DECEMBER 15, 1973

Full News Archive

• Headline: Britain Faces Widespread Power Blackouts. Impact: The blackouts in Britain led to the invention of the glow-in-the-dark party supplies. If not for those dark days, we might never have experienced the joy of neon-colored everything.. Fact: Fun fact: The last time Britain had such widespread blackouts, they invented the phrase 'Let's do it by candlelight!' as a romantic excuse..
• Headline: FAA Proposes Sunday Sales Ban. Impact: By limiting Sunday fuel sales, the FAA accidentally inspired a generation of weekend road-trippers who would later invent the 'staycation.' Who knew fuel restrictions could lead to such innovative laziness?. Fact: Did you know that Sundays used to be a day of rest? Now they’re just a day for people to complain about not being able to go anywhere..
• Headline: No Recession Expected By the Administration. Impact: The administration’s blind optimism about the economy became the blueprint for every future economic forecast. Spoiler alert: It didn’t age well, like that milk you left out overnight.. Fact: Did you know that 'there’s no recession' is basically political code for 'hold on to your wallets'?.
• Headline: Condemned To Success. Impact: If NATO had listened to Sulzberger back then, the Cold War might have ended sooner. But instead, they just kept passing the buck—probably because they couldn't agree on what to order for lunch.. Fact: Did you know that NATO meetings often included pizza parties? Too bad they couldn't agree on toppings either..
• Headline: KISSINGER URGES SAUDI KING TO END U.S. OIL EMBARGO. Impact: Kissinger’s plea to the Saudi king had ripple effects that led to fluctuating gas prices and conspiracy theories about oil. Little did they know, we’d be dealing with these same issues decades later, just with fancier hashtags.. Fact: Did you know that 'Kissinger' is just a fancy way of saying 'let's negotiate until we both forget what we were arguing about'?.
• Headline: 4 Arab Ministers Confront Common Market Meeting. Impact: The confrontation at the Common Market meeting resulted in a newfound camaraderie among Arab ministers that eventually led to a series of awkward group selfies at diplomatic events.. Fact: Fun fact: The Common Market was not actually a market where you could buy common things, which is what most people thought at first..
• Headline: LOCKHEED FACING FINANCIAL CRISIS. Impact: Lockheed’s financial crisis sparked a wave of government bailouts that would later be used as a playbook for countless corporations—so thanks a lot, Lockheed, for teaching us that failure is just a pit stop on the road to success.. Fact: Did you know that Lockheed’s financial woes were so dramatic that they almost made a reality show called 'Bankrupt and Fabulous'?.
• Headline: Price Increases Announced By Chrysler and American. Impact: Chrysler and American Motors' price hikes led to the rise of used car dealerships everywhere, where the phrase 'gently used' became the ultimate euphemism for 'we're looking for a buyer who knows nothing about cars'.. Fact: Did you know that car prices increase every time someone sneezes? No? Well, now you do..