DECEMBER 20, 1977

Full News Archive

• Headline: Tax Changes for Fringe Benefits Explained. Impact: This decision sparked a massive underground economy for fringe benefits, leading to a secret society of tax evaders who communicated via encrypted meal receipts. Their code name? 'The Salad Syndicate.'. Fact: Fun fact: cash meal allowances are basically the IRS's way of saying, 'We know you eat, but we want a piece of that pie too!'.
• Headline: AT&T Sees 13% Earnings Growth. Impact: A surge in AT&T's profits led to an unexpected boom in the telecommunications sector, resulting in the creation of the first-ever 'phone bill support groups' for those suffering from outrageous charges. The struggle was real.. Fact: Did you know that back in the day, making a phone call literally cost you an arm and a leg? Good luck explaining that to the next generation!.
• Headline: McDonnell Wins Tanker Plane Job. Impact: McDonnell Douglas's win in the tanker plane job led to an unprecedented aviation rivalry that eventually saw Boeing producing planes designed purely for snoozing in the sky—because who doesn’t want to nap at 30,000 feet?. Fact: Did you know that in the 70s, the competition between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas was so fierce that they would send each other prank packages filled with spare airplane parts? Talk about taking 'air mail' to a new level!.
• Headline: HIGH COURT ASKED TO BAR SEARCHES OF NEWS OFFICES. Impact: The Supreme Court's ruling on searches of news offices led to a dramatic increase in journalist fashion, with reporters sporting trench coats and fedoras in an attempt to look more mysterious and less like they were about to be raided.. Fact: Did you know that back then, journalists were basically the original ninjas? Stealthy, elusive, and always armed with a notepad—dangerously close to a superhero status!.
• Headline: Icebreaker Leaves New Zealand. Impact: The icebreaker's journey became a metaphor for humanity's struggle against the crushing weight of bureaucracy, leading to a popular movement to create a new sport called 'Icebreaking,' where teams compete to navigate red tape instead of ice. Spoiler: It’s just as slippery.. Fact: Fun fact: The Polar Star was actually just trying to escape the complex paperwork required for Antarctic expeditions. It was like an icebreaker version of 'The Great Escape!'.
• Headline: Economic Setup In Japan Blocks Sale of Imports. Impact: Japan's insular economy laid the groundwork for a future where the phrase 'Buy American' became a global meme. Now everyone associates 'Made in Japan' with overpriced gadgets that break after a week.. Fact: Did you know that Japan's economy was so protective that it made a bear in hibernation look like an extrovert? They were just really committed to keeping things in the family..
• Headline: Arguments Over Civil Liberties Delay Order on Intelligence Work. Impact: Carter's executive order delay led to the rise of amateur intelligence operations, with citizens forming 'spy clubs' that engaged in neighborhood surveillance. They called themselves the 'Couch Detectives' and took their job very seriously.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more secretive than national intelligence operations back then was how often people claimed to have seen Bigfoot? Coincidence? I think not!.