1971 PEOPLE’S HISTORY / LANDMARKS

1971

This could well be the year that marked the start of the digital age when the Microprocessor was invented. We also saw the use of more and more of the transistor technology in use in things like hand held calculators which although are still very expensive over time will drop in price and increase in function to where we are today. It is also the first year North Sea Oil production begins in Norway. One other major change is the change to Decimalisation in the UK on and Ireland on February 15th . The birth of Greenpeace signals a need to question how we manage the resources entrusted to us and a means of organised questioning of governments around the world.

Cost of Living 1971

Yearly Inflation Rate USA 4.3%
Yearly Inflation Rate UK 8.6%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 890
Average Cost of new house $25,250.00
Average Income per year $10,600.00
Average Monthly Rent $150.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 40 cents
Datsun 1200 Sports Coupe $1,866.00
United States postage Stamp 8 cents
Ladies 2 piece knit suites $9.98
Movie Ticket $1.50

What Events Happened in 1971

UN

• China is admitted to the United Nations UN

Scotland

• Ibrox disaster in Scotland when 66 die in stairway crush at Rangers v Celtic football match

U.S.

• A new stock market index called the Nasdaq debuts

India

• Border battles between India and Pakistan erupt into full-scale war when India invades East Pakistan ( Now Bangladesh ) in support of the independence movement

U.S.

• Sylmar earthquake hits the San Fernando Valley area of California.

Peru

• Peru Earthquake results in the destruction of the town of Chungar, Peru, and the death of most of the towns people

UK

• Decimalisation in United Kingdom and Ireland both switch to decimal currency.

UK

• Education Secretary Margaret Thatcher’s ( “Thatcher The Milk Snatcher”. ) ends free school milk for children over the age of seven in the UK

UK

• IRA Bomb Post Office Tower in London

U.S.

• The Voting Age in the United States is lowered to 18 yrs old when the 26th Amendment to the US constition is ratified.

U.S.

• Prison riot and prisoners take hostages at Attica Prison in New York, resulting in the death of 10 hostages and 29 inmates.

U.S.

• The U.S. Supreme Court upholds School Busing Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education 402 U.S

Switzerland

• Women are granted the right to vote in Switzerland

U.S.

• Amtrak created to provide US inter city passenger train services.

Sicily

• Mount Etna erupts

Japan

• Tsunami 85 m high rises over Ryukyu Islands in Japan

U.S.

• Harris public opinion poll claims that 60% of Americans are against the war in Vietnam

India

• Tsunami in the Bay of Bengal in Orissa State in India kills 10,000.

U.S.

• The Walt Disney World Resort opens in Florida.

China

• The US table tennis team visits to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) known as “Ping Pong Diplomacy”

World

• Greenpeace formally comes into existence.

U.S.

• Federal Express is started by Fred Smith

UK

• Thousands protest against the British government’s new industrial relations Bill.

Australia

• Australia and New Zealand Announce Pull Out Of Troops from Vietnam

U.S.

• Cigarette Advertising Ended on Television in USA

Scotland

• A fatal stampede at Glasgow Soccer Game

U.S.

• In an attempt to control inflation President Richard M. Nixon implements 90 day freeze on wages and prices, he also removed the gold/silver backing from the US Dollar

Uganda

• Major General Idi Amin takes control of Uganda soon to become one of the worst and most notorious dictators of modern times

UK

• Following Public Concern Over Immigration in the UK, a new Immigration Bill stops Commonwealth citizens automatic entry

U.S.

• Following on from the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasts for the first time in April 1971

Northern Ireland

• Problems in Northern Ireland continue as rioting increases as part of the IRA campaign to end British Government Rule.

U.S.

• The New York Times begins to publish sections of the Pentagon Papers showing the US Government had been lying to the American People.

Quatar

• Qatar Gains Independence From Great Britain

Sierra Leone

• Sierra Leone Gains Independence From Great Britain

U.S.

• Charles Manson and three of his followers receive the death penalty