During the 1970s the United States underwent some intense changes. Everything from the continuing issues with the Vietnam War to Roe v. Wade played a role in societal change and brought about many “firsts.”
Historical and cultural “firsts” of the 70s:
- April 22, 1970 - First "Earth Day" celebrated as environmental movement launched.
- May 4, 1970 - Four students killed when National Guardsmen opened fire during anti-war demonstrations at Kent State University in Ohio.
- June 28, 1970 - First Gay Pride March held in New York City commemorating the first anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, considered to be the beginning of the modern GLBT movement.
- May 17, 1972 - Republican agents burglarize Democratic headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.
- September 5-6, 1972 - Nineteen killed in terrorist siege at Munich Olympic Games.
- 1973 - Arab oil embargo causes severe shortage and gas “rationing.”
- January 22, 1973 - Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizes abortion.
- October 10, 1973 - Amid charges of corruption and scandal, VP Spiro Agnew pleads no contest to income tax evasion and resigns from office.
- August 9, 1974 – Gerald Ford becomes the thirty-eighth president after Richard Nixon, facing impeachment charges, is forced to resign.
- 1975 - United Nations declares International Year of the Woman.
- July 4, 1976 - The U.S. commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- November 19, 1978 - Cult leader Jim Jones and 900 People's Temple followers die in mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana.
- March 28, 1979 – Massive radioactive leak at Three Mile Island.
- November 4, 1979 - Iranian militant students seize the U.S. embassy in Tehran capturing 66 hostages and setting off an intense standoff that lasted 444 days.
The 70s brought out some rather interesting fads and fashions. Mood rings, lava lamps, Rubik's cube, Sea Monkeys, smiley face stickers, string art, and pet rocks all captured the imagination of Americans during this decade. Bell Bottom pants were all the rage in the 70s as was the Leisure Suit, which was usually accompanied by an unbuttoned shirt with a huge collar. The Jump Suit was often seen at the disco clubs with both men and women sporting this look. Iron-on emblem t-shirts were a favorite as were halter and tube tops, short-shorts and platform shoes. And one can’t talk about the 70’s and leave out the defining hairstyles, which were feathered hair made famous by Farrah Fawcett for the women and the Afro for the men.
Amid all of the social and political turmoil some of the all-time best music was born, (with the exception of Disco) as well as some of the most indulgent behaviors such as massive experimentation with “free love” and cocaine (think Studio 54). As for the music, I was hard pressed to pick my favorite songs, but I picked a few that I thought defined the 70s, which you can check out in the videos, and not being a part of this era, I know that I left many out. So, I ask my readers, what was the song that you feel defined the 70s for you?
Source: kclibrary.lonestar.edu
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