News of this day and this week for November 8, 1974 - Democrats sweep Midterm elections, big anti-Nixon vote. Kissinger back from 18 day diplomatic tour, Middle East and the PLO. World Hunger Conference starts in Rome. OAS meet in Quito, ponder easing restrictions on Cuba. Lt. Calley is released from prison after pardon. Federal Judge in Ohio acquits 8 National Guardsmen accused of shooting students at Kent State.
November 8, 2011

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Newly elected Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio). Savoring the sweep.


An interesting week in history, starting with a Democratic sweep of the midterm elections. Making gains in the Senate and achieving a 2/3 majority in the House, the election was characterized as a mandate and a repudiation of the Nixon years and resulting Watergate scandal. Republicans moaned otherwise. On the one hand saying it signified the end of the Republican Party (again) and on the other hand saying it was the Republicans being blamed for the economy (again). Yes, well . . .Nixon who?

The rest of the world was going through the usual upheaval. With Secretary of State Henry Kissinger returning from an 18 day tour of diplomatic hot-spots, not the least being the Middle East where Peace negotiations were lumbering along while the PLO were getting ready to make a debut at the United Nations. The Conference on World Hunger opened in Rome and the OAS met in Quito Ecuador to discuss ending diplomatic and economic embargo's of Castro's Cuba.

On the domestic side - Lt. William Calley, who put My Lai on the map was released from prison after receiving a Presidential Pardon for his role in the massacre. And an Ohio Federal Judge acquitted 8 National Guardsmen accused to shooting students at Kent State in 1970.

Another week where the world seemed destined to fall off it axis, but somehow didn't. As reported by CBS News and The World This Week for the week ending November 8, 1974.

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