Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON August 14, 1968
Full News Archive
- Headline: Cuba Restructures Sugar Industry Leadership. Impact: When Cuba ousted its chief of the sugar industry, it triggered a chain reaction that led to the world's first 'Sugar Wars.' Who knew that a sweet substance could lead to such bitter rivalries? Eventually, sugar became the new currency in some Caribbean islands. Kids traded sugar cubes instead of baseball cards. True story.. Fact: Did you know that the sugar industry has caused more upheaval than a toddler's tantrum in a candy store? It's been a sweet mess since the 18th century!.
- Headline: Boycott Against Algeria for Hostage Release. Impact: The pilot group's boycott of Algeria inadvertently led to the creation of a new airline β 'Desperation Airlines' β which only operated flights to countries with no restrictions. Its motto? 'Wherever you canβt go.'. Fact: Did you know that in the world of aviation, boycotts have led to more creative solutions than actual solutions? Welcome to the airline industry!.
- Headline: Deposit Inflow Declines. Impact: A decline in deposit inflow is like the first domino in a long chain leading to the 2008 financial crisis. Banks started hoarding cash like it was the last cookie in the jar, eventually leading to a meltdown that made everyone question their financial decisions.. Fact: Did you know that banks operate on the same principles as your average hoarder? If itβs not nailed down, itβs going in the vault!.
- Headline: Humphrey Asserts Some Foes of War Practice Escapism; Humphrey Calls War Foes Escapists. Impact: Humphrey's comments on war protests were like tossing a match into a barrel of fireworks. Anti-war sentiments exploded, leading to a countercultural revolution that had everyone from college students to your neighborβs cat holding protest signs.. Fact: Did you know that calling anti-war activists 'escapists' was the 60s version of saying 'OK boomer'? It didnβt go over well!.
- Headline: Return of Key Hanoi Aide to Paris May Spur Talks; A KEY HANOI AIDE RETURNS TO PARIS. Impact: Le Duc Tho's return to Paris was like a soap opera cliffhanger. His reappearance led to negotiations that ultimately shaped the fate of Vietnam, proving that sometimes, all you need is a dramatic entrance to change history.. Fact: Did you know that negotiating peace can be as complicated as assembling IKEA furniture? You think you know what youβre doing until you realize youβve got three extra pieces..
- Headline: Plans for Consolidation Set By Kawecki and Beryllium. Impact: The consolidation of Kawecki and Beryllium was the start of a trend where companies believed that merging was the answer to all their problems. Little did they know, it also created a whole new set of problems β like figuring out which corporate retreat to attend.. Fact: Did you know that corporate mergers often lead to more awkward team-building exercises than actual productive work? 'Trust falls' just got a lot more complicated!.
- Headline: DEADLINE PASSES ON GUN REGISTRY; Only a Fourth of 300,000 in City Are Licensed. Impact: The gun registry deadline passing and only a fourth of the guns registered was like throwing a party where nobody RSVP'd. It set off a chain of lax regulations that would haunt future generations, leading to debates that feel like a never-ending game of hot potato.. Fact: Did you know that gun registration is the adult version of setting curfews? Nobody really wants to follow the rules, but everyone pretends they do!.
- Headline: PRICES WILL RISE ON TRANSFORMERS. Impact: Goodrich Chem raising prices on transformers was the moment when the world learned that even machinery has its bad days. It set off a trend of price hikes that would make anyone with a budget cry. The backlash led to DIY transformers β think of the chaos!. Fact: Did you know that transformer prices going up is like the adult version of getting a bad haircut? You just have to live with it until it grows out!.
Wall Street Time Machine
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1968, it would be worth $1,150,821 today (1150.8x return)
PG
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1968, it would be worth $500,431 today (500.4x return)
MCD
McDonald's
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1968, it would be worth $1,093,100 today (1093.1x return)