JULY 7, 1970

Full News Archive

• Headline: Secret Diplomacy During Belfast Riots. Impact: P.J. Hillery's secret visit to Belfast led to a series of increasingly awkward diplomatic encounters. By revealing that the Irish government cared, politicians were forced to take more selfies with sad faces in front of riot sites, inadvertently creating the modern political photo-op culture.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'secret diplomacy' was coined after a particularly awkward dinner party in the 1800s where everyone forgot to whisper?.
• Headline: Innovation in Card Authorization Technology. Impact: The introduction of the multifunctional card authorization unit by American Express paved the way for the modern-day panic of 'is my card going to work?' that we experience every time we approach the self-checkout line. We didn’t know a simple purchase could feel like a high-stakes game show.. Fact: Fun fact: The first credit card was made of cardboard and was a lot more reliable than your average WiFi signal at coffee shops..
• Headline: British Surprised. Impact: Britain's surprise at Hillery's freedom to travel only served to remind everyone that sometimes you just have to nod and smile at the absurdity of international relations. This led to more casual encounters where officials pretended they weren’t confused about basic travel rights.. Fact: Did you know that the British Foreign Office once issued a memo titled 'Surprise! We Actually Don’t Know Everything'?.
• Headline: Heart Transplant Checkup. Impact: L.B. Russell Jr.'s heart transplant checkup led to the rise of organ donation awareness campaigns, which eventually morphed into an underground market for slightly used hearts—because who doesn’t want a pre-loved organ?. Fact: Fun fact: The first successful heart transplant was performed in 1967, and the doctors celebrated by throwing a party that had a surprisingly low 'heartbeat' theme..
• Headline: A HEARING DENIED IN ‘CONFLICT’ CASE. Impact: The denial of a hearing on the conflict of interest case resulted in a series of public debates on subway services that led to more colorful graffiti and 'I love public transit' murals, thus unintentionally fostering a new art movement.. Fact: Did you know that subway systems have been using graffiti as a form of public expression long before it became a trendy Instagram aesthetic?.
• Headline: Tour Agency's Difficulties Strand Youths in Europe. Impact: The financial misadventures of the World Academy of Cincinnati not only stranded students in Europe but also inspired a new genre of travel blogs dedicated to 'How to Survive When Your Tour Company Fails.'. Fact: Did you know that the original purpose of tour agencies was to make travel easier, not to give students a crash course in self-sustenance in foreign lands?.
• Headline: Egypt Claims Israeli Jet. Impact: Egypt's claim to having hit an Israeli jet during a raid inadvertently sparked a series of 'who shot first' debates that would ultimately lead to the creation of the world's most tedious trivia game.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'dogfight' originally referred to aerial combat, but now it just describes the chaos in the comments section of any political post..
• Headline: Brazil Is Challenging a Last Frontier. Impact: Brazil's efforts to develop the Amazon Basin turned into a long-standing dispute over environmental conservation that resulted in a popular Netflix documentary and countless Instagram posts featuring environmentalists posing dramatically in front of trees.. Fact: Did you know that the Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, yet somehow still has to compete with trendy cafes for attention?.