World Events in 1975
Fall of Saigon — Vietnam War ends
North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon on 30 April, as the last Americans were evacuated by helicopter from the US Embassy roof. The iconic images of desperate evacuees defined America's most divisive war and the reunification of Vietnam.
UK EEC referendum — Britain votes to stay
On 5 June, 67% of British voters chose to remain in the European Economic Community in the country's first nationwide referendum. The result settled the question for a generation — or so it seemed.
Khmer Rouge takes Phnom Penh
The Khmer Rouge captured Cambodia's capital on 17 April, beginning a horrific regime under Pol Pot. Over the next four years, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Cambodians died from execution, starvation, and forced labour in the 'Killing Fields.'
Francisco Franco dies; Spain begins transition to democracy
The Spanish dictator died on 20 November after ruling for 36 years. King Juan Carlos I guided Spain towards democracy, beginning one of the most remarkable political transitions of the twentieth century.
Moorgate tube disaster
On 28 February, a Northern Line train ploughed into a dead-end tunnel at Moorgate station at full speed, killing 43 people. It remains the worst peacetime disaster on the London Underground, and the cause was never definitively established.
Music in 1975
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
Queen
Freddie Mercury's operatic rock masterpiece topped the UK charts for nine weeks from late 1975, becoming one of the most celebrated and recognisable songs in pop history.
"Love Will Keep Us Together"
Captain & Tennille
This upbeat pop hit spent four weeks at number one and was the best-selling US single of 1975, winning the Grammy for Record of the Year.
#1 Film of 1975
Jaws
Box Office: $260 million
Steven Spielberg's shark thriller invented the summer blockbuster, became the first film to gross over $100 million domestically, and made an entire generation terrified of the ocean.
Born in 1975
Angelina Jolie
Oscar-winning actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian (Lara Croft, Girl, Interrupted)
David Beckham
England football captain, global sporting icon
Kate Winslet
Oscar-winning British actress (Titanic, The Reader)
Tiger Woods
Golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time
Russell Brand
Comedian, actor, and broadcaster
Lost in 1975
Haile Selassie
Emperor of Ethiopia and Rastafari spiritual figure
Age 83
Dmitri Shostakovich
One of the greatest composers of the twentieth century
Age 68
P.G. Wodehouse
Author of the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels
Age 93
Aristotle Onassis
Greek shipping magnate and husband of Jackie Kennedy
Age 69
Technology in 1975
The Altair 8800 microcomputer kit launched the personal computer revolution, inspiring Bill Gates and Paul Allen to found Microsoft. Sony introduced Betamax, the first home video cassette recorder. Digital watches became fashionable status symbols, and colour TV overtook black-and-white in UK households for the first time.
- ● Altair 8800 kit launches the personal computer era
- ● Microsoft is founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- ● Sony introduces Betamax home video recording
- ● The first digital watches reach mainstream consumers
Cost of Living in 1975
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £11,787 | $39,300 |
| Average salary | £3,050 | $12,200 |
| Pint of milk | 7p | $0.42 |
| Loaf of bread | 18p | $0.36 |
| Dozen eggs | 36p | $0.77 |
| Pint of beer | 20p | $0.90 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 72p | $0.57 |
| Cinema ticket | 55p | $2.05 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1975
Disco was gaining mainstream momentum with the Bee Gees and KC and the Sunshine Band, while pub rock offered a grittier alternative. Platform shoes reached absurd heights and wide lapels could have doubled as hang-gliders. The Bay City Rollers inspired teenage mania in Britain, and Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win Wimbledon.
In the News in 1975
The UK held its first-ever national referendum, voting two-to-one to remain in the EEC. The Moorgate tube disaster killed 43 people in London, the worst peacetime accident on the Underground. Inflation in Britain hit 25%, squeezing household budgets to breaking point.