JANUARY 20, 1973

Full News Archive

• Headline: Laird Advocates Arms Pact for Vietnam. Impact: Laird's push for a pact set off a chain reaction where future arms negotiations became the go-to diplomatic technique instead of, you know, actually stopping wars. Eventually, this birthed a world where we all just send each other passive-aggressive emails instead of bombs. Progress, right?. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'Let’s make a deal' was actually invented during this meeting? Just kidding, but it sounds like it could have been!.
• Headline: Controversial 1957 Nuclear Study Released. Impact: This document's release caused a paradox where those who were supposed to protect the U.S. were busy reading old memos instead of updating their playbooks. Somewhere in an alternate timeline, Eisenhower is still in office trying to figure out why nobody listens to him anymore.. Fact: Did you know that the Eisenhower administration had more secrets than a teenager's diary? Spoiler: they were just as awkward..
• Headline: Impact of Pentagon Papers on Vietnam Strategy. Impact: The revelation about the Pentagon Papers led to a never-ending cycle of 'who else is spying on us?' that makes every citizen feel like they should be wearing tinfoil hats. Thanks to this, conspiracy theories exploded faster than fireworks on the Fourth of July.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'Pentagon Papers' was actually derived from a failed attempt to create a paper airplane that would fly over the Pentagon?.
• Headline: Agnew Is ‘on Top’ Now, But Faces a Hazy Future. Impact: Agnew's political ascent inspired countless memes about being on top while simultaneously being at the bottom. Ironically, his future was as hazy as his chances of keeping his job after Nixon's inevitable fall.. Fact: Did you know that Agnew’s biggest political strategy was to just keep showing up? It worked about as well as you'd expect..
• Headline: Watergate Trial Is Told G.O.P. Got Wiretap Data. Impact: The Watergate scandal opened a Pandora’s box of distrust in government that still echoes today. Now, every time you hear a strange sound coming from your phone, you question if it's the NSA or just your neighbor’s Wi-Fi.. Fact: Did you know that the original title for Watergate was 'The Great American Eavesdrop'? They decided to go with Watergate because it was more catchy!.
• Headline: Pennsylvania Paper Sold. Impact: This acquisition triggered a chain reaction of newspaper mergers that eventually led to the rise of clickbait headlines we all know and love today. Who knew a sleepy local paper could pave the way for '10 Cats Who Look Like Presidents'?. Fact: Did you know that before this sale, the Tribune Publishing Co. was known primarily for its riveting coverage of local bake sales? True story..
• Headline: Belgian Gas Stations Shut For the Weekend in Strike. Impact: This strike led to an unintentional rise in bicycle sales and a newfound appreciation for public transport in Belgium. Who knew that a gas shortage could lead to a fitness revolution?. Fact: Did you know that this strike was the inspiration for Belgium's future trend of 'just walk it off'? It was a step in the right direction, literally..
• Headline: Copiers Multiply Soviet Censors' Task. Impact: The rise of copiers forced Soviet censors to become more creative, leading to a black market for typesetters and the first underground zines. Thanks to this, the 'Soviet Sneak Peek' became a thing—who knew censorship could spawn such rebellion?. Fact: Did you know that before copiers, Soviet censors had to rely on good old-fashioned whisper networks? Talk about a game of telephone!.
• Headline: Mrs. Meir Says Tension Marked Talk With Pope. Impact: Golda Meir's tense meeting with the Pope sparked a series of diplomatic conversations that eventually led to more open dialogues—though it took a few decades and a lot of awkward small talk to get there.. Fact: Did you know that this meeting was so tense that it could have been the plot of a dramatic soap opera? Stay tuned for 'As The World Turns'!.
• Headline: U.S. Output Rose in 1972 As Inflation Rate Slowed. Impact: The economic uptick led to a social revolution where people actually believed in the concept of a stable economy for a hot minute—before everything went back to normal and we collectively forgot what that felt like.. Fact: Did you know that during this time, people actually celebrated the economy like it was a holiday? Imagine that kind of enthusiasm for numbers!.