SEPTEMBER 6, 1997

Full News Archive

• Headline: Fighting Toxic Waste: A Lone Hero. Impact: The lone agent's battle against toxic waste inspired a whole genre of action films where the hero fights environmental villains. Who knew that saving the planet could be so explosively entertaining?. Fact: The phrase 'soft voice, fatal fists' became a popular motivational poster slogan in eco-warrior circles. It’s still unclear what happened to the original agent..
• Headline: Debate on Gore's Knowledge of Fundraiser. Impact: This debate fueled endless conspiracy theories about campaign finance, leading to the rise of amateur political detectives who now populate the internet, claiming they can solve all of history's mysteries with a web browser.. Fact: David Strauss's lunch at the Buddhist temple is still a hot topic, proving that even political scandals can have a delicious twist..
• Headline: Worldcom Called Ready to Buy Compuserve in $1.2 Billion Deal. Impact: The acquisition talks, or lack thereof, led to Worldcom being so desperate for growth that they began a trend of acquiring companies that eventually resulted in the dot-com bubble bursting. Oops!. Fact: Compuserve was once the hottest online service, proving that even the internet can have its 'cool kids' who fall from grace..
• Headline: Wiley to Sell Legal Unit to Dutch Publisher. Impact: Wiley's sale allowed Wolters Kluwer to dominate the legal publication space, which led to the creation of many legal-themed memes that lawyers still cringe at today.. Fact: Wiley's decision to sell was met with so much indifference that it’s rumored the employees threw a barely attended farewell party..
• Headline: Archbishop Apologizes To Ex-President de Klerk. Impact: Archbishop Tutu's apology rekindled discussions about truth and reconciliation in South Africa, indirectly leading to more discussions about accountability in other countries. Who knew guilt could be so productive?. Fact: Desmond Tutu's heartfelt apologies have been known to cause spontaneous hugs from political figures, though de Klerk reportedly just nodded awkwardly..
• Headline: Volkswagen to Raise $4 Billion to Expand. Impact: Volkswagen's stock plunge led to a temporary crisis in the automotive market, resulting in a slew of 'how not to invest' tutorials that still resonate with new investors today. Thanks, VW!. Fact: Volkswagen's plan to expand was so ambitious that it included a detailed plan on how to make the 'Beetle' cool again. Spoiler: it didn’t work..
• Headline: NEWCOURT CREDIT TO BUY BRITISH BANK FINANCING UNIT. Impact: Newcourt's acquisition marked the beginning of a series of financial mergers that led to an overwhelming number of bank acronyms, leaving future students baffled and in need of a decoder ring.. Fact: The phrase 'buying a financing unit' has been jokingly misinterpreted as financial cannibalism among banking circles..
• Headline: Diana and the Paparazzi: A Morality Tale. Impact: Diana's tragic end sparked a global discussion on media ethics, forever changing the relationship between public figures and paparazzi. The paparazzi now have to think twice before jumping into bushes!. Fact: The term 'paparazzi' became so well-known post-Diana that it was added to the dictionary, right next to 'celebrity' and 'drama.'.