APRIL 20, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Greece Bans Mercouri's Records Amid Amnesty. Impact: In a twist of fate, the ban on Melina Mercouri's records led to a secret underground market of vinyl aficionados, sparking a bizarre resurgence of 70s Greek music in hipster coffee shops worldwide, ultimately influencing a generation of DJs to resurrect disco, which then inspired the creation of the modern-day dance craze known as 'The Macarena'.. Fact: Melina Mercouri was not just a singer; she was also a passionate advocate for democracy and cultural heritage. So, banning her music? That’s like trying to stop the sun from shining!.
• Headline: Mayor Encourages G.O.P. to Engage Black Youth. Impact: Lindsay's call for the G.O.P. to woo the Negro vote set off a chain reaction that resulted in the party inventing focus groups, which eventually led to the creation of political consultants who now charge exorbitant fees to tell politicians what to say. Thanks, Lindsay!. Fact: This was the 1970s, a time when Republicans thought 'diversity' meant having more than one white guy on stage. Progress!.
• Headline: Chinese Red Army Expansion and Draft Resumption. Impact: The resurgence of the draft in China not only fortified the Red Army but also led to a global fascination with military parades, inspiring countless 'how to march' tutorials on YouTube, which of course, nobody asked for.. Fact: Conscripting young women into the army? That’s not only groundbreaking; it’s a testament to how far behind the times many militaries were in gender equality, and we thought 2020 was bad!.
• Headline: Three Seized in Paramus With $750,000 in Heroin. Impact: The Paramus heroin bust inadvertently inspired an entire generation of ‘true crime’ documentaries, leading to an obsession with crime shows. Flash forward to today, and the average person knows more about serial killers than their own family history.. Fact: A $750,000 heroin haul in 1970s dollars? That's basically like finding a dragon's hoard today! But instead of treasure, it was just a big ol' mess..
• Headline: O'BRIEN FORESEES A MILD CAMPAIGN. Impact: O'Brien's mild campaign forecast led to a series of uninspired political strategies, making 'boring' a buzzword in the political arena. This ultimately paved the way for social media influencers to enter politics, where charisma trumps substance.. Fact: Mild campaigns are like lukewarm coffee: nobody really wants them, but they keep showing up anyway!.
• Headline: 11 of R.A.F. Believed Dead. Impact: The tragic crash of the RAF patrol craft not only highlighted the dangers of military service but also inadvertently led to a slew of British war films, glorifying the RAF and leading to a national obsession with all things heroic.. Fact: With 11 lost lives, this incident reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice made by service members, and how their stories often get overshadowed by the next big blockbuster..
• Headline: Books of The Times; On the Way to the Flicks. Impact: Arthur Hailey's book 'Airport' inspired the creation of airport-themed board games, which then spiraled into a culture of people pretending they enjoy the chaos of travel while secretly wishing to teleport.. Fact: Hailey's novels were the original 'airport novels'—those thick paperbacks you grab just before a flight, because who doesn’t want to read about other people’s travel disasters while on a plane?.
• Headline: Inquiry Set on Slum Credit. Impact: The inquiry into slum credit abuses led to the rise of consumer protection laws and, eventually, the establishment of the credit score—because nothing says 'we care' like a three-digit number determining your financial future!. Fact: Slum credit abuses? That’s like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. But hey, at least they tried!.
• Headline: 2 Exiled Sierra Leone Officers Return After Coup. Impact: The return of exiled Sierra Leone officers after a coup set the precedent for future military coups, creating a cycle of instability. This eventually led to the phrase 'let's see how this one plays out' becoming a staple in international relations.. Fact: Colonel Bangura and Colonel A Genda returning was like a sequel nobody asked for—'Coup 2: The Return of the Exiles.' Spoiler alert: it’s just as messy as the first!.