Timeline: 1974
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A Look Back at 1974

1974 was a tumultuous year in American politics, dominated by the Watergate scandal. Here are some key moments:

• January - Nixon stonewalls: Nixon refused to hand over materials subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee, escalating the crisis. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• February - Byck assassination attempt: Samuel Byck attempted, but failed, to assassinate President Nixon. This underscored the volatile political climate. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• March - Indictments in Watergate: Seven individuals were indicted for their roles in the Watergate break-in, charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• July - Supreme Court ruling: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Nixon did not have the authority to withhold subpoenaed White House tapes. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• July - Impeachment Recommendation: The House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend the first article of impeachment against President Nixon for obstruction of justice. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• August - Nixon Resigns, Ford Pardons: Under immense pressure, Nixon resigned on August 8th. His successor, Gerald Ford, pardoned him for any crimes he may have committed in office, a controversial decision that shaped Ford's presidency. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974, 1974 - Wikipedia)

• "President Richard Nixon, in a nationwide television address, announces his resignation from the office of the President of the United States effective noon the next day." - (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

Beyond Watergate, 1974 witnessed significant global events:

• Carnation Revolution: A leftist military coup in Portugal overthrew the Estado Novo regime, ushering in a new era of democracy. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• Turkish Invasion of Cyprus: Turkey invaded Cyprus, displacing thousands of Greek Cypriots and sparking a long-lasting conflict. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• Cyclone Tracy: A devastating cyclone ravaged Darwin, Australia, causing widespread destruction. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• Super Outbreak: The second-largest tornado outbreak in recorded history ripped through the United States, highlighting the year's natural disasters. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• Rise of Punk Rock: The Ramones, pioneers of the nascent punk rock scene, played their first gig in New York City. (Source: 1974 Archives | HISTORY, What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• Invention of the Rubik's Cube: Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik invented the iconic Rubik's Cube, a puzzle that would become a global phenomenon. (Source: 1974 - Wikipedia)

• People Magazine Launches: The first issue of People magazine hit newsstands, reflecting the growing public fascination with celebrity culture. (Source: 1974 Archives | HISTORY)

• Hank Aaron Ties Babe Ruth's Record: Baseball legend Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's home run record, a significant moment in sports history. (Source: What Happened in 1974 - Significant Events, Prices, 1974 Top Movies, TV and Music)

• First Tommy John Surgery: Baseball pitcher Tommy John underwent the first ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery, now commonly known as Tommy John surgery. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

• OPEC Embargo Ends: The OPEC oil embargo, which had begun in 1973, ended, but its impact on global energy markets continued to be felt. (Source: What Happened In 1974 - Historical Events 1974)

1974 stands out as a year marked by political scandal, global unrest, and cultural shifts. From the fall of Richard Nixon to the rise of punk rock, the events of this year had a profound and lasting impact.