FEBRUARY 1, 1979

Full News Archive

• Headline: Albany Predicts Higher NYC Income Estimates. Impact: Albany's financial overachievement led to a decades-long belief that budgets are merely suggestions, paving the way for future mayors to treat revenue projections like a kid treats their allowance: entirely optional.. Fact: Did you know that if you squint hard enough, you can convince yourself that financial forecasts are just magic eight balls with better suits?.
• Headline: Congress Consideration for Hypertension Testing Coverage. Impact: This panel's recommendation ultimately led to a nationwide obsession with hypertension, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in countless people obsessively checking their blood pressure while waiting in line for coffee.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more stressful than high blood pressure is trying to find a doctor who doesn't think you're a walking heart attack..
• Headline: Investigation into Shipyard Cancer Cases. Impact: The investigation of cancer cases at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard opened the floodgates for awareness about workplace safety, eventually leading to the establishment of regulations that made safety gear as common as a coffee cup.. Fact: Did you know that the likelihood of a sailor developing superpowers due to chemical exposure is still under debate? Probably best to check the fine print!.
• Headline: U.S. and China Sign Agreements; Carter Sees an ‘Irreversible’ Trend. Impact: This agreement set in motion a friendship between the U.S. and China that would eventually lead to more trade than a yard sale on a summer weekend. But hey, at least we have fortune cookies!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'irreversible trend' is often used to describe both international relations and your aunt's hairdo after a perm?.
• Headline: Taped Talk, Purportedly by Shah, Urges Army to Foment Civil War. Impact: The Shah's call for civil war turned out to be the world's worst motivational speech, kickstarting a tumultuous period in Iranian history that ensured no one would ever trust a ruler's taped confessions again.. Fact: Did you know that even the best-laid plans can go awry, especially when they involve attempting to regain power via a civil war? Who knew politics could be so messy?.
• Headline: New Life for the Old Bronx River?. Impact: The Bronx River revitalization plan became the poster child for urban renewal, sparking a trend where cities realized that even rivers could be trendy again, if they just got a little makeover.. Fact: Did you know that revitalizing a river can lead to more existential crises for fish than you'd think? They really prefer their natural habitats, thank you very much..
• Headline: CUT OF 12,000 MILES IN AMTRAK'S SYSTEM PROPOSED BY ADAMS. Impact: Adams' proposal to cut Amtrak routes led to a massive reduction in train travel, ultimately inspiring an entire generation to rediscover the joys of road trips — because who doesn't love the smell of fast food and questionable motels?. Fact: Did you know that cutting train routes is like telling a child they can only have one cookie? It just leads to chaos, crumbs, and a lot of disappointment..
• Headline: Opera: Leonie Rysanek's Tosca at Met. Impact: The oil curb ruling set into motion a series of energy crises that would redefine American lifestyles, proving once and for all that people will panic buy toilet paper before they panic about gas prices.. Fact: Did you know that energy issues slipping down the priority list is basically the government’s version of ignoring that growing pile of laundry? Spoiler: It only gets worse..
• Headline: Oil Curb Ruling Set For April 1. Impact: The Met's 'Tosca' became a cultural milestone, leading to a global renaissance of opera appreciation — or at least a lot of very confused people pretending to enjoy it at fancy parties.. Fact: Did you know that opera singers can actually shatter glass with their voices? Maybe that's why they don't get invited to karaoke nights..