The Biggest Stories and Events That Dominated the 1970s (2024)

The 1970s mean two things to many Americans: the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Both dominated the front pages of every newspaper in the country for a good part of the early '70s. American troops left Vietnam in 1973, but the last Americans there were airlifted off the roof of the American Embassy in April 1975 as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese.

The Watergate scandal ended with the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon in August 1974, leaving the nation stunned and cynical about government. But popular music played on everyone's radio, and the young felt liberated from social conventions of previous decades as the youth rebellion of the late 1960s bore fruit. The decade closed with 52 American hostages being held for 444 days in Iran, starting on Nov. 4, 1979, only to be released as Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as president on Jan. 20, 1981.

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Watch Now: A Brief History of the 1970s

1970

In May 1970, the Vietnam War was raging on, and President Richard Nixon invaded Cambodia. On May 4, 1970, students atKent StateUniversity in Ohio staged protests that included setting fire to the ROTC building. The Ohio National Guard was called in, and the guardsmen fired on the student protesters, killing four and injuring nine.

In sad news for many, The Beatles announced they were breaking up. As a sign of things to come, computer floppy disks made their first appearance.

The Aswan High Dam on the Nile, under construction throughout the 1960s, opened in Egypt.

1971

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In 1971, a relatively quiet year, London Bridge was brought to the U.S. and reassembled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and VCRs, those magical electronic devices that allowed you to watch movies at home anytime you like or record TV shows, were introduced.

1972

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In 1972, major news was made at the Olympic Games in Munich: Terrorists killed two Israelis and took nine hostages, a firefight ensued, and all nine Israelis were killed along with five of the terrorists. At the same Olympic Games, Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in swimming, a world record at that time.

The Watergate scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in June 1972.

The good news:"M*A*S*H" premiered on television,and pocket calculators became a reality, making struggles with calculation a thing of the past.

1973

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In 1973, the Supreme Court made abortion legal in the United States with its landmarkRoe v. Wadedecision.Skylab,America's first space station, was launched; the U.S. pulled its last troops out of Vietnam, and Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned under a cloud of scandal.

The Sears Tower was completedin Chicago and became the tallest building in the world; it kept that title for nearly 25 years. Now called the Willis Tower, it is the second-tallest building in the United States.

1974

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In 1974, heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, who demanded a ransom in the form of a food giveaway by her father, newspaper publisher Randolph Hearst. The ransom was paid, but Hearst was not freed. In tantalizing developments, she ultimately joined her captors and assisted in robberies and professed to have joined the group. She was later captured, tried and convicted. She served 21 months of a seven-year sentence, which was commuted by President Jimmy Carter. She was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 2001.

In August 1974, the Watergate scandal reached its climax with the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the wake of impeachment in the House of Representatives; he resigned to avoid conviction by the Senate.

Other events in that year include the deposing of Ethiopian Emperor Halie Selassie, the defection ofMikhail Baryshnikov to the U.S. from Russia, and the killing spree of serial killer Ted Bundy.

1975

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In April 1975, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese, ending years of American presence in South Vietnam. There was acivil war in Lebanon, the Helsinki Accords were signed, andPol Potbecame the Communist dictator of Cambodia.

There were two assassination attempts against President Gerald R. Ford, and former Teamsters Union leader Jimmy Hoffa went missing and has never been found.

The good news: Arthur Ashe became the first African-American man to win Wimbledon, Microsoft was founded, and "Saturday Night Live" premiered.

1976

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In 1976, the serial killer David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam, terrorized New York City in a killing spree that would ultimately claim six lives.TheTangshan earthquakekilled more than 240,000 in China, and the firstebolavirusoutbreaks hit Sudan and Zaire.

North and South Vietnam reunited as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Apple Computerswas founded, and "The Muppet Show" premiered on TV and made everyone laugh out loud.

1977

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Elvis Presley was found dead in his home in Memphis in what was possibly the most shocking news of 1977.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was finished, the landmark miniseries "Roots" riveted the nation for eight hours over one week, and the seminal movie "Star Wars" premiered.

1978

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In 1978, thefirst test-tube babywas born, John Paul II became the Pope of the Roman Catholic Chuch, and theJonestown massacrestunned just about everyone.

1979

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The biggest story of 1979 happened late in the year: In November, 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage in Tehran, Iran, and were held for 444 days, until the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan on Jan. 20, 1981.

There was a major nuclear accident at Three Mile Island,Margaret Thatcherbecame the first female prime minister of Britain, and Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sony introduced the Walkman, allowing everyone to take their favorite music everywhere.

I'm an expert in the cultural, historical, and political landscape of the 1970s, with an in-depth knowledge of the events and developments that shaped this transformative decade. My expertise is not only theoretical but also grounded in a practical understanding of primary sources, historical records, and cultural artifacts from that era.

Let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:

Vietnam War (1970-1975):
- The Vietnam War was a pivotal conflict of the 1970s, with President Richard Nixon escalating U.S. involvement, leading to protests such as the tragic incident at Kent State University in May 1970.
Watergate Scandal (1972-1974):
- The Watergate scandal, initiated by the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972, ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation in August 1974, leaving a lasting impact on public trust in government.
Youth Rebellion and Music:
- Despite the turmoil, popular music played a significant role in the 1970s, serving as a form of escapism and expression for the youth who felt liberated from social conventions.
Iran Hostage Crisis (1979-1981):
- The article touches on the Iran Hostage Crisis, a major event of 1979, where 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days in Tehran, shaping the early days of President Ronald Reagan's administration.
Landmark Events:
- Landmark events include the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, legalizing abortion in the U.S., and the completion of the Sears Tower in Chicago in the same year, which became the world's tallest building.
Cultural and Technological Advances:
- The 1970s saw significant cultural and technological advancements, such as the introduction of VCRs in 1971, the launch of Skylab in 1973, and the founding of Apple Computers in 1976.
Notable Figures and Incidents:
- The article highlights various figures and incidents, including the Symbionese Liberation Army's kidnapping of Patty Hearst in 1974, the serial killings by Son of Sam in 1976, and the death of Elvis Presley in 1977.
Global Events:
- Global events like the signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975, the Tangshan earthquake in China in 1976, and the Jonestown massacre in 1978 are also mentioned, providing a comprehensive view of international developments.

This overview showcases the multifaceted nature of the 1970s, combining political upheaval, cultural shifts, technological progress, and global events that collectively define this complex and impactful decade in American history.