Your Reunion Headquarters for the Class of 1973

THE WORLD IN 1973

Coming Soon.

the world in 1973

  • The film "The Exorcist" is released. It has grossed $193,000,000.
  • Many of the few remaining United States soldiers begin to leave Vietnam. 
  • The first handheld mobile phone call is made by Martin Cooper of Motorola in New York City.
  • Elvis Presley's "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" television special is broadcast in over 40 countries around the world. The first worldwide telecast by an entertainer watched by more people than watched the Apollo moon landings.
  • A patent for the ATM is granted to Donald Wetzel, Tom Barnes and George Chastain.
  • Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, one of rock's landmark albums, is released in the United States
  • The film "American Graffiti" is released. It has grossed $115,000,000
  • CBS sells the New York Yankees for $10 million to a 12-person syndicate led by George Steinbrenner.
  • Skylab, the United States' first space station, is launched.
  • Timberland created the first pair of guaranteed-waterproof boots
  • The Battle of the Sexes: Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in a televised tennis match, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. With an attendance of 30,492, this remains the largest live audience ever to see a tennis match in US history. The global audience that viewed on television in 36 countries was estimated at 90 million.
  • Jack Lemmon wins the Best Actor Oscar for "Save The Tiger"
  • Glenda Jackson wins the Best Actress Oscar for "A Touch of Class"
  • Kiss perform their first concert, at the Coventry Club in Queens.
  • The film "The Sting" starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford is released. It has grossed $159,616,327.
  • The Sears Tower in Chicago is finished, becoming the world's tallest building at 1,451 feet.
  • The Bond film "Live and Let Die" starring Roger Moore and Jane Seymour is released. It has grossed $35,377,836.
  • Secretariat wins the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winner since 1948.
  • Federal Express officially begins operations, with the launch of 14 small aircraft from Memphis International Airport. 
  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs on CBS for the first time.
  • AC/DC, the Australian hard rock band, was formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young.
  • The last episode of original "Laugh-In" airs on NBC airs