What happened in May 1974?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1974, 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🌍 End of Smallpox Predicted – WHO's Dr. Halfdan Mahler predicts that 1975 will mark the last case of smallpox, a significant milestone in global health.
- May 2🏛️ Release of Prisoners – Over 550 political prisoners were released in Mozambique, leading to scenes of wild rejoicing in the streets.
- May 3🕊️ Nuclear Test Ban Talks – The U.S. and Soviet Union began negotiations for a treaty to limit underground nuclear tests, a significant step in arms control discussions.
- May 4🏆 Mozambique Tasting Liberty – About 5,000 people gathered in Mozambique to celebrate newfound freedom, marking a significant moment in the nation's history.
- May 5🎉 Expo '74 Opens – President Nixon opened Expo '74 in Spokane, a world's fair focused on environmental issues, with a call for global cooperation.
- May 6🏆 Cornell Wins Carnegie Cup – Cornell's varsity crew outrowed Princeton and Yale by 2½ lengths to win the Carnegie Cup on the Housatonic River.
- May 7📜 Nixon Yields on Tapes – President Nixon backed down from opposing the Watergate special prosecutor's subpoena for White House tapes, signaling a potential compromise.
- May 8🏛️ Institute at Yale Established – A National Institute for the Humanities is set to be established at Yale University with a $2.7 million federal grant.
- May 9🌍 Japan Earthquake – A sharp earthquake rocked central Japan, collapsing 70 homes and resulting in at least one fatality.
- May 10🏀 Basketball Merger Possible – Negotiations for a merger between the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association may occur by next season.
- May 11🔬 Mariner 10 Aims Mercury – NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft successfully redirected for a revisit to Mercury, scheduled for September 21, 1974.
- May 12🏆 Celtics Win Championship – The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks to clinch the NBA Championship, concluding a long season of competitive basketball.
- May 13🌍 Global Conference on Issues – A conference of 60 scientists and scholars concluded that mobilizing global action on pressing environmental and social problems is crucial.
- May 14📜 Watergate Transcript Errors – The White House acknowledged errors in the edited transcripts of Watergate tapes submitted to Congress, raising concerns about accuracy.
- May 15🔬 Malaria Mutation Discovery – A mutation in malaria parasites has led to a breakthrough that may help prevent deaths among millions suffering from malaria.
- May 16🛰️ Weather Satellite Launch – A satellite designed for weather prediction is set to launch from Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant technological advancement.
- May 17🎭 Robbins's ‘Dybbik’ Premiere – Jerome Robbins's ‘Dybbuk,’ featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, premiered after years of development and various adaptations.
- May 18🌡️ Record Heat Wave – A temperature of 92°F set a new May record in New York, leading to voltage cuts and delays on the Long Island Rail Road.
- May 19💣 India's Nuclear Test – India conducted its first successful nuclear test, becoming the sixth nation to explode a nuclear device, raising global concerns.
- May 20🌍 China Earthquake Relief – Thousands mobilized for relief work in earthquake-stricken areas of China, as reported by Radio Peking.
- May 21🏛️ New Museum Challenges – Founding an art museum today is a heroic task, facing intense competition and rising costs while meeting public demands for quality.
- May 22🌍 Oil Surplus Forecast – The world is moving rapidly into a situation of oil surplus rather than scarcity, according to leading oil economist.
- May 23🌍 Canada Suspends Aid – Canada suspended its aid to India's atomic energy program in protest against India's nuclear explosion.
- May 24🛰️ Satellite for Telemedicine – A satellite designed to connect doctors and patients via television over long distances is set to launch from Cape Kennedy.
- May 25🏦 New Federal Reserve Bank – Minneapolis unveils a striking new Federal Reserve Bank, designed by Gunnar Birkerts, featuring an 11-story office wing suspended by cables.
- May 26🌍 India's Nuclear Test – India conducted its first nuclear test, raising global concerns about nuclear proliferation and prompting calls for international action.
- May 27🎭 Ballet: Vehicle for Stars – The Royal Ballet's 'Manon' showcases leading dancers with opportunities for both dancing and acting at the Metropolitan Opera House.
- May 28🇫🇷 Giscard Inaugurated President – Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was inaugurated as the third President of France, marking a significant political change in the country.
- May 29📈 Stock-Shift Bill Passed – The Senate approved sweeping changes in stock-market operations, marking the most significant reform in 40 years.
- May 30🕊️ Israel and Syria Accord – Israel and Syria agreed on an accord to separate their forces on the Golan Heights, marking a significant diplomatic step.
- May 31🏊 Soviet Swimming School – A school in the Soviet Union is expected to challenge American and Australian swimmers' dominance in the sport within a decade.
Happy Birthday! 1974 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1974 in real headlines. See the 1974 book →