December 1972 · day by day

What happened in December 1972?

The top front-page story of each day in December 1972, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.

Dec 1🖼️ Michelangelo Monogram Found – The Vatican announced the discovery of a previously unknown monogram of Michelangelo during repairs to the vandalized Pietà.
Dec 2🔬 Link Found in Cave Systems – Explorers announced a significant discovery of a connection between two major cave systems stretching 150 miles underground.
Dec 3🔥 Fire Kills 50 in Seoul – A raging fire swept through Seoul's Citizens Hall, resulting in 50 deaths and 76 injuries during a performance.
Dec 4🖼️ Fresco Found Under Layers – A hidden fresco was discovered beneath six layers of paint during a cleanup at St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich Village.
Dec 5🌍 Nigeria Opens Stadium – Nigeria inaugurates a $20 million National Stadium in Lagos, set to host the upcoming All-African Games, marked by a ceremonial dash from Gen. Gowon.
Dec 6🚀 Last Apollo Launch – Apollo 17, the final planned moon mission, is set for liftoff tonight at Cape Kennedy, promising a spectacular night launch.
Dec 7🚀 Apollo 17 Launch – Half a million spectators gathered at Cape Kennedy for the Apollo 17 launch, marking the final mission in the Apollo moon program.
Dec 8🌍 U.N. Law of Sea Conference – A world conference on the law of the sea is scheduled to begin in November 1973, resuming in Chile in 1974.
Dec 9🚀 Apollo 17 Prepares – Apollo 17 astronauts refined their aim on the moon and inspected the lunar module for their planned landing.
Dec 10🌌 Apollo Near Moon Orbit – Apollo 17 astronauts are set to enter lunar orbit tomorrow, preparing for a moon landing and walk on December 11.
Dec 11🌕 Apollo 17 Moon Landing – Apollo 17 rocketed into orbit around the moon, set for the sixth landing of humans on the lunar surface.
Dec 12🌕 Apollo 17 Moon Landing – Apollo 17 astronauts landed on the moon, marking the last mission of the Apollo program, setting up scientific instruments for research.
Dec 13🌕 Apollo 17 Finds Orange Soil – Apollo 17 astronauts discovered orange lunar soil and collected ancient rocks during their second exploration on the moon.
Dec 14🌕 Apollo 17 Moon Dedication – Apollo 17 astronauts dedicated a moon rock to the youth of the world, marking the end of lunar exploration for years.
Dec 15🌕 Farewell to Moon – Apollo 17's Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt blasted off from the moon, marking the last manned mission to the lunar surface.
Dec 16🌍 U.N. Ecology Project – The U.N. General Assembly approved a global program to safeguard the human environment, marking a significant international commitment.
Dec 17🌌 Apollo 17 Returns – Apollo 17 astronauts began their three-day journey back to Earth, marking the end of the historic lunar exploration mission.
Dec 18🎭 Uganda Nationalizes Assets – President Idi Amin announced the takeover of all foreign-owned tea plantations and major commercial concerns in Uganda.
Dec 19🏛️ New Thai Premier Appointed – King Phumiphol Aduldet appointed Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn as Thailand's new Premier amidst political changes.
Dec 20🌕 Apollo 17 Returns – Apollo 17 astronauts Cernan, Schmitt, and Evans splashed down safely, marking the successful conclusion of lunar exploration.
Dec 21🏆 New Zealand Yacht Wins – A New Zealand yacht, Wai-Aniwa, won the international One-Ton Cup Blue Water Classic in Australia.
Dec 22🌍 Germanys Sign Treaty – The two Germanys signed a treaty on basic relations, ending over two decades of mutual enmity.
Dec 23🌍 Australia Recognizes China – Australia and New Zealand establish diplomatic relations with Communist China, marking a significant geopolitical shift.
Dec 24🌍 Thousands Dead in Quake – A series of powerful earthquakes devastated Managua, Nicaragua, causing widespread destruction and tens of thousands of casualties.
Dec 25🌍 Tragedy in Managua – A devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, has left thousands dead and injured, prompting an international humanitarian response.
Dec 26🌍 Earthquake in Nicaragua – A devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, has resulted in an estimated 2,000 dead, with fears of more casualties as recovery efforts continue.
Dec 27🌍 Steel Deal With China – Six major Japanese steel makers signed a contract with China to export 1.4 million metric tons of steel products valued at $217 million.
Dec 28🚀 Soviet Cosmos Satellite Launched – The Soviet Union launched its 541st cosmos satellite, orbiting Earth every 90.3 minutes with varying altitudes.
Dec 29🏛️ Truman Buried – Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was buried in Independence, Missouri, in a ceremony attended by many.
Dec 30🌍 Earthquake Recovery Efforts – Clearing the wreckage from last week's devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, is expected to take eight months to a year.
Dec 31🏟️ Gator Bowl Upset – Auburn upset Colorado 24-3 in the Gator Bowl, converting turnovers into an early lead and securing victory with a touchdown pass.

Happy Birthday! 1972 – The Year in Headlines

The whole of 1972 in real headlines. See the 1972 book →

Born in December? Pick the day

Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book:

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