Timeline of the 1970s (2024)

FAQs

What major events happened in the 1970s? ›

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.

From the first Boeing 747 commercial flight to London, the disbandment of The Beatles and the Apollo 13 space mission, these 1970 events are ones to never forget. Our collection of 1970 newspapers allows you to see the accounts of these events, when they first happened and how they were reported.

The term "'Me' Decade" describes a general new attitude of Americans in the 1970s, in the direction of atomized individualism and away from communitarianism, in clear contrast with social values prevalent in the United States during the 1960s.

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.

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.

The decade 1970-1980 was a period of great economic instability and crisis, affecting both developed and developing countries. Limited armed conflicts or "wars" were fought in many parts of the world.

The United States faced political turmoil as President Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, and in Chile Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government. Also making news were the massacre at the Munich Olympics and the Iran hostage crisis.

Korean War, Vietnam War, 1970s.

What were the social movements in the 1970s? ›

Recognizable movements during the period included the anti-Vietnam War campaign, the civil rights movement, women's liberation, the student movement, and last, but not least, the counterculture.

Anyone born 1964 to 1971 is a 70s kid.

Bell bottom pants, flowing maxi dresses, ponchos, leisure suits, frayed jeans and earth tones dominated 1970s fashion.

POP Culture: 1970

Construction is completed on the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) in Chicago, IL, in 1973, and it becomes the tallest building in the world until surpassed by the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1998. President Richard M. Nixon resigns from office on August 8, 1974.