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Period: to
70s
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18 year olds are given the right to vote
The 26th Amendment changed the voting age in the US to 18. This happened after many argued, "If we are old enough to fight, we are old enough to vote."
http://www.history.com/topics/the-26th-amendment -
Beatles break up
This event occurred over a long time span for many reasons. The Beatles broke up after Brian Epstein, the band's manager, died. Also, John Lennon was to choose between his wife and the band, and his wife was his choice. Later, all four members produced solo albums.
http://beatlesnumber9.com/breakup.html -
World Trade Center is completed
In 1970, when the World Trade Center was completed, it was the new tallest building structure in the world. This marked a new step in the progress of the corporate world.
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/12/dayintech_1223 -
Cigarette ads are banned on TV
President Nixon fought to ban commercials that supported cigarettes on TV. This new law lead to others such as: cigarette packages being required to have a warning statement and no selling of tobacco products to minors.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-signs-legislation-banning-cigarette-ads-on-tv-and-radio -
VCRs are introduced
These early types of video proved unreliable after being used for many years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Cassette_Recording -
Disney World Opens
On this day, with over 7 years of planning, this new theme park with over 10,000 visitors on the first day.
http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/DisneyWorldGrandOpening.html -
KKK riots in NYC
Members of the Klan were protesting when violence broke out and 3 people died from the riots that day. http://www.inthe70s.com/generated/time1972.shtml -
M*A*S*H Show Premieres
The show’s first episode was on September 17, 1972. This show was based on a book written by a man about his experiences in the Korean War. The show was an instant success and ran for many years.
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1970s/qt/MASH.htm -
PONG is released
A new video game came out, with a tennis like concept in which two blocks return a ball back and forth. This lead to a new era of video games.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong -
Abortion legalized in US
This controversial law is still being debated today. Abortion is when a pregnancy is terminated and the fetus won't result in a baby. In Roe vs. Wade, the court decision was "right to privacy" this argued many, but pleased many as well.
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/electionissues/i/abortion.htm -
Sears Tower is Built
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002846/b_sears.htm#6 When this building was finished in 1973, it was the world’s tallest tower. It towered over the World Trade Center by many feet. -
US pulls out of Vietnam
On August 15, 1973, the US pulled out of Vietnam due to the Case-Church Amendment issued by the US Congress. Approximately 58,220 US service members died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War -
Nixon resigns
The 37th President of the US was becoming very unpopular amidst his poor decision making and the Watergate scandal. He decided to resign and became the first and only president to do so. -
Ford pardons Nixon
On this day, President Ford pardoned Nixon by issuing Proclamation 4311. This sparked major controversy and many argued that this was unfair.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford -
Little League allows girls to play
In 1974, 12 year old Maria Pepe tried out for a team in New Jersey. She made the team, but had to quit because the league wouldn't allow girls. Later, an organization approached her and wanted to use her situation in court to change the rules. That year, the rules changed.
littleleague.org -
Microsoft founded
Bill Gates and Paul Allen had a passion for computer programming as young children. They later came up with a company called Microsoft that is still very successful today. Gates and were head of the company for many years. They proved to be sufficient leaders to Microsoft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft -
Saigon falls to communism
Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, was over taken by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberational Front on this day. Communism was spreading but eventually was slowed.
This takeover was the start of a long time of communism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon -
President Ford assassination attempts(2)
On this day, a follower of Charles Manson pointed a gun, but was seized before anything serious happened. Later, the Secret Service had safety step up security. 17 days later, another attack came about, but no harm was done.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford#Assassination_attempts -
West Point admits women
On October 8, 1975, the president signed a bill saying that, beginning January 1st, women could be accepted to West Point Academy and other service academies. This was a beginning to women's history in the military.
http://www.usma.edu/dcomm/presskit/FactSheets/WomenAdmission.htm -
Red Dye #2 is banned
Soviet scientists, and even some US scientists, found a correlation between red dye #2 and cancer. Although no deaths were reported, this dye was pulled from shelves. Many people were scared and paranoid about any other types of dye harming them for many years, and this paranoia didn't fully stop until the early 80s.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1896348_1896354_1895874,00.html -
Apple computer launched
On this day, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne started a company called Apple Computer Inc. The first computer was sold as a motherboard and was called Apple I. These were hand-built by Wozniak, who later sold his portion of the company away.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.#History -
Star Wars released
The huge-hit trilogy began on this day when Star Wars first hit theaters. This series included three total movies that came out in three year intervals. George Lucas was the man that started it all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars -
New York City Blackout
As a city that is known to come alive at night, a blackout that affects most of the city is a big deal. From July 13 to July 14, almost every neighborhood in New York City was dark.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_blackout_of_1977 -
Elvis found dead
Elvis Presley died in his mansion in Memphis Tennessee on this day. The king of RockNRoll's death took a huge toll on the music industry. He changed the face on music for many, and started the revolution of rock.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/august/16/newsid_3135000/3135363.stm -
First Test-Tube Baby Born
Louise Joy Brown was born through IVF, or in vitro fertilization, and was the first baby to be born this way. Louise's parents had been unable to concieve for many years. They approacehd many specialists until one group had an answer. Louise Joy Brown was a healthy 5 pound, 12 ounce baby.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/worlds-first-test-tube-baby-born -
Camp David accords for Middle East Peace
When the Egyptian President and Israeli Prime Minister agreed to sign this, this was after 13 days of secret negotiations at Camp David.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_David_Accords -
John Paul II becomes Pope
This man had a huge impact on many lives. Many called him the most influential man on the 20th century, while others said he took a huge part in eliminating communism in Europe. Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II -
Sony Introduces the Walkman
This new device wasn't much of an improvement, as different players had been similar before it. Although it faced criticism from the press, Sony continued to market and sell to teens and celebrities in Japan.
http://lowendmac.com/orchard/06/sony-walkman-origin.html -
ESPN starts broadcasting
The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network launched on this day. To this day, ESPN is one of the most successful sports broadcasting stations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN -
Iran Takes American Hostages in Tehran
For 444 days, 52 Americans were being held hostage by Iranians. This happened in support of Iranian Revolution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis
