Historic Images From The '70s That Will Transport You Back In Time

Coming off the heels of the momentous Summer of Love, the 1970s ushered in changes that would proceed to shape the history of the latter half of the 20th century. Check out these iconic images from the decade of disco.

Just two days into its cardinal journey, the Apollo 13 spacecraft had to make an emergency landing in the South Pacific near Samoa. Millions of Americans watched as the lives of the three crew members hung in the balance for days on end.

Near the end of the inaugural year of the decade, the King of Rock met with then-current POTUS, Richard Nixon. Ironically, the meeting was regarding the American youth's proclivity for illegal drugs, a plight that would ultimately lead to Presley's death later in the decade.

On May 4, 1970 the students of Kent State University staged a mass protest against the U.S. military's bombing of the neutral state of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. When the National Guard moved in to disperse the almost 2,000-strong protest, students refused, leading to the National Guard shooting and killing four protesters, only to further enthrall civilian outcry against the military.

In 1971, Indira Gandhi was reelected as India's first, and thus far only, female prime minister. Her tenure in office ushered in India as the regional hegemon of Southeast Asia and established the country as an international superpower.

On October 1, 1971, the Happiest Place on Earth opened its gates to crowds of anxious Disney devotees. Today, the theme park and resort delights over 50,000 guests per day.

President Richard Nixon made history when he visited what was then known as The People's Republic of China in the winter of 1972. The week-long excursion gave the American people the first glimpse into the reclusive Chinese state since its adoption of communism in 1949.

At the height of the War in Vietnam, Barbarella actress and political activist, Jane Fonda, made a controversial visit to Hanoi, Vietnam. Photos of Fonda peering into the scope of a Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun branded her with the sobriquet “Hanoi Jane,” which she wore like a scarlet letter for the remainder of much the decade.

The Miami Dolphins' Super Bowl VII triumph over the Washington Redskins awarded them the honor to be the first and only NFL team to ever complete a perfect, undefeated season.

One of the most divisive and contentious court cases in American History, Roe v. Wade, fashioned a lasting political apartheid resonant to this day.

Winning the highly sought-after Triple Crown, Secretariat became the first racehorse in 25 years to take the honor, even winning his race by 31 lengths.

Officially titled "The Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam"—quite the mouthful—the Paris Peace Accord effectively ended combat in war-stricken Vietnam and pulled all remaining foreign armed forces from the region.

When the World Trade Center finished construction in 1973, it held its place as a captivating piece of the New York skyline up until its destruction in the September 11 terrorist attacks. While the original World Trade Center stood just shy of 1,400 feet, today's iteration stands even taller at almost 1,800 feet.

To cap off the summer of '73, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a "Battle of the Sexes," following his public notion of the "inferiority" of women's tennis. King took home a prize of $100,000 and priceless bragging rights for her victory.

Heir to the expansive Hearst fortune, Patty Hearst became thrust into the international spotlight for reasons quite different from the fame of modern-day "celebutants" such as Paris Hilton. In 1974, Hearst was kidnapped by left-wing terrorist organization, the Symbionese Liberation Army, and became involved in their rings of organized criminal activity. 19 months after her abduction, Hearst was arrested for her involvement with the terror organization, but later received a full pardon due to her suffering from Stockholm Syndrome during her capture.

The Godfather Part II is touted as one of the only films to escape the dismal trope of washed-up sequels, with many considering it vastly superior to its predecessor. The flick took home seven Oscars at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in April 1975.

Right off the heels of his involvement in the Watergate Scandal being brought to light, an impeachment was hanging over Nixon like a judicial gavel waiting to drop. In order to salvage some semblance of sovereignty, Nixon instead chose to resign from office on August 9, 1974, making him the first and only U.S. president to do so.

Over 40 years ago, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, ending Babe Ruth's 39-year hold on the record. Aaron's record stood uncontested until Barry Bonds surpassed it in 2007.

Though this photo isn't quite indicative of the fate that befalls Robert Shaw's character Quint in the film, Jaws, it isn't too far off. The film adaptation of Peter Benchley's novel of the same name had audiences running away from the beach rather than flocking to it during its release in the summer of 1974

The August 1974 issue of Vogue featured model, Beverly Johnson, who became the first African-American woman to grace the cover since its initial publication in 1892.

44 years ago, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Arguably the best thing to come out of New Mexico other than the breakfast burrito, Microsoft has ballooned into a trillion dollar corporation and rendered Bill Gates with a net worth around $107 billion.

When the capital city of South Vietnam fell into the control of the People's Army of Vietnam, it signaled the true end of the war in Vietnam and led to the full evacuation of the American diplomatic presence in the country.

The only black man to ever win the Wimbledon Cup, Arthur Ashe went on to later add two more grand slam titles to his name. Not only did Ashe make strides for black visibility in a predominantly white sport but, following his death in 1993, the Arthur Foundation for the Defeat of AIDs was established in his name to combat the spread of HIV and AIDs, particularly in urban communities.

The late-night variety sketch show first aired in the fall of 1975, featuring comedic powerhouses like Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi. Chase helmed the "Weekend Update" segment, which remains a show staple today, in the now-coveted role of anchor.

In the garage of a Los Altos ranch home, the most impactful corporation in technology was conceived. The spring of 1976 brought Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs to Jobs's childhood home to brainstorm a computer project that would snowball into the world's most valuable brand.

The King's death in 1977 devastated his sea of fans across the world. Presley's deeply influential career was one that shaped generations of youth and remains a central piece in music history.

Originally branded as the Atari Video Computer System, the Atari 2600 is credited with popularizing modern gaming following its 1977 release.

Just as the Gay Rights movement began to make its way to the forefront of the American social conscious, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay official to be elected in the state of California in 1978. Milk's election to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors was a catalyst for the liberation of the LGBTQ+ community that helped fuel a movement, still alive today.

Following the second Papal conclave of 1978, Pope John Paul II was elected Pope after his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, died just 33 days after taking the papacy.

Nestled on a small river isle in central Pennsylvania, Three Mile Island was home to a partial nuclear meltdown that solidified the undercurrent opposition to nuclear energy.

The Iron Lady's decades-spanning term as the Prime Minister of England would make her the longest person, and first woman, to hold the title.

From 1974 to 1978, Ted Bundy committed a series of salacious and terrifying crimes that struck fear into women across America. His period of unbridled crime came to a close as his trial began in Florida in 1979.

In late July of 1978, Louise Joy Brown was born, becoming the first ever “test tube baby” through the use of in vitro fertilization. Since Brown’s birth, 6.5 million children have been welcomed into the world as a result of this groundbreaking technology.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest humanitarians to ever live, Mother Teresa was award the Nobel Peace Prize on October 17, 1979 for her work with the poor and disenfranchised. She would go on to be canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.