Voting Age Reduced
The voting age is reduced in the United States and United Kingdom bringing a new dynamic to politics and meaning politicians needed to appeal to younger voters.
These changes followed the protests in the late 60's as students find a voice to protest certain government policies, and was a way to bring them into the political process of choosing the politicians they wished to put in power.
Chicago Seven
Five of the Chicago Seven defendants were found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic national convention. The convictions were later overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on November 21, 1972.
First Boeing 747 Passengers
The Boeing 747 makes its first commercial passenger trip to London, England. This flight had departed from New York City, and had carried 332 passengers and 18 crew. Although most passengers enjoyed the flight, one had mentioned that this plane is too big for commercial travel (too big to give anyone proper service.
Earth Day
Earth Day was observed for the first time in the United States co-ordinated by "Denis Hayes" and 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.
To understand the significance of this achievement we must remember that in the 60's cars were getting larger and one of the least important things looked at when buying a car was the MPG, and prior to 1970 Environmental issues were discussed very little if at all by most people. But a U.S. Senator "Gaylord Nelson" stated that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment. TV and Newspapers including the influential New York Times started discussing environmental issues and a realization dawned on ordinary people that what we did affected the Earth environment.
Worst Cyclone kills 500,000
A 100 MPH tropical cyclone causes Tidal waves and storm surges that strike the shores of the Ganges Delta washing over coastal islands and devastated the densely populated delta region. An estimated 500,000 people were killed in the 20th century's worst disaster by cyclone. This area is now also one of the worst areas in the world to be affected by Global Warming as much of the area is now underwater with more land disappearing each year.
AMC Gremlin One Of The First US Compact Car
The AMC group introduced one of the first sub compact cars way back in 1970 before many realized gas prices would be a critical factor in future car buying, the car was called the Gremlin. Car imports were just starting to have an impact on the US market including the Volkswagen Beetle and the new generation of Japanese imports like the Datsun.
Edward Heath New Prime Minister Of Great Britain
The conservative party led by Edward Heath wins in the general election.
The win was considered unusual because all the opinion polls held in the few days prior to the General Election had predicted an easy win for the labour party led by Harold Wilson.
Leaders East Germany and West Germany meet
The leaders of East Germany and West Germany meet for the first time since the country was divided in 1949 following the end of the second world war.
Brazil Wins 1970 World Cup
Brazil wins the 1970 World Cup defeating Italy 4-1 in the final in Mexico
Earthquake Peru
An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale 30 km off the coast of Casma, Peru in the Pacific Ocean causes the destabilized the northern wall of Mount Huascarán causing an avalanche that buries the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca. Due to the speed the avalanche travelled at more than 100 miles per hour little warning was given and an estimated 50,000 people in the two cities lost their lives making it the worst natural disaster ever recorded in the history of Peru.
Apollo 13
NASA launched Apollo 13 , America's third manned moon-landing mission, from Cape Kennedy, Florida today, Two days after launch, an oxygen tank on the spacecraft exploded, forcing the astronauts to abandon their mission. Although they had only a small supply of oxygen, water and power, the Apollo 13 crew managed to safely return to Earth in the spaceship's lunar module.
Beatles Break Up
The Beatles Split up and shortly after the Break Up The Beatles Final Original album "Let It Be" is released by Apple Records.
Paul McCartney releases his first solo album soon after
Rabies Scare In England
The British government announces an indefinite ban on the importation of domestic pets following a pet dog imported from Pakistan dying from Rabies. Britain is one of the few countries in the world where rabies has not entered the wild animal population and cases of rabies are not often seen.
The ban was later lifted but the period for quarantine was increased to 12 months
Cornell University Race Riots
A second racial riot occurred on the Cornell University Campus the night before. The university issued an order as an attempt to stop the ongoing violence. A group of black students burned looted merchandise as a retaliation measure because their cultural center had been burned the week before.
University Shootings During Protests
After a number of days of protest against US invasion of Cambodia the National Guards fired on student protesters at Kent State University and 3 were killed and a further 10 were injured.
Just a short time later during a student protest at Jackson State University in Mississippi police opened fire, killing two students and injuring twelve others.
100,000 War Protesters
100,000 war protesters take to the streets and join a rally just south of the White House to express their opposition to involvement in the war in Cambodia.
Elvis Presley To Help With Fight Against Drugs
President Richard M. Nixon enlists the help of Elvis Presley in his fight against drugs and invites him to the Oval Office.
Japan Becomes 4th Space Power
Japan launches Oshumi, its first satellite, and it had made a complete revolution around the earth. This achievement made Japan the worlds “fourth space power”, after the Soviet Union (1957), the United States (1958), and France (1965).
French Avalanche
An avalanche crashes down on a ski resort in Val d’Isere, France, killing 42 people, mostly young skiers
Pacific Glory
The Liberian registered tanker Pacific Glory is on fire and is continuing to spill crude oil into the English Channel creating a huge oil slick, the tanker has 100,000 gallons of crude oil on board and many fear an environmental disaster as bad as the Torrey Canyon disaster off the Cornish coast 3 years ago .
MoonRover
The Soviet Union's moonrover becomes the first roving remote controlled robot to land on the moon.
1969 Previous Year ---- ( Current Year Is 1970 ) ---- Following Year 1971
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