FEBRUARY 21, 1998

Full News Archive

• Headline: Ex-Governor's Guilty Plea in Whitewater Case. Impact: This plea deal set off a chain reaction of political scandals, leading to a nationwide obsession with conspiracy theories and the birth of countless basement-dwelling conspiracy theorists who still believe the Clintons are lizard people. Fact: Jim Guy Tucker's guilty plea really shook the political landscape, but let's be honest, it was just a warm-up for the circus to come.
• Headline: Diana's Legacy: A Village Concern. Impact: The concern over the shrine to Diana led to an influx of tourists, which subsequently caused local coffee shops to raise prices. So, in a way, this event changed the economy of Great Brington forever—thanks, Diana!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more enduring than Diana's legacy is the British public's ability to turn any small village into a major tourist trap.
• Headline: Uncovered Short Sales Rise on the Big Board and Amex. Impact: The rise of short sales foreshadowed the financial crises to come, proving once again that the stock market is just a giant game of musical chairs where nobody wants to be the last one standing. Fact: Short selling: because sometimes it’s more fun to bet against your friends than to actually support them.
• Headline: Grace Displaces Grunge; 10-Year-Olds in Westchester Take to Ballroom Dancing. Impact: This ballroom dancing craze among 10-year-olds triggered a new trend that contributed to the eventual rise of reality dance competitions, giving us more glittery outfits and questionable parenting decisions. Fact: Turns out, if you put kids in fancy clothes and teach them to dance, they'll be more likely to avoid the pitfalls of grunge music—who knew?.
• Headline: Under Pressure, Indonesia Halts Currency Plan. Impact: Indonesia's retreat from its currency plan had global ramifications, revealing just how interconnected economies are and how one country’s blunder can lead to a worldwide financial hangover. Fact: In economic terms, 'currency plan' is just a fancy way of saying 'let’s try not to bankrupt ourselves today.'.
• Headline: For Lipinski, Skating Dream Turns to Gold. Impact: Lipinski's Olympic victory inspired a generation of skaters and set the bar for teen athletes, forever raising the stakes for those who dare to dream big and don sequins at a young age. Fact: Tara Lipinski became the youngest Olympic champion in figure skating, which is impressive until you remember that some kids are winning spelling bees at age 7.
• Headline: A Liberal On Top Court Is Resigning. Impact: Judge Titone's resignation opened the door for a more conservative court, shifting the legal landscape in New York and creating a ripple effect that still influences judicial decisions today. Fact: Nothing says 'I love the law' quite like resigning from a position to go enjoy some well-deserved retirement or, let's be honest, a long vacation from the chaos.
• Headline: In a Mysterious Germ Case, 2 Worlds Collide. Impact: The arrest for possession of anthrax brought to light serious biosecurity concerns, leading to more stringent regulations and a whole new level of paranoia about germs—thanks, guys!. Fact: When it comes to toxins, some people just can’t help but go the extra mile—because who wants to be ordinary, right?.