Timeline of the 1970s (2024)

FAQs

How would you summarize the 1970s in America? ›

Many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of United States' prestige worldwide. But the significance of the seventies goes beyond high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam - profound changes to American politics, societal norms, and the nation's economy took root.

The Vietnam War came to a close, the Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, the United States ended direct involvement in the Vietnam War and President Jimmy Carter grappled with an energy crisis, inflation and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

The 1970s were, in some ways, a continuation of the 1960s. Women, gays and lesbians, African Americans, Native Americans and other marginalized people continued their fight for equality, and many Americans joined the protest against the ongoing war in Vietnam.

Also making news were the massacre at the Munich Olympics and the Iran hostage crisis. Notable cultural events of the 1970s included the debut of the sports network ESPN and the release of the film classics The Godfather and Star Wars. Jaws made movie news by becoming the first summer blockbuster.

"The 'Me' Decade and the Third Great Awakening" is an essay by American author Tom Wolfe, in which Wolfe coined the phrase "'Me' Decade", a term that became common as a descriptor for the 1970s.

The Vietnam War was a long, costly, and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The conflict was intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The 1970s was an era of fuel price increases, rising insurance rates, safety concerns, and emissions controls. The 1973 oil crisis caused a move towards smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles. Attempts were made to produce electric cars, but they were largely unsuccessful.

Early 1970s fashion

For women, the Hippie look of the 1960s carried over to the early '70s. Popular styles included bell bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos.

Learn about the emergence of the American Indian Movement, the gay rights movement, and second-wave feminism.

Stagflation in the 1970s was a period with both high inflation and uneven economic growth. High budget deficits, lower interest rates, the oil embargo, and the collapse of managed currency rates contributed to stagflation.

What was invented in the 1970s? ›

This decade is best remembered for disco and Watergate. But the inventions in the 1970s mark the beginning of the digital age to come. Featured inventions include: cell phones, the bomb disposal robot Post It Note, hybrid cars, and digital cameras.

War and social change continued to shape society. In addition to the many radical ideas of the Sixties that were accepted into American life and culture, disillusionment in government, advances in civil rights, and the women's movement were major trends.

Yet while conservatism toward government grew amongst the populace in the 1970s, social and cultural legacies from the 1960s became more mainstream. Many Americans, even southerners, began to accept the immorality of formal, explicit racial segregation and disfranchisem*nt.

Korean War, Vietnam War, 1970s.

Clockwise from top-left: an earthquake in Nicaragua kills 4,000–11,000 people; the first commercial home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, is released; a photo of the Earth known as The Blue Marble is taken during Apollo's final mission; during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, a terrorist attack carried out; ...