JANUARY 3, 1971

Full News Archive

• Headline: Horowitz's Analysis of Majorca Chess Matches. Impact: Horowitz’s analysis of chess matches in Majorca somehow led to the creation of the world's first chess-themed reality show. Spoiler alert: the contestants were not as interesting as the pieces.. Fact: Chess tournaments in Majorca are basically just an excuse for grandmasters to take extended vacations on the beach..
• Headline: Khrushchev Remembers. Impact: Khrushchev's memoirs inspired a wave of political memoirs, leading to an oversaturation of 'tell-all' books that ultimately resulted in the decline of literary standards. Yes, we’re all still suffering from that.. Fact: Khrushchev's memoirs were so popular, they almost made him a reality TV star—except without the Kardashians..
• Headline: Art. Impact: Stein's Paris salon became the epicenter of modernism, causing an avalanche of avant-garde art movements that we still pretend to understand today. Thanks, Gertrude, for making us nod knowingly at abstract paintings.. Fact: Gertrude Stein's salon was to artists what Facebook is to influencers: a place to connect, network, and occasionally throw shade..
• Headline: West Subdues East, 17‐13. Impact: The West's victory in the East-West Shrine Game inspired countless athletes to believe that they could also win against the odds, leading to the creation of motivational posters that haunt office break rooms to this day.. Fact: The East team is still recovering from the emotional trauma of losing to a bunch of guys who probably couldn’t find the end zone with a GPS..
• Headline: U.S. BUSINESS ROUNDUP. Impact: Ky U's prediction of personal income led to a rush of economic optimism that somehow resulted in an explosion of avocado toast consumption—and yes, we’re still paying for that.. Fact: The $615-million increase was enough to fund an entire generation of millennials' brunch habits..
• Headline: Dance. Impact: C. Barnes’s reflections on US dance companies led to a brief resurgence of interpretive dance in 1970s sitcoms, proving that some things really should remain in the past.. Fact: Interpretive dance is just like regular dance, but with more flailing and less rhythm. You know, art!.
• Headline: Sadat Says He Is Ready For War if the Truce Ends. Impact: Sadat's readiness for war turned into a decades-long cycle of conflict that has inspired every action movie ever made. Spoiler alert: it rarely ends well for the protagonists.. Fact: The phrase 'all-out battle' is often followed by 'but first, let’s negotiate over coffee and pastries,' because who doesn’t love a good snack before a fight?.
• Headline: Reagan Installs TV Guard. Impact: The installation of TV cameras in the California Capitol created a new breed of politicians—ones who were always aware they were on camera, leading to the rise of scripted soundbites and faux authenticity.. Fact: Those 16 cameras are still rolling, capturing every awkward moment and ill-advised comment made by politicians—just like reality TV, but with way more suits..