NOVEMBER 17, 1966

Full News Archive

• Headline: Sheppard Acquitted in Wife's Murder Case. Impact: Sheppard's acquittal sparked a media frenzy that would lead to countless crime dramas and reality shows. If he hadn’t been freed, we might never have had the joy of watching actors reenact court cases with exaggerated drama!. Fact: Sheppard’s case was so infamous that it inspired a popular TV series. Who knew murder trials could be a gold mine for entertainment?.
• Headline: Tufts Director Named. Impact: Dr. Gibon’s appointment would eventually lead to a series of groundbreaking research projects. Or, it could just be another position filled by someone who had a great resume but didn't know where the coffee machine was.. Fact: Being a director of a center at Tufts is basically like being the captain of a ship that may or may not be heading in the right direction, but at least everyone gets to wear a fancy name badge..
• Headline: Warmth of Whites in Mississippi Encourages Leader of N.A.A.C.P. on a Five-Day Speaking Tour. Impact: Wilkins’ tour not only bolstered the NAACP's standing in Mississippi but also set the stage for future civil rights leaders to use the power of public speaking—and the occasional dramatic pause—to rally support.. Fact: Mississippi in the '60s was about as welcoming as a cactus in a balloon factory, so Wilkins’ success was akin to finding a friendly face in a crowd of skeptics..
• Headline: PRESIDENT WELL AFTER SURGERY; POLYP IS BENIGN; Abdominal Operation Is Less Complicated Than Team of Doctors Had Expected JOHNSON IS SOON ACTIVE Round of Official Activity at Bethesda Somewhat Perturbs His Physician Whispers Hoarsely Relayed by Moyers PRESIDENT WELL AFTER SURGERY Late News Briefing Period of Recuperation Does 'Paper Work' Hospital Transformed Message From de Gaulle. Impact: Johnson’s quick recovery led to a perception that political leaders could bounce back from anything—except perhaps political scandals, which would later prove to be a much tougher nut to crack.. Fact: Johnson’s post-surgery productivity was so impressive that it inspired future presidents to consider running for office on a platform of ‘I’ll put in the hours even if I’m half-dead!’.
• Headline: Bible Society Backs Vatican's Proposal On the Scriptures. Impact: The backing of this proposal by the Bible Society inadvertently sparked a theological debate that would echo into the future, leading to countless brunch conversations filled with 'Did you hear what the Vatican said?'. Fact: When the Bible Society gets involved, you know things are about to get serious. Just wait until they start adding footnotes to the Book of Revelations!.
• Headline: Installers' Union Ratifies Pact. Impact: This pact ratification led to a surprising surge in installer confidence, which, in turn, caused an influx of memes about the heroism of installers everywhere. Who knew they were the unsung heroes?. Fact: Installing something might not seem heroic, but trust me, the next time your Wi-Fi goes down, you’ll wish you had a trained installer on speed dial..
• Headline: F.B.I. Says It Suspected in '62 That Baker Assisted Gambler; Agency Was Notified Denial Is Entered City College Hails 5 Alumni. Impact: The FBI's suspicions led to a nationwide witch hunt for corrupt politicians, planting the seeds for a future filled with conspiracy theories and political dramas that would make Shakespeare proud.. Fact: The FBI’s eavesdropping efforts were so intense that they could probably have produced a reality show titled 'Keeping Up with the Crooked Politicians.'.