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1970 US Events
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Boeing 747 First Flight
The first "wide-body airliner" was referred to as a "Jumbo Jet". It entered service with Pan Am. This was important because it carried more than twice as many passengers as Boeing's next largest plane and was more fuel-efficient which reduced the cost per seat and opened up the world to jet travel much larger than it did in the past. This also gave. a much bigger client base to travel, as the seats were costing less, it allowed more people the financial freedom to fly. -
Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurred on Saturday, March 7, 1970, visible across most of North America and Central America. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. The solar eclipse cut a 100-mile-wide swath from Mexico, through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia and clipped Massachusetts' Nantucket as it headed out to sea. It was nicknamed "The Eclipse of the Century". -
Earth Day
On this day, Senator Gaylord Nelson passed Earth Day to be a day to observe and honor our the Earth. This was widely accepted around the world. Earth Day raises awareness for protecting nature. It is a mechanism to force the environmental issue onto the national agenda. Today we have EARTHDAY.ORG that includes over 1 billion supporters from over 193 different countries. Every year has a new theme to raise awareness to new up and coming issues globally. This year, 2024, is "Planets vs. Plastics." -
Kent State Shooting
Students at Kent State University were protesting the US' further involvement with the Vietnam War when the National Guard opened fire on them, killing four students and leaving nine wounded. This only led to greater protests across America as the shock spread like wildfire through families. The protests and the shooting, affected the public's opinions about America's involvement in the war and how they handle things domestically. Protests that followed, even forced some schools to close. -
Jackson State Shooting
Students were protesting America's involvement in the Vietnam War, more specifically the US invading Cambodia. Police opened fire on the protesting crowd, leaving tweleve injured and killing two students. This was in response to the Kent State shooting, but also about the disproportionate number of African Americans being sent to Vietnam to fight compared to the white Americans being sent to fight. IN Jackson, Mississippi this was a very prevalent, growing concern for the citizens. -
Gay Rights Gain Popularity
The first gay rights march held in New York City occurred, which was later known as "Gay Liberation Day". The march was held on the one year anniversary of the police raid on a popular gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village. The raid caused different protests across America, but it allowed other gay rights groups to form and push for rights. 1970 was an important year for gay rights, as the first LGBT Pride Parade was held in LA, as well as the first "Gay-In" being held in San Francisco. -
American Top 40
American Top 40, hosted by radio personality Casey Kasem, becomes the first successful nationally syndicated radio program featuring a weekly countdown. It is currently hosted by Ryan Seacrest. This was important as thousands of American's used radios daily and this showcased the popular use of radios for music. -
Janis Joplin Dies
Janis Joplin, an American singer-songwriter, was one of the most popular rock artists of the time because of her unique raspy voice. Joplin suffered a heroin addiction which caused her death in October of 1970, at just 27 years old. This shocked the nation as drug use had not reached its peak yet, but was growing increasingly popular. The amount of ODs were increasing throughout the 70s, which warranted a serious response in 1973, with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) being created. -
King of Rock Visits White House
Elvis Presley paid former President Nixon a visit with a handwritten letter in December of 1970. Elvis showed an interest in acquiring a narcotic task force in order to combat against the spike of illicit drug use across America. During his meeting, President Nixon actually granted Elvis Presley a federal narcotics badge to be used for the war on drugs. In return, Presley gifted the President a WWII pistol and some family photos.