What happened in May 1973?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1973, 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🏛️ Nixon's Administration Shake-Up – President Nixon's shake-up of his administration's high command received bipartisan praise from Congress members.
- May 2⚖️ Watergate Investigation Expands – Investigators reveal evidence of a cover-up by White House officials following the Watergate break-in, intensifying the scandal.
- May 3🏛️ Ancient City Discovered – Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of the ancient city of Anshan in southwest Iran using advanced methods.
- May 4🌍 Kissinger on Cambodia Talks – Henry Kissinger indicated that the situation in Cambodia has improved, suggesting possible negotiations to end the conflict soon.
- May 5🚀 Spaceship Nearing Jupiter – NASA's Pioneer 10 is 400 million miles from Earth, on track to reach Jupiter in December, with signals taking over an hour to return.
- May 6🏇 Secretariat Wins Derby – Secretariat scored a 2½-length victory in the 99th Kentucky Derby, setting a record time of 1:59 2/5 for the 1¼ miles.
- May 7🕊️ Israel Celebrates 25 Years – Israel marks its 25th anniversary, reflecting on its journey from despair to nationhood amidst ongoing challenges.
- May 8🇮🇱 Israel 25th Anniversary – Israel celebrated its 25th anniversary with a grand parade in Jerusalem featuring Air Force jets and thousands of soldiers.
- May 9🖼️ Chinese Art Treasures – A stunning exhibition of ancient Chinese art treasures premiered in Paris, marking a significant cultural event.
- May 10🌪️ Tornado Kills Two – A tornado struck a trailer court in Lakeville, Minnesota, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to over a dozen individuals.
- May 11🚀 Skylab Launch Preparations – Skylab, the largest spaceship ever built, is ready for launch atop a rocket at Cape Kennedy, marking a new phase in space exploration.
- May 12🌊 Singapore Proposes Fleet – Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew proposed a joint air-naval task force among the US, Japan, Australia, and Asian nations for Indian Ocean security.
- May 13🚀 Skylab Launch Tomorrow – NASA's Skylab, the first U.S. space station, is set for launch tomorrow, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- May 14🚀 Skylab Space Station Launch – The United States prepares to launch Skylab, its first space station, marking a significant step in human space exploration.
- May 15🚀 Skylab Launched – Skylab, America's first space station, was launched into orbit but faced a deployment failure delaying operations.
- May 16🏛️ Florence Reopens Corridor – Florence, Italy, reopened the historic Vasari corridor, a 3,200-foot passageway linking the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace.
- May 17🚀 Astronauts to Fix Skylab – Engineers consider sending astronauts to Skylab to deploy an awning to cool the overheated space station.
- May 18🔬 Skylab Launch Delayed – The launch of Skylab 1 astronauts has been postponed to May 25 to allow time for necessary repairs on the overheated space station.
- May 19🚀 Cape Canaveral Name Restored – Florida Legislature restored the historic name of Cape Canaveral to the land surrounding the Kennedy Space Center.
- May 20🌍 Oil Boom Transforms Ecuador – Ecuador experiences a construction boom, with hotels full, shops stocked with imports, and soaring prices due to the oil boom.
- May 21🛰️ Skylab Cooled Off – Mission Control cleared poison gas from Skylab space station, which had overheated, restoring conditions for astronauts.
- May 22🌌 Skylab Food Spoilage – Concerns rise as temperatures aboard Skylab space station soar, risking spoilage of food supplies.
- May 23🔬 Nuclear Power Plant Opens – Consolidated Edison's Indian Point No. 2 nuclear plant in New York produced its first nuclear energy, marking a significant milestone in energy production.
- May 24🚀 Cosmos 560 Launched – The Soviet Union launched Cosmos 560, the 560th satellite in its series, marking another milestone in space exploration.
- May 25🚀 Skylab Astronauts Launch – Three American astronauts are set to lift off to repair the Skylab space station, a crucial project for long-duration space flight research.
- May 26🚀 Astronauts Reach Skylab – Three American astronauts docked with Skylab after overcoming difficulties with a jammed solar-power wing during their mission.
- May 27🏝️ Colombia's Gem Discovered – San Andres Island, a stunning emerald in the ocean, captivates with its lush palm fronds and vibrant waters, promising a unique natural beauty.
- May 28🚀 Skylab Cooling Progress – Temperatures in Skylab space station are dropping as astronauts inspect living conditions aboard their orbital home.
- May 29🚀 Skylab Mission Update – The Skylab 1 astronauts reported their orbiting space station was in excellent shape, expecting to complete their planned 28-day mission.
- May 30🌍 Alabama, Arkansas Disaster Areas – President Nixon declared Alabama and Arkansas major disaster areas due to tornadoes, promising assistance for affected states.
- May 31🌌 Moon Dust Clouds – Scientists report that a glow observed at lunar dusk is likely caused by dust clouds lifted by electrostatic forces.
Happy Birthday! 1973 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1973 in real headlines. See the 1973 book →