Timeline: 1975
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A Look Back at 1975

The year 1975 marked a period of significant global shifts, particularly in the geopolitical landscape. Decolonisation efforts reached a peak, with several nations gaining independence:

• Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe all achieved independence from Portugal, significantly restructuring power dynamics in Africa.

• Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, marking a shift in Oceania.

However, these newfound freedoms were often accompanied by turmoil:

• Angola was immediately embroiled in a civil war following independence, a conflict fueled by Cold War tensions and external intervention. South Africa's involvement, driven by its own apartheid agenda, further complicated the situation, as highlighted in Anthea Jeffery's "People's War - New Light on the Struggle for South Africa" (2009).

• East Timor's declaration of independence from Portugal was swiftly met with an invasion by Indonesia, beginning a brutal occupation that would last over two decades. The killing of the "Balibo Five" Australian journalists prior to the invasion, as documented in numerous historical accounts, underscored the violence and political maneuvering of the time.

• The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, a joint space mission between the US and the Soviet Union, offered a rare instance of collaboration amidst heightened tensions. This symbolic docking, as described in numerous articles from sources like HISTORY.com, marked a brief thaw in the Cold War freeze.

• Conversely, the passage of UN Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with racism, illustrated the deep ideological divides of the Cold War, with its legacy still debated today.

Internal political struggles also characterized 1975:

• In India, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, facing allegations of electoral corruption, declared a State of Emergency, suspending civil liberties. This controversial decision, as detailed in Ananth V. Krishna's "India Since Independence" (2011), had lasting impacts on Indian democracy.

• Australia faced its own constitutional crisis when Governor-General Sir John Kerr controversially dismissed the Whitlam Labour government, a pivotal moment in Australian political history.

• The Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Act was implemented in the UK, marking a significant step towards gender equality.

• Arthur Ashe made history by becoming the first Black man to win the Wimbledon singles title, a watershed moment in sporting history.

• The Helsinki Accords, signed in Finland, formally acknowledged national borders in Europe and emphasized a commitment to human rights, aiming for greater cooperation and security across the continent.

• Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" captivated audiences, becoming a cinematic phenomenon and ushering in the era of the summer blockbuster.

• "Saturday Night Live" debuted on NBC, forever changing the landscape of sketch comedy and launching the careers of numerous comedic legends.

• The home computer began to emerge, with the release of the Altair 8800 kit, setting the stage for the personal computing revolution.

However, technological innovation continued:

• Sony introduced the Betamax video cassette recorder, while Matsushita brought VHS to market, sparking a format war that would ultimately transform home entertainment.

• The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began construction, a monumental engineering project intended to secure US energy resources.

In conclusion, 1975 was a year of profound transitions. It witnessed the birth of nations, the fall of governments, and the continuing impact of Cold War rivalries. It was a year where social progress was often met with political upheaval, and economic uncertainty coincided with technological advancement. The events of 1975 left an indelible mark on history, shaping the world we live in today.