What happened in April 1970?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1970, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🛰️ Explorer 1 Returns – Explorer 1, the first American satellite, re-entered Earth's atmosphere after 12 years in orbit, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Apr 2🌊 Earthquake Toll Rises – Relief supplies continue to pour into earthquake-ravaged areas of Western Turkey, with the death toll now at 1,084 and still rising.
- Apr 3🏛️ Cambodia Frees Prisoners – Cambodia released 486 political prisoners, marking a significant shift in the new government's stance following the ousting of Prince Sihanouk.
- Apr 4🚀 Cosmos 329 Launched – The Soviet Union launched Cosmos 329, an unmanned spacecraft for space research, enhancing its monitoring capabilities.
- Apr 5🌌 First Aquanaut Team – The first aquanaut team of Tektite 2 began a seven-month underwater study of marine life in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands.
- Apr 6🌍 Gagarin Museum Opened – A museum commemorating Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, opened in his hometown near Smolensk, Russia.
- Apr 7🚀 Long Russian Space Flights – Soviet Air Force General announces preparation for long-duration space missions, addressing health challenges for astronauts.
- Apr 8🌍 Major Manila Earthquake – A powerful earthquake struck Manila, killing six and injuring many others, affecting the northern Philippines.
- Apr 9🌍 Gas Explosions in Osaka – A series of gas explosions at a subway construction site in Osaka killed 72 and injured 282 people.
- Apr 10✈️ First Israeli Plane Flight – Israel's first domestically designed and built aircraft, the Arava, made its inaugural flight in a ceremony with military significance.
- Apr 11🚀 Apollo 13 Recovery – Live TV shots planned for the recovery of Apollo 13 astronauts after their landing in the Pacific on April 21.
- Apr 12🚀 Apollo 13 Launch – Three astronauts, including late substitute Jack Swigert, launched on Apollo 13 for the third lunar landing mission.
- Apr 13✈️ Jet Crash in Thailand – A U.S. RF-4 jet crashed at Udony Air Base in Thailand, resulting in nine fatalities, according to a U.S. Embassy spokesman.
- Apr 14🚀 Apollo 13 Emergency – Apollo 13 astronauts faced a life-threatening oxygen leak, forcing them to use the lunar module as a lifeboat for a rapid return to Earth.
- Apr 15🚀 Apollo 13 Crisis – Apollo 13 astronauts face critical issues with water and cooling systems, jeopardizing their safe return to Earth.
- Apr 16🌌 Apollo 13 Recovery Efforts – Twelve countries, including the Soviet Union, offered assistance to the U.S. in recovering Apollo 13 astronauts after their mission difficulties.
- Apr 17🚀 Apollo 13 Splashdown – Apollo 13 astronauts prepare for splashdown after a harrowing mission, with live coverage planned by major networks.
- Apr 18🚀 Apollo 13 Returns Safely – The Apollo 13 crew safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, ending a tense four-day mission after a critical in-flight emergency.
- Apr 19🌍 Earth Day Movement – A national teach-in called Earth Day is set for April 22, aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues in the U.S.
- Apr 20🚢 Rescue Ship Arrives – Survivors of the tanker Silver Mean, which sank off the Natal coast, were rescued and brought to Mozambique.
- Apr 21🌍 Nation Set to Observe Earth Day – Thousands prepare for Earth Day, a national event focused on environmental issues and awareness across schools and communities.
- Apr 22🌍 Earth Day Celebrated – Earth Day activities began nationwide, focusing on pollution and ecological balance, with broadcasts highlighting environmental issues.
- Apr 23🌍 Earth Day Celebrated – Earth Day saw millions participate in activities focused on environmental issues, uniting people across political lines in a call for ecological awareness.
- Apr 24🌍 Earth Day Theme Resounds – The Earth Day theme of environmental concern continued to resonate across campuses and legislative halls in the U.S.
- Apr 25🌸 Japanese Cherry Trees Planted – 344 Japanese cherry trees were planted along the Henry Hudson Parkway as a gift from the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation.
- Apr 26🚀 China Launches Satellite – Communist China announced the launch of its first space satellite, marking a significant advancement in its technological capabilities.
- Apr 27🚀 China Launches Satellite – The Soviet Union reported the launch of Communist China's first earth satellite with minimal publicity.
- Apr 28🔬 New Element Synthesized – Physicists at Berkeley reported synthesizing a new element, proposing the name hahnium in honor of Otto Hahn.
- Apr 29🔬 Nuclear-Powered Pacemaker – French scientists announced the world's first implantation of a heart pacemaker powered by nuclear energy in a human patient.
- Apr 30🌍 Mysterious Infrared Radiation – Rocket and balloon observations confirm unexplained infrared radiation affecting Earth's upper atmosphere.
Happy Birthday! 1970 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1970 in real headlines. See the 1970 book →