JANUARY 6, 1974

Full News Archive

• Headline: Daily Fast-Action Lottery Proposed by Wilson. Impact: If only New York had offered a daily lottery earlier, we might have avoided some of those awkward family dinners where Uncle Bob constantly asked for money. Fast forward to today, and we have 'lottery winners' becoming TikTok stars.. Fact: Did you know that state lotteries are basically the government's way of saying, 'We can't fix your roads, but we can help you lose money faster!'.
• Headline: Tsiranana Criticizes Madagascar's Government. Impact: Philbert Tsiranana's complaints about Madagascar's government led to a cascade of future politicians learning that complaining is way easier than actually governing. Thanks, Philbert, for setting the bar so low.. Fact: Fun fact: Tsiranana’s insistence on calling out the clumsiness of his successor didn’t exactly pave the way for a graceful return to power. But hey, at least he got to air his grievances!.
• Headline: Declining Press Freedoms in Greece. Impact: This survey on press freedoms might have inspired journalists to become even more creative in their reporting, leading to the rise of 'alternative facts' in the future. Thanks, Greece, for the inspiration!. Fact: Did you know that censorship is just like putting a really nice cover on a poorly written book? It just makes people want to read it more!.
• Headline: WASHINGTON REPORT Raw Materials Flap. Impact: Debating whether we’re running out of resources led to the 'panic-buying' phenomenon years later. Who knew a simple article could spark a global toilet paper crisis?. Fact: Did you know that this debate about resources in Washington has been going on longer than most people's attention spans? Spoiler alert: We always find more stuff!.
• Headline: Does new math add up?. Impact: The controversy over 'new math' probably led to the rise of countless math-phobic adults who still can’t figure out how to split the bill at dinner. Thanks for the trauma, Frank Kendig!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more confusing than new math is trying to understand why everyone still uses it despite hating it? Math, you mysterious beast!.
• Headline: Many Italians Shrug Off Their Wiretapping Scandal, Latest in Long History. Impact: The indifference to wiretapping scandals in Italy set a trend for future generations to shrug at political scandals. Fast forward, and we have entire reality shows dedicated to the apathetic.. Fact: Did you know that Italy’s wiretapping history is so extensive that it could be its own Netflix series? Plot twist: Nothing changes!.
• Headline: Movies So They Robbed a Bank and Lived Happily Ever After. Impact: Movies glorifying crime paved the way for a generation that thinks robbing a bank is a viable career choice. Spoiler alert: It’s not, unless you want to add 'prison time' to your resume.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'crime pays' is a little misleading? It actually only pays for the criminals' lawyers and therapy after they get caught!.
• Headline: Catholic Diocese Increase. Impact: The increase in dioceses may have led to more organized potluck dinners but also a lot more meetings about the best way to bake communion bread. Just what we needed!. Fact: Did you know that the Catholic Church has more organizational structure than most Fortune 500 companies? And they don’t even have a Yelp page!.