Category Archives: 1970s

Imelda Marcos seriously wounded by an assailant on live TV 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: 'Launch of Apollo 17 TV Coverage' (video begins 13 minutes before lift-off)

(Thursday, December 7, 1972) — Imelda Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, was seriously wounded when Carlito Dimahilig tried to stab her to death with a bolo knife during an award ceremony broadcast live on television. The assailant was shot to death by security police and the wounds on Marcos’ hands and arms required 75 stitches.

Nixon huddles with Kissinger over Vietnam peace talks 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Dec. 2, 1972 (8:13)

(Saturday, December 2, 1972, during the Vietnam War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and his top security adviser Henry A. Kissinger held “extensive consultations” today in Key Biscayne, Florida, prior to Kissinger’s departure to resume Vietnam War peace talks in Paris.

‘Password’ episode airs on ‘The Odd Couple’ 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: 'Password' (Dec. 1, 1972)

(Friday, December 1, 1972, 9:30 p.m. ET) — When Password host Allen Ludden invites Oscar to be a celebrity guest on his show, Felix pesters Oscar to let him be his partner on tonight’s episode of the ABC-TV sitcom The Odd Couple. In 1997, the episode was ranked #5 on TV Guide‘s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.

Crowd screams as women jump to escape high-rise fire in New Orleans 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: 'High Rise Building Fire - 6 die - Nov 29, 1972'

(Wednesday, November 29, 1972) — Fire raced across a posh penthouse cafe and through the top three floors of 16-story Rault Center building in downtown New Orleans today, trapping diners and office workers behind walls of flame and smoke.

Six persons were killed, including four women who jumped to their deaths from the 15th floor to escape the inferno. Continue reading Crowd screams as women jump to escape high-rise fire in New Orleans 40 years ago today (1972)

Vietnam cease-fire negotiators meet again 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: Nov. 20, 1972 (8:13)

(Monday, November 20, 1972, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, during the Vietnam War) — Henry A. Kissinger, U.S. President Richard Nixon’s national security adviser, and Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam opened another round of negotiations for a Vietnam cease-fire today in Paris. Continue reading Vietnam cease-fire negotiators meet again 40 years ago this hour (1972)

Re-elected Nixon demands mass resignation letters 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Nov. 8, 1972 (at 7:29)

(Wednesday, November 8, 1972, the day after the 1972 presidential election) — The day after winning re-election in a huge landslide, U.S. President Richard Nixon orders his cabinet to submit letters of resignation by Friday, November 10, so he can decide which will stay or go in a month’s time.

CBS News elevates Watergate story with special report 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: Oct. 27, 1972

(Friday, October 27, 1972, 7:00 p.m. EDT, during the Watergate scandal) — At the insistence of anchorman Walter Cronkite, The CBS Evening News featured a fifteen-minute segment tonight on the Watergate affair, the first part of a full-scale report. Continue reading CBS News elevates Watergate story with special report 40 years ago this hour (1972)

‘Peace Is at Hand’ in Vietnam, Kissinger says 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Oct. 26, 1972 (6:32)

(Thursday, October 26, 1972, 11 days before the U.S. presidential election, during the Vietnam War) — Hours after Radio Hanoi broadcast key details of a draft peace agreement, which the South Vietnamese had adamantly rejected a few days before, American presidential advisor Henry Kissinger went on television today and declared “We believe that peace is at hand.” Continue reading ‘Peace Is at Hand’ in Vietnam, Kissinger says 40 years ago today (1972)

‘Badge Heavy’ episode airs on ‘Adam-12’ 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: 'Badge Heavy' (part 1)

(Wednesday, October 25, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — Reed puts his reputation on the line when he decides to file a formal complaint against a fellow officer after witnessing him use excessive force on a suspect on tonight’s episode of the NBC-TV police drama Adam-12. Continue reading ‘Badge Heavy’ episode airs on ‘Adam-12’ 40 years ago this hour (1972)