1974 Newspaper Headlines
Historic Newspapers’ collection of 1974 newspaper articles features coverage of the highs and lows of the year, through the eyes and pictures of those who were there to experience it. There were many 1974 headlines which captured the attention of the public. In our collection of authentic newspapers are accounts of the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne and husband Captain Mark Phillips, ABBA’s success in the Eurovision song contest, and the Netherlands win in the FIFA World Cup. Read about these events and more in an original 1974 newspaper from trusted news outlets such as The Guardian, The Times, and The Daily Mail.
28th February 1974
The general election results in an almost dead-heat. The Labour Party wins despite receiving fewer votes than the Conservatives. Harold Wilson becomes Prime Minister for the second time following his break from office.
8th March 1974
Charles de Gaulle Airport opens in Paris.
18th March 1974
Ten miners die in a methane gas explosion at Golborne Colliery near Wigan.
20th March 1974
Ian Ball fails in his attempt to kidnap Her Royal Highness Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips in The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace.
6th April 1974
ABBA wins the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Waterloo”.
24th April 1974
Stephen King publishes his first novel, “Carrie“, which is written under his own name.
7th July 1974
Host nation West Germany beats the Netherlands 2-1 to win the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
9th August 1974
Richard M. Nixon becomes the first President of the United States to resign from office, which he does to avoid being removed by impeachment in response to his role in the Watergate scandal. Vice President Gerald R. Ford becomes the 38th President, taking the oath of office in the East Room of the White House.
8th September 1974
Stuntman ‘Evel Knievel’ fails in his attempt to rocket across the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.
5th October 1974
Bombs explode at The Horse And Groom and The Seven Stars pubs in Guildford, killing five people. This leads to the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of the ‘Guildford Four’ in 1975.
10th October 1974
The second general election of the year results in a narrow victory for Labour, with Harold Wilson still leading the vote.
30th October 1974
The ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ takes place in Kinshasa, Zaire. Muhammad Ali knocks out George Foreman in eight rounds to regain the Heavyweight title that had been stripped from him seven years earlier.
8th November 1974
Richard Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan, disappears in England.
27th November 1974
The Prevention of Terrorism Act is passed in the United Kingdom.
23rd December 1974
Former British minister John Stonehouse, who faked his drowning in Florida, is arrested in Melbourne, Australia.
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