1973 was a wild ride, and we’re moonwalking from December back to January.
Forget boring timelines; this is a fast, fun rewind through the year that gave us disco grooves, Watergate drama, Triple Crown thrills, and some serious cultural shakeups. We’re mixing politics, sports, music, and moments that still make you say, “Wait, that happened then?”
Whether you were there or just wish you were, be ready for a no-fluff, straight-up look at ’73: the year America couldn’t stop changing, and we loved every messy, crazy minute of it.
1
December 31, 1973: Disco Fever Reigns Supreme
Disco music and dance clubs take over America, setting the soundtrack for the ‘70s.
2
December 20, 1973: Secretariat Wins the Belmont Stakes, Completing Triple Crown
A legendary horse racing moment: winning by 31 lengths and thrilling the nation.
3
December 1973: OPEC Oil Embargo Sparks Energy Crisis
Gas lines grow as oil prices soar, hitting American drivers just before the holidays.
4
December 1973: When The Exorcist Took Over the Box Office
Priests were booked, heads were spinning (literally), and boomers learned one thing fast: Don’t mess with Ouija boards or creepy kids in nightgowns.
5
November 7, 1973: Senate Watergate Hearings Begin
Public drama unfolds as Senators question Nixon administration officials over the scandal.
6
November 5, 1973: The Rolling Stones Release “Goats Head Soup” Album
Rock legends keep the hits coming, with this album going straight to the top of charts.
7
October 6, 1973: Yom Kippur War Breaks Out, Impacting U.S. Foreign Policy
The Middle East conflict triggers major shifts in oil supply and global alliances.
8
October 24, 1973: Black Monday Stock Market Crash
The Dow plunges 5.8%, shaking investor confidence in the fragile economy.
9
September 20, 1973: Billie Jean King Wins “Battle of the Sexes” Tennis Match
King’s victory over Bobby Riggs becomes a cultural milestone for gender equality.
10
September 18, 1973: Vice President Spiro Agnew Resigns Amid Scandal
Agnew steps down over tax evasion and bribery charges, shaking up Nixon’s administration.
11
September 1973: Schoolhouse Rock! Made Learning a Whole Vibe
Back to school? More like back to cool. In September, boomers got schooled with Schoolhouse Rock! and, suddenly, we all knew what a conjunction was.
12
August 15, 1973: Billie Jean King is Named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
A celebration of a pioneering sportswoman who changed tennis and gender perceptions.
13
August 9, 1973: Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon” Filming Begins
One of the most influential martial arts films in history starts production.
14
August 1973: Hip hop culture began to form
DJ Kool Herc threw a back-to-school party in the Bronx on August 11, 1973, often cited as the "birth" of hip hop.
15
August 1973: American Graffiti Rolled In with the Windows Down
George Lucas’ American Graffiti hit theaters in August, asking the question: “Where were you in '62?”
16
August 1973: Secretariat Wins the Preakness Stakes
The champion horse dominates the middle jewel on his way to glory.
17
July 1973: Ziggy Stardust Died So Glam Could Live
In July, David Bowie walked on stage as Ziggy Stardust for the very last time... and dropped the mic on a generation: “He's not coming back,” he told the stunned crowd.
18
June 17, 1973: The Watergate Break-In Revealed Publicly
The scandal that would eventually topple a president becomes national news.
19
June 8, 1973: U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Abortion Case Roe v. Wade
The historic ruling legalizes abortion nationwide, sparking decades of debate.
20
May 15, 1973: The World Trade Center in New York Officially Opens
The iconic twin towers begin their reign as America’s tallest buildings.
21
May 14, 1973: Skylab Space Station Launches into Orbit
America’s first space station sets the stage for new scientific experiments in space.
22
April 20, 1973: Pink Floyd Releases “The Dark Side of the Moon”
A groundbreaking album that would become one of the best-selling and most influential records.
23
April 3, 1973: The World’s First Mobile Phone Call Made by Motorola Engineer Martin Cooper
The dawn of mobile communication begins with this historic call in New York City.
24
March 29, 1973: Last American Combat Troops Withdraw from Vietnam
A major milestone marking the end of U.S. direct combat involvement.
25
March 5, 1973: The TV Show “Kojak” Premieres on CBS
Telly Savalas stars as the tough, bald detective in a show that captivates audiences.
26
March 1, 1973: Secretariat Wins the Kentucky Derby
The first jewel of the Triple Crown is won by a future legend.
27
February 21, 1973: The Senate Intelligence Committee Opens Hearings on CIA and FBI Abuses
A push for government transparency and reform begins.
28
January 28, 1973: The TV Show “The Price Is Right” Relaunched with Bob Barker
The iconic game show returns to TV and becomes a staple of American entertainment.
29
January 22, 1973: Roe v. Wade Decision Announced by the Supreme Court
The court legalizes abortion, dramatically changing women’s rights in the U.S.
30
January 1, 1973: The Year Begins Amidst Hope and Turmoil
Vietnam War winding down, political scandals brewing, and culture shifting fast.
