OCTOBER 31, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Czech Workers Support Dubcek's Reforms. Impact: This act of defiance sparked a chain reaction, leading to an underground karaoke movement across Eastern Europe. Who knew that belting out a new political song could fuel a revolution and a love for off-key singing?. Fact: Fun fact: The Czechs are known for their beer more than their political anthems, so this was basically a party that got out of hand..
• Headline: Americans Win Nobel Prizes in 1968. Impact: The win led to a sudden surge of American confidence in science, resulting in the infamous '70s science fairs where kids thought they could solve world hunger with a potato battery.. Fact: Did you know that L.W. Alvarez also invented a way to make nuclear physics sound more exciting than it actually is? Spoiler: It involves a lot of explosions..
• Headline: Nixon Advocates Electoral Pact for 1968. Impact: This electoral pact led to a world where political deals became the norm, ultimately giving rise to the infamous saying 'politics is just like poker, but with less honesty.'. Fact: Nixon’s idea of an electoral pact was probably the most creative thing he did during his presidency. Which says a lot, considering he was a master of the 'no comment' strategy..
• Headline: SOVIET IS SEEKING NEW RED GROUPING; East Germans Back a Plan for a Moscow-Led Bloc Excluding Prague SOVIET IS SEEKING NEW RED GROUPING. Impact: This move led to a series of awkward family reunions at the Communist Thanksgiving dinner, where everyone had to pretend to like each other despite ideological differences.. Fact: The Comintern was so popular it had a fan club, but not a very good one. They mostly just met in the basement of a crumbling building and exchanged pamphlets..
• Headline: Athens Court Releases 3 In Article on Homosexuality. Impact: This court decision opened the floodgates for more liberal discussions on sexuality, ultimately leading to the invention of the rainbow-colored umbrella in Greece—because who doesn’t love a good parade?. Fact: The journalists acquitted were so relieved they threw a party, but it was the kind of party that involves discussing literature rather than dancing..
• Headline: G.O.P. Officials Continue Their Attacks on The Times for Criticism of Agnew and Nixon. Impact: This feud set the stage for future politicians to realize that if they can’t handle the heat, they should probably invest in a better PR team instead of whining to the media.. Fact: Agnew's idea of suing for libel was probably the most innovative approach to 'turning the tables' until social media came along and ruined everything..
• Headline: East German Equestrian Reported Staying in West. Impact: This defection triggered the largest equestrian rebellion in history, where horses everywhere began to contemplate their own freedom, leading to a series of 'escape plans' involving carrots.. Fact: Rumor has it that H. Koehler wasn’t just a good rider, but also had the best horse puns that kept everyone giggling in the stables..
• Headline: BOTH SIDES ASSAIL RENT-RISE INQUIRY; Tenants Say It's Not Needed -- Owners Call It Political. Impact: This inquiry led to a nationwide obsession with rent control, resulting in a spike in DIY home renovations as everyone decided to become their own landlord. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well.. Fact: Tenants and owners arguing over rent is basically the adult version of kids fighting over who gets the last cookie—just with more paperwork and fewer snacks..
• Headline: Rapacki's Decline Is Confirmed By Failure to Win Polish Post. Impact: His political decline prevented a potential rise in anti-Semitic policies in Poland, inadvertently inspiring a generation of activists who preferred to argue on Twitter instead.. Fact: Rapacki’s health reasons were probably just a euphemism for 'I can’t deal with this nonsense anymore.'.
• Headline: Humphrey Exhorts His Backers Here To Get Out Big Vote; HUMPHREY PUSHES FOR BIG VOTE HERE. Impact: Humphrey’s enthusiasm for getting out the vote inspired countless memes about political rallies, evolving into the modern-day 'Get Out The Vote' campaigns that ironically make people want to stay home.. Fact: His motorcade was so extravagant that it might as well have been a parade, complete with confetti and a float shaped like a ballot box..