What happened in April 1972?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1972, 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🚀 Apollo 16 Launch Drill – Apollo 16 crew rehearsed their final launch to the moon despite severe weather, showcasing NASA's ongoing space exploration efforts.
- Apr 2🚗 Headlights: Color Them Bright – Automobile buyers can expect brighter headlights in new cars, marking a significant advancement in automotive technology.
- Apr 3🌪️ 35 Die in Bangladesh Storm – A tornado with 160 mph winds struck northern Bangladesh, resulting in 35 confirmed deaths and numerous injuries.
- Apr 4🌍 Bangladesh Struggles – Bangladesh, less than four months old, faces numerous challenges as it seeks stability and order amid divisive forces.
- Apr 5🔬 Viruses Isolated in Water – Scientists at Michigan State University isolated viruses from drinking water, highlighting potential health hazards in water supplies.
- Apr 6🔬 Goldmark Named Fellow – Dr. Peter C. Goldmark has been designated a Poynter Fellow at Yale University for his outstanding contributions to electronics media.
- Apr 7🏆 Nicklaus Leads Masters – Jack Nicklaus shot a 68 to lead the Masters tournament, with Sam Snead trailing closely at 69.
- Apr 8🌉 Vietnam Bridge Destroyed – The only road link between North and South Vietnam, the Benhai bridge, was destroyed by American planes, according to U.S. military officials.
- Apr 9🏛️ Vatican Gardens Open – Pope Paul VI opens the Vatican Gardens to the public, allowing paying visitors access to the scenic area for the first time in centuries.
- Apr 10🚀 Apollo 16 Prepares – Apollo 16 astronauts relax as final preparations are made for their upcoming moon mission, scheduled to launch this Sunday.
- Apr 11♻️ Foam Recycling Discovery – Ford Motor Company announced a breakthrough in recycling polyurethane foam used in automobiles, promoting sustainability in the automotive industry.
- Apr 12🌍 Iran Earthquake Rescue – Hundreds were rescued from ruins after a powerful earthquake in southern Iran, with the death toll estimated at 4,000.
- Apr 13🌌 Apollo 16 Launch – Apollo 16 countdown proceeds smoothly as astronauts prepare for a mission to explore the moon's volcanic regions.
- Apr 14🌕 Apollo 16 Briefing – Apollo 16 astronauts received a final lunar geology briefing ahead of their scheduled moon mission launch.
- Apr 15🚀 New Satellite Launched – The Soviet Union launched a new unmanned spacecraft into orbit to study the sun, marking a significant advancement in space exploration.
- Apr 16🌕 Apollo 16 Launch – Apollo 16 is set to launch for the moon, aiming to explore the rugged highlands for the first time, marking a significant step in lunar exploration.
- Apr 17🚀 Apollo 16 Launched – Apollo 16 astronauts embarked on their mission to the moon, facing potential issues with insulation on the lunar landing craft.
- Apr 18🌍 Earth Week Begins – Earth Week opened with concerns about environmental progress since last year, highlighting ongoing ecological challenges.
- Apr 19🌕 Apollo 16 Ready – Apollo 16 astronauts are set to enter lunar orbit today, marking another significant step in space exploration.
- Apr 20🌕 Apollo 16 Moon Orbit – Apollo 16 successfully entered lunar orbit, preparing for the fifth manned moon landing scheduled for the following day.
- Apr 21🏒 Czechoslovak Hockey Triumph – Czechoslovakia wins the world amateur hockey title, defeating the Soviet Union 3-2, marking the first title win against Russia since 1962.
- Apr 22🌕 Orion on the Moon – Apollo 16 astronauts Young and Duke conducted the first scouting expedition on the lunar highlands, sending back sharp images of the surface.
- Apr 23🌕 Apollo 16's Lunar Trek – Apollo 16 astronauts set a record for the longest lunar trek, collecting samples and conducting experiments on the moon.
- Apr 24🌕 Astronauts Leave Moon – Apollo 16 astronauts departed from the lunar surface after three days of exploration, gathering rocks from a giant crater.
- Apr 25🔬 Supreme Court Pollution Ruling – The Supreme Court declared that federal courts have the power to ban pollution beyond existing legislation.
- Apr 26🔬 Pulsars and Cosmic Rays – Rocket observations support the theory that pulsars emit high-energy particles, known as cosmic rays, impacting Earth.
- Apr 27🎨 Double Portrait Discovered – X-rays reveal hidden portraits beneath Titian's painting, 'Venus With a Mirror,' at the National Gallery of Art.
- Apr 28🚀 Apollo 16 Returns – Apollo 16 astronauts Young, Duke, and Mattingly returned safely from their moon mission, bringing back significant lunar samples and data.
- Apr 29🏛️ Feuerbach Sets Record – Feuerbach of the Pacific Coast Club shattered the shot-put record at the Drake Relays, attracting a record crowd of 16,000.
- Apr 30🌍 Vatican-Sudan Relations – The Vatican announced full diplomatic relations with Sudan, marking a significant step in international diplomacy.
Happy Birthday! 1972 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1972 in real headlines. See the 1972 book →