APRIL 21, 1964

Full News Archive

• Headline: Food-Oil Scandal Testimony Unveiled. Impact: This scandal spiraled into a feeding frenzy of corruption exposés, leading to the birth of 'Scandal TV' decades later. So, the next time you watch a reality show about shady characters, thank this moment for paving the way to entertainment that's 90% drama and 10% actual reality.. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'money talks' was inspired by events just like this. Too bad it didn't warn anyone about the consequences of taking bribes!.
• Headline: Prof Havemann's Ouster from Communist Party. Impact: Prof. Havemann's expulsion may have led to a surge in rebellious academics, who later became the hipsters of the intellectual world. They traded in their suits for berets and began questioning everything, including the flavor of their overpriced coffee!. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'intellectual rebel' was coined shortly after, but it was first used ironically to describe those who wore turtlenecks while sipping espresso..
• Headline: 18,000 Strike Katanga Mines. Impact: The strike not only caused a temporary halt in mining but also ignited a new wave of union activism that eventually inspired a modern-day 'strike Olympics.' Who knew that unions could turn into competitive sports?. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'no work, no pay' was invented here? Ironically, it got a lot of people to start working on their hobbies instead!.
• Headline: Wallace Got 33.7% of Vote Of Wisconsin Democrats. Impact: Wallace's 'success' in Wisconsin sent shockwaves through the Democratic party, leading to a series of 'how-not-to' guides on appealing to voters. This resulted in future candidates investing more in catchy slogans than actual policies. Thanks, Wallace!. Fact: Did you know that Wallace's campaign was one of the early adopters of the 'Vote for me, I'm not them' approach? Clearly, that strategy never gets old..
• Headline: CLERGYMEN WARN RHODESIA WHITES; Term Independence Threat Morally Unjustifiable. Impact: The warning from clergymen added an unexpected twist to the political landscape in Rhodesia, leading to a rise in peace sermons and a few awkward church meetings where everyone pretended to agree. Ah, the power of moral high ground!. Fact: Fun fact: Those clergymen became the ultimate party poopers, reminding everyone that sometimes, the moral high ground is just a fancy term for 'we think you're wrong.'.
• Headline: New Packaging Developments Go on Display Here. Impact: The National Packaging Exposition paved the way for the rise of packaging innovations that would eventually lead to the creation of more waste than anyone could ever imagine. Thanks for the plastic, folks!. Fact: Did you know that the most exciting part of this exposition was the unveiling of bubble wrap? It’s still the most popular stress relief tool among office workers today!.
• Headline: Woman Flier in New Guinea In Round‐the‐World Flight. Impact: Mrs. Merriam's adventurous flight sparked a wave of 'girl power' in aviation, leading to more women taking to the skies than ever before. Guess who got the last laugh when they finally said, 'I can fly better than you!'?. Fact: Did you know that Mrs. Merriam was actually the first woman to say, 'Hold my drink, I’m going around the world!' before it became a trend?.
• Headline: U.S. Hopes Nuclear Move Can Lead to Arms Curbs. Impact: The U.S. hopes for nuclear arms control set off a domino effect that left future generations wondering why world leaders can’t seem to have a simple conversation without adding a side of existential dread. Thanks a lot, Cold War!. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'nuclear diplomacy' was coined during this time, but it’s much less fun than it sounds. It's not about sharing nuclear cupcakes, unfortunately..