FEBRUARY 15, 1977

Full News Archive

• Headline: Carter Honors Musical Talent at State Dinner. Impact: Mrs. Portillo's piano performance was so enchanting, it inspired a secret society of musicians who believed they could influence global politics through song. Years later, they accidentally created a genre called 'Political Jazz' that became the soundtrack for many a diplomatic faux pas.. Fact: Did you know that after this dinner, President Carter briefly considered a career change to become a talent scout for jazz musicians? Spoiler: he didn't..
• Headline: Time Inc. Reports 49% Profit Increase. Impact: Time Inc.'s profit surge led to an unexpected boom in the publication of lifestyle magazines, which in turn fueled the rise of avocado toast and the hipster movement. You can thank Time Inc. for your brunch bill.. Fact: Fun fact: At the time, Time Inc. was also the proud owner of a magazine called 'Time Traveler,' which published articles about the future of brunch. Talk about foresight!.
• Headline: Gonzalez Gains Momentum Against Sprague. Impact: Gonzalez's bid to oust Sprague started a chain reaction of political backstabbing that eventually led to the invention of the phrase 'it's not personal, it's just politics.'. Fact: Did you know that this political drama was so intense that it inspired a soap opera? It was called 'As the Payroll Turns.'.
• Headline: Holding Freedom's Standard. Impact: T. Wicker's article had a ripple effect, causing a sudden increase in political activists trying to hold the USSR accountable, which ultimately led to a dramatic increase in awkward diplomatic dinners over the following decades.. Fact: Did you know that holding up 'freedom standards' was later rebranded as 'The Freedom Olympics'? Spoiler: No medals were awarded..
• Headline: Union Bid at Stevens Gets Support. Impact: The union bid at Stevens ignited a series of labor movements across the country, eventually leading to the establishment of 'Take Your Rights to Work Day,' which ironically was never a holiday.. Fact: Fun fact: The ACTWU's support was so influential that it inspired a musical number that was later performed in a Broadway show called 'Unions: The Musical.'.
• Headline: World News Briefs. Impact: The accusations of torture by Brazilian police sparked a global human rights movement that included a secret club of vigilante lawyers who donned capes and fought injustice—mostly in their imaginations.. Fact: Did you know that Louis Joinet's comments led to a brief obsession with superhero-themed legal dramas? 'Law & Order: Special Torture Unit' was almost a thing..
• Headline: Article 2 ‐‐ No Title. Impact: Larry Flynt's release from jail led to a massive increase in people questioning the boundaries of free speech. This ultimately resulted in the creation of more obscure magazines than anyone could ever read.. Fact: Did you know Flynt's legal battles inspired a whole generation of law students to pursue careers in 'weird' legal cases? Law schools had to create a new elective called 'Pornography and the Constitution.'.
• Headline: Madison Mayoral Primary Today. Impact: The Madison mayoral primary became infamous for its 'youngest candidate' narrative, leading to an uncontrollable wave of youth candidates across the country, inadvertently creating the 'Millennial Mayor Movement.'. Fact: Did you know that at age 31, Soglin was considered ancient for a politician? He was dubbed the 'Grandpa of Madison' by his opponents, who were mostly still in college..