DECEMBER 8, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Detroit Coalition Works to Reduce Tension. Impact: The coalition of policemen, businessmen, and youths began a multi-decade effort to curb fear, leading to the invention of a new reality TV genre: 'Real Cops of Detroit.' Who knew tension could be so entertaining?. Fact: The '67 disorders were so chaotic that even the local raccoons formed a neighborhood watch..
• Headline: Dutch Postal Service Rejects Delivery Cuts. Impact: By rejecting the mail delivery plan, the Dutch inadvertently ensured that their postal service would one day be the envy of hipsters worldwide, leading to an explosion of artisanal letter writing.. Fact: The Dutch postal service is so reliable that they once delivered a letter addressed to 'The Future' – and it arrived on time..
• Headline: Heart Transplants: A Year in Review. Impact: As heart transplants became a success, the demand for organ donors skyrocketed, inspiring a new generation of medical-themed dating apps. Love truly goes hand-in-hand with heart health!. Fact: The first heart transplant patient was so excited he started a support group called 'Beating Hearts Club' – membership includes free cake!.
• Headline: Measures Start Today; ISRAEL PUTS CURB ON ARABS' TRAVEL. Impact: Israel's travel restrictions on Arabs may have seemed like a local issue, but they inadvertently sparked a global debate on labor rights, leading to the formation of an international 'Couchsurfing for Workers' movement.. Fact: The only thing more restricted than travel in those areas was the number of times people could agree on where to go for dinner..
• Headline: Foreign-Trade Zones Are Gaining Visibility. Impact: The rise of foreign-trade zones led to a booming black market for international snacks, with border crossings becoming the new hot spots for culinary espionage.. Fact: At one point, the most traded item in foreign trade zones was actually a recipe for the world's best guacamole..
• Headline: W. W. Smith Takes Nassau Pace; Overcall Is 6th; 1-5 CHOICE FADES IN FINAL QUARTER. Impact: W.W. Smith's victory in Nassau Pace inspired a new generation of underdog stories, leading to the eventual rise of motivational quotes on coffee mugs that no one actually follows.. Fact: W.W. Smith became so famous that even his pet goldfish started a fan club..
• Headline: Trend of Coups. Impact: The deposition of Mali's President Keita sparked a series of coups across Africa, all of which were secretly sponsored by a popular board game company looking to make 'Monopoly: Global Edition' a reality.. Fact: The phrase 'bloodless coup' was coined after organizers realized they forgot to bring snacks for the participants..
• Headline: FLORIDA HUNTING CATTLE RUSTLERS; 75,000 Pounds of Beef Now Disappears Every Week. Impact: The fight against cattle rustlers in Florida led to the birth of the world's first beef-themed reality show, 'Cattle Cops,' where the stakes are high, and the steaks are higher.. Fact: Florida cattle rustlers were so successful they almost started a beef jerky empire before being caught..
• Headline: I.T.T. Unit Starts Computer Setup. Impact: The establishment of a computer network linking offices in 24 states inadvertently led to the creation of the 'Reply All' email disaster that would haunt workers for generations to come.. Fact: The first email sent through that network was a 'Happy Friday' message that had everyone wondering if it was already time for a long weekend..