DECEMBER 10, 1968

Full News Archive

• Headline: Goodell's Federal Welfare Standards Proposal. Impact: Goodell's proposal triggered a national debate on welfare that eventually led to a reality TV show where contestants had to survive on a welfare budget. Spoiler alert: it was less entertaining than it sounds. Fact: Did you know that before this proposal, welfare was largely viewed as a topic too boring for most sitcoms? Now it’s practically a soap opera!.
• Headline: Court Dismisses Tax Exemption for Glimco. Impact: This court ruling inadvertently inspired a new genre of courtroom dramas where ex-Teamsters are the protagonists, leading to a Hollywood resurgence in stories about unions and tax evasion. Fact: Did you know that J. Glimco's legal troubles are still less convoluted than most modern tax codes?.
• Headline: Panel Urges More Competition For A.T.&T. on Private Lines. Impact: The push for competition against AT&T led to the creation of several failed tech startups, all named after animals, which ultimately resulted in the rise of the internet as we know it today—thank you, cat memes. Fact: Did you know that before this, the only competition AT&T faced was from angry housewives trying to get a dial tone?.
• Headline: SCRANTON URGES POLICY IN MIDEAST BE 'EVENHANDED'; Entering Israeli-Held Area, He Says U.S. Should Not 'Espouse One Nation' Scranton Asks 'Evenhanded' Policy in Mideast. Impact: Scranton's plea for an evenhanded policy in the Mideast somehow resulted in a series of diplomatic incidents that ended with the U.S. having to hire a full-time peace negotiator who moonlights as a therapist. Fact: Did you know that 'evenhanded' is just a fancy way of saying 'let's not pick sides, but still hope for a good outcome?'.
• Headline: Atlantic City Fills Post. Impact: Mayor Jackson's appointment led to a domino effect of other cities suddenly realizing they could hire directors for things like 'modeling cities'—inspired a new career path that exists only in job titles. Fact: Did you know that 'Model Cities' was originally just a euphemism for 'let's not mess this up too badly'?.
• Headline: SHRIVER REPORTED READY TO ACCEPT POST AS U.N. ENVOY; Ambassador to France Will Inform Kennedy Family of Offer by President-Elect DEMOCRAT MEETS NIXON Lodge Leading Candidate Among the Republicans as His Successor in Paris Shriver Reported U.N. Envoy Choice. Impact: Shriver's acceptance as U.N. Envoy sparked a series of diplomatic faux pas, including accidentally sending a birthday card to the wrong country—who knew political relations could hinge on Hallmark?. Fact: Did you know that becoming a U.N. envoy is just like being a babysitter, but with more paperwork and fewer tantrums (hopefully)?.
• Headline: PUPILS STAY OUT OF HARLEM SCHOOL; Teachers Enter With Police, but Boycott Is Effective -McCoy Told to Offer Plan 8 Teachers Escorted by Police Into East Harlem School but Pupils Stay Away PARENTS' BOYCOTT PROVES EFFECTIVE 4 Demonstrators Arrested--McCoy Told to Produce Plan to Reopen 271. Impact: The successful boycott in Harlem became a blueprint for future protests, leading to the rise of social media activism—because nothing says 'effective protest' like a hashtag. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'effective boycott' was originally coined by someone trying to avoid a lunch date?.
• Headline: U.N. Committee Expanded. Impact: The expansion of the U.N. committee made it the largest committee known to man, leading to endless debates over who gets to sit where—proving that even in global politics, seating arrangements can lead to chaos. Fact: Did you know that the U.N. committee meetings often resemble family reunions, complete with awkward silences and debates over potato salad?.