JUNE 7, 1979

Full News Archive

• Headline: 200th English Derby's Shocking Outcome. Impact: After Milford lost the Derby, a disgruntled horse decided to pursue a career in motivational speaking, leading to the rise of equine life coaches. Now, horses are giving TED Talks about overcoming adversity.. Fact: Fun fact: Losing the Derby didn't stop Milford from becoming an Instagram influencer. He now has more followers than most reality TV stars..
• Headline: Insights from Ronald L Ziegler. Impact: Ziegler’s comment on newspapers shifted the media landscape. Inspired by his words, a group of house cats formed a coalition to publish their own newspaper, 'The Feline Times,' which now has a circulation that rivals the New York Times.. Fact: In the age of the internet, Ziegler’s 'finest printed' remark is now considered a nostalgic meme, usually accompanied by a cat photo..
• Headline: Mendocino County Herbicide Ban Initiative. Impact: The ban on herbicides sparked a nationwide trend of organic gardening, leading to a surge in hipster farmers markets. Today, if you don’t have a 'farm-to-table' restaurant, you're basically running a fast-food joint.. Fact: Ironically, the main herbicide banned was the one used to make lawn gnomes grow taller. Lawn gnome enthusiasts are still reeling from this loss..
• Headline: 2 More in Crew May Be Missing. Impact: The mystery of the missing crew led to a series of poorly written mystery novels that featured a yacht named 'The Lost Cause.' These novels became surprisingly popular among those who enjoy tragic endings.. Fact: The freighter's towing incident is what inspired the phrase 'If it floats, it’s probably lost.'.
• Headline: Texans Held in Colombia Arrive In Houston to Face a Grand Jury. Impact: The arrival of the Texans in Houston for the grand jury set off a chain reaction of dramatic courtroom shows that have since inspired reality TV. We owe it all to their ill-timed arrival!. Fact: Grand jury proceedings are so boring, they make watching paint dry feel like an action movie..
• Headline: 450 Taxicab Drivers Strike in Philadelphia. Impact: The Philadelphia taxi strike inspired a nationwide movement among disgruntled drivers, leading to the emergence of rideshare apps. Who knew a bunch of cabbies could shape the future of transportation?. Fact: The cab drivers' strike actually paved the way for the phrase 'I’d rather walk than take a cab,' which is now a popular motto among the perpetually broke..
• Headline: CURRENCY MARKETS. Impact: The dollar's gains against other currencies led to an influx of people suddenly becoming 'currency traders' in their basements, resulting in a new underground economy that is surprisingly robust. Who knew watching currency fluctuations could be so thrilling?. Fact: The dollar's strength also led to a brief fad of dollar-themed parties, where the dress code was, shockingly, green..
• Headline: Agence Fnance‐Presse/United Press International. Impact: General Omar Bradley’s illness during D-Day commemorations kicked off a series of health-related conspiracy theories about military leaders. Now, every time a general sneezes, people suspect a cover-up.. Fact: Bradley's illness was so serious that it led to the invention of the 'healthy general' diet, which is basically just eating your vegetables and avoiding stress—who knew?.
• Headline: Exit to Persian Gulf: ‘Choke Point’ for West's Economy. Impact: The concerns about the Strait of Hormuz becoming an economic choke point led to an increase in shipping insurance, which has since become a hot topic among future economists who like to play Monopoly.. Fact: The term 'choke point' was originally used to describe my attempts to eat more than one slice of cake at a party—talk about a bottleneck!.
• Headline: U.S. Aides See Failure by Chinese In Vietnam and Risk of Bigger War. Impact: The U.S. specialists' predictions about China and Vietnam set the stage for a long series of geopolitical misunderstandings, eventually leading to the creation of 'diplomacy karaoke' nights as a way to cool tensions. Because nothing says peace like singing show tunes.. Fact: The phrase 'bigger war' has now been adapted into the titles of several blockbuster action films, because Hollywood is always ready for a sequel..