18 Overlooked Events from the 1970s That History Forgot

The Symbionese Liberation Army Kidnapping

In 1974, the radical group SLA kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst, initiating a series of bizarre events including her involvement in bank robberies. The complexity of this case, blending political radicalism and psychological manipulation, often gets overshadowed by other high-profile events of the era, and the details are often obscured by the passage of time.

The Great Boston Strangler Hoax

In 1973, a man claiming to be the Boston Strangler sent a letter to the media. The subsequent investigation revealed it was a hoax orchestrated by a man seeking notoriety. While the Boston Strangler case itself is known, the hoax has faded from memory due to its brief and sensational nature, and it was overshadowed by other criminal cases in the ’70s.

The Hershey, Pennsylvania UFO Incident

In 1974, a flurry of UFO sightings occurred over Hershey, Pennsylvania, witnessed by numerous residents. Despite the widespread reports and even a military investigation, the incident has faded from collective memory as UFO sightings became more commonplace, making it just one of many such incidents in the era.

The Cleveland Elementary School Shooting

In 1979, a shooter opened fire on an elementary school in San Diego, killing two and injuring eight. While the tragedy marked a turning point in discussions on school safety, it is often overshadowed by more recent and high-profile school shootings, causing it to be forgotten in the broader narrative of gun violence in America.

The Bhola Cyclone

The Bhola Cyclone, one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in history, struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal in 1970. Despite the massive loss of life and devastating impact, it is overshadowed in historical memory by subsequent natural disasters and geopolitical events that unfolded in the region.

The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

In 1979, thousands marched in Washington, D.C., advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. This pivotal moment in the gay rights movement is often overlooked due to the larger and more widely recognized events of the era, such as the Stonewall riots, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights that continued into subsequent decades.

The Altair 8800 Personal Computer

In 1975, the Altair 8800, the first widely available personal computer, was released. Despite its groundbreaking impact on the tech industry, it is often forgotten due to subsequent advancements in personal computing and the emergence of more well-known computers like the Apple II.

The Hostage Crisis at the Dutch Embassy in Stockholm

In 1975, terrorists seized the Dutch Embassy in Stockholm, demanding the release of South Moluccan prisoners. The crisis is often forgotten due to its brief duration and the fact that it occurred during a period of heightened global terrorism, with other events capturing more sustained attention.

The Universal Product Code (UPC) Introduction

In 1974, the first product with a UPC barcode was scanned at a supermarket in Ohio. While this event revolutionized retail and inventory management, it tends to be overlooked in historical narratives as the technological revolution in the late 20th century brought forth many innovations that transformed daily life.

The Sydney Hilton Hotel Bombing

In 1978, a bomb exploded outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, targeting a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The attack resulted in casualties, but the incident is often overshadowed by other acts of terrorism in subsequent decades, causing it to fade from collective memory.

The Re-emergence of the Whooping Cough

In the 1970s, there was a resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis) in the United States, challenging previous assumptions about the disease’s near-eradication. Despite the public health implications, the whooping cough resurgence is often overshadowed by other infectious diseases and global health crises that emerged in subsequent decades.

The Mayaguez Incident

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge seized the American cargo ship SS Mayaguez, leading to a military rescue operation. The incident is often forgotten amidst the broader context of the Vietnam War’s conclusion and the subsequent shifting of global geopolitical dynamics.

The First Test-Tube Baby

In 1978, Louise Brown became the world’s first baby born through in vitro fertilization (IVF). While a groundbreaking medical achievement, the significance of the first test-tube baby is sometimes overlooked in discussions about assisted reproductive technologies, given the subsequent advancements in this field.

The Birth of Email

In the early 1970s, Ray Tomlinson sent the first electronic message, marking the birth of email. Despite its transformative impact on communication, the inception of email is often eclipsed by the widespread adoption of the internet and the development of other digital communication platforms.

The Abduction of Colleen Stan

In 1977, Colleen Stan was abducted and held captive for seven years by a couple. While a harrowing and notorious case, it is often overshadowed by other high-profile criminal cases, leading to its relative obscurity in the broader cultural memory of the 1970s.