The 1970s

1971 55 years ago

The New York Times published the first excerpts from the Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page classified Department of Defense

The New York Times (NYT) is a newspaper based in Manhattan, New York City. The New York Times covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces and re…

The New York Times published the first excerpts from the Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page classified Department of Defense

1971 55 years ago

Emerson, Lake & Palmer released the progressive rock album Tarkus

Emerson, Lake & Palmer were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards) of the Nice, Greg Lake of King Crimson,…

Emerson, Lake & Palmer released the progressive rock album Tarkus

1971 55 years ago

The Soyuz 11 spacecraft experienced uncontrolled decompression during preparations for reentry, killing Soviet cosmonaut

Soyuz 11 was the only crewed mission to board the world's first space station, Salyut 1. The crew – Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov, and Viktor Patsayev – arrived at the space…

The Soyuz 11 spacecraft experienced uncontrolled decompression during preparations for reentry, killing Soviet cosmonaut

1971 55 years ago

After visiting several Asian communist countries, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu (pictured) gave a speech on a…

Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian communist politician who led Romania as general secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 and as president from 1974 until his execution …

After visiting several Asian communist countries, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu (pictured) gave a speech on a…

1970

Apollo program: The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returns to Earth safely

The Apollo program, also known as Project Apollo, was the United States human spaceflight program led by NASA, which landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969. Apollo was conceiv…

Apollo program: The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returns to Earth safely

1970

The first Earth Day is celebrated

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globa…

The first Earth Day is celebrated

1970

Chicano residents in San Diego, California occupy a site under the Coronado Bridge, leading to the creation of Chicano P

San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. It is the eighth-most populous city in the U.S. and second-most populo…

Chicano residents in San Diego, California occupy a site under the Coronado Bridge, leading to the creation of Chicano P

1970

China launches Dong Fang Hong I, becoming the fifth nation to put an object into orbit using its own booster

Dong Fang Hong 1, in the western world also known as China 1 or PRC 1, was the first space satellite of the People's Republic of China (PRC), launched successfully on 24 April 1970…

China launches Dong Fang Hong I, becoming the fifth nation to put an object into orbit using its own booster

1970

The Gambia becomes a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara as its first President

The Gambia, officially the Republic of the Gambia, is a country in West Africa. Geographically, the Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa; it is surrounded by Senega…

The Gambia becomes a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara as its first President

1970

The Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization enters into force

The WIPO Convention is a multilateral treaty that established the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization enters into force

1970

ALM Flight 980 ditches in the Caribbean Sea near Saint Croix, killing 23

ALM Flight 980 was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight that originated in John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, to Princess Juliana International…

ALM Flight 980 ditches in the Caribbean Sea near Saint Croix, killing 23

1970

After being appointed on May 15, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P

May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 230 days remain until the end of the year.

After being appointed on May 15, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P

1970

Qaboos bin Said al Said becomes Sultan of Oman after overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur initiating massive…

Qaboos bin Said Al Said was Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 until his death in 2020. A fifteenth-generation descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Said dynasty, he was the longest…

Qaboos bin Said al Said becomes Sultan of Oman after overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur initiating massive…

1970

Dero Goi, German singer-songwriter and drummer

Stephan Musiol, known professionally as Dero Goi, is a German musician, best known as the former lead vocalist, drummer and founding member of Neue Deutsche Härte band Oomph! from …

Dero Goi, German singer-songwriter and drummer

1970

Vietnam War: US President Richard Nixon formally authorizes American combat troops to take part in the Cambodian campaig

The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and their allies. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Unio…

Vietnam War: US President Richard Nixon formally authorizes American combat troops to take part in the Cambodian campaig

1970

Vietnam War: United States and South Vietnamese forces invade Cambodia to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail in an attempt

The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and their allies. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Unio…

Vietnam War: United States and South Vietnamese forces invade Cambodia to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail in an attempt

1970

Vietnam War: Protests erupt in response to U

The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and their allies. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Unio…

Vietnam War: Protests erupt in response to U

1970

Vietnam War: Kent State shootings: The Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after disturbances in the city

The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and their allies. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Unio…

Vietnam War: Kent State shootings: The Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after disturbances in the city

1970

Margreth Olin, Norwegian filmmaker

Margreth Olin Mykløen is a Norwegian film director, screenwriter, and film producer. She is educated at the University of Bergen and Volda University College. She is best known for…

Margreth Olin, Norwegian filmmaker

1970

Walt Williams, American basketball player

Walter Ander "the Wizard" Williams is an American former professional basketball player. A sharpshooting 6'8" swingman, Williams played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapin…

Walt Williams, American basketball player

1970

Redman, American rapper, producer, and actor

Reginald Noble, better known by his stage name Redman, is an American rapper and record producer. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on Def Jam Recordings.

Redman, American rapper, producer, and actor

1970

Saad Hariri, Saudi Arabian-Lebanese businessman and politician, 33rd Prime Minister of Lebanon

Saad El-Din Rafik Al-Hariri is a Lebanese businessman and politician who served as the prime minister of Lebanon from 2009 to 2011 and 2016 to 2020. The son of Rafic Hariri, he fou…

Saad Hariri, Saudi Arabian-Lebanese businessman and politician, 33rd Prime Minister of Lebanon

1970

The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most in…

The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be

1970

The 1970 Lubbock tornado kills 26 and causes $250 million in damage

During the evening hours of May 11, 1970, an extremely violent multiple-vortex tornado struck a large portion of the city of Lubbock, located in the state of Texas, United States. …

The 1970 Lubbock tornado kills 26 and causes $250 million in damage