What happened in August 1974?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1974, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1📰 Impeachment Articles Adopted – The House Judiciary Committee adopted articles of impeachment against President Nixon, moving forward in the political crisis.
- Aug 2🦅 Falcons Learn Survival – Two captive-bred peregrine falcons were released in New Paltz, NY, to begin their survival training in the wild.
- Aug 3🔬 EPA Bans Pesticides – The EPA halted the manufacture of aldrin and dieldrin, citing imminent cancer risks to public health.
- Aug 4📜 Impeachment Process Begins – The House of Representatives has initiated impeachment proceedings against President Nixon, marking a significant moment in U.S. history.
- Aug 5🌍 Portugal Grants Guinea Independence – Portugal is ready to recognize Portuguese Guinea as an independent nation and support its entry into the United Nations.
- Aug 6📜 Nixon Halts Watergate Inquiry – President Nixon admitted to halting the Watergate investigation for political reasons, complicating his impeachment defense.
- Aug 7🌍 New Constitution Offered – Ethiopia's 30-member panel presented a draft for a new constitution to Premier Mikael Imru, moving closer to a constitutional monarchy.
- Aug 8🏛️ Nixon's Resignation Speculated – Debate arises over President Nixon's potential resignation amid Watergate scandal, raising questions about his legal protections.
- Aug 9🗳️ Nixon Resigns Presidency – Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, announced his resignation, becoming the first president to leave office under threat of impeachment.
- Aug 10🌍 Gas Find in Arctic – Soviet geologists discovered a gas deposit with over a trillion cubic meters on the Arctic Ocean's shore, reported TASS.
- Aug 11🏛️ Hoover's 100th Birthday – Nearly 7,000 people gathered in West Branch, Iowa, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Herbert Hoover's birth, honoring the 31st President's legacy.
- Aug 12🌍 9,000-Foot Dive – American exploration of the mid-Atlantic's rift valley concluded with the submersible Alvin's 17th dive, marking a significant scientific achievement.
- Aug 13🌊 Floods in Bangladesh Subsiding – Reports indicate that the severe floods in Bangladesh are beginning to subside, offering hope for recovery.
- Aug 14🏛️ Ancient City Uncovered – American archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a 3,200-year-old city in Hisban, Jordan, revealing significant historical insights.
- Aug 15🔬 Nuclear Test Conducted – The United States conducted a low-yield nuclear device test in the Nevada desert, marking its third announced weapons-related test of the year.
- Aug 16🌍 Brazil, China Diplomatic Ties – Brazil and China announced the establishment of diplomatic relations, marking a significant step in international cooperation.
- Aug 17🏛️ Sculpture Exhibition Opens – Newport hosts 'Monumenta,' an open-air exhibition showcasing large-scale modern sculptures, attracting public interest.
- Aug 18🌧️ Record Rainfall Here – A record 2.871 inches of rain fell in the metropolitan area, causing flooding and traffic disruptions across the city.
- Aug 19🌍 Tackling World Food Crisis – President Ford emphasizes the need for new beginnings to address global food problems facing the nation and the world.
- Aug 20📜 Ancient Manuscripts Found – China announces the discovery of 2,000-year-old manuscripts, including historical and philosophical texts.
- Aug 21🌊 Half Million Homeless – Widespread flooding of the Irrawaddy River in Burma has left over half a million people homeless, according to official reports.
- Aug 22🌊 Philippine Floods Recede – Floods in central Luzon have receded, leaving 78 dead and over a million homeless as recovery efforts begin.
- Aug 23⚖️ Watergate Trial Postponed – Judge John J. Sirica postponed the Watergate cover-up trial for three weeks at the request of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Aug 24🏛️ Rockefeller's Role Forecast – Soviet Premier Kosygin praised President Ford's government, predicting Nelson Rockefeller will play a significant role.
- Aug 25🏛️ Johnson Statue Unveiled – A larger-than-life statue of Lyndon B. Johnson was unveiled at the LBJ State Park in Texas, honoring the former president's legacy.
- Aug 26🕰️ Doomsday Clock Advances – The Doomsday Clock moved three minutes closer to midnight, symbolizing increasing global nuclear threats.
- Aug 27🚀 Soviet Spacecraft Launched – The Soviet Union successfully launched Soyuz 15 into orbit with two astronauts aboard, marking another achievement in space exploration.
- Aug 28🌍 World Agency Proposed – A UN conference secretary general proposed establishing an international authority to combat hunger in poorer countries.
- Aug 29🚤 Aussie Boat Challenger – Southern Cross wins to challenge for the America's Cup, defeating France decisively in Newport, Rhode Island.
- Aug 30💥 Explosion in Tokyo – An explosion in Tokyo's business district during the noon rush killed at least five and injured many others.
- Aug 31🚂 Train Crash Kills 100 – At least 100 people died and 150 were injured when an express train derailed near Zagreb, Yugoslavia, late last night.
Happy Birthday! 1974 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1974 in real headlines. See the 1974 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: