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The First Arcade Game Introduced
The first arcade game, Computer Space, was released to the public by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, known at the time as Nutting Associations; the following year, they became the founders of the gaming company known as Atari in 1972 and came out with the hugely known video game, pong. https://wintrustsportscomplex.com/the-history-of-arcades-from-classic-to-modern-gaming/#:~:text=Computer%20Space%3A%20Released%20by%20Nutting,game%20available%20on%20the%20market. -
Twenty-sixth Amendment: Voting Age is Lowered
The voting age is lowered from 21 to 18. This decision was partially motivated by the US's drafting of 18 year old boys during the Vietnam War. At the time, folks 18 to 20 could be required to fight in the war but were not allowed to vote. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Twenty-sixth-Amendment -
Soul Train Airs Across Country
Soul Train, the Chicago-born musical variety TV show, first airs in syndication. Soul Train continued to run for more than 34 years. The magnificent Soul Train Line cannot be adequately described with words. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Soul-Train -
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The Watergate Scandal
Richard Nixon's involvement in a conspiratorial campaign to get him reelected and his refusal to cooperate with law enforcement culminated in the first and only example of a US President resigning while in office. Nixon interestingly maintained his innocence while being obviously guilty. This event led to a growing sense of distrust among the public regarding their elected officials. https://www.britannica.com/event/Watergate-Scandal -
M*A*S*H Debuts
The popular and long-running TV series M*A*S*H debuts. The dramady takes place in South Korea during the Korean War and focuses on a group of medical staff. Ultimately, 256 episodes were produced across the show's run. https://www.britannica.com/topic/M-A-S-H -
The Last Time We Went to the Moon
The last moon landing was made by NASAs Apollo 17 and spanned throughout the 7th to the 19th, breaking records for the largest lunar samples returned to Earth, the most extended lunar landing, and the longest space walk dated. -
Roe v. Wade
The Supreme Court rules that Texas's ban on abortion was unconstitutional and enshrines a woman's right to choose to have an abortion in a 7-2 decision. In 2022, Supreme Court Justices ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in a 6-3 decision that subverts the precedent set in Roe v. Wade, overturning the decision. https://www.britannica.com/event/Roe-v-Wade -
The first cellphone call is made
The first ever cellphone call was made by the head of divisions at Motorolla at the time, Martin Cooper, who demonstrated his company's latest invention on 6th Avenue, New York, to the company's competitors, Bell Labs (owned by ATT) https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167815751/50-years-ago-martin-cooper-made-the-first-cell-phone-call -
Rubik's Cube Invented by Ernő Rubik
On this day, Ernő Rubik applied for a patent for his iconic Rubik's Cube. The toy remains extremely popular, and the subculture around Rubik's Cubes is ever-evolving. https://www.rubiks.com/history -
Microsoft Corporation is Founded
Eventually becoming a company valued at trillions of dollars, Microsoft was founded. In the 1980s, Microsoft began making its well-known operating systems. https://www.britannica.com/money/Microsoft-Corporation -
The Fall of Saigon
This event marks the end of the Vietnam War. Communist North Vietnam captured capitalist West-associated South Vietnam's capital. After this, Vietnam was reunifed and, to this day, remains the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. https://www.britannica.com/event/Fall-of-Saigon -
Saturday Night Live Debuts
The live sketch comedy NBC show created by Lorne Michaels first airs. The first host ever is George Carlin. The show is still in production. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saturday-Night-Live -
Rocky Horror Picture show is released
The Trailblazing film that was initially a musical written by Richard Obrien, the film adaptation makes its debut on Sept 26th; deemed "too campy" for modern theater in the 70s, it only ran as a musical until April of 1975, a first film premiering in Los Angeles, California. https://www.rockyhorror.com/history/timeline.php#:~:text=Aug%201975%3A,)%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA. -
1976 Tangshan Earthquake
Approximately 300,000 individuals died in this earthquake event, involving two different spikes of seismic shocks on the same day, both peaking over 7.0 in magnitude. It is the deadliest earthquake in recorded history. https://www.britannica.com/event/Tangshan-earthquake-of-1976 -
Star Wars Debuts
Star Wars is released and soon becomes a smashing pop culture phenomenon. During its initial run, the movie grossed almost half a billion dollars. The movie propelled many unknown actors to star-status. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Star-Wars-film-series -
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Iranian Revolution
The Iranian revolution led to the ultimate overthrowing of the monarchical Pahlavi dynasty. On the 2nd of December in 1979, the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran was established, and it remains in use to this day. https://www.britannica.com/event/Iranian-Revolution -
American Artist Norman Rockwell Dies
Norman Rockwell was a very productive painter and illustrator who created art until his death. He painted the portraits of four US American Presidents. He created the iconic "Rosie the Riveter." https://www.britannica.com/biography/Norman-Rockwell -
Moscone–Milk Assassinations
The mayor of San Francisco and a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, George Moscone and Harvey Milk, are shot and killed by a former member of the Board of Supervisors. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected as a public official in California. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harvey-Milk -
Three Mile Island Accident
In Pennsylvania, a nuclear reactor experiences a partial nuclear meltdown. There is no more serious example of a nuclear power plant accident in the United States' history. No US nuclear power plant began construction for over thirty years after the incident. https://www.britannica.com/event/Three-Mile-Island-accident -
1980 Summer Olympics Boycott
65 countries boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In turn, the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/qfp/104481.htm#:~:text=In%201980%2C%20the%20United%20States,countries%20sent%20athletes%20to%20compete. -
John Lennon is Murdered
John Lennon of the Beatles is shot dead by Mark David Chapman in New York City. He was 40 years old. Mark David Chapman is still in prison. https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/John-Lennon/312147#:~:text=On%20Dec.,was%20later%20convicted%20of%20murder.