JANUARY 16, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Siege of Sana: Royalist Predictions and Strategy. Impact: The prolonged siege led to a series of political upheavals in Yemen that eventually inspired a whole generation of hashtag activists on social media, who now reference it in their memes about 'sitting through a meeting'. Fact: Did you know that sieges often lead to more than just hunger? They can also spark a lot of unnecessary drama and poetry!.
• Headline: Gehlen's Retirement and Wessel's Appointment. Impact: Gehlen's retirement triggered a domino effect of spy-themed movies and TV shows, leading to a global obsession with espionage and the phrase 'Trust no one'. Fact: It's funny how retiring from intelligence can lead to more secrets being leaked than when you were in the position. Just ask any ex-spy on a talk show!.
• Headline: Finnish Presidential Election Kicks Off. Impact: This mini election sparked a national love for short-term decision-making, which later influenced Finland's excellent coffee breaks culture—because who needs long deliberations when you have espresso?. Fact: Two-day elections: because who wants to commit to a long, drawn-out political process when you can just binge-watch an election instead?.
• Headline: Macmillan and Johnson Confer at White House. Impact: Their meeting set off a chain reaction of political alliances that made handshakes the new 'it' thing, leading to an entire generation of awkward photo ops. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'confer' has been used so liberally in politics that it might as well mean 'let's have coffee and pretend we're solving world issues'.
• Headline: Pentagon: A Cosy Fortress. Impact: This cozy description somehow led to a trend in military-themed home décor, influencing everything from paint colors to the presence of camouflage throw pillows in suburban homes. Fact: When the Pentagon is described as 'cosy', it probably means they finally got around to adding a few potted plants—because nothing says 'military might' like a fern.
• Headline: Brezhnev, Kosygin and Podgorny Hold Secret Talks With Poles. Impact: These secret talks ignited decades of spy intrigue across Europe, contributing to the rise of conspiracy theories that would later fuel entire sections of the internet. Fact: Secret talks: the original 'meetings that could have been emails'.
• Headline: Romney Offers Peace Plan For Neutralizing Vietnam; ROMNEY OFFERS A VIETNAM PLAN. Impact: Romney's peace plan inadvertently sparked an interest in diplomatic solutions that somehow turned into a debate on whether pineapple belongs on pizza. Fact: Offering a peace plan in politics is like suggesting a salad at a barbecue—nobody really wants it, but you feel like you should mention it.
• Headline: Andreas Papandreou Gets Greek Passport. Impact: Papandreou’s passport issuance led to a newfound fascination with passports, spurring a trend in passport selfies that continues to this day, as people flaunt their travel privileges. Fact: It's funny how a passport can open doors, yet most people still struggle to find a decent place to stash it when they're traveling.