QUIZ: How Well Do You Know Historic Events of the 1970s?
The ’70s were a tumultuous time where people fought for equality, the nation was protesting wars, the American government was shattered with political scandals, and the digital revolution was on the horizon. No one could foresee just how much of an impact this decade was going to have on the next generation. If you were alive for the ’70s, this is a throwback quiz to test just how much you remember. If you weren’t alive, well, let’s hope you paid attention in history class.
Starting in 1972, this scandal led to the impeachment of an American president…
A. Watergate
B. The “Scooter” Libby Indictment
C. Monica Lewinsky
D. The Iran-Contra Affair
Answer: Watergate
Watergate began in 1972 and dominated the media for the first years of the decade. After it was made public that Richard Nixon was hiding something, he was forced to resign in 1974 and it completely changed American politics forever.
What incredibly popular sci-fi movie franchise released its first film in 1977?
A. Star Trek
B. Friends
C. Star Wars
D. Back to the Future
Answer: Star Wars
The original Star Wars movie premiered on May 25th, 1977, and popularized the sci-fi genre. It changed the film industry with its impressive use of special effects and has become ingrained in pop culture.
This building’s construction was completed in 1973. Located in the heart of Chicago, it was the tallest building in America at the time.
A. Central Park Tower
B. Sears (now Willis) Tower
C. World Trade Center
D. Bank of American Plaza
Answer: Sears (now Willis) Tower
It’s still commonly called the Sears Tower despite the name change and stands 110 stories high. It took three years to construct and needed over 12,000 workers throughout that time. It was the tallest building in America until the One World Trade Center in New York was built.
This American comic strip about a lazy, orange cat made its debut in 1978…
A. Popeye
B. Winnie The Pooh
C. Garfield
D. Nemo
Answer: Garfield
Garfield originally consisted of four characters — Garfield, Jon Arbuckle, Odie, and Odie’s owner Lyman. The strip was an immediate success. Within three years, Garfield and his antics were appearing in over 850 newspapers.
In 1979, Sony launched its portable music player called the…
A. Sony Talkman
B. Sony Walker
C. Sony Walkman
D. Sony iPhone
Answer: Sony Walkman
The Sony Walkman was born of a desire by Sony’s co-founder for a device he could listen to while walking around. While the technology was limited by today’s standards, the idea of a music-playing device that was portable and private was an instant success.
Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky faced off in what was called “The Match of the Century” for what championship in 1972?
A. The World Chess Championship
B. The World Series
C. The Stanley Cup
D. The World Polo Championship
Answer: The World Chess Championship
Fischer and Spassky faced off in the World Chess Championships in Iceland. The match was seen as analogous to the Cold War between the U.S. (Fischer) and Russia (Spassky). Fischer took the match and broke a 24-year streak of Soviet supremacy.
In 1975, this extremely popular computer software company was founded.
A. FireFox
B. McAfee Security
C. Microsoft
D. Apple
Answer: Microsoft
In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the computer software company Microsoft. The company originally wanted to create software for a personal computer called Altair 8800. In 1985, Microsoft debuted the Windows operating system and by 1987 Bill Gates was the world’s youngest billionaire.
What popular late-night comedy sketch show debuted in 1975?
A. The Tonight Show
B. Saturday Night Live
C. Late Night With David Letterman
D. MadTV
Answer: Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live made its debut on October 11th, 1975. The show defied traditional humor norms at the time and has since launched the careers of Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and many more.
In 1970, this iconic band decided to separate and break the hearts of the world in the process…
A. The Clash
B. The Doors
C. The Beatles
D. The Monkees
Answer: The Beatles
In 1970, the Beatles broke up due to some internal conflicts that they couldn’t mend. Paul McCartney’s 1970 solo album cemented the deal. John Lennon had told the group he was leaving previously, but didn’t make it public until after McCartney’s official break-up statement.
This female British Prime Minister served from 1979-1990.
A. Angela Merkel
B. Nancy Astor
C. Geraldine Ferraro
D. Margaret Thatcher
Answer: Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher served as the British prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century and the first woman to hold that office.
The Gulf of ________ incident was used as justification for the U.S. entering into the Vietnam War.
A. Dead Sea
B. Tonkin
C. Vietnam
D. Mexico
Answer: Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin was used as the reason for the U.S. entering into the Vietnam War. The USS Maddox actually fired on the NVA patrol boats first, not the other way around (which was how it was reported to the public)
In 1970, what famous Boston Bruins player made hockey history when he signed the first million dollar contract in the NHL?
A. Bobby Orr
B. Sidney Crosby
C. Tom Brady
D. Wayne Gretzky
Answer: Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr signed the NHL’s first million-dollar contract which had him earning $200,000 per year for five years. In 1979, at age 31, he entered the NHL Hall of Fame and was the youngest player ever to be inducted.
Saturday Night Fever was released on December 16th, 1977, and had both positive and negative effects on what musical genre?
A. Disco
B. Hip-Hop
C. Ballroom
D. Twerking
Answer: Disco
The popularity of disco had been building before Saturday Night Fever was released, but the movie accelerated its impact. A sequel, Staying Alive, also starring John Travolta, was released in 1983, but critics considered it a dud.
Richard Nixon was the first American President to visit ________ and step on their infamous wall in February 1972.
A. Iraq
B. Germany
C. China
D. Madagascar
Answer: China
President Nixon made history in 1972 with his week-long visit to Beijing, China. He was the first President to do so, and the talks that took place were an important first step in rebuilding diplomatic between the two countries.
Steve Jobs and Steve _______ created Apple Computers in 1976 and became an incorporated company in 1977.
A. Yzerman
B. Stevens
C. Wozniak
D. Gates
Answer: Wozniak
Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on April 1st, 1976, and for nearly 30 years after, their core business was the manufacturing of personal computers. Today, Apple is headed by CEO Tim Cook.
Where were the Summer Olympic Games held in 1972?
A. Paris
B. Beijing
C. London
D. Munich
Answer: Munich
The 1972 Munich Olympic games were the first time since 1936 that the Olympics were held in Germany. The Munich games were plagued by horrific terror attacks that saw two killed and nine others taken hostage.
In 1970, the world’s total population was…
A. 10 billion
B. 3.7 billion
C. 990 million
D. 7.6 billion
Answer: 3.7 billion
The official tally of the world’s population in 1970 was 3.7 billion. As of December 2018, that number had more than doubled with a reported population of 7.6 billion. That number continues to grow…
In 1973, which female tennis player accepted Bobby Riggs’ challenge that no woman could beat him?
A. Billie Jean King
B. Martina Navratilova
C. Virginia Wade
D. Margaret Court
Answer: Billie Jean King
On September 20, 1973, a tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was nationally aired on television. The match came about after Riggs said no female player could beat him. King won, claiming a $100,000 prize.
In 1971, a Walt Disney World Resort was opened in this location…
A. Paris
B. Europe
C. Florida
D. California
Answer: Florida
The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida opened on October 16th, 1971. It was developed by Walt Disney in the ’60s, and it was planned to be very different from its California counterpart. Walt Disney died before construction even began.
The video game Pong was developed by ________ in 1972 and is responsible for shaping the modern video-game industry…
A. Sony
B. Atari
C. Nintendo
D. Xbox
Answer: Atari
Atari released Pong in November 1972. It was inspired by the ping pong game that came with the Magnavox Odyssey console. After they finished the first prototype, they sent it to a local bar to try it out and the game broke down due to the coin box being too full of money.
