The World in 1973 As Told By These 35 Photos

Carly Tennes Published 10/29/2024 in wow

Though a handful of years out from the swinging '60s, 1973 was defined by change. Welcoming new institutions — the World Trade Center and the Sydney Opera House — and saying goodbye to even more — namely with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords that concluded the United States' role in the Vietnam War — the year was defined by shifting tides ... and a whole lot of cool pictures.

From birthday celebrations to sports feats, here are 35 photos of what the world looked like in 1973.

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1.
The cover of the New York Daily News on January 4, 1973, the day after businessman George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for $10 million from the Columbia Broadcasting System.
2.
“Super Bowl VII, January 14, 1973. Dolphins defeats the Redskins 14-7 to become the first and last team to finish an NFL season undefeated.”
3.
“Women in Missouri protest in support of Roe v. Wade after local officials refused to allow abortions in public hospitals. St. Louis, 1973.”
4.
“Soldiers of the North and South Vietnamese armies hanging out together after the Paris Peace Accords calls for a cease-fire, Quãng Trĩ 1973.”
5.
“American Indian Movement (AIM) activists at the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation on March 7, 1973.”
6.
“‘Burst of Joy’: After spending more than five years in a North Vietnamese POW camp, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm is reunited with his family at Travis AFB, March 13, 1973.”
7.
“In 1973, Marlon Brando rejected his Oscar for The Godfather to allow Sacheen Littlefeather to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans.”
8.
Tennis star Billie Jean King after winning her legendary 1973 match against Bobby Riggs.
9.
“Advertising brochure from The World Trade Center, 1973.”
10.
Jerry Lee Lewis rocks out during his controversial Grand Ole Opry debut, January 1973.
11.
Skylab 1 launches from the Kennedy Space Center, May 1973.
12.
“Secretariat wins Triple Crown (June 9th, 1973).”
13.
“Woodward and Bernstein watch Nixon’s first TV speech on Watergate in 1973. The two journalists did much of the initial reporting that brought the presidential scandal to light.”
14.
Harrison Ford as seen in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” The pair would work together again on the ‘Star Wars’ series later in the ‘70s.
15.
Dolly Parton poses for a photo in 1973. The country music legend released “Jolene,” the lead single off of her album of the same name, that October.
16.
“Queen Elizabeth II with the New South Wales premier at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House, October 20, 1973.”
17.
“Promenade and beach in Sochi, Soviet Union 1973.”
18.
“Linda Blair with her animatronic double used for the spinning head scene in ‘The Exorcist’, 1973”
19.
“The invitation for DJ Kool Herc's 'Back To School Jam'. The night Hip-Hop was born. (August 11th 1973).”
20.
“A hippie girl selling roadside flowers in Oklahoma, 1973.”
21.
“Gump Worsley tends goal for the Minnesota North Stars, circa 1973; he was the last NHL goalie not to wear a mask.”
22.
“Elvis Presley & Muhammad Ali in 1973.”
23.
“Iron Workers pose for a photo atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 1973.”
24.
“A 16 year old Sid Vicious going to a David Bowie concert at Earls Court, 1973.”
25.
 “Woman cutting her birthday cake in Iran 1973, 5 years before the Islamic Revolution.”
26.
“Eminem with his mother, 1973.”
27.
“Summertime in 1973.”
28.
“My parents on their Honeymoon 1973.”
29.
“Suzanne Somers during the filming of 'Magnum Force' (1973).”
30.
"April 1973."
31.
“McDonald's in 1973.”
32.
“Gary Sinise here. Found some photos of my high school band, 'Half Day Road,' from Highland Park High School in 1973.”
33.
“Since it’s Native Heritage Month. My mom circa 1973.”
34.
Bruce Lee poses with John Saxon on set of ‘Enter The Dragon,’ which hit American theaters in August 1973. Lee, 32, died roughly one month before the film’s stateside premiere.
35.
“My parents wedding, April, 1973, Mexico City.”

1.
The cover of the New York Daily News on January 4, 1973, the day after businessman George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for $10 million from the Columbia Broadcasting System.
2.
“Super Bowl VII, January 14, 1973. Dolphins defeats the Redskins 14-7 to become the first and last team to finish an NFL season undefeated.”
3.
“Women in Missouri protest in support of Roe v. Wade after local officials refused to allow abortions in public hospitals. St. Louis, 1973.”
4.
“Soldiers of the North and South Vietnamese armies hanging out together after the Paris Peace Accords calls for a cease-fire, Quãng Trĩ 1973.”
5.
“American Indian Movement (AIM) activists at the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation on March 7, 1973.”
6.
“‘Burst of Joy’: After spending more than five years in a North Vietnamese POW camp, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm is reunited with his family at Travis AFB, March 13, 1973.”
7.
“In 1973, Marlon Brando rejected his Oscar for The Godfather to allow Sacheen Littlefeather to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans.”
8.
Tennis star Billie Jean King after winning her legendary 1973 match against Bobby Riggs.
9.
“Advertising brochure from The World Trade Center, 1973.”
10.
Jerry Lee Lewis rocks out during his controversial Grand Ole Opry debut, January 1973.
11.
Skylab 1 launches from the Kennedy Space Center, May 1973.
12.
“Secretariat wins Triple Crown (June 9th, 1973).”
13.
“Woodward and Bernstein watch Nixon’s first TV speech on Watergate in 1973. The two journalists did much of the initial reporting that brought the presidential scandal to light.”
14.
Harrison Ford as seen in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” The pair would work together again on the ‘Star Wars’ series later in the ‘70s.
15.
Dolly Parton poses for a photo in 1973. The country music legend released “Jolene,” the lead single off of her album of the same name, that October.
16.
“Queen Elizabeth II with the New South Wales premier at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House, October 20, 1973.”
17.
“Promenade and beach in Sochi, Soviet Union 1973.”
18.
“Linda Blair with her animatronic double used for the spinning head scene in ‘The Exorcist’, 1973”
19.
“The invitation for DJ Kool Herc's 'Back To School Jam'. The night Hip-Hop was born. (August 11th 1973).”
20.
“A hippie girl selling roadside flowers in Oklahoma, 1973.”
21.
“Gump Worsley tends goal for the Minnesota North Stars, circa 1973; he was the last NHL goalie not to wear a mask.”
22.
“Elvis Presley & Muhammad Ali in 1973.”
23.
“Iron Workers pose for a photo atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 1973.”
24.
“A 16 year old Sid Vicious going to a David Bowie concert at Earls Court, 1973.”
25.
 “Woman cutting her birthday cake in Iran 1973, 5 years before the Islamic Revolution.”
26.
“Eminem with his mother, 1973.”
27.
“Summertime in 1973.”
28.
“My parents on their Honeymoon 1973.”
29.
“Suzanne Somers during the filming of 'Magnum Force' (1973).”
30.
"April 1973."
31.
“McDonald's in 1973.”
32.
“Gary Sinise here. Found some photos of my high school band, 'Half Day Road,' from Highland Park High School in 1973.”
33.
“Since it’s Native Heritage Month. My mom circa 1973.”
34.
Bruce Lee poses with John Saxon on set of ‘Enter The Dragon,’ which hit American theaters in August 1973. Lee, 32, died roughly one month before the film’s stateside premiere.
35.
“My parents wedding, April, 1973, Mexico City.”

poster - New 136 New York, N.Y. 10017, Thursday, $10M Buys Yankees Cbs Sells Out to Burke, 11 Others Ankees News photo by Bill Meurer Burke's Law Is the Word

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NEXT GALLERY 37 Historical Photos of Diving Suits Through the Years

1. The cover of the New York Daily News on January 4, 1973, the day after businessman George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for $10 million from the Columbia Broadcasting System.

2. “Super Bowl VII, January 14, 1973. Dolphins defeats the Redskins 14-7 to become the first and last team to finish an NFL season undefeated.”

3. “Women in Missouri protest in support of Roe v. Wade after local officials refused to allow abortions in public hospitals. St. Louis, 1973.”

4. “Soldiers of the North and South Vietnamese armies hanging out together after the Paris Peace Accords calls for a cease-fire, Quãng Trĩ 1973.”

5. “American Indian Movement (AIM) activists at the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation on March 7, 1973.”

6. “‘Burst of Joy’: After spending more than five years in a North Vietnamese POW camp, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm is reunited with his family at Travis AFB, March 13, 1973.”

7. “In 1973, Marlon Brando rejected his Oscar for The Godfather to allow Sacheen Littlefeather to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans.”

8. Tennis star Billie Jean King after winning her legendary 1973 match against Bobby Riggs.

9. “Advertising brochure from The World Trade Center, 1973.”

10. Jerry Lee Lewis rocks out during his controversial Grand Ole Opry debut, January 1973.

11. Skylab 1 launches from the Kennedy Space Center, May 1973.

12. “Secretariat wins Triple Crown (June 9th, 1973).”

13. “Woodward and Bernstein watch Nixon’s first TV speech on Watergate in 1973. The two journalists did much of the initial reporting that brought the presidential scandal to light.”

14. Harrison Ford as seen in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” The pair would work together again on the ‘Star Wars’ series later in the ‘70s.

15. Dolly Parton poses for a photo in 1973. The country music legend released “Jolene,” the lead single off of her album of the same name, that October.

16. “Queen Elizabeth II with the New South Wales premier at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House, October 20, 1973.”

17. “Promenade and beach in Sochi, Soviet Union 1973.”

18. “Linda Blair with her animatronic double used for the spinning head scene in ‘The Exorcist’, 1973”

19. “The invitation for DJ Kool Herc's 'Back To School Jam'. The night Hip-Hop was born. (August 11th 1973).”

20. “A hippie girl selling roadside flowers in Oklahoma, 1973.”

21. “Gump Worsley tends goal for the Minnesota North Stars, circa 1973; he was the last NHL goalie not to wear a mask.”

22. “Elvis Presley & Muhammad Ali in 1973.”

23. “Iron Workers pose for a photo atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 1973.”

24. “A 16 year old Sid Vicious going to a David Bowie concert at Earls Court, 1973.”

25. “Woman cutting her birthday cake in Iran 1973, 5 years before the Islamic Revolution.”

26. “Eminem with his mother, 1973.”

27. “Summertime in 1973.”

28. “My parents on their Honeymoon 1973.”

29. “Suzanne Somers during the filming of 'Magnum Force' (1973).”

30. "April 1973."

31. “McDonald's in 1973.”

32. “Gary Sinise here. Found some photos of my high school band, 'Half Day Road,' from Highland Park High School in 1973.”

33. “Since it’s Native Heritage Month. My mom circa 1973.”

34. Bruce Lee poses with John Saxon on set of ‘Enter The Dragon,’ which hit American theaters in August 1973. Lee, 32, died roughly one month before the film’s stateside premiere.

35. “My parents wedding, April, 1973, Mexico City.”

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1.
The cover of the New York Daily News on January 4, 1973, the day after businessman George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees for $10 million from the Columbia Broadcasting System.

2.
“Super Bowl VII, January 14, 1973. Dolphins defeats the Redskins 14-7 to become the first and last team to finish an NFL season undefeated.”

3.
“Women in Missouri protest in support of Roe v. Wade after local officials refused to allow abortions in public hospitals. St. Louis, 1973.”

4.
“Soldiers of the North and South Vietnamese armies hanging out together after the Paris Peace Accords calls for a cease-fire, Quãng Trĩ 1973.”

5.
“American Indian Movement (AIM) activists at the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation on March 7, 1973.”

6.
“‘Burst of Joy’: After spending more than five years in a North Vietnamese POW camp, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm is reunited with his family at Travis AFB, March 13, 1973.”

7.
“In 1973, Marlon Brando rejected his Oscar for The Godfather to allow Sacheen Littlefeather to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans.”

8.
Tennis star Billie Jean King after winning her legendary 1973 match against Bobby Riggs.

9.
“Advertising brochure from The World Trade Center, 1973.”

10.
Jerry Lee Lewis rocks out during his controversial Grand Ole Opry debut, January 1973.

11.
Skylab 1 launches from the Kennedy Space Center, May 1973.

12.
“Secretariat wins Triple Crown (June 9th, 1973).”

13.
“Woodward and Bernstein watch Nixon’s first TV speech on Watergate in 1973. The two journalists did much of the initial reporting that brought the presidential scandal to light.”

14.
Harrison Ford as seen in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” The pair would work together again on the ‘Star Wars’ series later in the ‘70s.

15.
Dolly Parton poses for a photo in 1973. The country music legend released “Jolene,” the lead single off of her album of the same name, that October.

16.
“Queen Elizabeth II with the New South Wales premier at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House, October 20, 1973.”

17.
“Promenade and beach in Sochi, Soviet Union 1973.”

18.
“Linda Blair with her animatronic double used for the spinning head scene in ‘The Exorcist’, 1973”

19.
“The invitation for DJ Kool Herc's 'Back To School Jam'. The night Hip-Hop was born. (August 11th 1973).”

20.
“A hippie girl selling roadside flowers in Oklahoma, 1973.”

21.
“Gump Worsley tends goal for the Minnesota North Stars, circa 1973; he was the last NHL goalie not to wear a mask.”

22.
“Elvis Presley & Muhammad Ali in 1973.”

23.
“Iron Workers pose for a photo atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 1973.”

24.
“A 16 year old Sid Vicious going to a David Bowie concert at Earls Court, 1973.”

25.
 “Woman cutting her birthday cake in Iran 1973, 5 years before the Islamic Revolution.”

26.
“Eminem with his mother, 1973.”

27.
“Summertime in 1973.”

28.
“My parents on their Honeymoon 1973.”

29.
“Suzanne Somers during the filming of 'Magnum Force' (1973).”

30.
"April 1973."

31.
“McDonald's in 1973.”

32.
“Gary Sinise here. Found some photos of my high school band, 'Half Day Road,' from Highland Park High School in 1973.”

33.
“Since it’s Native Heritage Month. My mom circa 1973.”

34.
Bruce Lee poses with John Saxon on set of ‘Enter The Dragon,’ which hit American theaters in August 1973. Lee, 32, died roughly one month before the film’s stateside premiere.

35.
“My parents wedding, April, 1973, Mexico City.”