What happened in April 1974?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1974, 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🌌 Possible Moon of Mercury – An ultraviolet scanner aboard Mariner 10 detected a potential moon orbiting Mercury, marking a first for the inner planets.
- Apr 2🌌 Mercury's Mysterious Star – A supposed moon of Mercury was identified as a distant, very hot star named 31 Crater, according to scientists.
- Apr 3⚓ Queen Elizabeth 2 Disabled – The luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2, crippled off Bermuda, prepares to transfer 1,630 passengers to a Norwegian cruise ship.
- Apr 4🌪️ Tornadoes Strike Midwest – Tornadoes struck nine states and Canada, resulting in over 200 fatalities and extensive damage.
- Apr 5🌪️ Tornadoes Cause Devastation – Tornadoes across 11 states resulted in over 300 deaths and $1 billion in damages, marking the worst tornado disaster in 49 years.
- Apr 6🌍 Coalition Regime Installed – A coalition government of neutralists, rightists, and the pro-Communist Pathet Lao was established in Laos for the third time since 1957.
- Apr 7🌪️ Tornadoes Strike Midwest – Tornadoes struck nine states, killing over 200 people and causing extensive damage as they moved into Canada.
- Apr 8🌍 Tunnel Boring Begins – Construction has started on the tunnel connecting France and England, marking a significant engineering milestone.
- Apr 9⚾ Aaron Hits 715th – Henry Aaron passed Babe Ruth as the leading home-run hitter in baseball history with his 715th home run in Atlanta.
- Apr 10🔬 Technique to Grow Skin – A new method for growing human skin in a lab could revolutionize treatment for severe burn victims.
- Apr 11🏛️ Golda Meir Resigns – Israeli Premier Golda Meir announced her resignation, leading to the collapse of her coalition government and potential new elections.
- Apr 12🏭 New Power Plant Announced – American Electric Power plans to build an $800 million electric power plant in Indiana to enhance energy production.
- Apr 13🌌 Mercury's Cratered Surface – Mariner 10 reveals Mercury has a heavily cratered crust similar to the Moon, suggesting a massive iron-rich core.
- Apr 14🚀 Satellite Launched Successfully – NASA successfully launched the first domestic communications satellite into orbit for a private company, marking a significant milestone in telecommunications.
- Apr 15🚀 Soviets Fly to U.S – Four Soviet astronauts departed for Houston to prepare for a joint U.S.-Soviet manned space mission next year.
- Apr 16🌍 Canton Trade Fair Opens – The Canton Trade Fair opened in China, showcasing new opportunities for foreign buyers with vibrant celebrations.
- Apr 17🎨 Picasso Art Show Postponed – The Louvre has indefinitely postponed an exhibition of paintings from Pablo Picasso's private collection due to concerns over authenticity.
- Apr 18🔬 Italy Votes Funds – Italy's Parliament enacted legislation to subsidize eight major political parties, including Communists and neo-Fascists.
- Apr 19📈 G.N.P. Drops 5.8% – The U.S. total output of goods and services fell by 5.8% in the first quarter, marking the largest decline since 1958.
- Apr 20🎨 Mona Lisa Displayed – The 'Mona Lisa' went on view at the National Museum in Tokyo, marking its second appearance outside France in over 450 years.
- Apr 21🐶 Gold-Rush Wins Show – Ch. Cummings Gold-Rush Charlies, a golden retriever, won Best in Show at the Old Dominion Kennel Club's 62nd show with a record entry of 3,039.
- Apr 22🌊 Ocean Energy Projects – Groundwork is laid for testing energy derived from ocean temperature differences, promising low-cost, pollution-free power.
- Apr 23🏢 Office Tower Blast – A powerful explosion near the United Nations injured 70 people and left many residents temporarily homeless.
- Apr 24🌍 President Jonas Dies – Franz Jonas, the President of Austria, passed away at the age of 74 in a Vienna hospital.
- Apr 25🖼️ Smithsonian Receives Art – The Smithsonian Institution received over 200 artworks from the Works Progress Administration, enriching its National Collection of Fine Arts.
- Apr 26🏆 Bruins Beat Hawks – Boston Bruins defeated Chicago Black Hawks 5-2, tying the Stanley Cup playoff series at two games each.
- Apr 27🌍 U.N. Food Aid – The World Food Program will provide food aid to liberation movements in colonial territories of Africa.
- Apr 28🌍 A Joyful Lisbon Celebrates – LISBON, April 27—The Portuguese were saying it with flowers today, expressing happiness amidst political changes.
- Apr 29🌍 Rescue Workers Report 200 Dead – Rescue workers in Peru confirmed over 200 fatalities due to landslides that devastated several towns in the Andes.
- Apr 30🧊 Bacteria Frozen Thrive – Scientists report that bacteria frozen in Antarctic ice for 10,000 years have grown and reproduced in laboratory conditions.
Happy Birthday! 1974 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1974 in real headlines. See the 1974 book →