United States Timeline: The 1970s

Invasion of Cambodia

Apr 29, 1970

The Army Republic of Vietnam launches a full invasion on the neighboring country of Cambodia.

Kent State Shootings

May 4, 1970

Occured at Kent State University in Ohio and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Gaurd. Four students were killed, and nine others were wounded. This event epitomized the division that the Vietnam War had created in America.

Vietnamization

Jan 1, 1972

Nixon created a policy that slowly allowed the South Vietnamese government to take over their own war, and pull American soldiers out of Vietnam.

The film The Godfather is Released

Mar 15, 1972

The film is about a 1940s New York Mafia family and its struggle to protect its empire from rival families as power is transferred from father to son.

Watergate Break-In

Jun 17, 1972

This was a scandal where five burglars employed by the Committee to Re-Elect President Nixon entered the Democratic National Committee offices at Watergate.

Mark Spitz Wins 7 Gold Medals at Olympics in Munich, West Germany

Aug 26, 1972

Mark Spitz was an American swimmer in the 1972 Summer Olympics who won seven gold medals.

U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Roe v. Wade

Jan 22, 1973

This court decision declared that abortion was a right gauranteed by the Constitution under an implied right to privacy.

Arab Oil Embargo

Oct 16, 1973

Because USA supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War, OAPEC declared it would no longer ship oil to USA.

Heiress Patty Hearst is Kidnapped

Feb 4, 1974

Patty Hearst was kdinapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, and was held for $2,000,000 ransom. She was also forced to join in their robberies.

Congress Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Nixon

May 9, 1974

Nixon is near impeachment after many events such as the Watergate Break-In occur.

President Nixon Resigns

Aug 9, 1974

To keep himself from being impeached, Nixon decides to resign from Presidency.

Gerald Ford Becomes Vice-President

Aug 19, 1974

Gerald Ford becomes Vice President of USA when Nixon's elected Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigns.

Bill Gates Establishes Microsoft

Apr 4, 1975

Bill Gates and Paul Allen establish Microsoft after MITS agreed to distribute the Altair BASIC.

South Vietnam Falls to North Vietnam

Apr 30, 1975

North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam, and South Vietnam becomes a Communist nation.

America's Bicentennial is Celebrated

Jul 4, 1976

The US Bicentennial marked the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Commodore PET is Released for Retail Sale

Jan 1, 1977

This was the first personal computers(PCs) to be available to the public.

Democrat Jimmy Carter Becomes President of the United States

Jan 20, 1977

Carter won against President Gerald Ford, and his presidency was filled with problems.

Majority of Draft Dodgers are Pardoned by Jimmy Carter

Jan 21, 1977

Jimmy Carter pardoned most of the draft dodgers of the Vietnam War, including Bill Clinton.

Television Miniseries Roots Premieres

Jan 23, 1977

This show was a dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line from his ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendents' liberation.

Camp David Accords

Sep 17, 1978

This was an agreement reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority made by Bill Clinton.

Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident

Mar 28, 1979

A nuclear plant in Harrisburg, PA suffered a meltdown and was forced to close down permanenty. No one was hurt, but this was the worst nuclear accident in American history.

Iran Hostage Crisis Begins

Nov 4, 1979

Iranian militants stormed the US Embassy and held 70 Americans captive for 444 days.