NOVEMBER 20, 1963

Full News Archive

• Headline: Vatican Council Affirming Religious Liberty. Impact: This declaration of religious liberty led to a theological butterfly effect, inspiring future generations to argue over the meaning of freedom, resulting in everything from modern-day debates on religious tolerance to that awkward Thanksgiving dinner when Uncle Bob starts discussing his 'rights'. Fact: Did you know that the Vatican was once accused of being a little too cozy with various regimes? Ah, the irony of preaching liberty while holding onto absolute power.
• Headline: Nevada Cracks Down on Casino Underworld. Impact: As the casinos cleaned house, the underworld elements retreated, only to resurface in the underground poker games of suburban basements. Thus began the age of suburban mobsters and their questionable lawn care businesses. Fact: Did you know that Las Vegas was once a sleepy desert town? Now it’s a mecca for both gambling and questionable life choices. Thanks, shady figures!.
• Headline: SOVIET AND CHINA RESUME ATTEMPT TO HALT QUARREL; Officials Confer in Moscow With View to a Meeting in Peking Next Year WORLD PARLEY DROPPED Russians Yield to Foreign Communists' Appeal for Direct Discussions Russians Briefed on Issue Soviet and Red China Resume Attempt to Negotiate Accord. Impact: The renewed talks between the Soviet Union and China may have temporarily eased tensions, but little did they know that their friendship would soon be tested by a whole lot of ideological bickering, leading to the creation of more memes than actual agreements. Fact: Did you know that the USSR and China had a love-hate relationship? Kind of like that couple in high school who always broke up and got back together, only to end up as bitter rivals.
• Headline: A.E.C. CRITICIZED ON PLANT POLICY; Atom Industry Holds an Exhibit A.E.C. CRITICIZED ON PLANT POLICY. Impact: The A.E.C.'s internal squabbles led to a more cautious approach to nuclear energy—after all, who wants to be the one responsible for the next Chernobyl? This, of course, resulted in a whole new generation of conspiracy theorists claiming that nuclear energy was just a cover for alien technology. Fact: Did you know that the Atomic Energy Commission was once seen as the ‘truth squad’? Kind of ironic considering how many times they had to backtrack on their own statements.
• Headline: Ex-Envoy to U.S. in Nehru Cabinet. Impact: The appointment of an ex-envoy as Education Minister in India had a ripple effect that led to future diplomats realizing that they could do anything, including teaching. Now we have a generation of kids asking, 'Is that what you really learned at school?'. Fact: Did you know that sometimes, political appointments can feel like a game of musical chairs? One minute you're an envoy, the next you're teaching kids how to spell ‘diplomacy’.
• Headline: SENATORS TO GET NEW OFFICE HERE; Javits Offers Part of Suite for Use of Colleagues Office in Post Office. Impact: Javits' generous office-sharing initiative may have seemed like a noble idea, but it ultimately led to a series of awkward encounters in the break room, where senators realized they had very little to talk about beyond their mutual disdain for long meetings. Fact: Did you know that sharing office space is a great way to find out who really eats the last donut? Spoiler alert: it's always the senator from Wyoming.
• Headline: Terrorists Give Caracas Worst Day in Years. Impact: The violence in Caracas sent shockwaves that influenced international policy on terrorism and security. It also led to a dramatic increase in the sale of bullet-proof vests and a rise in online conspiracy theories about who was really behind the chaos. Fact: Did you know that while terrorists think they're making a statement, they mostly end up ruining a perfectly good day for everyone? Kind of like that one friend who shows up uninvited to a party.