it inspired a series of motivational posters featuring missiles with catchy slogans like 'Aim High!'?.