JUNE 22, 1972

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mayors Shift Support for Vietnam War. Impact: The mayors' support for Nixon's Vietnam policy led to an unexpected surge in coffee consumption among politicians trying to stay awake during heated debates. This ultimately influenced the coffee trade and the invention of espresso machines at political fundraisers.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'mayor' comes from the Latin 'maior', meaning 'greater'? Which is ironic considering their decision-making skills during this period..
• Headline: Turner Brothers Face Fraud Charges. Impact: Turner's pyramid scheme inadvertently inspired future generations of scammers, leading to the creation of reality TV shows focused on 'getting rich quick'—because who doesn't want to see a bunch of people fighting over fake money?. Fact: The 'Dare To Be Great' scheme was a fitting name—since it really took a lot of courage to fool so many people..
• Headline: Nixon Administration Targets Raw Farm Prices. Impact: Controlling raw farm goods led to the overzealous rise of farmer's markets, where hipsters now gather to buy overpriced kale while casually discussing how they just got off the grid.. Fact: Fun fact: The Price Commission's recommendations helped shape the modern concept of 'organic', which is now just a clever marketing term for 'more expensive'..
• Headline: QE2 Bomb‐Threat Suspect Held. Impact: Landisi's threat triggered a series of stricter airport security measures, which eventually resulted in the TSA's infamous sock removal policy, leaving travelers wondering about the safety of their shoes.. Fact: In a bizarre twist, Landisi's demands for $300,000 inspired a series of terrible hostage movies in the decades that followed. Thanks, Hollywood!.
• Headline: West Europe Seeks New Identity. Impact: The quest for a new identity in Western Europe ironically led to the widespread adoption of the phrase 'cultural melting pot,' which later became a popular slogan for overpriced fusion restaurants.. Fact: Pompidou’s name might sound fancy, but it translates to 'Potato' in a dialect of French—so essentially, we're all just potatoes trying to find our identity..
• Headline: 75c‐an‐Hour Raise Sought in New Pact By Garment Union. Impact: The garment workers' request for a wage increase sparked a nationwide movement for better working conditions, which eventually led to the 'No Pants Day' celebration—because who needs pants when you can be free?. Fact: If they had just asked for an extra donut in the break room instead, they might have gotten that without all the fuss. Just saying..
• Headline: TRIUMPH IN STATE BRINGS M'GOVERN WIDENING SUPPORT. Impact: McGovern’s support surge signaled a shift in American politics, paving the way for future candidates to roll over their opponents—sometimes literally, in the case of those inflatable campaign mascots.. Fact: McGovern's victory was so significant that historians still argue whether he rolled over traditionalists or just did a really good job at charades..
• Headline: $50,000‐a‐Year‐for‐Life Lottery Due. Impact: The introduction of the $50,000-a-year lottery led to a surge in 'lucky charms' sales, with people trying everything from rabbit feet to four-leaf clovers, while secretly planning their retirement.. Fact: You could buy a lifetime of bad luck with just one ticket—if only they had a 'not losing everything' option..
• Headline: Loyang, Ancient Capital, Less Tense and Political Than Most Chinese Cities’. Impact: Loyang's image as a less tense city unexpectedly attracted tourists seeking zen, which caused a minor crisis in the local economy when everyone started selling 'I Love Not Being Stressed' t-shirts.. Fact: Loyang was once considered the 'capital of China'—funny how a city can go from ruling an empire to being just another stop on the yoga retreat circuit..