Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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The biggest hits of the year β Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON October 26, 1968
Full News Archive
- Headline: Revolutionary Flexible Contact Lens Introduced. Impact: If only those contact lenses had been invented a decade earlier, perhaps the 1970s would have seen a dramatic decrease in awkward first datesβbecause who can look charming while fumbling with dry, scratchy lenses?. Fact: Did you know that contact lenses were first invented in the 1880s? This breakthrough was a mere 100 years too late for all those poor souls squinting through glasses at the disco!.
- Headline: FBI Busts Major Loan-Shark Operation. Impact: The arrest of these loan sharks sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld, leading to a massive uptick in 'legitimate' businesses, like pizza places that also happen to offer side loans at 300% interest. Thanks, FBI!. Fact: They say crime doesn't pay, but clearly, it does when you have a side hustle in the pizza industry. Just add interest!.
- Headline: Nixon's Stand on Welfare Inequity. Impact: Nixon's denunciation of welfare inequity may have led to a future where politicians would endlessly discuss social issues without ever actually fixing themβresulting in the birth of countless debate teams worldwide!. Fact: Fun fact: Nixon's policies were so impactful, they inspired future generations of politicians to promise change while doing absolutely nothingβtalk about a legacy!.
- Headline: Greek Court Rejects Challenges to Charter Vote; Judges Say That No Evidence Was Presented to Prove Coercion in Referendum. Impact: The Greek Court's decision not only reinforced the legitimacy of that referendum but also inadvertently sparked a decades-long debate about the true meaning of 'freedom'βwhich, ironically, became a popular topic in cafes around the world.. Fact: Did you know that in Greece, even the judges have to deal with appeals? Sounds like a never-ending game of legal hot potato!.
- Headline: Naval Clemency Plea Set. Impact: Luczko's plea for clemency became a touchstone for future discussions on military justice, leading to a series of debates that would ultimately inspire a few bad TV dramas and even worse courtroom reality shows.. Fact: Did you know that military courts are often stricter than civilian ones? Who knew that following orders could lead to such fun courtroom antics?.
- Headline: City Is Asked to Shut Schools On Nov. 5 to Facilitate Voting. Impact: Closing schools to facilitate voting may have led to a future where students regularly miss class for various 'national emergencies,' like every time a new iPhone is released. Priorities, people!. Fact: Did you know that in some places, they actually consider closing schools for the Super Bowl? Because educational priorities totally align with American sports!.
- Headline: President Signs Alien Bill. Impact: The signing of the Alien Bill may have accelerated the integration of immigrants into society, leading to an ever-expanding group of people who have no idea how to properly pronounce 'quinoa'βbut hey, theyβre citizens now!. Fact: Did you know that some aliens have more complicated paths to citizenship than a contestant on a reality show? Talk about a plot twist!.
- Headline: U.S. TO PRESS WAR IN SOUTH AS HUNT FOR PEACE GOES ON; Clifford Says the President Forbids Any Letup During Search for a Formula HANOI ASSAILS JOHNSON Denies Accepting Conditions -- Sharp Ground Action Stirs Doubts on Lull U.S. TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON FOE. Impact: The U.S. pressuring for war while searching for peace is a classic case of 'let's do both and see what happens,' a tactic that definitely influenced future generations on how to run a countryβjust throw everything at the wall and see what sticks!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'search for peace' has been used so often, it's basically a euphemism for 'we have no idea what we're doing?'.
- Headline: Roles for Saigon And N.L.F. at Talks Termed Key Issue; ROLES FOR SAIGON AND N.L.F. AT ISSUE. Impact: The unresolved roles of Saigon and the NLF at talks may have led to a future where negotiators spend more time arguing over who gets to sit where than actually making progressβbecause, let's face it, seating charts are crucial!. Fact: Did you know that diplomatic negotiations often resemble high school lunchroom politics? Itβs all about who sits where and who gets to say what!.
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)