1970s
The 1970s marked an era when the women's rights, gay rights and environmental movements gained momentum. The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, the U.S. ended direct involvement in the Vietnam War and President Jimmy Carter grappled with an energy crisis, inflation and the Iran Hostage Crisis.
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Trace the milestones of a scandal that rocked the nation.
The U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s forced American leaders and researchers to come up with solutions in policymaking, technology and architecture.
The first African American to seek the nomination of a major party competed against George Wallace, the face of Southern segregation.
The groundbreaking gender equity law made a lasting impact by increasing the participation of girls and women in athletics.
Iran Hostage Crisis
Iran Hostage Crisis
Explore the chain of events that set off the Iran hostage crisis - an diplomatic standoff that would keep Americans on edge and shape the course of Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
3 Key 1970s Movements
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The 1970s brought social change in the battles for women's and gay rights, along with the launch of an environmental movement and a new conservative populism.
The Munich Massacre was an attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, by eight members of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. The terrorists took nine members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage, after killing two of them. The remaining hostages were later killed during a botched rescue attempt.
Three Mile Island is the site of a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania which experienced the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history in 1979.
An oil embargo imposed by members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) led to fuel shortages and sky-high prices throughout much of the 1970s.
A June 1972 break-in to the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to an investigation that revealed multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration.
There are many reasons, but part of the explanation comes down to timing.
Passage of the ERA seemed like a sure thing. So why did it fail to become law?
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was designed to prevent secret surveillance by the president and others.
The protestors helped themselves to the editor's cigars and would not budge from his office.
A 1975 work of fiction included enough real-life references to turn New York socialites against Truman Capote.
From the Hutchinson Papers to the Pentagon Papers to WikiLeaks, look back at some of the most significant leaks in history and their impact.
In the summer of 1978, the S.S. America sent passengers over the edge.
The mystery van had a few key details that were fundamental in tracking its origin.
Rodney Alcala won a 1978 episode of 'The Dating Game' in the middle of a murder spree.
Panic set in after the partial nuclear meltdown as the public tried to decide which story to trust—and whether to evacuate.
The phenomenon started as a practical way to get places, then it became cool.
