What happened in 1973 Major News Stories include Skylab Launched, Cod War UK and Iceland, Secretariat Wins Triple Crown on June 9th , Three-Day Week put in place in the UK, Sydney Opera House is opened, Yom Kippur War and Oil Embargo, Watergate Hearings Begin, Supreme Court rules on Roe v. Wade,
Jump To1973 Fashion–World Leaders–1973 Calendar–1973 Technology–Cost Of Living–Popular Culture–Toys
Cost of Living 1973
How Much things cost in 1973
Yearly Inflation RateUSA 6.16%
Yearly Inflation RateUK8.4%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 850
Average Cost of new house$32,500.00
Average Income per year$12,900.00
Average Monthly Rent$175.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas40 cents
AMC Javelin car$2,900.00
A Dozen Eggs45 cents
Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Sterling
Average House Price 9,942
Gallon of Petrol0.35
A few More Examples
Ford Galaxie 500$3,883
Pork Roast Lb 59 cents
Mortons TV Dinner 36 cents
Walkie Talkie Sets $13.88
Dozen Medium Eggs 25 cents
Component-type 8-track stereo tape player$44.50
Crock pot Cooker$17.79
Mens Paisley Slacks$23.49
Mod Wall Clock$150.00
Lake Cottage 400 ft lot on white river 2 bedroom cottage and boathouse OshKosh, Wisconsin $28,000
What Events Happened in 1973
1973
1973 Inflation has a significant impact on peoples lives around the world with the UK inflation rate running at 8.4% and the US running at 6.16% . This causes problems in every aspect of peoples lives from the price of Gas, Food and Bills , which in turn causes higher wages and the spiral continues, much of this is caused by the Arab members of the (OPEC) restricting the flow of oil to countries supporting Israel as part of the Yom Kippur War. And the start of a Recession in Europe causing increased unemployment and a 3 day week in the UK. Meanwhile in the US two important cases dominate the news with Roe v. Wade making abortion a US constitutional right on the 22nd January and the start of the Watergate hearings in the US Senate, and due to price increase of gas the Japanese car manufacturers with smaller engines and more efficient have an impact of the US car industry
Vietnam – Paris Peace Accords
The United States ends its involvement in the Vietnam War after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords duringJanuary. The agreement was signed between North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and the United States. The formal name of the agreement was “An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” and it detailed an all-around ceasefire in Vietnam and the withdrawal of all US forces and removal of US bases to be completed within 60 days. It also mandated that North Vietnam release all prisoners of war and outlined the details and terms for an eventual peaceful reunification of Vietnam.
OPEC oil to increase by 200%
- Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), announce they will restrict flow of crude oil to countries supporting Israel on October 17th causing price of oil to increase by 200%
- Recession begins in Europe following OPEC Oil price increases
United States – Secretariat Triple Crown
Secretariat becomes the first horse since Citation in1948to win the Triple Crown in United States horse racing after placing first in the Belmont Stakes onJune 9th, 1973. In what was considered one of the best horse races in history, Secretariat set a dirt-track record for the one and a half mile race with a time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds. He was ridden by Ron Turcotte during the race and he won the race by an astounding 31 lengths. He was trained by Lucien Laurin and his owner was Penny Tweedy.
Alaska Oil Pipeline
- Alaska Oil Pipeline bill is passed to allow construction of a pipeline to access oil from the North Slope of Alaska
United States — American Graffiti Premieres
The classic film “American Graffiti” premieres in the United States duringAugust. The film was directed by George Lucas, who also co-wrote it with Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck. The coming-of-age comedy starred Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, and Candy Clark. The film was praised by critics and earned five Academy Award nominations, four Golden Globe nominations, and two Golden Globe wins. “American Graffiti” was notable for its unique and innovative storytelling style, along with its nostalgic take on1960steen culture in California. In1995, it was deemed an important cultural film and selected for preservation by the United States Library of Congress.
Roe v. Wade
- Supreme Court of the United States rules on Roe v. Wade. January 22nd
- Roe v. Wade makes abortion a US constitutional right
Wounded Knee
More Information for the Occupation of Wounded Knee
About 200 Oglala Lakota Native Americans and members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) began their occupation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota during February of 1973. AIM, a militant civil rights organization, was created in the late 1960s with the intention of bringing attention to injustices faced by Native Americans. Wounded Knee was located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and in 1890 it was the site of a massacre of 300 unarmed Sioux by the U.S. Cavalry. At the start of their occupation AIM took 11 hostages and asked that The U.S. Government start investigating broken treaties, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and all of the South Dakota Sioux reservations. The occupation lasted 71 days during which they negotiated with U.S. Marshals and exchanged regular gunfire with federal agents. In May the group surrendered and government officials agreed to start investigations as demanded.
United States — Vice President Agnew Resigns
Spiro Agnew, the Vice President of the United States under Richard Nixon, resigned during October of 1973. Agnew had been dealing with charges of tax evasion and receiving bribes prior to his resignation. After he left office he pleaded no contest to the criminal charges and was fined and given probation. He was replaced by Gerald Ford, who, less than a year later, would become the President after Nixon resigned. Spiro Agnew was the second US Vice President to resign, the first for criminal reasons.
USA — Sears Tower
The Sears Tower is completed duringMay. The 108 floor 1,729 foot tall structure became the tallest building in the world, a title that it held for 25 years until the Petronas Towers in Malaysia were completed in1998. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the building originally housed the Sears, Roebuck & Co. headquarters. It was designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Khan, who had previously worked together creating another iconic Chicago skyscraper, the John Hancock Center.
United States — Battle of the Sexes Tennis Match
1. Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs competed in “The Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match during September of 1973.
2. 29-year-old King, who had already won 10 Grand Slam titles and was a pioneer in women’s tennis, went up against 55-year-old Riggs, who was at one point considered the best tennis player in the world, and defeated him handily winning three sets 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3.
3. King expressed relief at the end of the match, stating that she was worried losing it would have set women back.
4. She also took home the $100,000 prize.
5. Over 30,000 spectators attended it in Houston and an estimated 90 million people viewed the televised match worldwide, making it the most viewed tennis match in history.
European Union
- Britain Ireland and Denmark join the EEC
1973 Mens and Womens Fashion Clothes
Part of our Collection of Clothing From 1973
Part of our Collection of Fashion Accessories From 1973
Calendar For The Year 1973
Part of our Collection of Toys From 1973
Toys From The Year 1973
Some of the toys included in the 1973 images below include Roller Skates, Curious George, Transistor Radios, Hoppity Hops, Girls Dolls
More News and Key Events From 1973
Car Plants Close
- Chrysler and other US car makers close a number of plants affecting 100,000 workers
US Troops withdrawn from Vietnam
- US Troops withdrawn from Vietnam and U.S. involvement in Vietnam War ends with the signing of peace
World Trade Center
- World Trade Center in New York becomes the tallest building in the world
King’s Cross Bombing
- IRA bombs explode in King’s Cross and Euston station on September 10th , the Whitehall, the Old Bailey and Manchester city center.
Watergate Hearings begin
- Watergate Hearings begin in the United States Senate and President Richard Nixon tells the nation , “I am not a crook.”
Yom Kippur War
- Yom Kippur War – Fourth and largest Arab-Israeli conflict begins as Egyptian and Syrian forces attack Israel
Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Opera House is opened
Basque Terrorists
- Basque Terrorists Kill Spanish Prime Minister
Bosporus Bridge
- The Bosporus Bridge is completed joining Europe and Asia in Istanbul
Greece student rioting
- Following student rioting Marshal Law is imposed
Military coup Chili
- Military coup in Chili led by General Augusto Pinochet.
Israel
- Israel Shoots Down Libyan Passenger Plane
Bangladesh
- Newly created Bangladesh Elects First Prime Minister Sheikh Mujib Rahman
UK Union Strikes
- TUC brings 1.5 Million on Strike in UK as Day Of Protest at pay restraint policy
Princess Anne
- Princess Anne, marries Captain Mark Phillips in Westminster Abbey
UK Three-Day Week
- In the UK, as a result of high coal and oil prices, the Three-Day Week officially comes into force.
Belize Gains Independence
- Belize Gains Independence From Great Britain
referendum in Northern Ireland
- A referendum in Northern Ireland results in a vote to stay as part of the United Kingdom
Secretariat
- Secretariat Wins Triple Crown first winner for 25 years
Endangered Species Act of 1973
- The wide ranging Endangered Species Act of 1973 is signed into law to “protect species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.”
Bahamas
- The Bahamas Gains Independence From Great Britain
Cod War
- Royal Navy Protect Trawlers in Cod War In Icelandic Waters
Mississippi River Flood
- The Mississippi River reaches its peak level in St. Louis during a record 77-day flood.
Popular Culture 1973
- Elvis Presley’s Aloha From Hawaii television special is seen around the world by more than 1 billion viewers
Popular Films
- The Exorcist
- Deliverance
- Live and Let Die
- Paper Moon
- Dark Side Of The Moon Reminded by Pink Floyd Fan
- Last Tango in Paris
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- American Graffiti
- Lady Sings the Blues
- The Sting
Popular Musicians and songs
- Stevie Wonder
- ABBA
- The Eagles
- John Lennon
- Paul Simon
- Pink Floyd ” Dark Side Of The Moon ”
- Rod Stewart
- Michael Jackson
- Elton John with ” Crocodile Rock ”
- Rolling Stones with ” Angie ”
- The Moody Blues
- David Bowie
- Led Zeppelin
- Wizzard
- Electric Light Orchestra
- Paul McCartney and Wings with ” My Love ”
- Bob Marley and the Wailers
- Diana Ross
Popular TV Programmes
- The Odd Couple
- The Partridge Family
- Columbo
- Masterpiece Theatre
- McMillan and Wife
- Old Grey Whistle Test (UK)
- Are You Being Served? (UK)
- Colditz (UK)
- Emmerdale Farm (UK)
- M*A*S*H
- Sanford and Son
- The Bob Newhart Show
- The Price Is Right
- The Waltons
Born This Year
Born This Year 1973
Monica SelesDecember 2nd
Tyra BanksDecember 4th
Monica LewinskyJuly 23rd
Kate BeckinsaleJuly 26th
Technology
- Skylab, the United States’ first space station, is launched
- Concorde cuts flying time across the Atlantic in half flying at average speed of 954 mph
- The Sears Tower opens in Chicago
Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
Genetic EngineeringUSA by S Cohen and H Boyer
BarcodeUSA
Optical FiberUSA
Space StationUSA Skylab
Jetski or Personal WatercraftUSA Clayton Jacobson II ( Original was only stand up and difficult to stay on ) manufactured by Kawasaki
United States
- NASA launches the Mariner 10 Mercury probe spacecraft.
More Information for the Mariner 10 Spacecraft.
The Mariner 10 spacecraft launched at the beginning of November in 1973. It had the mission of becoming the first probe to study the planet of Mercury. The Mariner 10 probe also became the first spacecraft to visit two planets during a single mission, as it passed Venus on its way to Mercury. The craft sent over 12,000 images of the two planets back to Earth. The mission was considered successful and ended in March of 1975 as it began its orbit around the Sun that it continues in to this day. The total cost of the spacecraft was about $100 million which would be equivalent to nearly $500 million today.
Major World Political Leaders
Australia Prime Minister Brazil President Emilio Gough WhitlamMedici Canada Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
China Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Dong Biwu
France President Georges Pompidou
Germany Chancellor Willy Brandt
India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Italy Prime Minister
Japan Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka Mexico President Luis Echeverría Russia / Soviet Union
First Secretary of the CPSU Leonid Brezhnev South Africa Prime Minister Balthazar Johannes Vorster United States President Richard Nixon United Kingdom Prime Minister Edward Heath
1973 Prime Minister Of Italy Giulio Andreotti Till 7 July
1973 Prime Minister Of Italy Mariano Rumor From 26 July
Political Elections This Year
British General Election 1st in 73 creates hung parliament forcing a second General Election1974 Harold Wilson ( Labour ) Edward Heath ( Conservative ) and Jeremy Thorpe ( Liberal ) No Overall Majority