Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
1970 Unix time began, serving as the basis for modern computer timekeeping and date representation.
1970 A devastating earthquake in Yunnan, China, took thousands of lives, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
1970 Biafra capitulates, ending the Nigerian Civil War.
1970 The Nigerian Civil War concludes as Biafran rebels surrender after a 32-month fight for independence from Nigeria.
1970 Muammar Gaddafi is proclaimed premier of Libya.
1970 Aviation history was made as the Boeing 747, the world's first "jumbo jet," made its commercial debut, departing from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on its maiden voyage to London Heathrow Airport.
1970 Japan achieves a momentous milestone by launching Ohsumi, becoming the fourth nation to independently place an object into orbit.
1970 A dark cloud descends as United States Army Captain Jeffrey R. MacDonald faces charges of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters, a tragic and controversial case that captures the nation's attention.
1970 The Chicago Seven's trial concluded with a surprising verdict of "not guilty." Accused of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, their acquittal marked a pivotal moment in U.S. legal history.
1970 In 1970, Rhodesia declared itself a republic, severing its last ties with the British crown and asserting its independence, marking a significant chapter in the nation's history.
1970 The depths of the sea become a tragic battleground as the French submarine Eurydice explodes underwater, resulting in the loss of its entire 57-man crew.
1970 A momentous step towards nuclear disarmament is taken as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons enters into force, following ratification by 43 nations, marking a pivotal juncture in global security efforts.
1970 The U.S. military charged Captain Ernest Medina with My Lai war crimes during the Vietnam War, a pivotal moment in the conflict.
1970 Lon Nol's ousting of Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia in a coup d'état marks a pivotal moment in Cambodian history, precipitating a period of political instability and foreign intervention as Cambodia becomes embroiled in the conflicts of Southeast Asia.
1970 San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto issued the first Earth Day proclamation, marking the beginning of a global environmental movement.
1970 The inaugural San Diego Comic-Con, the world's largest pop and culture festival, commenced, becoming a celebrated event for fans of comics, movies, and entertainment.
1970 South Vietnam's President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu initiates a land reform program, seeking solutions to the complex issue of land tenancy in the nation.
1970 A devastating earthquake struck western Turkey late at night, claiming the lives of 1,086 people and leaving over 1,200 injured in its wake.
1970 After twelve years in orbit, Explorer 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere, marking the end of its pioneering journey in space exploration.
1970 A crucial moment in public health history unfolds as President Richard Nixon signs the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, paving the way for anti-smoking efforts.
1970 The Newhall massacre unfolds as four valiant California Highway Patrol officers meet their untimely end in a harrowing shootout, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement.
1970 The Bahr El-Baqar primary school bombing in 1970 resulted in the accidental striking of an Egyptian school by Israeli bombers, leading to the tragic loss of 46 children's lives.
1970 The Apollo Program reaches a significant milestone with the launch of Apollo 13, setting the stage for a dramatic mission that captures the world's attention.
1970 The Bay of Biscay becomes the site of a grave maritime tragedy as the Soviet submarine K-8, laden with nuclear torpedoes, sinks following an onboard fire.
1970 The Apollo 13 mission faced a perilous setback on April 13, 1970, when an oxygen tank exploded in the Service Module, imperiling the crew and jeopardizing the journey to the Moon.
1970 The Apollo program achieved a remarkable feat as the ill-fated Apollo 13 spacecraft safely returned to Earth, highlighting the resilience and expertise of NASA's mission control and astronauts.
1970 Environmental consciousness took center stage on the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, a global celebration that laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to protect our planet's precious ecosystems.
1970 China reaches for the stars as it successfully launches Dong Fang Hong I, becoming the fifth nation in the world to independently place an object into orbit using its own booster, marking a historic achievement in space exploration.
1970 The Gambia takes a bold step towards sovereignty as it transforms into a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara assuming the role of its first President, guiding the nation into a new era.
1970 The Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization came into force in 1970, establishing a framework for global intellectual property rights and protections.
1970 US President Richard Nixon's authorization of American combat troops in the Cambodian campaign escalates the Vietnam War.
1970 The Vietnam War took an unexpected turn as United States and South Vietnamese forces launched an incursion into Cambodia, igniting further tensions in an already turbulent conflict.
1970 Protests erupt worldwide in response to Richard Nixon's announcement of a Cambodian Campaign, a pivotal moment during the Vietnam War that ignites anti-war sentiment.
1970 Tragedy struck in the Caribbean Sea as ALM Flight 980 ditched near Saint Croix, resulting in the unfortunate loss of 23 lives.
1970 The Kent State shootings in 1970 marked a tragic chapter in the Vietnam War era as Ohio National Guard troops opened fire on protesting students, leading to casualties and nationwide outrage.
1970 The Beatles, one of the most iconic bands in music history, released their 12th and final studio album, "Let It Be," bringing an end to an era of musical innovation and cultural influence.
1970 May 11, 1970, is etched in memory as the day the 1970 Lubbock tornado unleashed its fury, claiming the lives of 26 individuals and causing a staggering $250 million in damage.
1970 May 14, 1970, marked a pivotal moment in the formation of the Red Army Faction as Andreas Baader was freed from custody by Ulrike Meinhof, Gudrun Ensslin, and others, altering the course of history.
1970 President Richard Nixon makes history by appointing Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington as the first female United States Army generals, shattering gender barriers in the military.
1970 The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 achieves a unique feat as the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2. This groundbreaking achievement signals a new era in supersonic passenger travel, capturing the imagination of aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
1970 Peru endured a catastrophic 7.9 Mw Ancash earthquake, resulting in widespread devastation, immense loss of life, and a resilient nation's recovery.
1970 On this day in 1970, Tonga achieved independence from the British Empire, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history and its transition to self-governance.
1970 Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington make history as they officially receive their ranks as U.S. Army Generals. This momentous occasion marks the first time women achieve the rank of general in the United States Army, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations.
1970 Charles Manson's trial for the Sharon Tate murders captivates the nation, marking a dark chapter in American criminal history.
1970 In 1970, the corporate world witnessed a seismic event as Penn Central declared Section 77 bankruptcy. This bankruptcy, the largest in U.S. corporate history at the time, sent shockwaves through the financial landscape.
1970 "The Falls Curfew," which began in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1970 during the Troubles, was a turbulent period marked by intense conflict and curfew measures in the city, reflecting the region's troubled history.
1970 In 1970, the tragic crash of Dan-Air Flight 1903 into the Les Agudes mountain in Catalonia, Spain, claimed the lives of all 112 people on board, leaving a somber mark on aviation history and the local community.
1970 Tragedy struck as Air Canada Flight 621 crashed in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, claiming the lives of all 109 people on board, a somber and solemn day in aviation history.
1970 Richard Nixon's 1970 congressional message laid the foundation for Native American self-determination as official U.S. Indian policy, ultimately culminating in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.
1970 The Aswan High Dam in Egypt is completed after 11 years of construction, a monumental engineering feat that transforms the Nile River and showcases human mastery over nature.
1970 Qaboos bin Said al Said's ascension to the Sultanate of Oman marks a historic turning point, as he embarks on sweeping reforms, modernization, and the end of a decade-long civil war.
1970 Black Tot Day marked the conclusion of the officially sanctioned rum ration in the Royal Navy, bringing an end to a long-standing naval tradition.
1970 The tragic hostage-taking and killing of California judge Harold Haley during an attempt to free George Jackson from police custody shook the nation.
1970 Tragedy strikes in Cusco, Peru, as LANSA Flight 502 crashes after takeoff, claiming the lives of 99 people on board and two on the ground.
1970 Patricia Palinkas made history in 1970 as the first woman to play professionally in an American football game, shattering gender barriers and contributing to the evolving landscape of women in sports.
1970 The launch of Venera 7 on August 17, 1970, marked a historic milestone in space exploration as it became the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the harsh surface of another planet, Venus.
1970 The Salad Bowl strike, organized by Mexican American labor union leader César Chávez, commenced on August 23, 1970. This historic farm worker strike became the largest in U.S. history, advocating for the rights and fair treatment of agricultural workers.
1970 The anti-Vietnam War protests escalate to a violent climax as Vietnam War protesters bomb Sterling Hall at the University of Wisconsin, leaving a lasting impact on the anti-war movement.
1970 The nation pauses to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of women's suffrage with a nationwide Women's Strike for Equality.
1970 The Chicano Moratorium against the Vietnam War in East Los Angeles turns tragic as a police riot claims the lives of three people.
1970 NASA's announcement of the cancellation of Apollo missions 15 and 19 marked a pivotal moment in space exploration history, altering the course of lunar exploration.
1970 Salvador Allende's ascent to the presidency in Chile marks a turning point in the nation's history, ushering in an era of political transformation.
1970 Operation Jefferson Glenn's commencement in 1970 during the Vietnam War by the United States 101st Airborne Division and the South Vietnamese 1st Infantry Division marked a significant military operation in Thừa Thiên province.
1970 Jochen Rindt's posthumous victory in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1970, following his tragic death in practice for the Italian Grand Prix, remains a unique and poignant moment in motorsport history.
1970 Two passenger jets en route from Europe to New York were simultaneously hijacked by Palestinian terrorists from the PFLP and diverted to Dawson's Field, Jordan, in a shocking act of terrorism.
1970 Fighting broke out between Arab guerrillas and government forces in Jordan in 1970, marking a turbulent period in the country's history.
1970 In 1970, Vietnam Television was established, shaping the media landscape in Vietnam.
1970 The tragic crash of Trans International Airlines Flight 863 during takeoff from JFK Airport in New York City served as a poignant reminder of the perils of air travel.
1970 The year 1970 witnesses a dramatic hijacking as a British airliner falls prey to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, ultimately ending up at Dawson's Field in Jordan.
1970 The Dawson's Field hijackers release 88 of their hostages, marking a turning point in a hostage crisis that involved primarily Jews and Israeli citizens.
1970 The infamous Dawson's Field hijackings unfold, as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorists detonate three hijacked airliners in Jordan, holding passengers hostage and igniting a global crisis.
1970 Papua New Guinea emerges from colonial shadows, gaining independence from Australia, heralding a new chapter in its history.
1970 Michael Eavis hosts the first Glastonbury Festival.
1970 Kostas Georgakis sets himself ablaze in protest against Georgios Papadopoulos' regime in Genoa, Italy.
1970 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser dies of a heart attack in Cairo.
1970 Jordan negotiates with the PFLP for the release of hostages from the Dawson's Field hijackings.
1970 A devastating plane crash claims the lives of 31 people, including members of the Wichita State University football team, in Colorado.
1970 The birth of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) enriched American television with educational content and cultural programming.
1970 The Front de libération du Québec's abduction of British Trade Commissioner James Cross ignited the October Crisis in Canada, reshaping the nation's history.
1970 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was honored with the Nobel Prize in literature, recognizing his powerful literary contributions.
1970 Cambodia undergoes a transformation as the Khmer Republic is proclaimed, reshaping the nation's political landscape in Southeast Asia.
1970 A significant moment in history occurred on October 10, 1970, as Fiji achieved independence, marking a milestone in its journey as a sovereign nation.
1970 On October 10, 1970, Canada's October Crisis escalated when Quebec Vice Premier Pierre Laporte was tragically kidnapped by members of the Front de libération du Québec, deepening political tensions.
1970 The Vietnam War undergoes a significant shift as President Richard Nixon announces the withdrawal of 40,000 more U.S. troops before Christmas, a momentous decision in the war's trajectory.
1970 Tragedy strikes during the construction of Australia's West Gate Bridge as a bridge span collapses, claiming the lives of 35 workers in a catastrophic industrial accident.
1970 Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's invocation of the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970 was a critical moment in Canadian history.
1970 The murder of Quebec Vice-Premier Pierre Laporte by FLQ terrorists in 1970 was a tragic event during a period of heightened political tensions in Canada.
1970 Gary Gabelich achieved a remarkable feat by setting a land speed record in the rocket-powered automobile "Blue Flame," which ran on natural gas, marking a milestone in automotive history.
1970 Tragedy struck in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France, as the Club Cinq-Sept fire claimed the lives of 146 young people, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
1970 A significant development in the Vietnam War occurred on November 4, 1970, when the United States handed over control of the air base at Bình Thủy in the Mekong Delta to South Vietnam, marking a transition in the conflict.
1970 On November 4, 1970, Salvador Allende assumed office as the President of Chile, becoming the first openly Marxist leader to be elected through open elections in a Latin American country, a historic moment in the region's politics.
1970 The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam reported the lowest weekly American soldier death toll in five years, signaling a turning point during the Vietnam War.
1970 In a pivotal moment during the Vietnam War, the Supreme Court of the United States voted 6-3 on November 9, 1970, to hear cases challenging the legality of the war, reflecting the war's contentious nature within the United States.
1970 The Vietnam War takes a brief respite as a week ends without reports of American combat fatalities in Southeast Asia, signaling a glimmer of hope amid a tumultuous period in U.S. history.
1970 Luna 17, an unmanned space mission launched by the Soviet Union, marks a significant stride in space exploration, contributing to mankind's understanding of the cosmos beyond our planet.
1970 The infamous "exploding whale" incident unfolds as the Oregon Highway Division attempts to remove a beached sperm whale with explosives.
1970 The 1970 Bhola cyclone devastates the coast of East Pakistan, becoming the deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history.
1970 The Bhola cyclone, a devastating tropical cyclone, struck the Ganges Delta region of East Pakistan, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life and drawing attention to the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
1970 The Soviet Union's entrance into ICAO elevates the status of Russian to the organization's fourth official language, a testament to the nation's global aviation influence.
1970 A somber chapter in aviation history unfolds as Southern Airways Flight 932 tragically crashes in the mountains near Huntington, West Virginia, claiming 75 lives, including the Marshall University football team.
1970 Lieutenant William Calley faces trial for his alleged role in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, a case that draws international attention and highlights the complexities of war crimes prosecution.
1970 In a groundbreaking achievement for space exploration, the Soviet Union successfully lands Lunokhod 1 on the Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains) on the Moon. This marks the debut of a remote-controlled robot exploring another world and is released by the orbiting Luna 17 spacecraft.
1970 President Richard Nixon's appeal for $155 million in supplemental aid for Cambodia underscores the contentious nature of the Vietnam War.
1970 Operation Ivory Coast, a joint effort by the United States Air Force and Army, aimed to rescue American prisoners of war held at the Sơn Tây camp during the Vietnam War.
1970 Japanese author Yukio Mishima, along with a compatriot, undertakes a ritualistic seppuku, marking a dramatic and tragic conclusion to their involvement in an unsuccessful coup attempt.
1970 In a meteorological anomaly, Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, witnesses a record-breaking 38 millimeters of rainfall in a single minute.
1970 The United States Environmental Protection Agency's inception marked a milestone in environmental conservation and regulation.
1970 Soviet spacecraft Venera 7 makes a triumphant landing on Venus, marking the first successful soft landing on another planet and a significant achievement in space exploration.
1970 Gdynia, Poland, witnessed a tragic turn of events as soldiers fired upon workers emerging from trains, resulting in a devastating loss of life.
1970 The F-14 multi-role combat aircraft takes its inaugural flight, setting the stage for its storied career as an iconic jet fighter.
1970 The North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, reaches its towering height of 417 meters (1,368 feet), claiming the title of the world's tallest building.
1970 The Democratic Republic of the Congo undergoes a profound transformation as it officially becomes a one-party state, altering its political landscape.
1970 An explosion at the Weather Underground safe house in Greenwich Village claims three lives, underscoring the turbulence of the era.
1970 Paul McCartney's departure from The Beatles sends shockwaves through the music world, marking the end of an era.
1970 During the Cambodian Civil War, the massacre of the Vietnamese minority sent shockwaves as 800 bodies flowed down the Mekong River into South Vietnam, a grim testament to the horrors of war.
