JUNE 5, 1976

Full News Archive

• Headline: Hispanic Artists Showcase NYC Impressions. Impact: This exhibit sparked a sudden obsession with modern art in NYC, leading to the eventual rise of Instagram influencers who think they can call themselves 'artists' after posting a picture of a banana taped to a wall.. Fact: Did you know that the banana taped to the wall sold for $120,000? Nothing says 'modern art' like a fruit that can turn brown in a week!.
• Headline: $300 Million Shortfall in 1977 Budget. Impact: This financial shortfall was the catalyst for the eventual rise of crowdfunding; if only Mayor Beame had known he could just ask for donations on GoFundMe, his budget issues might have been solved with a few heartfelt tweets.. Fact: Fun fact: If you line up all the budget shortfalls in history, you might just reach the moon. Or at least the nearest coffee shop..
• Headline: Anti-Cancer Compromise Legislation. Impact: The compromise led to increased public interest in environmental health, which eventually resulted in the invention of organic kale chips. Because nothing screams 'healthy' like a crunchy leaf that costs more than gold.. Fact: Over 60% of all cancer cases are linked to environmental factors. So yes, that smog you breathe in while stuck in traffic might be more deadly than your last breakup..
• Headline: U.S. Seen Heeding Rizzo Troop Request. Impact: The decision to deploy troops in Philadelphia set a precedent for government intervention during civil unrest, eventually leading to the creation of social media hashtags like #PeacefulProtest, which ironically made protesting a trending pastime.. Fact: Did you know that Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell? It rings true for freedom, except when you need the National Guard to keep the peace..
• Headline: CBS Ordered to Pay $250,000 In Trespass by TV News Crew. Impact: This ruling established the precedent that news crews can't just crash parties uninvited, leading to a newfound respect for private property. Except when it’s a celebrity’s mansion; then all bets are off.. Fact: CBS paying $250,000 for trespassing is a lot like paying to see a bad movie; you regret it the moment you walk in..
• Headline: Political Left Is Quiet in Current Campaigns. Impact: The silence of the political left in 1976 was the calm before the storm of social media activism. The loud keyboard warriors of today owe their existence to this era of quietude; sometimes silence really is golden... or just plain boring.. Fact: Eugene J. McCarthy once ran for President as an alternative to the two-party system. Spoiler: it didn’t work, but at least he had a great time trying!.
• Headline: CAREY ASKS BEAME TO SHARPEN CUTS IN AUSTERITY PLAN. Impact: This public spat between Carey and Beame set the stage for future political drama; you could say it was the 'Real Housewives of NYC Politics' before reality TV even existed.. Fact: Austerity measures are just a fancy way of saying 'we're broke.' So if you hear politicians talking about it, just grab the popcorn..
• Headline: Corporation Affairs. Impact: Occidental Petroleum's confidence in clearing charges was the beginning of a long-standing tradition of corporations avoiding accountability while still managing to look good in press releases. It's like putting lipstick on a pig.. Fact: Occidental Petroleum is so confident, they probably have a slogan that says, 'We may be shady, but at least we’re not boring!'.
• Headline: I.L.O. TALKS ADMIT THE PALESTINIANS. Impact: This event was a significant step toward global recognition of Palestinian rights, setting off a chain reaction of diplomatic efforts that would later lead to more heated debates over coffee at every UN meeting.. Fact: The U.S. losing the fight to keep the PLO out of the World Employment Conference is a reminder that sometimes it’s better to lose gracefully than to throw a tantrum like a toddler deprived of cookies..