The early 1970s were filled with news stories that captivated people around the world. Political scandals, scientific breakthroughs, and international conflicts hit newspapers and television broadcasts in the early part of the decade. Some of these events inspired hope, while others left millions stunned or defeated. Together, they helped shape history and define the uncertainty of the ‘70s. Here are eight of the biggest headlines from the early 1970s.
1. Apollo 13’s Journey Home
In April 1970, the Apollo 13 mission turned into a survival story after an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the Moon. The astronauts were forced to forget about their lunar landing and instead focus on making it home alive. Engineers on Earth worked around the clock to solve a series of life-threatening problems using only the equipment already aboard the spacecraft. Millions of people watched live coverage of the mission with bated breath until the crew finally returned safely. The incredible rescue is remembered as one of NASA’s greatest achievements and a great story of overcoming seemingly impossible odds.
2. Watergate
What initially appeared to be a straightforward break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., developed into one of the biggest political scandals in American history. Journalists and investigators continually uncovered more and more evidence. Everyone soon realized that the incident was much more significant than it first seemed. The scandal was dominated by secret recordings, congressional hearings, and statements from White House officials. These headlines overwhelmed the newspapers for months. With each new reveal, public confidence in the presidency declined. The scandal led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation from office in 1974. He continues to be the only U.S. president ever to do so. Watergate forever changed the way Americans view government transparency, or the lack thereof.
3. Elvis Presley Returned to the Stage
After spending much of the 1960s focused on movies, Elvis Presley made a comeback as a live performer. His concerts and television specials during the early 1970s drew enormous crowds and millions of viewers. Fans who had grown up listening to the King of Rock and Roll welcomed him back to the stage with enthusiasm. His iconic jumpsuits and incredible performances became lasting symbols of the era.
4. The Vietnam War Finally Ended
Although the Vietnam War had been a major topic of conversation throughout the 1960s, the final years of the conflict created the biggest news stories of the early 1970s. The signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 inspired hope that the war was finally ending, but fighting continued. The end of the war was not official until the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Television broadcasts showed hard-to-watch images of helicopters evacuating Americans and South Vietnamese from rooftops as North Vietnamese forces pushed their way into the city. The war had lasted for years, led to millions of deaths, and divided American political opinion. Once it was finally over, it was as though America could collectively breathe again. This war left a devastating impact on citizens of both countries.
5. The Oil Crisis Changed Everyday Life
In 1973, an oil embargo caused fuel shortages across a significant portion of the United States. Long lines formed at gas stations and drivers actually waited hours to fill their tanks. Some overtaxed stations ran out of fuel altogether. Rising oil prices affected more than just transportation, with inflation and costs of many everyday goods soaring. The crisis highlighted how dependent we were on imported oil. Moving forward, it permanently changed talks regarding energy security.
6. The First Cell Phone Call Was Made
In April 1973, engineer Martin Cooper made the world’s first cellular phone call while standing on a New York City sidewalk. Although the device was considered hand-held, it was large, cumbersome, and heavy. It looked nothing like a cell phone by today’s standards, but it represented the beginning of the technological revolution. No one seemed to foresee that portable phones would become an everyday necessity that none of us could live without. That single NY phone call became historic, laying the foundation for the smartphones billions of people are now glued to.
7. The World’s Tallest Building Erected
When Chicago’s Sears Tower completed construction in 1973, it was officially the tallest building in the world. Rising 1,450 feet above the Windy City, the skyscraper was an impressive feat of modern engineering and ambition. Its extreme height was achieved due to its innovative bundled-tube design, which was never seen before in architecture. For over two decades, no building anywhere on Earth was taller, until the Petronas Towers surpassed it in 1998.
8. Jaws Changed Summer Movies Forever
When Jaws hit theatres in 1975, audiences flocked to see the anticipated movie in record numbers. Steven Spielberg’s suspenseful thriller terrified moviegoers and proved that audiences like to be scared, as Jaws became the highest-grossing film ever released at that point in time. The film’s success was due in part to an enormous marketing campaign and wide release, which set the stage for many such films to come. Historians consider Jaws to be the first true summer blockbuster, forever changing the way Hollywood released movies from there on out.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Universal Pictures.