1970
Harold Wilson failed to get re-elected for his third term in Downing Street despite opinion polls in his favour. Edward Heath became Prime Minister. Derek and the Dominoes played their debut gig. Janis Joplin died. England failed to make the semi-finals of the World Cup as holders of the trophy. The Equal Pay Act reached the Statute Book. Apollo 13 exploded on its way to the Moon. The spacecraft limped back to earth using the rockets on the lunar module after being crippled 205,000 miles from home. Jimi Hendrix died in St Mary Abbot's Hospital in London. Charles Manson, in jail for murder in the USA released an album "Lies" to pay hid legal costs. Radio Northsea International was bombed by frogmen from rival pirate station Radio Veronica. Peter Hain campaigned against the South African Cricket team..
1971
John Lennon released his album "Imagine". Rolls Royce were allowed to go bankrupt and then nationalised after the Lockheed deal for RB-211 engines failed. "No Sex Please We're British" opened in London, and "Godspell" opened at the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York. The first US astronauts drove their lunar buggy on the surface of the Moon and their Soviet counterparts, on board Soyuz 11 were killed as their spacecraft returned to the Earth. Unemployment reached 1 million. The half crown andthreepenny bit disappeared along with their pre decimal partners. The Miners put in a 47% pay claim and Joe Gormley led them to strike on a 55% yes vote. Louis Armstrong and Jim Morrison died. The "Old Grey Whistle Test" was first broadcast and the Rolling Stones released " Brown Sugar". Barry Sheene raced his first 125cc World Championship season.
1972
After several attempts at mating the Giant Panda Chi Chi died aged 15. William Whitelaw appointed Viceroy in Ulster after Bloody Sunday. "Hair" closed on Broadway after 1729 performances. Michael Jackson's first solo single "Got to be There" entered the UK chart. The Government injected £35 million into Upper Clyde shipbuilders. Edward Heath announced plans for statutory incomes and prices policy. The Sound Broadcasting act was passed establishing contracts for 21 commercial radio stations. "Layla" entered the UK chart. "Amazing Grace"  was the best selling single of the year. Pioneer 10 became the  first spacecraft to be blasted out of the solar system and its expected to continue travel for 2 million years. Leeds United won the FA Cup. Power cuts result from the Miners strike. Margaret Thatcher appointed Secretary of State for Education.
1973
Unemployment stood at 3%. VAT introduced. Gay Player beat Graham Marsh at the 40th hole in the World Match Play Championship finals. Queen released their debut LP. Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips. The pound was floated. The Yom Kippur war broke out in the Middle East. Slade appeared at the London Palladium at the concert to celebrate Britain's entry into the EEC. John Poulson came under investigation. Reginald Maudling resigned as Home Secretary. Elvis Presley divorced Priscilla. Briton Roger Taylor played in the Men's Final at Wimbledon. Middle East war cut off oil supplies and triggered the oil crisis. The big 4 banks announced profits of £580 million. The NUM imposed an overtime ban which led to a strike. The 3 day week was imposed on industry to conserve energy. Gloucestershire won the Gillette Cup.
1974
Evel Knieval failed in his attempt to jump Snake River Canyon, Idaho. Petrol ration coupons were issued. Free contraception was allowed on the NHS. President Nixon left the White House after admitting he might have lost Congress support after Watergate. Mrs Thatcher in a speech said "It will be years before a woman either leads a party or becomes Prime Minister". Mrs Thatcher became leader of the Tory Party, after Heath's February call for an election left the Tories with 297 seats to Labour's 301. Gary Player won the British Open. Dennis Law won his 55th and final Scottish cap against Zaire in the World Cup Finals. Harold Wilson won a second election in October by 3 seats. Edward Heath's yacht "Morning Cloud" sunk in a force 9 gale in the Channel. Queen began their first major UK tour in Blackpool. Portugal faced the "Revolution of the Flowers".
1975
West Ham won the FA Cup. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh was assassinated. John Lennon and Yoko Ono gave birth to their son Sean Ono Lennon. Ferrari won the World Formula One Constructors Championships for the first of three consecutive years. The referendum on membership of the Common Market was held with 67.2% voting "yes" and 32.8% voting "no". Harold Wilson was defeated in the House by his own backbenchers on his 60th birthday, which resulted in a confidence vote in the Commons which he won. Harold Wilson resigned in favour of James Callaghan. Arnold Palmer won the British PGA Championship at Royal St Georges. Russia and America shook hands in space as Soyuz docked with Appollo. The Labour Party introduced the Sex Discrimination Act, and the Equal Opportunities Commission was set up.
1976
Chairman Mao Tse Tung died. On the day of his funeral 800 million Chinese, one fifth of the World's population stood still. The "long hot summer" brought drought, water rationing and stand pipes to Britain. Elton John was immortalised in wax at Madame Tussaud's and had his first number one single with Kiki Dee. Howard Hughes died leaving an estate of an estimated £500 million. The British Government was forced to go to the IME for a loan as a result of a cash crisis within the economy. The Grunwick strike brought "flying pickets" into the British vocabulary. The Who played the loudest ever gig at Charlton Athletic stadium, with a PA pumping out 76,000 watts of sound.John H Stracey lost his world welterweight title to Carlos Palamino. Southampton won the FA Cup.
1977
The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee. The Sex Pistols were described by an air hostess as " the most revolting people I've ever seen" and were dropped by EMI. Virgin Records signed them and released " God save the Queen". The Clash opened the Roxy Club in Covent Garden. The Government awarded £53 million to John de Lorean to build his gull-winged sports car in Belfast. 1200 miles of motorway were now open in Britain. Elvis Presley died. Marc Bolan died. Groucho Marx died. Virginia Wade won the Ladies final at Wimbledon. Unemployment stood at 1.6 million. Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup Final. John Spencer won the first World Professional Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. David Steele and Jim Callaghan formed the " Lib-Lab Pact". The first USA test cricket team beat the West Indies at Giants Stadium, New York.
1978
The last Volkswagen Beetle was made after 19 million cars had been manufactured since 1938. The first woman L Driver sued her driving instructor for not preventing her crashing onto a tree during a lesson. Prince Charles was named " hooligan of the year" because of his interest in bloodsports by John Bryant of the RSPCA. Carlos Reuterman won 5 Grand Prix but still finished second to Mario Andretti in the World Drivers Championship. Pope John Paul 11 was invested after the death of Pope Paul 6th. Smash Hits was first published. The winter of discontent brought Britain to a standstill. Muhammed Ali made a comeback to hold the World Heavyweight title once more by defeating Leon Spinks. 37 year old Japanese Naomi Vemura became the first man to reach the North Pole solo. The Guinness Book of Records became the most stolen book from Public Libraries.
1979
Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin signed the Egyptian/Israeli peace treaty, witnessed by President Jimmy Carter. Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma was assassinated by the IRA. North Sea Oil brought in a balance of payments surplus of £1000 million. Roy Jenkins delivered a Dimbleby Lecture at which he hinted at the split from the Labour Party, which led to the formation of the SDP. Sid Vicious died in New York. Race riots in Southall and Lewisham. Jim Callaghan lost the General Election and resigned in favour of Michael Foot. Mrs Thatcher came to Number Ten on a platform of controlling inflation and union power, the restoration of incentives, the upholding of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law. She did not offer a cabinet post to Edward Heath. Parliament endorsed the NATO decision to site cruise missiles in Britain.