Looking back at the 60s and 70s, it’s easy to forget just how many iconic cultural moments happened in these two decades. There were revolutions both literal and figurative, global upheavals, and a war that stretched across the years, but for every moon landing and Woodstock there’s a moment that slipped through the cracks of history. From forgotten political scandals to ecological disasters, these overlooked stories from the 1960s and 70s shaped the present in ways you don’t even know.
The Cuyahoga River Catches Fir
On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, caught fire when a spark from a passing rail car ignited an oil slick, causing close to $50,000 worth of damage to a nearby railroad bridge and rail yard. This wasn’t the first time the Cuyahoga caught on fire (and it wouldn’t be the last), but this fire drew national attention to the pollution in America’s waterways. This devastating fire inspired multiple pollution control activities that extended to the Clean Water Act, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Stonewall Uprising of 1969
Following A Police Raid of the Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich VIllage, that took place in the early hours of June 28, 1969, about 100 to 150 members of the gay and lesbian community of New York CIty fought back against police officers who were using unnecessary force. Violence rocked the evening after the NYPD hit a handcuffed woman in the head with a nightstick, with bottles, trashcans, rocks, and bricks flying through the air for 45 minutes straight. One night later, a second riot broke out on Christopher Street with thousands of people making their way through the streets in a primal scream of liberation. The Stonewall Riots are ground zero of the modern LGBTQ+ movement, and it’s a moment we should all remember.
The 1973 Oil Crisis
In 1973, the United States was thrust into a severe oil crisis following the embargo placed by OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) following America’s support of Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Due to the embargo gas prices skyrocketed, leading to miles long lines at gas stations, and leading to nationwide energy conservation efforts. What should have been a wakeup call to everyone about America’s dependence on oil (both foreign and domestic) came to an end in 1974.
The Pentagon Papers
In 1971, the publication of the Pentagon Papers rocked the country. These classified documents, leaked by Daniel Ellsberg, exposed decades of government deception about the Vietnam War. The papers showed that U.S. leaders misled the public about the war’s progress and goals. Their release fueled anti-war sentiment and sparked debates about government transparency. It also marked a pivotal moment for press freedom, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of The New York Times publishing the documents.
President Nixon’s Wage Freeze
In 1971, President Richard Nixon placed wage and price controls on business in an attempt to stop inflation in its tracks. Essentially, businesses were not allowed to raise their prices for 90s days, and on the other side of the coin, workers’ wages were frozen for the same amount of time. Nixon’s plan created a buffer against inflation, but it also created widespread economic upheaval.