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39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

1972, as seen through a camera lens.

By Carly Tennes

Published 6 months ago in Wow

Though the seventies may be five decades in the past, their smoky, hairspray-scented aura still lives on. Just take a look at the era's now-iconic photographs, ones depicting everything from civil unrest, the hazy days of California car culture, and even David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' era. 


From President Richard Nixon's trip to China to a summer day on a New Jersey boardwalk, here are 41 fascinating photos of what the world looked like in 1972. 

  • 1

    “Cruisin’ Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1972. Photos by Rick McCloskey.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 2

    “Computer class, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 3

    “Martial artists Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Bob Wall on the film set of “Way of the Dragon” in 1972 [1200 x 1465].”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 4

    “Pacific Southwest Airlines Stewardesses ~1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 5

    “Nixon learning to use chopsticks during his visit to China, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 6

    “Gene Cernan smiling for the camera, with his suit caked in lunar dust. December 13, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 7

    “1972 World Chess Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 8

    “Cruisin' the Boulevard in Southern California (1972).”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 9

    “High School Cafeteria 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 10

    “Guy de Rothschild and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. The Rothschild's Surrealist Ball, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 11

    “Zuma Beach Summer of 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 12

    “US First Lady Pat Nixon holding future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. April 14, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 13

    “Mom and Dad, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 14

    “John Wayne dressed as the easter bunny.(1972)”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 15

    “My aunt in 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 16

    “Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 17

    “Colorized photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1972. (Ex Yugoslavia).”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 18

    “My uncle & aunt circa 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 19

    “Lynda Carter representing Arizona at the Miss World USA 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 20

    “Chicago concert June 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 21

    “Jeanne Manford walks alongside her gay son in the equality march. 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 22

    “1972: 3 women on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 23

    “Tom Hanks at Skyline High in Oakland, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 24

    “Sir, this is a Wendy's. 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 25

    “Fidel Castro playing basketball against students during a visit to Krakow, Poland, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 26

    “My mom in her garden, 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 27

    “Southwest Airlines Strwardess 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 28

    “Christmas 1972.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 29

    President Richard Nixon speaks with NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher the same day he signed a bill dedicating $5.5 million to the development of a space shuttle system.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 30

    “Cunard's former RMS Queen Elizabeth caught fire and sank in Hong Kong harbor on January 9, 1972, while being converted into the floating college "Seawise University." A total loss, she sat partially submerged until scrapped in 1974. The fire is considered to have been the work of an arsonist.”

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 31

    “Godfather of Soul” James Brown performs at Rikers Island.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 32

    NASA’s  Pioneer 10 takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Originally designed to or 21-month mission to fly by Jupiter, the spacecraft lasted for over 30 years before losing contact with Earth on January 23, 2003.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 33

    Al Pacino and Jill Clayburgh pose for a photo while attending the premiere of ‘The Godfather.’

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 34

    Maryland Police apprehend Arthur Bremer after he shot Alabama Governor George Wallace.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 35

    U.S. Marshals lead Eugenio Martínez — one of the five Watergate burglars — from a courthouse following his arraignment.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 36

    
A supporter of Senator George McGovern attends the DNC in Miami.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 37

    American Swimmer Marc Spitz represents Team USA at the 1972 Olympics In Munich, Germany.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 38

    Franco Harris moments before scoring the legendary ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown.

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

  • 39

    David Bowie performs “Starman” as his Ziggy Stardust persona on UK music program, 'Top of the Pops.’

    39 Historical Photos of How the World Looked in 1972

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