The United States pulled out of the Vietnam War in 1973, allowing many young Americans to experience their adult freedom for the first time.
1974 saw those Americans put that freedom to good use, and culture flourished as society championed individuality.
Check out these 24 photos of life in 1974 that your history books probably skipped.
1
“My Mother”
Skateboarding barefoot in California in 1974.
2
Running on the Beach
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 1974. Photo by Karl E Holland.
3
Seattle
Markets and thrift shops, 1974.
4
A Girl and a Car
Photo by William Eggleston, 1974.
5
Driving Away
The last day of high school, Los Alamitos High School, California, 1974.
6
Western Airlines Stewardesses
Protesting the recent firing of a stewardess who was four pounds overweight, October 21, 1974.
7
Brookside Mine Company Town
Mine housing, Kentucky, 1974.
8
Sitting on a Bench
Surrey, England, 1974.
9
Coors Shirt and a Cheap Car
Easter of 1974.
10
A Shoe Shop Assistant
London in 1974.
11
A Stylish Couple
Shades inside in 1974.
12
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants
Graduating class, 1974.
13
New Lincoln Mall
Matteson, Illinois, 1974.
14
“My Mom and I”
Having fun in 1974.
15
Debut of the New Mustang II
Don Sanderson Ford, Glendale AZ.
16
Prom Couple
Dressed up in 1974.
17
A Housewife
Getting ready for the day, 1974.
18
A CB Radio
Kid in 1974.
19
A New Years Eve Party
At Trader Vic’s in San Francisco, 1974.
20
Taking the Train
Varberg, Sweden, 1974.
21
Happy Purchase
A woman with her new '74 Plymouth Scamp.
22
A Subway
Glasgow, 1974.
23
Hitchhiking
Toronto, 1974.
24
A Hot Dog Stand
London, 1974.
