JUNE 24, 1972

Full News Archive

• Headline: Daring Hijacking of Boeing 727. Impact: Had the hijacking not happened, the subsequent stringent airport security measures might not have been implemented, which could have led to an alternate timeline where boarding a plane was as simple as showing up with a sandwich and a book. Ah, simpler times.. Fact: Did you know that in the 70s, hijacking was so common that it was practically a recreational activity? Who knew turbulence could also mean criminal adventure?.
• Headline: Lynch's Call for a United Ireland. Impact: Lynch's appeal for a united Ireland might have sparked some serious time travel debates among historians. If Ireland had united back then, would we have avoided the chaos of the 80s, or would it just have turned into an even wilder political soap opera?. Fact: Fun fact: The word 'united' in 'United Ireland' has been used so many times that it deserves its own reality show—'Keeping Up With the Unionists.'.
• Headline: Democratic National Convention of 1972. Impact: If the Democratic platform had taken a drastically different turn, we might have ended up with a completely different political landscape. Who knows, there could be a parallel universe where disco is still the dominant political ideology.. Fact: The 1972 Democratic National Convention was so wild that it had more plot twists than a soap opera. Spoiler alert: McGovern was the unexpected hero..
• Headline: The Talk of Damascus. Impact: As discussions about Damascus continue, one can only wonder if the ancient city had a time machine of its own to witness its own historical significance, or if it just wants to avoid being a backdrop for every geopolitical drama.. Fact: The Omayyad Mosque in Damascus is so old that if it had a diary, it would probably be filled with entries about all the empires that came and went like they were just passing through..
• Headline: Civil Service Aide Sworn In. Impact: If D Stadtmauer had never been sworn in, NYC might have had a mayor that couldn't find their way out of a paper bag, leading to a timeline where everyone just decided to ‘wing it’ in governance.. Fact: In 1972, making $31,000 a year as a civil service aide was considered a pretty good gig. Today, you’d be lucky if that covered your avocado toast for a year..
• Headline: Issues Raised by Primary System. Impact: The primary system's issues could have led to a timeline where candidates were chosen by throwing darts at a board. Who needs democracy when you have good aim?. Fact: The Democratic primary debates got so heated in '72 that they should have come with a parental advisory for excessive sarcasm and political drama..
• Headline: THE 1972 CAMPAIGN. Impact: If McGovern's campaign had failed, we might have seen a different shift in American politics, perhaps leading to a timeline where political campaigns were sponsored by snack companies. 'Vote for the Dorito Party!'.. Fact: The 1972 Democratic nomination was basically like a high-stakes game of musical chairs, but with a lot more at stake and a lot fewer actual chairs..
• Headline: Five States Named Disaster Areas. Impact: The disaster areas designated after tropical storm Agnes could have set a precedent for disaster response that would change how we handle climate crises—though probably not in a good way, given how humans tend to ignore climate warnings.. Fact: Tropical storms have a way of making headlines, but Agnes was the storm that made everyone reconsider their vacation plans. Who wants to visit a disaster zone, right?.
• Headline: Juries in Jeopardy. Impact: If the jury system were to collapse completely, we might live in a world where every legal decision is made by a game of rock-paper-scissors. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see that?. Fact: The jury system is often hailed as a pillar of democracy—right up until you realize that your fate could lie in the hands of people who still think 'Law & Order' is a documentary..
• Headline: Meteorologists Explain Growth of Storm. Impact: If meteorologists had stopped trying to explain storms, we might have ended up believing they were just angry weather gods throwing tantrums. 'Oh, look! Another hurricane! Must be that time of year again!'. Fact: Meteorologists in the 70s were basically like the wizards of the weather world—except instead of spells, they used barometers and a lot of guesswork..