What happened in April 1973?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1973, 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🌪️ Georgia Tornadoes Kill 1 – Tornadoes swept through central Georgia, resulting in at least one death and numerous injuries.
- Apr 2🌊 U.N. Seabed Conference – The U.N. held a committee meeting on the peaceful uses of the seabed, focusing on marine resources and scientific research.
- Apr 3🔬 Atlantic Ocean 'Breathes' – Research voyage reveals carbon dioxide from the Northern Hemisphere is inhaled by North Atlantic waters and exhaled by the South Atlantic.
- Apr 4🚀 Salyut 2 Launched – The Soviet Union launched an unmanned orbital space station, Salyut 2, expected to be boarded by astronauts soon.
- Apr 5🏗️ World Trade Center Dedicated – The $700-million World Trade Center, featuring two 1,350-foot towers, was formally dedicated by Governors Rockefeller and Cahill.
- Apr 6🚀 Pioneer 11 Launched – Pioneer 11, an unmanned spacecraft, was launched on a 22-month journey to Jupiter from Cape Kennedy, Florida.
- Apr 7🔬 Quasar Discovered – Two astronomers in Arizona believe they have discovered the most distant object in the universe known to man.
- Apr 8🌍 Men Report Universe Edge – Astronomers believe they have seen the edge of the universe, marking a significant milestone in cosmic exploration.
- Apr 9🎨 Picasso Dies at 91 – Pablo Picasso, the titan of 20th-century art, died at his villa in Mougins, France, leaving behind a monumental legacy.
- Apr 10🖼️ A Picasso Art Record – Washington's National Gallery of Art purchased a major cubist painting by Pablo Picasso for $1.1 million, a record for his work.
- Apr 11✈️ 100 Die in Swiss Crash – A British charter plane crashed in Switzerland during a snowstorm, killing over 100 passengers and crew, mostly women and children.
- Apr 12🚀 Pioneer 11 Course Adjusted – Scientists corrected the trajectory of the Jupiter-bound Pioneer 11 spacecraft with a successful rocket burn.
- Apr 13🏒 Canadiens Oust Sabres – Montreal Canadiens defeated Buffalo Sabres 4-2, advancing to the NHL playoff semifinals.
- Apr 14🌊 Storm Kills 70 – A storm with 90 mph winds swept through Faridpur District, Bangladesh, resulting in 70 deaths and hundreds injured.
- Apr 15🎨 Pablo Picasso Dies – Pablo Picasso, the iconic Spanish painter and sculptor, passed away at 91, leaving a legacy that shaped modern art.
- Apr 16🏇 Norwegian Wins Title – Ulf Thoresen of Norway won the world harness driving championships in Vienna, securing two victories.
- Apr 17🚀 Skylab Space Station Moved – The Skylab space station was moved to its launching pad in Cape Kennedy, preparing for its launch on May 14.
- Apr 18🔬 Scientists Isolate Memory Chemical – Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine claim to have captured animals’ memories in a test tube, marking a significant breakthrough in memory research.
- Apr 19🌪️ Tornado Injures 14 – A tornado touched down in Elba, Alabama, injuring at least 14 people and causing significant damage in the area.
- Apr 20🌪️ Tornado Strikes College – A tornado hit Arkansas College, causing extensive damage but few serious injuries. Several buildings were affected, including the dining hall.
- Apr 21🧘 Acupuncture Law Passed – Nevada becomes the first state to allow acupuncture practice without physician supervision, despite opposition from medical groups.
- Apr 22🔬 Hydrogen Gas Ring Theorized – Cornell engineers propose Saturn has a giant hydrogen gas ring, larger than the sun, shaped like a doughnut.
- Apr 23🏛️ Lincoln Boyhood Home Found – A 150-year-old log cabin that served as Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home was discovered in Kentucky during a flood-control project.
- Apr 24🛠️ New Oil Pipeline Planned – Egypt is set to advance its long-delayed 200-mile oil pipeline project from the Gulf of Suez to the Mediterranean, securing commitments from users.
- Apr 25🚢 New Cruise Liner Arrives – The Holland America cruise liner Volendam arrived in port, receiving a traditional welcome with a fireboat salute.
- Apr 26🔭 End of Universe Foreseen – A leading gravitational theorist warned that the universe's collapse into a black hole seems inevitable, threatening all matter and physical laws.
- Apr 27⚡ Brazil, Paraguay Pact – Brazil and Paraguay signed an agreement to build the world's largest hydroelectric project on the Parana River, despite protests from Argentina.
- Apr 28🔬 Skylab Rehearsal Continues – Countdown rehearsal for Skylab's launch proceeds despite a strike by technicians at Cape Kennedy Space Center.
- Apr 29🌊 Floods Among Worst – The overflowing Mississippi River has submerged 10 million acres, causing $200 million in damages and displacing 30,000 people.
- Apr 30📚 Libraries Dim Lights – Libraries across the U.S. will dim their lights on May 8 to protest against budget cuts threatening federal library funding.
Happy Birthday! 1973 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1973 in real headlines. See the 1973 book →