News of the Seventies
Facts about America in 1970
Population: 204,879,000
Unemployed in 1970: 4,088,000
National Debt: $382 billion
Food prices: milk, 33 cents a qt.; bread, 24 cents a loaf; round steak, $1.30 a pound
Life Expectancy: Male, 67.1; Female, 74.8
Population: 204,879,000
Unemployed in 1970: 4,088,000
National Debt: $382 billion
Food prices: milk, 33 cents a qt.; bread, 24 cents a loaf; round steak, $1.30 a pound
Life Expectancy: Male, 67.1; Female, 74.8
The Vietnam War Ends
During the early seventies, it was not uncommon to find young college and university students rallying together to protest the Vietnam War. However, on April 30th 1975, the infamous Vietnam war ended after nearly twenty years of fighting. The end of the war ended the peace rallies. Though the war was between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, many anti-communist countries, such as the United States of America, were involved.
The Watergate Scandal
The Watergate Scandal was arguably the most controversial event of the early 1970s. After five men were arrested for breaking and entering into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, incriminating evidence began mounting against President Richard Nixon. It was found that the five men that had broken into the National Headquarters were, in fact, tied to Nixon's re-election campaign. The president denied involvement in the matter, but was later discovered to be in possession of incriminating tapes that confirmed his involvement in the scandal. After several court appearances, President Nixon resigned from the office of president on August 9th, 1974.
Roberto Clemente Dies in Plane Crash
Roberto Clemente was one of the most famous Puerto Rican pitchers in America in the 1970s. He received the National Major League Basbeball award for Most Valuable Player in 1966. He also won the World Series MVP award in 1970. Sadly, in December of 1972, Clemente was on a plane bound for Nicaragua when it crashed and Clemente was killed. Clemente was travelling to Nicaragua to aid in relief efforts after a massive earthquake had devastated Nicaragua on December 23rd, 1972.
The First Ever Earth Day is Celebrated
The First Ever Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22nd, 1970.
