USA History (1970-1980)

February 18, 1970-A federal jury found "the Chicago 7" antiwar activists innocent of conspiring to incite riots during the Democratic National Convention, but Five were convicted of crossing state lines with intent to incite riots.

1970-The Environmental Protection Agency is set up the government.

April 30, 1970-U.S. forces invade Cambodia.

1970-Rebellious rock stars Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix die of drug overdoses.

1970-Four Kent State University students were killed in a Vietnam War protest by the National Guard.

December 31, 1970-The U.S. starts to withdraw troops from Vietnam.

January 26, 1971-At age 36, Charels Manson and 3 of his cult followers were found guilty of first degree murder in the 1969 slaying of actress Sharon Tate and 6 others.

June 20, 1971-The 26th Amendment lowering the voting age to 18 in all elections was ratified.

1971-President Nixon imposes a freeze on prices and wages.

1971-The value of the U.S. dollar goes down.

1972-A break-in at the Democratic headquarters sets off the Watergate Scandal.

Watergate Hotel

1972-The Equal Rights Amendment is passed by Congress, touching off an unsuccessful ratification battle across the United States.

December 18, 1972-The full-scale bombing of North Vietnam after Paris peace negotiations failed.

1973-The Senate begins to investigate the Watergate affair.

October 10, 1973-Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns and pleads no contest to charges of tax evasion on payments made to him by Maryland contractors when he was governor.

1973-The Vietnam War peace pacts were signed in Paris.

January 27, 1973-The end of the military draft was announced.

1973-We receive television pictures from Jupiter from the Pioneer 10.

1973-An energy crisis occurs.

1973-"Henry Kissenger wins the Nobel Peace Prize."

1973-Native Americans stage a protest at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

March 29, 1973-The last of the American forces finally leave Vietnam.

October 12, 1973-On Gerald Ford becomes the first Vice President appointed under the 25th Amendment.

August 9, 1974-Nixon resigned with Vice President Gerald Ford sworn in on the same day.

1975-The Soviet Sojuz and U.S. Apollo link up in space.

1975-Congress passes the Education Assistance and the Indian Self-Determination Acts.

July 4, 1976-The U.S. marks the 200th anniversary of its independence with festivals, parades, and New York City's Operation Sail, a gathering of tall ships from around the world.

1976-North and South Vietnam are united, bring an end to the Vietnam War.

1977-President Jimmy Carter establishes the Department of Energy.

1977-The biggest ticket selling movie of all time, (including its re-release in 1997), StarWars, is released.

April 18, 1978-The U.S. Senate votes to turn over the Panama Canal to Panama on the future date of December 31, 1999.

1979-A group of religious conservatives found the Moral Majority.

November 4, 1979-Iranians seize the American Embassy in Tehran, taking 63 Americans hostage.