1972⚡ Event
President Nixon announces the space shuttle program
U.S. President Richard Nixon approves development of the reusable space shuttle system, shaping NASA's next era of human spaceflight.
spacesciencetechnology
What Happened in 1972?
Explore 17 historical moments from 1972 — 17 events, 0 birthdays, and 0 notable deaths.
Events in 1972(17)
1972⚡ Event
Flyers-Blues brawl
A brawl broke out between players, fans, and police officers during an ice hockey game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the St. Louis Blues in Philadelphia.
sportslaw
1972⚡ Event
Ghanaian coup d'état
Ghanaian military officer Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led a coup to overthrow Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia and President Edward Akufo-Addo.
politicswar
1972⚡ Event
Shoichi Yokoi found
Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was found in the jungles of Guam, where he had been hiding since the end of World War II.
war
1972⚡ Event
Jethro Tull releases Thick as a Brick
The British rock band Jethro Tull released Thick as a Brick, a parody concept album allegedly adapted from an eight-year-old boy's epic poem.
musicentertainmentliterature
1972⚡ Event
Vietnam War: Easter Offensive Begins
North Vietnamese forces launched the Easter Offensive, aiming to gain territory and destroy South Vietnamese units.
warpolitics
1972⚡ Event
Sabena Flight 571 Hijacking
Four members of Black September hijacked Sabena Flight 571. They demanded the release of 315 Palestinians convicted on terrorism charges.
warpolitics
1972⚡ Event
Ryukyu Islands returned to Japan
The Ryukyu Islands were returned to Japan by the United States, and the U.S. occupation government was abolished.
politics
1972⚡ Event
Lod Airport Massacre
Members of the Japanese Red Army carried out the Lod Airport massacre in Tel Aviv, Israel, killing over 20 people and injuring almost 80 others.
war
1972⚡ Event
David Bowie Releases Ziggy Stardust
English musician David Bowie released his breakthrough album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, on June 16, 1972.
musicarts
1972⚡ Event
Fischer defeats Spassky in World Chess Championship
In a match widely publicized as a Cold War confrontation, American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer became the 11th World Chess Champion with his victory over Soviet Boris Spassky.
sportspoliticsentertainment
1972⚡ Event
Munich Massacre at Olympic Games
The Palestinian militant group Black September took hostage eleven Israeli athletes and coaches at the Olympic Games in Munich. All of the hostages were killed less than 24 hours later.
warpoliticsentertainment
1972⚡ Event
Hijacking of SAS Flight 130
Three members of the Croatian National Resistance hijacked Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 130. They sought the release of individuals arrested for assassinating the Yugoslav ambassador.
politicslaw
1972⚡ Event
Loddon Bridge construction collapse
Three people were killed when falsework collapsed during the construction of the Loddon Bridge. The disaster led to reforms in UK construction practices.
disasterlaw
1972⚡ Event
Elvis on Tour Premiere
The concert film 'Elvis on Tour,' documenting Elvis Presley's U.S. tour, premiered.
entertainmentmusic
1972⚡ Event
Gough Whitlam becomes Prime Minister of Australia
Gough Whitlam took office as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia, forming a duumvirate with his deputy Lance Barnard. This ended 23 years of Liberal–Country Party government.
politics
1972⚡ Event
Apollo 17 launches
Apollo 17 launches from Kennedy Space Center, becoming the last crewed mission to the Moon in the 20th century.
spacescience
Born in 1972(0)
No births recorded for 1972.
Deaths in 1972(0)
No deaths recorded for 1972.
Dates in 1972
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1972?
- 1972 saw 17 notable historical moments, including 17 events, 0 famous birthdays, and 0 notable deaths.
- What were the biggest events of 1972?
- Key events of 1972 include: President Nixon announces the space shuttle program, Flyers-Blues brawl, Ghanaian coup d'état.
History, Delivered Daily.
Join thousands of history buffs. Get a curated 1-minute read of the day's most fascinating historical events sent straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.