What happened in May 1970?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1970, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1📜 Morgan Library Letters – The Morgan Library unveiled 65 previously unknown letters to Sir Philip Sidney from notable European figures.
- May 2⛵ Morgan's Cup Launch – The 12-meter yacht Heritage, the first America's Cup challenger built in the South, was launched in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- May 3🏆 Dust Commander Wins Derby – Dust Commander, a 15-1 shot, won the 96th Kentucky Derby by five lengths, earning a record $170,300 prize.
- May 4🎾 Tiriac Wins Florence – Ion Tiriac of Romania defeated Boro Jovanovic of Yugoslavia to win the men's singles title at the Florence international tournament.
- May 5🗳️ Women's Strike Called – The National Organization for Women plans a national women's strike on August 26 to commemorate the suffrage amendment's ratification.
- May 6✈️ Czech Plane Hijacked – A Czechoslovak uranium plant official hijacked a plane, injuring the pilot, and forced it to fly to Austria.
- May 7🌋 Volcano Erupts in Iceland – Iceland's Hekla volcano erupted, raining rocks and ashes over a wide area, marking its first eruption in 23 years.
- May 8🌕 Moon Landing Delayed – The next American moon landing attempt is postponed to at least December 3, targeting the Fra Mauro highlands.
- May 9🏔️ Two Conquer Peak – Two members of a Japanese expedition successfully reached the summit of Bauddha Peak in Nepal, marking a significant achievement in mountaineering.
- May 10🌍 Mariner Tests Einstein Theory – Mariner 7 will pass behind the sun, allowing astronomers to test a fundamental debate in modern physics.
- May 11🐴 U.S. Riders Off to Europe – The U.S. Equestrian Team, including Olympic champion Bill Steinkraus, departs for a European tour with 16 horses.
- May 12🌪️ Texas Tornado Tragedy – A tornado struck Lubbock, Texas, killing 19 people and injuring hundreds, causing extensive damage to downtown buildings.
- May 13🌪️ Lubbock Tornado Devastates – A powerful tornado struck Lubbock, Texas, killing 20 and causing extensive damage, including derailing a freight train.
- May 14🏛️ Ancient Cave Discovered – A huge cave has been discovered in Wookey Hole, England, believed to be one of the earliest known habitats of man.
- May 15🏔️ Japanese Climb Everest – A Japanese expedition reached the summit of Mount Everest on two consecutive days, placing four men atop the world's highest mountain.
- May 16🏅 South Africa Expelled – South Africa was expelled from the International Olympic Committee, barring its teams from future Olympic participation.
- May 17🏇 Three Pigeons Wins – Three Pigeons, piloted by Tommy Barrow, won the first Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs by 2½ lengths.
- May 18🌍 Heyerdahl's Papyrus Boat – Eight men embarked from Morocco to Central America to prove ancient Egyptians could reach the Caribbean.
- May 19🚄 310 M.P.H. Train Planned – Japan National Railways aims to introduce a 310-mile-per-hour wheelless train by 1980 for the Tokyo-Osaka line.
- May 20🔬 U.N. Air Pollution Plan – The World Meteorological Organization plans to establish air pollution measurement stations in isolated areas to set pollution standards.
- May 21🌾 Wheat Futures Rally – Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rallied after early losses, boosted by late buying and short-covering.
- May 22🔬 Microscope Aids Miniaturization – Scientists use electron microscopes to create electronic circuits rivaling the compactness of the human brain.
- May 23🌍 Unicef Clean Water Project – Unicef approved a multimillion-dollar project to provide clean water for 10 million people in rural India over four years.
- May 24🌍 Ocean Floor Pact Proposed – President Nixon proposed that coastal nations waive claims to ocean floors, preserving them as a common heritage of mankind.
- May 25🏔️ Annapurna Climb Attempt – A British-led expedition races against monsoon weather to be the first to summit Annapurna I via the dangerous south face.
- May 26🌍 Soviet Develops Dense Water – The Soviet Union announced the development of a new form of water that is as thick as Vaseline and does not freeze.
- May 27🌍 Moon Rock Discovery – A moon rock from the Ocean of Storms is reported to be 4.6 billion years old, the oldest lunar material found.
- May 28🔬 Navy Humidity Findings – Navy tests reveal humidity in the stratosphere has risen 50% over the last six years, raising concerns about climate change.
- May 29🔬 Laboratory Diamonds Created – General Electric has successfully produced diamonds of gem quality in laboratories, marking a significant scientific breakthrough.
- May 30🏛️ Pope's Upcoming Visit – Pope Paul VI will visit the Philippines and Australia in November, marking a significant journey for the Vatican.
- May 31⚽ World Cup Kicks Off – The 1970 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico with the host nation playing the Soviet Union at Aztec Stadium.
Happy Birthday! 1970 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1970 in real headlines. See the 1970 book →