MARCH 24, 1979

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mr. Bell's Notable Jailbreak. Impact: Mr. Bell's escape led to a revolutionary idea: why not just let everyone out? This sparked a trend of jailbreak-themed parties, and soon enough, 'Escape Room' became a thing. Now, people are preparing for their 'great escapes' from everyday life.. Fact: Interestingly, the only thing more notorious than Mr. Bell's escape is the '79 judicial improvements bill—because who doesn’t love a good bureaucracy?.
• Headline: South Bronx Sniper Shootings Resolved. Impact: This event created a new trend of community involvement in policing. Soon, everyone in the neighborhood thought they could outsmart the police. Fast forward a few decades, and now every neighborhood watch is an audition for a cop show.. Fact: Fun fact: In some places, community tips have led to arrests more than actual police work. It's like a reality show where everyone thinks they’re the star!.
• Headline: Winston Tong, Puppeteer, Puts ‘Nijinsky’ in His La Mama Act. Impact: This performance elevated puppetry to new heights, leading to a bizarre trend where people began using puppets to express their emotions—resulting in a global phenomenon of puppet therapy. Who knew therapy could come with a side of marionettes?. Fact: Did you know that Nijinsky was a real ballet dancer? Clearly, puppetry was a step up from the emotional baggage of real-life dancers..
• Headline: Modern‐Art Museum Reopens in Chicago. Impact: The reopening of this museum inspired every hipster in the world to declare themselves as art critics. Fast forward to today, and you can’t scroll through social media without seeing someone staring at a blank canvas, pretending to be deep.. Fact: The museum's light and sound art was so avant-garde, it made even the most serious critics question if they were just really bad at understanding modern art..
• Headline: If You've Ever Falsified A Job Résumé, Read This Article. Impact: This article led to a wave of 'creative résumé writing,' which became so popular that HR departments had to create a special section in their training manual just for spotting lies. Now, every job interview is like a game of truth or dare!. Fact: Interestingly, the most common lie on résumés is about being proficient in Microsoft Excel. Spoiler alert: Nobody actually knows how to use it!.
• Headline: Russian Sets Swimming Mark. Impact: Vladimir Salinikov's record-setting swim inspired a generation of athletes to push their limits. Unfortunately, it also led to a terrible fashion trend of competitive swimwear that still haunts us today—thanks, swimming world.. Fact: Salinikov's record was so impressive that it set the bar for future swimmers. Just think of all the Olympic training camps that have been built around the idea of 'just don't drown!'.
• Headline: ‘Table Settings,’ a Comedy Of a Modern Jewish Family. Impact: This play sparked the trend of modern family comedies, leading to a deluge of sitcoms that made everyone believe their own family life was a sitcom waiting to happen. Spoiler alert: It usually isn't.. Fact: Did you know that Jewish humor often revolves around family dynamics? It's basically the original reality TV before it was a thing!.
• Headline: Music and Sunshine Enliven a Springtime New York. Impact: This delightful day made everyone in New York decide they should enjoy the outdoors more, leading to an explosion of outdoor festivals. Now, every spring, it’s like a competition to see who can enjoy the sun the most—#blessed.. Fact: Springtime in New York is so popular that it has inspired countless songs, all of which are about how to avoid the subway system in favor of a park..