NOVEMBER 9, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mayor's Emergency Powers on Air Pollution. Impact: Lindsay's newfound powers set a precedent that led to future mayors feeling they could declare any day a 'crisis day' to justify their whims. Fast forward a few decades, and we have mayors cancelling school for snow flurries and announcing 'smog emergencies' to justify the purchase of a new sports car.. Fact: This was one of the few moments in history where 'crisis' actually meant something other than a poorly timed press conference..
• Headline: Hanoi's Bold Prediction on Vietnam War. Impact: Hanoi's comment about Nixon being 'entangled in deadlock' foreshadowed the endless political quagmires of the future. Imagine if Nixon had just taken a day off for self-care instead of spiraling into chaos – we might have had a world where presidents didn’t treat crisis like a competitive sport!. Fact: Nixon's administration was so busy trying to untangle itself from Vietnam that they invented the term 'strategic withdrawal,' which is now a popular phrase for avoiding awkward social situations..
• Headline: SAIGON SUGGESTS IT AND HANOI HEAD TWO-SIDED PARLEY; Thieu Offers to End Boycott if U.S. and Vietcong Take Secondary Positions WASHINGTON CAUTIOUS Thuy Rejects Minor Role for Front, Saying Other Side Can Do What It Wishes SAIGON SUGGESTS TWO-SIDED TALKS. Impact: This attempt at dialogue led to a long series of negotiations that taught future leaders the importance of communication—although they still often forgot that talking to each other is actually a requirement for peace.. Fact: If only everyone had a good mediator, like that one friend who always resolves fights by suggesting pizza. Imagine the peace talks over a slice!.
• Headline: U.A.W. Workers at Revere Strike Over Wage Demands. Impact: Every strike has a ripple effect, and this one inspired the labor movements of the future, leading to the widespread belief that workers might actually deserve fair wages. Shocking, I know!. Fact: Striking for wages is like asking for a raise at work; it’s brave, but you might just get a side-eye and a lecture about the company's current financial situation..
• Headline: Nixon Lead in Popular Vote Cut To 186,357 as Tally Continues. Impact: Nixon's shrinking lead set the stage for future elections where every single vote counted, leading to the invention of the phrase 'every vote matters'—which is still hotly debated every election year.. Fact: That narrow lead was basically the political version of watching a soap opera: full of suspense, questionable decisions, and lots of scandalous twists..
• Headline: Women Journalists Honored. Impact: The recognition of women journalists helped pave the way for future generations, resulting in a media landscape where women could report the news instead of just being the news. Take that, patriarchal narratives!. Fact: The award ceremony was likely filled with more drama than a reality TV show—who knew reporting could be so cut-throat?.
• Headline: 3 More Koreans Killed. Impact: Each loss in the Korean conflict deepened divisions and prolonged a war that would continue to impact geopolitics for decades. It's a haunting reminder of the human cost of political strife.. Fact: The Korean War is often remembered as 'the forgotten war,' which is ironic because it seems to never really be forgotten in terms of its ongoing consequences..
• Headline: A Dissident Priest Faces Suspension in Portugal. Impact: The suspension of the priest highlighted significant tensions within the church, leading to a slow awakening of reform movements that would ripple through the Catholic community worldwide. Who knew a little dissent could stir such a big pot?. Fact: Dissident priests have historically been the original rebels—they were basically the punk rockers of the clergy long before it was cool..
• Headline: SEMINARIAN FACES U.S. JURY ON DRAFT; Explains Choice of Defiance Instead of Exemption. Impact: This seminarian's defiance set a precedent for countless future conscientious objectors, proving that sometimes standing up for your beliefs can get you more than just a spot in the history books—it can also earn you a courtroom drama.. Fact: Defying the draft is a bit like declaring you're on a 'no-carb' diet at a pizza party—everyone’s going to have an opinion, and you’re definitely going to face some judgment..