![1975 Jaws](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/what-happened-in-1975.gif)
What Happened in 1975?
Let’s take a look back at 1975. Jaws had us all terrified to go into the water. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was making us all do the Time Warp Again, and Monty Python had us all cackling like crazy people! But it was also a year of extraordinary political changes and even some earth-shattering natural disasters.
Here are some of the biggest things that took place in 1975.
In this year
![Richard Nixon](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/51381402436_986c94457d_w-240x135.jpg)
January
The infamous Watergate scandal in the US came to a head, with John Ehrlichman, John N Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman all being found guilty of cover-ups. The scandal, of course, implicated former US President Richard Nixon, who left office under a cloud of controversy.
![facts about earthquakes](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/facts-about-earthquakes.jpg)
February
The Hachieng earthquake, taking place in Liaoning, China, killed 2,041 people on February 4th, 1975. Around 27,538 more people were injured. This earthquake was also notable because it’s the first on record to ever have been successfully predicted.
![Bell UH 1 Helicopter in Vietnam](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/bell-uh-1-906516_640.jpg)
March
During the Vietnam War, in South Vietnam, then-President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu declared that the Central Highlands should be evacuated. This eventually became a mass exodus of sorts, involving the exit of both assigned troops and civilians from the region. The event would go down in history as the “Convoy of Tears.”
![Flag of Vietnam](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/vietnam-1242275_1280.jpg)
![South African black children at school](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/doug-linstedt-jEEYZsaxbH4-unsplash-240x135.jpg)
May
In the midst of apartheid, major steps toward racial equality were taken in South Africa on May 6th, 1975. It was on this day that the country’s government announced it would provide free, compulsory education for all black children.
![Gandhi](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/facts-about-gandhi-2.jpg)
June
June 1975 saw the announcement of The Emergency in India, when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched a state of emergency as a result of internal disturbances. The Emergency effectively ended elections and even suspended civil liberties – Gandhi effectively ruled by decree until 1977.
![Flag of Cape Verde](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Flag-of-Cape-Verde.png)
July
In one of the biggest breaks of independence in modern history, Cape Verde officially became an independent state from Portugal after the latter had controlled the region for over 500 years! July 5th, therefore, is the country’s independence day.
![Helsinki Accords](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/640px-Schlussakte_Helsinki_1975_KSZE-240x135.jpg)
August
A major step forward in organizing borders and establishing human rights took place on August 1st, 1975, as Finland oversaw the signing of the Helsinki Accords.
![The “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/johann-walter-bantz-Clv9DfJLwac-unsplash-240x135.jpg)
September
The “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match, taking place on September 30th, became the first event in US broadcast history to be delivered continuously through a paid network. Specifically, it was Home Box Office (HBO) that hosted the match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The match officially ended on October 1st in Filipino time, watched by 100 million people around the world.
![Juan Carlos I](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-18-at-11.52.19-240x135.png)
October
The King of Spain – Juan Carlos I, as he would be known the month after – took control as head of state as dictator Francisco Franco became too ill to continue holding office. His death, which would occur in November, effectively ended his dictatorship – and within a few years, the nation would draw up a new constitution and leave military rule after four decades.
![Microsoft logo](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-17-at-11.40.42-240x135.png)
November
“Microsoft” is used as a term for the first time when eventual CEO Bill Gates writes to Paul Allen regarding the future computer empire. Within a year, Gates would register Microsoft as a copyright, officially marking the start of the company’s rise to prominence.
![Flag of Laos](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Flag-of-Laos.png)
December
The Laotian Civil War officially came to an end as of December 2nd, with Pathet Lao’s Communist Party defeating the Kingdom of Laos. This led to the forced abdication of King Sisavang Vatthana. The event would, of course, lead to the creation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in its stead.
1975 was the year of the…
![Chinese Year of the Rabbit](https://facts.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Chinese-Year-of-the-Rabbit-240x135.jpg)
…Rabbit!
Like 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023, 1975 marked the year of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac. People born in Rabbit years are usually curious and very energetic. They are very affectionate but can be shy, so let them come to you! The next Rabbit year won't be until 2035.
This page was last modified on August 4, 2024. Suggest an edit