Jun 13
Pentagon Papers Published
The New York Times published the Pentagon Papers, revealing that the government had systematically lied about Vietnam. Nixon tried to suppress them. The Supreme Court said no. Press freedom won.
war
🇺🇸United States · 70s
The Pentagon Papers
Vietnam secrets exposed, Disney World opens, and the voting age drops to 18.
What happened
5 milestones of 1971
Jul 1
26th Amendment — Voting Age Lowered to 18
The 26th Amendment was ratified in record time — just 100 days. If 18-year-olds were old enough to fight in Vietnam, they were old enough to vote.
Oct 1
Walt Disney World Opens
Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida. The Magic Kingdom welcomed its first guests. Walt didn't live to see it, but his dream became the most visited theme park on Earth.
Aug 15
Nixon Ends Gold Standard
Nixon unilaterally ended the convertibility of the dollar to gold, dismantling the Bretton Woods system. The 'Nixon Shock' reshaped the global financial order overnight.
Sep 9-13
Attica Prison Uprising
Inmates at Attica prison in New York revolted over brutal conditions. Governor Rockefeller ordered state troopers to retake the prison by force. 43 people died, including 10 hostages.
violence
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick — Ultra-violent and ultra-controversial. Kubrick provoked audiences and censors alike.
The French Connection
William Friedkin — Gene Hackman as Popeye Doyle. That car chase. Won Best Picture.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Mel Stuart — Gene Wilder's Wonka was magic and menace. A children's classic.
Dirty Harry
Don Siegel — 'Do you feel lucky, punk?' Clint Eastwood defined the rogue cop.
Shaft
Gordon Parks — Richard Roundtree was the coolest private eye in cinema. Blaxploitation was born.
What was on TV
All in the Family
1971-1979 — Archie Bunker tackled racism, sexism, and class on CBS. Changed TV forever.
Columbo
1971-2003 — 'Just one more thing...' Peter Falk's rumpled detective outsmarted everyone.
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
1971-1974 — 'I Got You Babe' powered the most popular variety show.
The Electric Company
1971-1977 — Morgan Freeman taught reading on PBS. Educational TV for older kids.
Marcus Welby, M.D.
1969-1976 — The #1 show on TV. Robert Young was America's doctor.
How much things cost
Currency: USD
Gallon of milk$1.32
Gallon of gas$0.36
New house (median)$25,200
New car (average)$3,400
Loaf of bread$0.25
Movie ticket$1.65
Inflation: 4.4%
Nixon imposed wage and price controls to fight inflation. The economy was caught between Vietnam spending and rising costs.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Gallon of milkBLS
1971 (USD)
$1.32
→
Today's value ($)
--
Gallon of gasEIA
1971 (USD)
$0.36
→
Today's value ($)
--
New house (median)Census Bureau
1971 (USD)
$25,200
→
Today's value ($)
--
New car (average)BLS
1971 (USD)
$3,400
→
Today's value ($)
--
Loaf of breadBLS
1971 (USD)
$0.25
→
Today's value ($)
--
Movie ticketNATO
1971 (USD)
$1.65
→
Today's value ($)
--
Technology
Microprocessor
Intel released the 4004, the first commercial microprocessor. The PC age was embryonic.
Email invented
Ray Tomlinson sent the first email between two computers. He chose the @ symbol.
Floppy disk
IBM introduced the 8-inch floppy disk for data storage.
Pocket calculator
Texas Instruments sold the first pocket calculator. It cost $150.
CT scan
The first clinical CT scan was performed in London, revolutionizing medical imaging.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Hot pantsPlatform shoes beginningEarth tones and macramé
Slang
Right on— Yes, absolutely
Funky— Cool, with attitude
Lay it on me— Tell me, share the news
Behavior
- Anti-war sentiment reached the mainstream — even veterans protested
- The environmental movement grew after the first Earth Day (1970)
- All in the Family proved TV could tackle social issues and be #1
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