What made the 1970s special?

The 1970s was a decade that left an indelible mark on the world, shaping the cultural, political, and social landscapes in ways that are still felt today. From the Historic Newspapers article, we learn that the 70s were a period of significant change and upheaval following the revolutionary 60s. The decade was marked by a series of impactful events, from the end of the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal to the emergence of punk and disco music. It was a time when the world mourned the death of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock n' Roll, and celebrated the rise of the first female Prime Minister in the UK, Margaret Thatcher. The 70s also saw the Gay Liberation Movement gain momentum, the Civil Rights Movement evolve, and the landmark Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion in the United States. Political Upheavals: Watergate and the End of the Vietnam War The 1970s were marked by significant political events that shaped the American landscape. The Watergate Scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, shaking the nation's trust in its leaders. Meanwhile, the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 closed a controversial chapter in American history, following years of anti-war protests and public dissent. Social Movements: Gay Liberation and Civil Rights The decade was a pivotal time for social justice, with the Gay Liberation Movement fighting for LGBTQ rights and the decriminalization of homosexuality. The Civil Rights Movement also continued to evolve, with African-American activists making significant strides in business, academia, and politics. Cultural Shifts: The Emergence of Punk and Disco Musically, the 70s were a time of innovation and divergence. Punk music, characterized by its aggressive, no-apology form, rose to prominence with bands like the Ramones and the Clash. On the other end of the spectrum, disco music had people dancing to the tunes of Donna Summer and the Bee Gees, representing a clash in race and class.

The 70s: A Forgotten Era of Huge Technological Advances

The 70s was an iconic era that brought about significant change. The 60s started moving towards a more liberal and progressive way of life, but the 70s was a decade of big events. The Beatles broke up, the Watergate scandal happened and Elvis Presley died. What's rarely documented is the fact that the 70s was more than just iconic events, free love, cults and hippies.

Did you know that the 70s was an era of huge technological advances? In 1971 the first commercially produced microprocessor was launched (Intel 4004), paving the way Intel to dominate the processing landscape. This paved the way for the 70s to transform computing units from commercial use to home use. From here, coding languages such as C++ were developed (1979), as well as various other operating systems.

Other major technological developments include the video game Pong, which was he first video game that was commercially accessible. In 1973 launch of Xerox Alto launched a device that made the first ever cell phone call, and in 1974 the first laser technology was used for barcode scanners.

Historical timelines of technological advancements prove that the 70s wasn't all weed, love and tie dye.

Our personality quizzes are set up a little differently than your basic trivia quiz, but you’ve probably seen their kind around. Rather than having to choose the right answer from a list of multiple choice options, in this case, there is no “right answer”! (Two plus two will always be four, but every Golden Girls character is equally awesome.)

So, stop stressing. Just click on the answer that suits you best, and enjoy the ride. These quizzes are just for fun but who knows – you might just learn something about yourself along the way!