JULY 16, 1964

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mikoyan Assumes Presidency in Soviet Shift. Impact: Mikoyan's rise to power ultimately sparked a chain reaction leading to the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union. Had he not been President, Brezhnev might have implemented policies that would have delayed the fall by a decade, or at least given us an extra decade of mustache-related memes. Fact: Mikoyan was not only the first non-Russian leader but also a key player in the development of Soviet aircraft. So, you could say he was flying high before he got the presidential gig!.
• Headline: OAS Vote on Cuba Sanctions Controversy. Impact: The OAS's indecision on Cuba led to decades of diplomatic awkwardness, resulting in a situation where American tourists could only sip mojitos in Cuba after a very long and complicated game of political chess. Fact: The U.S. has been trying to isolate Cuba since the 1960s, but it turns out you can't keep a good island down when it has such excellent cigars and classic cars!.
• Headline: VOTE IS 883 TO 214; Scranton Plea to Make It Unanimous Is Then Approved. Impact: Goldwater's nomination set the stage for a political showdown that eventually led to the rise of the conservative movement in America. You could say it was the first step toward the current reality TV show we call politics. Fact: Goldwater's campaign slogan was 'In your heart, you know he's right.' Which is basically the 1960s version of 'Trust me, bro.'.
• Headline: Slight Fire at Cow Palace. Impact: The fire at Cow Palace could have sparked a famous California wildfire that would have led to a new wave of environmental awareness. Instead, it just became a footnote in the history of mildly alarming events. Fact: Cow Palace is named not because cows have any special powers, but rather because it was originally built for livestock shows. So, technically, it was a palace for cows – and now it’s just a venue for clowns, what a downgrade!.
• Headline: MRS. DIXON RYAN FOX. Impact: Mrs. Dixon Ryan Fox's notoriety for being a prominent figure may have inspired a future generation of women to take up the mantle of political spouses and community leaders, leading to a world where the term 'first lady' became more than just a title. Fact: Her last name, Fox, might just be the most interesting thing about her in a world where everyone is trying to outshine each other with their names!.
• Headline: DR. VILIS MASENS, AN EXILE LEADER; Latvian Chairman in Group of Captive Nations Dies. Impact: The death of Dr. Vilis Masens left a void in the Latvian exile community, which eventually led to the rise of more vocal leaders and the eventual independence of the Baltic States. Who knew one man's passing could shift the tides of history?. Fact: Masens was a part of the 'Captive Nations' group, which is a lovely way to say they were not having any fun under Soviet rule. A real-life example of 'The Great Escape,' minus the Hollywood budget!.
• Headline: 5 East German Youths Flee. Impact: The five East German youths who fled to West Germany likely inspired countless others, leading to a youth migration that would ultimately contribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Talk about a dramatic exit!. Fact: They probably thought, 'You can take the boy out of East Germany, but you can’t take the East Germany out of the boy,' until they realized they were now in a land of freedom – and better snacks!.
• Headline: BRAZILIAN SPURS INFLATION FIGHT; Castelo Says Stabilization Is Essential to Democracy. Impact: Castelo Branco's inflation fight became a model for future governments battling economic crises, leading to a series of 'let's just raise taxes and hope for the best' strategies that became the norm across the globe. Fact: Brazil's inflation issues were so severe that they could've made a soap opera out of it – complete with dramatic music and cliffhangers about economic recovery!.