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Kent State Massacre May 4, 1970
Four students died and nine others were wounded on May 4, 1970, when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio. -
"Bloody Sunday" January 30, 1972
On January 30, 1972, British Soldiers opened fire against protestors in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, who were marching against British rule. Thirteen people were killed on the scene, and more than a dozen were injured. After the shooting, recruitment and support for the Irish Republican Army Skyrocketed. Three decades known as The Troubles followed, and almost 3,000 people died. -
Terror at the Olympics September 5, 1972
On September 5, 1972, the Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, were in the throes of a hostage crisis. Two Israeli athletes had been killed and nine taken hostage by members of Black September, a Palestinian terrorist movement demanding the release of political prisoners by the Israeli government. Hours later, all nine hostages, five terrorists and one police officer were dead. -
Nixon resigns August 9, 1974
Nixon's resignation marked the end to one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history, which began in 1972 after a break-in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters at the Watergate complex. Five men were arrested for burglary, and the FBI and Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were able to trace them back to Nixon and the White House. -
'Not ready for Prime Time' October 11, 1975
Saturday night television changed forever on October 11, 1975, when the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" made its debut. Comedian George Carlin was the first host, joining a cast of young and upcoming comics known as "The Not Ready For Prime Time Players." "SNL" is now in its 40th year as one of the longest running shows in television history. -
The Concorde takes off January 21, 1976
It broke the sound barrier and cut flight times in half. On January 21, 1976, the first commercial Concorde flight took place from London to Paris, cruising at speeds of 1,350 mph. The Concorde's flights would be short lived, however, as fewer than 20 ever saw commercial use. The last commercial Concorde flight took place on October 24, 2003. -
The King is dead August 16, 1977
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, died August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. He was still touring and recording throughout the 1970's, but his unexpected death sealed his legacy as one of the greatest cultural icons of the 20th century. -
The Jonestown Massacre November 18, 1978
Bodies lie around the compound of the People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978. More than 900 members of the cult, led by Rev. Jim Jones, died from cyanide poisoning; it was the largest mass-suicide in modern history. -
Three Mile Island March 28, 1979
On March 28,1979, the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history took place in Pennsylvania when large amounts of reactor coolant and radioactive gasses from the Three Mile Island power plant were released into the environment. Within days of the accident, 140,000 people left their homes within a 20-mile radius of the plant. The accident brought widespread attention and large protests from anti-nuclear groups. Cleanup from the accident began in August 1979 and didn't end till December 1993. -
Deadliest Day in U.S. Aviation May 26, 1979
Only moments after takeoff, an engine separated from American Airlines Flight 191, causing the plane to crash in a field near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on May 26, 1979. All 271 people on board the plane...and two people on the ground...were killed, making it the worst aviation accident ever on U.S. soil.
