Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 8, 1977
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Story of Stanley Marsh 3. Impact: Stanley Marsh 3's eccentricities inspired a generation of millionaires to adopt bizarre hobbies, including competitive cheese rolling and extreme ironing. Little did they know, these activities would later be featured on reality TV, uniting families across the nation in shared confusion.. Fact: Did you know that Stanley Marsh 3 once built a massive sculpture of a giant cowboy boot? Because clearly, Texas needed more oversized footwear..
- Headline: Understanding Fertility Challenges in Society. Impact: The discussions about fertility led to the birth of a million parenting blogs, which now flood the internet with unsolicited advice and pictures of avocado toast. One can only imagine how many avocado trees were planted as a result.. Fact: Did you know that 'fertility' and 'problem' are often used in the same sentence? Just like 'diet' and 'pizza'... it’s a tragic love story..
- Headline: Seattle Slew Triumphs at Kentucky Derby. Impact: Seattle Slew's victory inspired a wave of horse-themed parties and betting pools among friends, leading to a huge spike in divorce rates in the following years. Apparently, betting is a slippery slope.. Fact: Did you know Seattle Slew was the first horse to win the Triple Crown while being completely sober? Imagine that kind of dedication in the human world!.
- Headline: Carter's First Summit. Impact: Carter's summit brought together world leaders, inadvertently launching a series of awkward handshakes and poorly timed jokes that would define international relations for decades. Who knew diplomacy could be so cringe-worthy?. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more awkward than a political summit is using the wrong name when addressing a foreign leader? Spoiler: it happens more often than you'd think..
- Headline: States' Rights vs. Victims' Rights. Impact: The debate over states' rights versus victims' rights kickstarted an endless series of legal dramas that still play out in courtrooms, fueling a boom in legal TV shows and giving lawyers something to laugh about at parties.. Fact: Did you know that arguing about rights is like arguing about pizza toppings? Everyone has an opinion, but no one ever really wins..
- Headline: Sketches of Government Leaders Meeting Carter at Economic Conference in London. Impact: The sketches of government leaders led to a newfound interest in caricature art, resulting in a generation of politicians who found themselves on the receiving end of exaggerated features in the press. It's hard to take a politician seriously when they look like a cartoon.. Fact: Did you know that politicians secretly love caricatures? They think it makes them look more relatable, like your fun uncle instead of a stuffy suit..
- Headline: Heavy Action Last Week. Impact: The struggles in Spanish Sahara turned into a global game of 'who wants to invest in a conflict?' that has led to countless geopolitical debates and the rise of armchair experts on social media. Everyone has a take, even if they can't find it on a map.. Fact: Did you know that the Spanish Sahara is like that awkward kid at school no one wants to sit with? It’s important, but everyone’s just trying to avoid the drama..
- Headline: A Step Forward for A Woman Conductor. Impact: Judith Somogi's rise as a conductor paved the way for women to finally be taken seriously in classical music, inspiring a wave of future conductors who would break glass ceilings, and sometimes, conduct in sweatpants.. Fact: Did you know that being a conductor is the only job where waving your arms around can actually get you applause? Talk about a dream job!.
- Headline: Salvation Army Ends Association With U.S.O. Over Serving of Drinks. Impact: The Salvation Army's split with the U.S.O. over drinks led to a dramatic shift in charity events, with many organizations now serving mocktails at their galas. Who knew salvation could be so... refreshing?. Fact: Did you know that the Salvation Army's motto used to be 'drink responsibly'? Okay, maybe not, but it should have been!.
- Headline: THE PRICE OF FAME. Impact: Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s reflections on her life with Charles Lindbergh inspired countless memoirs and dramatic reenactments, leading to a bizarre trend in celebrity memoirs where every detail is analyzed down to what they had for breakfast.. Fact: Did you know that Charles Lindbergh’s first solo flight was less about aviation and more about escaping family dinners? Just kidding, but can you blame him?.
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $10,678,835 today (10678.8x return)
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1977, it would be worth $414,492 today (414.5x return)