Many agree that past decades were way simpler than today, yet each decade definitely had its own form of “weird,” too. The 1970s are our case study for this particular historic dive, and they don’t disappoint when it comes to strange occurrences. The decade gave us the Godfather, saw the end of the Beatles, and is remembered as one of extreme change, lots of firsts, and a bit of turmoil.
These years were characterized by an eclectic mix of incidents that had an impact on people all around the world. A sitting US president resigned, people were massacred at the Olympics, and Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minster.
The 70s rose against social upheaval, political unrest, and cultural development. These were the craziest and weirdest historical events of the 70s.
1. Jonestown Massacre in Guyana
In an unfortunate state of events, a cult leader in Guyana misled his congregants to commit mass suicide. Over 900 people perished after their leader, Bill Jones, tricked them into drinking a fruit drink laced with Cyanide on November 18, 1978.
Many religious leaders today still enjoy a fanatic-like following from the congregants. While we haven’t witnessed a massacre of the same magnitude, many people are still obliviously but dangerously toying with cults.
2. New York Blackout
Extreme weather sometimes causes blackouts, but no outage has beaten the 1977 New York blackout. Lasting about 25 hours, the power outage that left New York in the dark was caused by a series of lightning.
As expected, the episode was marked by chaos, looting, arson, and more crime. At least three people lost their lives.
3. A Presidential Resignation
The year 1974 saw the only resignation of a sitting US president, Richard Nixon, mostly as a result of his role in the Watergate affair. The Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., was broken into during the 1972 presidential campaign, which sparked the controversy.
The Watergate scandal reminds us of the foundational principles essential for a robust democracy.
4. The First Test-Tube Baby
Biology, and especially reproductive medicine, has come a long way. The world’s first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in 1978 in England. Her arrival signified a significant shift in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) disciplines.
We may not remember or even celebrate Lousie’s birthday, but this invention is a blessing to many people and families today.
5. The Olympic Terror
The 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, were intended to honor global friendship and athletic accomplishment. But the terrorist strike by the Palestinian organization known as Black September cruelly ruined the games. Eight militant members infiltrated the games, killed two Israeli Olympic team members, and took nine others hostage.
The incident led to significant modifications to Olympic security procedures. Today, specialized security teams and more stringent measures safeguard competitors and spectators.
6. Missing Hijacker
Running away from an airplane is impossible, but one man achieved this seemingly impossible feat in 1971. After hijacking a plane, a man named D.B. demanded a $200,000 ransom. After returning all 36 passengers safely to the ground and getting his ransom, he then demanded the pilot head toward Mexico City, where he jumped out of the aircraft by parachute.
He was caught, right? Well, Cooper vanished from sight. It’s still one of the most well-known mysteries in American history.
7. Message from Space
The jury is still out on whether life is only happening on this planet, but a sound from outer space in 1977 may indicate otherwise. Using the Big Ear radio telescope in Ohio, astronomers picked up a powerful radio signal from space for 72 seconds.
After numerous searches, the signal has never been found again, leaving astronomers perplexed about its origin and nature.
8. The Hate Mail of Circleville
Getting mail is supposed to be wonderful unless it is filled with bills or threats, like the people in 1976 experienced. The residents of Circleville, Ohio, received mysterious and menacing anonymous letters filled with charges, cautions, and insults.
The entire unsolved turned into a mess of mysterious deaths, attempted murder, and lots of speculation. Law enforcement conducted inquiries, but the Circleville Letter Writer’s identity was never established for sure; the case remained unsolved.
9. A Pilot’s Disappearance
Do UFOs exist? An incident in 1978 may answer that question. Australian pilot Frederick Valentich vanished over the Bass Strait in strange circumstances after reporting witnessing an unidentified flying object (UFO) before losing radio contact.
Was it an alien abduction? We may never know if this was an extra-terrestrial involvement in his abduction since the man and his aircraft were never discovered.
10. Where’s Jimmy Hofa?
It’s not every day that union leaders disappear without a trace, but Jimmy Hoffa, the powerful union leader and president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, vanished in July 1975 and was never seen again.
Hoffa’s disappearance set off a plethora of conspiracy theories and inquiries, but his fate is still unknown. It’s still one of the most enduring mysteries in American history.
11. The Earth Hummed
We call her mother nature, and maybe she can talk after all. In the 1970s, people in Bristol, England, reported hearing an odd occurrence called the “Taos Hum.” The Taos Hum was a low-frequency buzzing or humming noise that some people reported to be audible and seemed to come from the earth.
A tiny portion of the population heart and felt it; its source is still unclear despite years of examination by scientists and researchers. This humming phenomenon has occurred elsewhere in the world, and researchers have yet to pinpoint the cause. Theories include electromagnetic fields and seismic activity.
12. The Explosion of Pintos
Some fender benders are to be expected any time you’re on the road, but rear-ending a Ford Pinto in the 70s was an explosive affair. The cars would burst into flames on impact, and 27 lives were lost to this phenomenon.
In 1978, Ford was forced to recall all Pinto vehicles manufactured between 1971 and 1976 to modify the fuel tank, which was the main culprit.
13. The Toxic Lady
The medical world has seen its fair share of crazy incidences, and the Toxic Lady of 1979 was one of them. Gloria Ramirez was admitted to a hospital in Riverside, California, exhibiting mysterious symptoms and emitting a foul odor. Incidentally, medical personnel who treated her began experiencing symptoms themselves.
Despite extensive investigations, the cause of Ramirez’s condition remains a subject of debate, with theories ranging from environmental toxins to mass hysteria.
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13 Terrifying Facts About WWII
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
