JULY 4, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Ford Predicts G.O.P. House Gains. Impact: Ford's prediction that the GOP would gain 40 seats inadvertently led to a massive increase in office supply sales as politicians scrambled to buy new markers for their whiteboards. The chaos of rearranging power structures can be traced back to a shortage of dry-erase markers in the 1970s.. Fact: Did you know that political predictions are often about as reliable as a weather forecast for next week? Just ask any meteorologist..
• Headline: Violence Breaks Out at Wallace Speech. Impact: The fist fights at Wallace's speech created a ripple effect, inspiring a generation of political rallies that doubled as amateur boxing matches. This led to the creation of a new sport: Political Pugilism, which is still celebrated today—mostly in back alleys.. Fact: Did you know that no political rally is complete without a good brawl? It's practically a rite of passage for candidates!.
• Headline: The Legacy of Charles Flicker. Impact: Charles Flicker's name being mentioned in a headline led to several future generations naming their children 'Flicker' in hopes of capturing his elusive fame. Spoiler alert: It didn't work.. Fact: Did you know that being named Charles Flicker is less about fame and more about being a victim of bad parental choices?.
• Headline: Reminders on Gun Control. Impact: The reminders on gun control sparked a series of debates that eventually led to more memes than actual changes in legislation. Who knew that a serious topic could become a goldmine for internet humor?. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more loaded than a gun debate is the comment section of a YouTube video about it?.
• Headline: Defeat of Mendes-France. Impact: Mendes-France's defeat led to countless French people wondering where their leftist heroes had gone. Spoiler alert: They were all at the café, sipping espresso and philosophizing about life.. Fact: Did you know that in France, losing a political battle is just an excuse to open another bottle of wine? Cheers!.
• Headline: College Official Named. Impact: The naming of Rabbi L.J. Goldstein as College Council chairman sparked a wave of Jewish students believing that they could finally take charge of their own destiny—only to find themselves stuck in committee meetings that lasted longer than the average sitcom.. Fact: Did you know that being a college chairman is just a fancy way of saying you're in charge of endless paperwork and awkward small talk?.
• Headline: Brother of Sirhan Asserts a Gunman Shot at Him in Car; SIRHAN'S BROTHER TELLS OF SHOOTING. Impact: Sirhan's brother's near miss with a gunman set off a series of conspiracy theories that could fill libraries. It also inspired the phrase 'I guess it runs in the family,' for those with a penchant for dark humor.. Fact: Did you know that surviving a shooting is often less about luck and more about having really good insurance?.