With American troops still on the ground in Vietnam, the rest of the public scrambled to figure out what to do with their strong desires in the early '70s.
Social protests merged with cultural movements to drive the '70s in a new direction. People felt free to express themselves and leave the '60s behind.
Here are 21 photos of life in 1971 that history class skipped.
1
Bikers in Venice Beach
California, 1971.
2
Living in a Trailer Park
West Virginia in 1971.
3
Packed In
A station wagon in 1971.
4
Carole’s Slumber Party
Friends in 1971.
5
Smoking in the Airport
Looking cool in 1971.
6
Harvard Square
Cambridge Massachusetts, 1971
7
The Cadillac Assembly Line
Auto workers in 1971.
8
“My Girlfriends and I”
“Posing in long dresses with cats,” 1971.
9
Sleeping In
A Saturday morning in 1971.
10
An Old School Wedding
A couple in 1971.
11
“My Motorcycle and My Girlfriend”
Living the good life in 1971.
12
Rocking the Miniskirt
A couple on a carpet in 1971.
13
Having Some Beers
On the couch in 1971.
14
A Soldier in Vietnam
A Polaroid in 1971.
15
A Bicycle Winner
A Shoe store in 1971.
16
A Family
Wearing yellow in 1971.
17
Comic-Con
San Diego, Ca, 1971.
18
1971 Birthday Party
"By the orchards that would be Silicon Valley.”
19
Pier 1 Imports
A Mission Mart in 1971.
20
Chicago’s Tri-Taylor Neighborhood
A fire in 1971.
21
All Smiles
A mom, a daughter, and an aunt in 1971.
