What happened in January 1971?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1971, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🌍 Chile Nationalizes Coal Mine – Chile's President Salvador Allende announced the nationalization of the country's largest coal complex, expanding state control over key industries.
- Jan 2🏠 Nixon Signs Housing Bill – President Nixon signed a $2.9 billion urban housing bill to boost federal aid for new towns and urban growth.
- Jan 3⚽ Pele Named Sportsman – Brazilian soccer star Pele was named sportsman of the year by the Stockholm newspaper Aftonbladet, based on an international poll.
- Jan 4🔬 Crucified Skeleton Found – A nail preserved the only known material evidence of a crucifixion in the Holy Land, dating back 2,000 years.
- Jan 5🏛️ Virgin Islands Governor Sworn In – Dr. Melvin H. Evans was installed as the first elected Governor of the Virgin Islands, marking a significant political milestone.
- Jan 6🌍 China Recognized by Chile – Communist China establishes diplomatic relations with Chile, led by Marxist President Salvador Allende.
- Jan 7🔬 Human Growth Hormone Synthesized – Scientists at the University of California Medical Center have synthesized human growth hormone for the first time, marking a significant breakthrough.
- Jan 8🔬 Test-Tube Babies Progress – British scientists report progress in creating test-tube babies, successfully fertilizing two human eggs in a laboratory.
- Jan 9🚢 Ship Ablaze in Caribbean – The French cruise liner Antilles ran aground and caught fire, forcing 690 passengers and crew to abandon the burning ship.
- Jan 10🚢 Cruise Passengers Rescued – Passengers and crew from the French Line's cruise liner Antilles were safely rescued in Barbados after a harrowing night.
- Jan 11🏺 Ancient Frescoes Exhibition – Athens will showcase three ancient frescoes from Thera, dating back 3,500 years, in a unique archaeological exhibition next spring.
- Jan 12🌍 Israel's Population Milestone – Israel's population officially surpassed three million, celebrated at Lydda Airport with the arrival of Natan Cherolinkov from Leningrad.
- Jan 13🔬 New Coke Process Cleaner – Allied Chemical Corporation announced a new pipeline system that could reduce smoke and gases from by-product cokes by 70%.
- Jan 14🌌 Apollo 14 Countdown – A preliminary countdown for Apollo 14's moon launch on Jan. 31 is underway, with officials reporting it is progressing very well.
- Jan 15🏛️ Bitter South Africa Issue – Commonwealth leaders meet in Singapore, facing divisive issues, especially regarding South Africa's apartheid policies.
- Jan 16🌍 U.S.-Soviet Lunar Exchange Likely – American and Soviet scientists held talks in Houston, paving the way for a potential exchange of moon samples.
- Jan 17🏈 Super Bowl Anticipation – The Super Bowl between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Colts is set to be watched by 64 million viewers on TV.
- Jan 18🌍 Birth-Control Policy Success – Taiwan's birth-control program succeeds after overcoming traditionalist opposition, marking a significant shift in family planning policy.
- Jan 19✈️ Bulgarian Airliner Crash – Thirty-five people died when a Bulgarian airliner crashed while landing in Zurich due to heavy fog.
- Jan 20🏛️ Caruso Costume Exhibit – The Metropolitan Opera opened an exhibit showcasing costumes worn by Enrico Caruso, celebrating his legacy 50 years after his death.
- Jan 21🏗️ Dubai Oil Tax Increase – Dubai raised its oil tax rate from 50% to 55%, affecting major companies operating in its offshore waters.
- Jan 22🌌 U.S. and Russians Moon Pact – The United States and the Soviet Union agreed to exchange moon samples as part of a wider space cooperation accord.
- Jan 23📈 Nixon Proposes Revenue Sharing – President Nixon urged Congress to allocate $16 billion annually to state and local governments to enhance public services.
- Jan 24🌊 Mayor Opens Boat Show – The 61st National Boat Show opened at the Coliseum, showcasing new boats and innovations for nine days.
- Jan 25🏔️ Avalanche Hits Resort – An avalanche in Tacoma, Washington, killed four people and trapped two others for 11 hours before rescuers could reach them.
- Jan 26🚀 Apollo 14 Crew Ready – Doctors confirmed Apollo 14's three-man crew is fit for the upcoming moon mission as countdown begins for the launch.
- Jan 27🪐 Soviet Venus Mission – The Soviet Union announced that its Venera 7 spacecraft made the first soft landing on Venus and transmitted data for over 20 minutes.
- Jan 28🌌 Venus Exploration Success – Venera 7 successfully lands on Venus, marking the first time a man-made device transmits data from another planet.
- Jan 29🚀 Apollo 14 Countdown – Apollo 14's countdown is described as the cleanest ever, with final preparations underway for the $305 million moon mission.
- Jan 30🚀 Apollo 14 Launch Preparations – Labor union officials assured that machinists will not disrupt Apollo 14 launch preparations despite pay cut protests.
- Jan 31🌌 Apollo 14 Launch – Apollo 14 is set to launch, aiming to explore the moon's highlands for insights into the solar system's formation.
Happy Birthday! 1971 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1971 in real headlines. See the 1971 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: