DECEMBER 3, 1971

Full News Archive

• Headline: U.S. Urges North Vietnam on POW Mail. Impact: The struggle over prisoner mail led to the eventual establishment of international regulations on POW communications—because who doesn't want to hear from their loved ones in a war zone? Just imagine the postcard possibilities: 'Wish you were here, but not in a cage!'. Fact: Despite the serious nature of POW communications, the U.S. once had a system where prisoners could send a 'Wish You Were Here' postcard that was just a picture of their cell..
• Headline: Chris-Craft and Stockholders Settle Dispute. Impact: This teleprompter fight ultimately led to the invention of the modern-day selfie stick, as people realized that if they couldn't read a script, they might as well just hold their own phone and make awkward eye contact.. Fact: The teleprompter was invented in the 1950s, and it turns out it was originally intended for use in delivering Shakespearean sonnets—because nothing says 'drama' like a machine reading poetry..
• Headline: Mrs. Gandhi Stands Firm on National Sovereignty. Impact: Mrs. Gandhi's defiance sparked a wave of nationalism that would lead to various movements across the globe, proving that sometimes, telling big nations to shove it can create a ripple effect of independence and self-determination.. Fact: Indira Gandhi was known for her strong leadership style, which included everything from declaring a state of emergency to having a flair for dramatic speeches—she could really work a crowd!.
• Headline: U. N. PAKISTAN AID FEARED NEAR HALT. Impact: The halt of UN aid in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) inadvertently set off a chain reaction leading to the Bangladesh Liberation War, which would, in turn, inspire a whole new genre of protest songs—because nothing says 'let's fight for freedom' like a catchy tune.. Fact: The struggle for independence in Bangladesh led to a significant increase in the popularity of the phrase 'We Shall Overcome'—which was probably not what the UN had in mind when they were trying to help..
• Headline: Farber and Slayton Win. Impact: The recognition of Farber and Slayton at the Paris International Dance Festival led to the rise of interpretive dance as a form of protest, because apparently, nothing conveys a political message like a group of people flailing about on stage.. Fact: Dance festivals often lead to the creation of new dance styles—so if you ever see someone doing the 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' dance, just know it likely originated in a moment of sheer artistic confusion..
• Headline: PRO‐MARKET M.P.'S UPHELD BY LABOR. Impact: The re-election of pro-market MPs in the UK set the stage for future economic policies that led to the phrase 'trickle-down economics'—which is basically just a fancy way of saying 'we'll let the rich get richer and hope something falls our way.'. Fact: The term 'trickle-down economics' was popularized in the 1980s, but it was really just a rebranding of the age-old 'let's hope the wealthy are feeling generous today' strategy..
• Headline: CAMBODIA'S DRIVE COLLAPSES IN FACE OF ENEMY ATTACK. Impact: The collapse of Cambodia's military campaign became a classic example of the phrase 'what goes up must come down'—and in this case, it went down faster than a lead balloon.. Fact: The Cambodian government's retreat was so chaotic it inspired several action movies, though none of them quite captured the reality of running away from your own problems...literally..
• Headline: Chief Executive Officer Appointed by Texaco, Inc.. Impact: Texaco's CEO appointment led to a wave of corporate restructuring that ultimately resulted in the modern corporate jargon we endure today—buzzwords that sound important but really mean 'we're just winging it.'. Fact: The title 'Chief Executive Officer' was first coined in the 1970s, but it was just a way to make sure the person in charge had a fancy title while simultaneously avoiding actual responsibility..