It was a year of big changes and even bigger hair. From the Watergate scandal to the release of classic movies like “The Exorcist” and “The Godfather,” 1973 was a year that left its mark on history. Here are 10 things that happened in 1973 that you may not know about.
The Watergate Scandal Breaks
The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that rocked the United States in 1973. The scandal began when five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. The men were working for President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign, and the break-in was an attempt to bug the offices.
The End of the Vietnam War
1973 saw the end of the Vietnam War, which had been going on for over a decade. In January, the United States and North Vietnam signed the Paris Peace Accords, which resulted in the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. The war officially came to an end in April, when the last American troops left Vietnam.
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The Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War was a conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states that began on October 6, 1973. The war was fought on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, and it resulted in a surprise victory for the Arab forces. The war lasted for only three weeks, but it had a major impact on the Middle East and the world.
The Release of “The Godfather”
“The Godfather” is a classic American movie that was released in 1973. The movie, which is based on the novel by Mario Puzo, tells the story of the Corleone crime family. The movie was a huge success, both critically and commercially, and it went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Release of “The Exorcist”
“The Exorcist” is another classic movie that was released in 1973. The movie, which is based on the novel by William Peter Blatty, tells the story of a young girl who is possessed by a demon. The movie was a huge success, both critically and commercially, and it is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time.
The OPEC Oil Crisis
The OPEC Oil Crisis was a major economic crisis that began in 1973. The crisis was caused by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raising the price of oil. The price of oil quadrupled, and this had a major impact on the global economy. The crisis lasted for several years, and it was one of the contributing factors to the stagflation of the 1970s.
The Skylab Launch
Skylab was the first American space station, and it was launched in 1973. The space station was inhabited by astronauts for 28 days, and it was visited by three crews over the course of its mission. Skylab was operational for six years, and it was eventually deorbited and burned up in the atmosphere.
The Watergate hearings
The Watergate hearings were a series of hearings that were held in 1973 to investigate the Watergate scandal. The hearings were televised, and they captivated the nation. The hearings ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
The Death of Elvis Presley was in 1977
Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” died on August 16, 1977. We accidentally put 1973 in our print edition. Presley was only 42 years old at the time of his death, but he had already achieved a legendary status. His death was a shock to the world, and it marked the end of an era.
Image by Reimund Bertrams