AUGUST 15, 1976

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring Saroyan's Literary Legacy. Impact: If only Saroyan had written a self-help book instead, we might have avoided the avalanche of emotionally confused writers trying to express their feelings through existential crises.. Fact: Saroyan once won the Pulitzer Prize and then famously rejected it because he thought it was 'too popular.' How's that for self-sabotage?.
• Headline: New Berme Cuts Raise Financial Concerns. Impact: The New York financial control board's objections led to a series of budget cuts that eventually resulted in the city discovering the beauty of ramen noodles as a staple for public school lunches.. Fact: This budgetary drama is like a soap opera, but with less passion and more spreadsheets..
• Headline: Controversy in Sports Journalism. Impact: This whole 'no love' drama sparked a wave of overly dramatic breakup songs, leading to the rise of artists like Adele who are now rich and famous for being sad. Thanks, Nadia.. Fact: Comaneci was known for her perfect 10s. If only she could have scored a 10 in graciousness..
• Headline: EGYPTIANS ALLOW ELECTION CONTEST. Impact: The ripple effect of Egypt's first election contest post-revolution led to a series of democratic experiments, resulting in a political landscape that could only be described as 'a rollercoaster of confusion.'. Fact: This was the first time in history that Egyptians had a choice, which is ironic because most of us still can't decide what to have for dinner..
• Headline: TURKS ASK TALKS WITH THE GREEKS. Impact: The request for talks about oil prospecting led to decades of diplomatic wrangling, resulting in Greece and Turkey deciding that the real treasure was the friends they made along the way. Just kidding, it's still about the oil.. Fact: The Aegean Sea is like a soap opera set, filled with drama over resources but ultimately no resolution..
• Headline: A Test for Gourmands: Rhode Island's Mammoth Shore Dinner. Impact: The Rhode Island shore dinner became a culinary benchmark, leading to the eventual creation of the 'all-you-can-eat' buffet, which revolutionized how Americans approach food and regret.. Fact: The Mammoth Shore Dinner is probably the only place where you can simultaneously feel full and ashamed..
• Headline: Novels and stories. Impact: The book about chefs being killed set the stage for a new genre of culinary thrillers, leading to an alarming number of food-related mysteries that still leave people more confused than hungry.. Fact: It's a good thing no chefs were harmed in the making of this book—otherwise, we might have had to stage a culinary intervention..
• Headline: Libya Blamed This Time. Impact: Blaming Libya for Sudan's troubles sparked a trend of scapegoating that would echo through global politics, leading to the phrase 'it's not my fault,' becoming a diplomatic standard.. Fact: Sudan has had so many coups it's practically a political game of musical chairs..
• Headline: LOCKHEED INQUIRY IN ITALY STALLED. Impact: The Lockheed inquiry became a cautionary tale about the consequences of corporate greed, leading to a world where politicians are more careful about their bribes—at least until the next scandal.. Fact: Bribery in politics is the gift that keeps on giving, just like that fruitcake from your aunt that you can’t seem to get rid of..
• Headline: 1940: June 10 to June 16. Impact: The review of 'The Week France Fell' became a literary launching pad for the next generation of historians who decided that 'falling' was a more fun theme than 'victory.'. Fact: Noel Barber's book serves as a reminder that sometimes, falling flat on your face can make for a great story..