Facts and Events That Happened in This Year
Metric Conversion Act signed by U.S. President Gerald Ford.
A six-day siege began in London when an IRA unit took a couple hostage in their flat while fleeing the police.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hawaii.
East Timor declared its independence from Portugal.
Ross McWhirter, who co-founded the Guinness Book of World Records with his twin brother, was shot dead.
The Netherlands granted Suriname independence, and has since been celebrated as Suriname Independence Day.
Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the flow of oil from the UK's first-ever oil pipeline.
The US received Anwar Sadat, its first Egyptian presidential visit.
Elton John became the 1,662nd person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The first images from the surface of Venus were received after the Soviet spacecraft Venera 9 landed on the planet.
The Soviet spacecraft Venera 9 went into Venus' orbit – making it the first to do so.
The US Supreme Court ruled to allow teachers to spank students even against their parent's wishes.
The American sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live' premiered on US television.
Pope Paul VI canonized Elizabeth Anne Seton as the first American saint.
NASA launched the Viking 1 planetary probe toward Mars.
17-year-old Neville Ebbin was riding his electric cycle down a stretch of road in Bermuda when he was hit and killed by a taxi driver named Willard Manders.
Luxury fashion brand Giorgio Armani was founded in Milan, Italy.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project completed the world's first international space rendezvous.
The first-ever international crewed space mission was jointly launched by the US and the USSR.
The Republic of Cabo Verde gained its independence from Portugal.
The most memorable concert of the decade occurred at Wembley Stadium.
The movie 'Jaws' by Steven Spielberg hit theaters.
The comedy-drama musical 'Nashville' written by Robert Altman was released.
British Parliament was broadcasted live.
Animal fossils found in North Carolina became the oldest known in the US.
Muhammad Ali won the bout through a technical knockout in the 11th round against Ron for the heavyweight boxing title.
Natalie Cole released her debut album titled 'Inseparable,' which went on to win two Grammys.
President Gerald Ford declares an end to the 'Vietnam Era.'
A NASA X-ray astronomy space telescope called 'Small Astronomy Satellite Explorer 53' was launched into space.
The Italian film 'Seven Beauties' became the first film directed by a woman to be nominated for an Academy Award.
John Lennon sang 'Stand by Me' at his last ever solo live performance.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered at the Belasco Theater, New York City, US, and ran for 45 performances.
The first International Women's Day was celebrated.
The first People's Choice Awards aired on CBS.
Margaret Thatcher became the leader of the British Conservative Party.
The world's first McDonald's drive-through was opened in Arizona.
Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.
The Soviet Union's Soyuz 17 was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Soyuz rocket.
