MARCH 30, 1997

Full News Archive

• Headline: Haskins Celebrates Historic Basketball Milestone. Impact: Clem Haskins' success inspired a new generation of basketball coaches, one of whom eventually becomes a motivational speaker, leading to the rise of the infamous 'Basketball is Life' Instagram accounts that plague our feeds today.. Fact: Clem Haskins was once so dedicated to basketball that he tried to coach his pet hamster to dunk. Spoiler alert: it didn't go well..
• Headline: New Jersey's Consumer Credit Protection Bill. Impact: This bill ultimately led to the creation of a secret society of credit scores, which now meet annually to discuss how to keep consumers blissfully unaware of their financial fate.. Fact: The only thing stronger than consumer credit protections? The urge to binge-watch reality TV shows while ignoring your credit report..
• Headline: A Convention Draws French For Far Right, And Against It. Impact: The backlash against the far-right National Front turned into a viral meme phenomenon, with 'Le Pen's Face When' memes dominating social media for years—because nothing says political engagement like a well-timed reaction GIF.. Fact: Surprisingly, Jean-Marie Le Pen was once a contestant on a French cooking show, where his soufflé deflated faster than his political career..
• Headline: Culinary Oases In the West 50's. Impact: These culinary oases became a breeding ground for hipster food trends, leading to the rise of avocado toast and artisanal mayonnaise—because nothing says sophistication like overpriced spreads made from ingredients you can't pronounce.. Fact: In the 50's, if you asked for 'fusion cuisine,' it meant mixing two different kinds of meat on the same plate. Bold, right?.
• Headline: Newspaper's Lawyer Withdraws From Suit. Impact: This legal drama sparked a nationwide trend of journalists becoming their own lawyers, leading to a new genre of courtroom dramas where the press and the law get tangled in absurd and ridiculous ways.. Fact: William J Volonte once defended a pet goldfish in small claims court for 'emotional distress'—only to lose the case due to lack of evidence. Fish do not make good witnesses..
• Headline: Choosing and Using Wood Screws. Impact: The rise of wood screw expertise inadvertently led to the Great DIY Revolution, where people took on home projects they were utterly unqualified for, resulting in a spike in home improvement injuries and the invention of the 'Screw It' cocktail.. Fact: Did you know that wood screws were once considered a luxury item? Yeah, they were the high fashion of the hardware world—until they became common and everyone started getting creative with their furniture assembly..
• Headline: Don't Walk. Run!. Impact: Richard F. Shepard's tips not only saved countless pedestrians but also inspired a new generation of urban planners to include 'pedestrian dodging lanes' in city designs—because why not embrace chaos?. Fact: Walking in New York City traffic is essentially a game of Frogger, but with more yelling and fewer lives to spare..
• Headline: Magnet Schools, Whether on Stage . . .. Impact: The focus on magnet schools led to an unexpected influx of talent shows, where students showcased their 'special skills'—from interpretive dance to competitive eating—turning education into a bizarre reality show.. Fact: The original concept for magnet schools involved a literal magnet, which was supposed to draw in students; unfortunately, it attracted more metal objects than kids, leading to quite the cleanup!.