OCTOBER 16, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Wallace Secures Ballot Access in Ohio. Impact: Wallace's unexpected placement on ballots could have sparked a new wave of third-party candidates. Fast forward a few decades, and we might find ourselves voting for a talking dog or a sentient AI named 'Candidate 3000'.. Fact: The Supreme Court said, 'Hey, equal protection!' but Wallace thought it meant he should wear a superhero cape on the campaign trail..
• Headline: HEALTH SERVICE BILL SIGNED BY JOHNSON. Impact: Signing this bill set off a chain reaction that would eventually lead to debates about healthcare that feel like they’ve lasted longer than the actual debates on the bill. Spoiler alert: they still haven’t fixed it.. Fact: Johnson believed a healthy nation was a happy nation. Too bad he didn't have the power to cure the common cold—now that would have made him a hero..
• Headline: U.S.C. Professor Named Johnson Library Director. Impact: This seemingly mundane appointment could have led to a renaissance of historical research, inspiring future generations of scholars who use 'The Johnson Library' as a party theme. Who knew history could be so fun?. Fact: The Johnson Library is not just full of books; it also contains a wealth of snacks—because nothing says ‘presidential history’ like an all-you-can-eat buffet..
• Headline: Second Quake Strikes Perth. Impact: This second quake probably made Perth the world's most cautious city, leading to an increase in earthquake drills, which may have sparked a fitness craze. Who wouldn’t want to be fit enough to run when the ground starts shaking?. Fact: Perth once thought about changing its name to 'Shaky Town', but then decided it was too on-the-nose..
• Headline: Pollsters Call Chance of Error In Election Greatest Since 1948; Pollsters Call Chance of Error In Election Greatest Since 1948. Impact: This dire warning sent pollsters scrambling to reinvent themselves. Fast forward to today, and we now have polls predicting everything from the next flavor of potato chips to which celebrity will run for president.. Fact: The only thing more uncertain than poll predictions is the weather forecast—at least with weather, you get a chance of snow to blame it on..
• Headline: Rapidly Gaining Economy Keeps Its Pace in Quarter; Although Government Desires Slowdown, Gross Product Rises by $17.9-Billion as Consumer Spending Advances. Impact: This economic surge led to a consumerist society that just can't stop buying things—resulting in the cliché that 'money can’t buy happiness', but it can definitely buy a lot of useless gadgets.. Fact: If only that $17.9 billion had been spent on self-help books instead, maybe we'd all be happier, but then again, where’s the fun in that?.