January 2
January 2
The real‑life murder behind “Looking For Mr. Goodbar”
In the early hours of January 2, 1973, Roseann Quinn, a 28‑year‑old New Yorker, is murdered by a man she met a earlier that night at Tweed’s Bar on the…
A Year In History: 1973
This Year in History:
1973
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 3
January 3
George Steinbrenner’s group buys Yankees from CBS
On January 3, 1973, a 12‑member group headed by George Steinbrenner purchases the New York Yankees for $10 million from Columbia Broadcasting System, which owned the team since 1964. The…
January 3
January 3
James Abourezk of South Dakota becomes first Arab American to serve in U.S. Senate
On January 3, 1973, James Abourezk, a Congressperson representing South Dakota’s 2nd District, takes office in his newly elected role in the U.S. Senate, once again representing his home state.…
January 8
January 8
Peace talks resume in Paris
National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and Hanoi’s Le Duc Tho resume peace negotiations in Paris. After the South Vietnamese had blunted the massive North Vietnamese invasion launched in the spring…
January 11
January 11
American League adopts designated hitter rule
On January 11, 1973, the owners of America’s 24 major league baseball teams vote to allow teams in the American League to use a “designated pinch‑hitter” who could bat for…
January 14
January 14
Miami Dolphins win Super Bowl VII to cap NFL’s only perfect season
On January 14, 1973, the Miami Dolphins achieve something no NFL team has repeated: a perfect season. Despite a gaffe by kicker Garo Yepremian that has earned its own place…
January 14
January 14
Undefeated Dolphins beat Redskins in Super Bowl VII
On January 14, 1973, the Miami Dolphins defeat the Washington Redskins 14‑7 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Super Bowl VII, becoming the first team in National Football League (NFL)…
January 15
January 15
Nixon suspends military action in North Vietnam
President Richard M. Nixon suspends military action in North Vietnam on this day in 1973, giving peace talks between his secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, and North Vietnamese leader Le…
January 15
January 15
Nixon halts military action against North Vietnam
Citing “progress” in the Paris peace negotiations between National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam, President Richard Nixon halts the most concentrated bombing of the…
January 20
January 20
Country star Jerry Lee Lewis rocks the Grand Ole Opry
Years after he was known as “The Killer,”, a rock pioneer who released such rock standards as “Great Balls of Fire” and “Breathless,” Jerry Lee Lewis made a name for…
January 22
January 22
Supreme Court legalizes abortion
In a historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in Roe v. Wade that women, as part of their constitutional right to privacy, can terminate a pregnancy during its first…
January 22
January 22
Plane crashes at Nigerian airport
On this day in 1973, a plane returning Muslim pilgrims from Mecca crashes in Kano, Nigeria, killing 176 people. It was the deadliest air disaster of its time. The Royal…
January 22
January 22
Roe v. Wade is decided
Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a woman’s legal right to an abortion, is decided on January 22, 1973. The Court ruled, in a 7‑2 decision, that…
January 22
January 22
Foreman beats Frazier to win heavyweight title in Jamaica
On January 22, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica, the 24‑year‑old George Foreman pulls off a stunning upset, defeating reigning champion Joe Frazier in four minutes and 35 seconds to win the…
January 22
January 22
Lyndon Baines Johnson dies in Texas
On January 22, 1973, former President Lyndon Baines Johnson dies in Johnson City, Texas, at the age of 64. After leaving the White House in 1968, L.B.J. returned to his…
January 23
January 23
Nixon announces peace settlement reached in Paris
President Nixon announces that Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho, the chief North Vietnamese negotiator, have initialled a peace agreement in Paris “to end the war and bring peace with…
January 24
January 24
Truce is expected in Laos and Cambodia
National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger announces that a truce is expected in Laos and Cambodia. Kissinger had been meeting privately with Le Duc Tho and other North Vietnamese and Viet…
January 27
January 27
U.S. officially ends participation in a Cold War conflict
The Paris Peace Accords are signed by officials from the United States and North Vietnam, bringing an official end to America’s participation in its most unpopular foreign war. The accords…
January 27
January 27
Paris Peace Accords signed
The United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong and North Vietnam formally sign “An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” in Paris. Due to South Vietnam’s unwillingness to…
January 28
January 28
Cease‑fire goes into effect in Vietnam
A cease‑fire in the Vietnam War goes into effect at 8 a.m., Saigon time (midnight on January 27, Greenwich Mean Time). When the cease‑fire went into effect, Saigon controlled about…
