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.
1
“Advertising brochure from The World Trade Center, 1973.”
2
“American Indian Movement (AIM) activists at the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation on March 7, 1973.”
3
“Queen Elizabeth II with the New South Wales premier at the official opening of the Sydney Opera House, October 20, 1973.”
4
“Women in Missouri protest in support of Roe v. Wade after local officials refused to allow abortions in public hospitals. St. Louis, 1973.”
5
“Soldiers of the North and South Vietnamese armies hanging out together after the Paris Peace Accords calls for a cease-fire, Quãng Trĩ 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
“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.”
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
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.
16
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.
17
“Promenade and beach in Sochi, Soviet Union 1973.”
18
“The invitation for DJ Kool Herc's 'Back To School Jam'. The night Hip-Hop was born. (August 11th 1973).”
19
“A hippie girl selling roadside flowers in Oklahoma, 1973.”
20
“Gump Worsley tends goal for the Minnesota North Stars, circa 1973; he was the last NHL goalie not to wear a mask.”
21
“Elvis Presley & Muhammad Ali in 1973.”
22
“Iron Workers pose for a photo atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 1973.”
23
“A 16 year old Sid Vicious going to a David Bowie concert at Earls Court, 1973.”
24
“Woman cutting her birthday cake in Iran 1973, 5 years before the Islamic Revolution.”
25
“Eminem with his mother, 1973.”
26
“My parents on their Honeymoon 1973.”
29
“Gary Sinise here. Found some photos of my high school band, 'Half Day Road,' from Highland Park High School in 1973.”
30
“Since it’s Native Heritage Month. My mom circa 1973.”
31
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.
32
“My parents wedding, April, 1973, Mexico City.”
