NOVEMBER 11, 1977

Full News Archive

• Headline: Philippine Truce Collapse: The Ongoing Conflict. Impact: The failure of the truce not only prolonged the conflict, but it set off a series of events where future peace negotiations became as effective as a chocolate teapot. The ripple effect included a resurgence in international arms sales and a few more 'Oops, we did it again' moments in global diplomacy.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'peace is just a word' was coined in a bar fight between diplomats? Spoiler alert: they were all drinking..
• Headline: U.N. Calls for Sports Boycott Against Apartheid. Impact: The U.N. panel's call for a sports boycott inadvertently led to the rise of alternative sports leagues where the only requirement was that no one could throw a punch without a referee. Who knew a kickball league could change world politics?. Fact: Fun fact: The last time anyone took a sports boycott seriously, it resulted in a very awkward game of charades..
• Headline: Supreme Court Ruling on DUI Case. Impact: This ruling set a precedent where drunk driving became a 'get out of jail free' card under certain conditions. Years later, that same logic would be applied to all sorts of offenses, leading to the phrase 'I was only slightly under the influence' becoming a legal defense.. Fact: Did you know that in some states, it's completely legal to drive a bumper car while intoxicated? Just kidding... but it might as well be..
• Headline: Vietnam Veterans and Elders Split by Difference in Values. Impact: The divide between veterans and organizations like the VFW created a schism so deep that it inspired a new reality show, 'When Heroes Clash,' which aired for exactly one season before being canceled for lack of interest.. Fact: Did you know that the VFW stands for 'Veterans of Foreign Wars,' but for some, it really means 'Very Few Want' to join?.
• Headline: Music: Thomson, Satie And Calder at Beacon. Impact: The concert's premiere sparked an underground movement of avant-garde music that led to a bizarre trend of using everyday objects as instruments. Who knew your grandma's old pots and pans could lead to a Grammy?. Fact: Did you know that Virgil Thomson once tried to compose an entire symphony using only the sound of his cat knocking over a vase? True story..
• Headline: Screen: Power and Nukes. Impact: This film on nuclear power ignited a fear that led to a whole generation of kids believing they could harness nuclear energy with nothing but a paperclip and a shoelace. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: Did you know that most people think 'nuclear' is a type of energy drink? It's not. But it should be..
• Headline: Andrew Mellon's Drawing Room Is the First Target as the Renovation of Capital Mansion Begins. Impact: The renovation of Andrew Mellon's mansion led to a series of historical preservation projects that made 'flipping mansions' a trendy reality show. Who knew history could be so lucrative?. Fact: Did you know that Andrew Mellon once had a pet parrot that could only say 'money'? Not surprising, considering his line of work..
• Headline: LOW MOODY'S RATING, COMPELS NEVI YORK TO CANCEL NOTE SALE. Impact: New York's financial woes from Moody's rating led to a modern-day version of 'The Hunger Games' among city officials, competing to see who could come up with the most creative budget cuts. Spoiler: they just cut the coffee budget.. Fact: Did you know that a bad credit rating can ruin your chances of getting a loan? But hey, at least you'll have stories to tell at dinner parties!.
• Headline: Pentagon Chief Tentatively Backs Budget Rise to $130 Billion in ’79. Impact: The Pentagon's budget increase forecast set off a chain reaction of funding requests that ultimately led to the creation of the world's most expensive paperclip. Seriously, they should have just bought a stapler.. Fact: Did you know that military budgets are like shopping lists? Except instead of groceries, they include tanks and missiles? Who needs avocados anyway?.