What happened in September 1974?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1974, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🏊 U.S. Swimmers Shine – U.S. swimmers set two world records and led East Germany 96-67 after the first day of a dual meet in Concord, California.
- Sep 2🏊 U.S. Swim Squad Triumphs – The U.S. swimming team achieved a stunning victory over East Germany, setting five world records and winning 198-145.
- Sep 3🌪️ Hurricane Hits Mexico – A hurricane ripped ashore on Mexico's Caribbean coast, bringing torrential rains and winds up to 175 mph.
- Sep 4🔬 New Corn Type Developed – Scientists in Mexico have created a new corn variety that surpasses beef in protein quality, offering twice the protein of milk.
- Sep 5🌍 U.S. and East Germany Relations – The United States established formal diplomatic relations with East Germany, marking a significant step in international relations.
- Sep 6🌍 U.S. and Soviet Nuclear Talks – The U.S. and Soviet Union will renew strategic nuclear weapons talks in two weeks after a six-month recess.
- Sep 7🌍 Mozambique Independence Agreement – Portugal and Mozambique's guerrilla movement reached an agreement on independence for Mozambique after 400 years of rule.
- Sep 8🏗️ Dam Dedicated – Ceremonies were held for Pantabangan Dam in the Philippines, a $112 million project to control the Pampanga River and improve life in flood-prone areas.
- Sep 9📰 Nixon Granted Pardon – President Ford grants Richard Nixon a full pardon for any crimes committed during his presidency, aiming to heal the nation post-Watergate.
- Sep 10📰 Nixon Pardon Controversy – President Ford's unconditional pardon of Richard Nixon stirs political backlash and resignations within the White House.
- Sep 11🌍 Portugal Grants Independence – Portugal formally recognized the independence of Guinea-Bissau, marking a significant step in the decolonization process.
- Sep 12🌍 Guinea-Bissau Recognized – The U.S. officially recognized Guinea-Bissau as an independent nation and offered to establish diplomatic relations.
- Sep 13👑 Ethiopian Crown Prince Named – Crown Prince Asfa Wossen learned via radio that he was named King of Ethiopia, succeeding his deposed father, Emperor Haile Selassie.
- Sep 14🔬 Laser Aid for Fliers – A Navy scientist's discovery could enhance the chances of locating downed pilots to 99.8% even in total darkness.
- Sep 15⛵ America's Cup Race Abandoned – The third race of the America's Cup series was abandoned due to calm winds, with Courageous leading 2-0 in the series.
- Sep 16🏛️ Rabin Gains Majority – Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin's coalition gains a clear majority in Parliament with the National Religious Party's support.
- Sep 17🎨 Cleveland Buys Painting – Cleveland Museum of Art acquires a rare 16th-century painting by Matthias Grünewald, believed lost at sea.
- Sep 18🌍 U.N. Session Opens – The 29th U.N. General Assembly opened with Abdelaziz Bouteflika elected president, advocating for Palestinian self-determination.
- Sep 19🌍 Global Food Strategy Urged – President Ford called for a global strategy to address food and energy crises at the United Nations.
- Sep 20🏛️ Greece to Hold Elections – Premier Constantine Caramanlis announced that Greece will hold national elections as soon as possible.
- Sep 21🌌 New Jovian Moon – A California astronomer has discovered a new and 13th moon of Jupiter, photographed over three nights at Mount Palomar.
- Sep 22🌍 Honduras Hurricane Toll – Honduran government reports at least 3,800 bodies found and 5,000 missing after a devastating hurricane struck the country.
- Sep 23🎨 Modernist Art in Soviet – Artists in Moscow challenge Kremlin's art standards, seeking to revive the cultural thaw from the late 1950s.
- Sep 24🔥 Fire Engulfs Lisbon Palace – A significant fire damaged the 19th-century Ajuda Palace Museum in Lisbon, with over 300 firefighters battling to save the building and its art treasures.
- Sep 25🏛️ Yom Kippur Begins – Yom Kippur, the most sacred day on the Hebrew calendar, begins at sundown today.
- Sep 26🌍 Aerosol Gases Threat – Scientists warn that aerosol gases may deplete the ozone layer, posing a threat to Earth's protection against harmful UV radiation.
- Sep 27🌍 Earthquake Rocks Tokyo – A moderately strong earthquake shook Tokyo, registering four on a scale of seven, causing buildings to sway but no immediate reports of injuries.
- Sep 28🚀 Soviet Launches Cosmos 686 – The Soviet Union announced the launch of the earth satellite Cosmos 686 to continue outer space exploration.
- Sep 29🏛️ Soviet Diggings Yield Town – Soviet archeologists uncovered a 4,000-year-old civilization in Southern Turkmenia, revealing significant historical insights.
- Sep 30🛩️ Japan-China Air Service – Japan and China initiated regular air service between Tokyo and Peking, marking a significant step in diplomatic relations.
Happy Birthday! 1974 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1974 in real headlines. See the 1974 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: