MAY 10, 1979

Full News Archive

• Headline: New Hampshire Raises Drinking Age to 20. Impact: Raising the drinking age to 20 led to a significant increase in underage drinking, as rebellious teens found creative ways to smuggle alcohol, thus birthing the legendary 'underage speakeasy' culture in basements across New Hampshire. This rebellious spirit eventually influenced the rise of hipster bars that cater to the 'over 30' crowd many decades later.. Fact: Did you know that raising the drinking age actually made it cooler to drink? Because, of course, nothing says 'I want to be responsible' like sneaking booze before you're legally allowed..
• Headline: Iran Announces Oil Price Increase. Impact: The 3.5% rise in oil prices led to a global economic chain reaction, where the price of everything from avocados to zippers skyrocketed. The oil barons' laughter echoed through time as they feared no one would ever unearth the secret stash of oil they had hidden away.. Fact: Did you know that the increase to $17.17 a barrel was a clever nod to the mystical significance of numbers in pricing? Or maybe they just liked the way it sounded..
• Headline: Senate Blocks Revitalization of Tellico Dam. Impact: Blocking the Baker move to revive the dam not only saved the snail darter but also led to the creation of an entire generation of environmental activists who would later create memes about ruining plans to save the planet, thus ensuring that future generations would be equally entertained by political debates.. Fact: The snail darter is so famous that it has its own fan club. Seriously. If you thought your favorite band was niche, wait until you hear about the 'Darter Enthusiasts of America.'.
• Headline: Crocker Mortgage Rise. Impact: The rise in mortgage rates turned home-buying dreams into nightmares for many, leading to a surge in the popularity of living in your parents' basement. This trend eventually contributed to the 'adulting' movement, where millennials proudly declare they can make mac and cheese without burning it.. Fact: Did you know that the prime mortgage rate fluctuating by 1/8 of a percent can cause more anxiety than a public speaking engagement? Welcome to adulthood!.
• Headline: Parimutuel Clerks End Strike at Coast Tracks. Impact: The end of the parimutuel clerks' strike marked the beginning of a golden era for racetracks, as clerks returned to work with a vengeance. This was followed by a dramatic rise in betting, leading to an explosion of horse-themed party games that still haunt family gatherings today.. Fact: Striking for 28 days? That's almost as long as it takes to binge-watch an entire series on Netflix. Priorities, folks..
• Headline: New Owners For NABC. Impact: The change in ownership of NABC led to a series of corporate mergers and acquisitions that eventually paved the way for the 'corporate takeover' trope in movies. This dramatic narrative continues to influence boardroom meetings today, where executives act like they're in a high-stakes thriller.. Fact: Did you know that the name 'Svenska Handelsbanken' translates to 'Swedish Hand Bank'? Sounds like a bad name for a magician or an ill-conceived financial service..
• Headline: Thorpe Trial Is Told He Planned a Murder To Protect His Career. Impact: The revelation of Jeremy Thorpe’s murder plot sent shockwaves through the political landscape, sparking a trend of scandal in politics. This paved the way for future politicians to hire PR teams just to spin their bad decisions into minor inconveniences.. Fact: Fun fact: plotting murder in the name of political ambition is really just an elaborate way of saying 'I care a lot about my career.'.
• Headline: Debate on Energy: Anger and Confusion. Impact: The confusion surrounding energy policy debates led to a rise in conspiracy theories about aliens controlling gasoline prices, which influenced a series of documentaries that claimed to explain everything from crop circles to climate change.. Fact: Isn't it funny how 'energy policy' sounds like it could be a band name? Because who wouldn’t want to rock out to energy debates?.
• Headline: Getty Talks With Drivers Put Off. Impact: The postponed negotiations between Getty Oil and the union likely resulted in a delay of groundbreaking oil reforms, leading to generations of protests and an entire subculture dedicated to shouting at oil companies from the comfort of their couches.. Fact: Fun fact: postponing negotiations is the adult version of saying, 'Let's just agree to disagree.' Spoiler alert: nothing gets agreed upon..
• Headline: Cabaret: Hildegarde. Impact: Hildegarde's performance sparked a new wave of cabaret culture, leading to the rise of countless amateur singers who thought they could recreate her magic in their living rooms, resulting in more noise complaints than ever.. Fact: Did you know that Hildegarde was known as the 'First Lady of Cabaret'? Seems like a title that should come with a crown and a lot of glitter..