JANUARY 11, 1997

Full News Archive

• Headline: Seymour Halpern: Legacy of Public Service. Impact: Seymour Halpern's death led to a sudden decrease in the amount of political debates over bagels versus pizza in Queens, which, as we know, has had a lasting impact on the city's culinary diplomacy.. Fact: Halpern was known for his love of bagels, which some believe was the true reason behind his political career - to ensure Queens had the best brunch spots..
• Headline: Exploring the Right to Die Debate. Impact: The debate over doctor-assisted suicide sparked a global movement that inadvertently led to reality TV shows about ethical dilemmas, proving that our entertainment often reflects our darkest fears.. Fact: In 1997, Oregon became the first U.S. state to allow physician-assisted suicide, leading to a spike in pamphlets titled 'How to Leave the Party Gracefully'..
• Headline: Georgia Considers Waiving Diplomatic Immunity. Impact: The waiver of diplomatic immunity for Gueorgui Makharadze inadvertently led to a worldwide trend of diplomats carrying around personalized 'Get Out of Jail Free' cards, making international relations much more interesting.. Fact: It turns out that the phrase 'I’m not a diplomat, but...' has become a popular excuse for everyday citizens trying to avoid responsibility in awkward situations..
• Headline: Investigators Find Recorders In Debris of Crash Fatal to 29. Impact: The Comair crash investigation led to stricter regulations in aviation, which eventually resulted in the invention of the in-flight safety dance, though it still hasn’t caught on.. Fact: Cockpit voice recorders are often referred to as the 'black box', although they are actually bright orange – perhaps a lesson in deceptive marketing..
• Headline: JOB REPORT SHOWS UNEXPECTED VIGOR FOR U.S. ECONOMY. Impact: The job report spurred a nationwide fad of people quitting their jobs to pursue careers as Instagram influencers, thus beginning the era of avocado toast and endless brunch shots.. Fact: In 2021, a study found that 50% of people claim they would quit their job for a chance to be an influencer, proving that the desire to take selfies is stronger than the desire to pay rent..
• Headline: Parties Exchange Sharp Volleys On Handling of Gingrich Matter. Impact: The bitter exchanges over Gingrich paved the way for the rise of Twitter wars, where political discourse devolved from formal debates to 280-character insults.. Fact: Newt Gingrich once claimed he could run faster than a speeding bullet - a bold statement considering he was later outrun by a turtle in a race for public approval..
• Headline: Angela Taylor Fashion Writer, 82. Impact: Angela Taylor's passing marked the end of an era in fashion writing, leading to the rise of influencers who have less knowledge about fabrics but a lot more followers.. Fact: Taylor once wrote a piece on how to wear white after Labor Day, sparking debates that are still raging in the fashion world, a true testament to her influence..
• Headline: Is Paris Fuming? Yes, Despite a Legal Ban. Impact: France’s relaxed anti-smoking laws led to the global rise of 'smoking chic', where people started to think that looking cool while smoking was better than actually being healthy.. Fact: The French have been known to light a cigarette after a meal, perhaps to ensure that they enjoy their food fully - or maybe just to keep the restaurant's smoke alarms on their toes..
• Headline: Mideast Impasse. Impact: The Israeli-Palestinian peace process impasse resulted in the creation of countless coffee shop debates, where people would argue for hours without ever reaching a resolution, a timeless tradition.. Fact: The phrase 'peace talks' has become synonymous with 'let's have an awkward dinner where we both pretend to listen to each other’s opinions.'.