February 1973
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The following events occurred in January
1973.
January 1973
January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – DecemberThe following events occurred in January 1973.-January 1, 1973 :...
– February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December
December 1973
January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – DecemberThe following events occurred in December 1973.-December 1, 1973 :...
The following events occurred in January
January
January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days. The first day of the month is known as New Year's Day...
1973.
February 1, 1973 (Thursday)
- Patrick MphephuPatrick MphephuChief Patrick Ramaano Mphephu was the first president of the bantustan of Venda, which was granted nominal independence from South Africa on 13 September 1979....
becomes the Chief Minister of the bantustan of VendaVendaVenda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province. It was founded as a homeland for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. It bordered modern Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is now part of Limpopo in South Africa....
, as it becomes self-ruling, though still a part of the Republic of South Africa. - The United States First Fleet becomes inactive and its duties are taken over by the United States Third Fleet.
- Joseph Lyles, 17, is "grabbed" by serial killer Dean CorllDean CorllDean Arnold Corll was an American serial killer, also known as the "Candy Man", who, together with two youthful accomplices named David Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley, abducted, raped, tortured and murdered a minimum of 28 boys in a series of killings spanning from 1970 to 1973 in Houston, Texas...
at Wirt Road, Houston, TexasHouston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
; his body is eventually found buried at Jefferson County Beach.
February 5, 1973 (Monday)
- QueenQueen (band)Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
record the first four tracks of their album At the Beeb. - Portuguese volleyball team Castêlo da Maia Ginásio ClubeCastêlo da Maia Ginásio ClubeCastêlo da Maia Ginásio Clube is a Volleyball team based in Maia, Portugal.Castelo was created in 5 February 1973. It plays in Portuguese Volleyball League A1.-Achievements:Men's Titles4 Portuguese Volleyball League A15 Portuguese Cup...
is founded. - Born: Trijntje OosterhuisTrijntje OosterhuisJudith Katrijntje "Trijntje" Oosterhuis is a Dutch pop and jazz singer.-Early life:Judith Katrijntje Oosterhuis was born on 5 February 1973, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands...
, Dutch singer, in Amsterdam
February 7, 1973 (Wednesday)
- Nisshin Maru No.8, a Japanese steel fishing vessel of 254 gross tons, on its way to Hobart for a mechanical inspection, hits the Pedra Branca rock off Tasmania and sinks within a few minutes. Only one of the crew of 22, engineer Yoshiichi Meguro, manages to clamber onto the rocks and escape drowning; he is rescued by a fishing vessel.
- In the UK, the RTV31 Tracked HovercraftTracked HovercraftTracked Hovercraft was an experimental high speed train developed in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. It combined two British inventions, the hovercraft and linear induction motor, in an effort to produce a train system that would provide 250 mph inter-city service with lowered capital...
train is successfully tested. The project is cancelled a week later. - The Oshima ShipbuildingOshima ShipbuildingOshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese shipbuilding company. The company was founded on February 7, 1973 and began operations in June 1974. It is a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and the Daizo Corporation.-History:Oshima launched its...
company is founded in Nagasaki, Japan.
February 9, 1973 (Friday)
- Born: Svetlana BoginskayaSvetlana BoginskayaSvetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya , is a Soviet/Belarusian gymnast. She was called the "Belarusian Swan" and the "Goddess of Gymnastics" because of her height, balletic grace, and long lines. She is especially renowned for the drama and artistry she displayed on floor exercise...
, Belarusian gymnast, in Minsk - Died: Max YasgurMax YasgurMax B. Yasgur was an American farmer, best known as the owner of the dairy farm in Bethel, New York at which the Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held between August 15 and August 18, 1969....
, 53, American dairy farmer associated with the Woodstock Festival
February 10, 1973 (Saturday)
- ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
perform "Ring RingRing Ring (song)"Ring Ring" is a 1973 single by ABBA, which gave the group their big break in several European countries...
" in the contest to select the Swedish entry for the forthcoming Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song ContestThe Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
; it finishes third. - Born: Martha Lane FoxMartha Lane FoxMartha Lane Fox is an English businesswoman and charity trustee, who has been engaged as a public servant chairperson on various e-commerce projects and investigations...
, English public servant and businesswoman, in Oxford, the daughter of Robin Lane FoxRobin Lane FoxRobin Lane Fox is an English historian, currently a Fellow of New College, Oxford and University of Oxford Reader in Ancient History.-Life:Lane Fox was educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford.... - Died: Leonard O'Hanlon (23) and Vivienne Fitzsimmons (17), both members of the Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
, in a premature bomb explosion on the Castle WardCastle WardCastle Ward is an 18th century National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland. It overlooks Strangford Lough and is 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford....
estate in Northern Ireland.
February 11, 1973 (Sunday)
- Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
: The first American prisoners of war are released from VietnamVietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. - Emerson FittipaldiEmerson FittipaldiEmerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...
wins the 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix1973 Brazilian Grand PrixThe 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Interlagos on February 11, 1973.- Classification :-Standings after the race:Drivers' Championship standingsConstructors' Championship standings...
at Interlagos.
February 12, 1973 (Monday)
- OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
becomes the first U.S. stateU.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
to post distance in metricSiSi, si, or SI may refer to :- Measurement, mathematics and science :* International System of Units , the modern international standard version of the metric system...
on signs (see Metric system in the United States). - Died: Benjamin FrankelBenjamin FrankelBenjamin Frankel was a British composer. Frankel's most famous pieces include a cycle of five string quartets and eight symphonies as well as a number of concertos for violin and viola; his single best-known piece is probably the First Sonata for Solo Violin, which, like his concertos, resulted...
, 67, British composer
February 14, 1973 (Wednesday)
- The Farmers' Organization AuthorityFarmers' Organization AuthorityFarmers' Organization Authority is a Malaysian government statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Malaysia.History=...
is founded in Malaysia. - A British soldier is shot dead by an IRA sniper while patrolling the Divis Flats complex in west BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. - Born: Steve McNairSteve McNairStephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans....
, American football quarterback, in Mount Olive, Mississippi (died 2009) - Died: Émile Reuter, 98, former prime minister of Luxembourg
February 15, 1973 (Thursday)
- Born: Amy Van DykenAmy Van DykenAmy Van Dyken is an American swimmer who has six career Olympic gold medals. Four of these gold medals came in the 1996 Summer Olympics, making her the first American woman to accomplish such a feat and the most successful athlete at the 1996 Summer Olympics...
, American swimmer, in Englewood, Colorado
February 16, 1973 (Friday)
- The Court of Appeal of England and WalesCourt of Appeal of England and WalesThe Court of Appeal of England and Wales is the second most senior court in the English legal system, with only the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom above it...
rules that the Sunday TimesThe Sunday Times (UK)The Sunday Times is a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, distributed in the United Kingdom. The Sunday Times is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News International, which is in turn owned by News Corporation. Times Newspapers also owns The Times, but the two papers were founded...
can publish articles on ThalidomideThalidomideThalidomide was introduced as a sedative drug in the late 1950s that was typically used to cure morning sickness. In 1961, it was withdrawn due to teratogenicity and neuropathy. There is now a growing clinical interest in thalidomide, and it is introduced as an immunomodulatory agent used...
and Distillers Company, despite ongoing legal actions by parents (the decision is overturned in July by the House of LordsJudicial functions of the House of LordsThe House of Lords, in addition to having a legislative function, historically also had a judicial function. It functioned as a court of first instance for the trials of peers, for impeachment cases, and as a court of last resort within the United Kingdom. In the latter case the House's...
).
February 20, 1973 (Thursday)
- Western Australian state election, 1971Western Australian state election, 1971Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 20 February 1971 to elect all 51 members to the Legislative Assembly and 15 members to the 30-seat Legislative Council...
: The four-term Liberal-Country Party coalition government, led by Premier David BrandDavid BrandSir David Brand KCMG was the 19th and longest serving Premier of Western Australia and a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1945 to 1975.-Early life:...
, is defeated by the Labor Party, led by John TonkinJohn TonkinJohn Trezise Tonkin AC , popularly known as "Honest John", was the 20th Premier of Western Australia , taking power after the almost 12 year term of Liberal Sir David Brand....
. - Two PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
is are shot dead by police in London after being spotted carrying pistols; the guns are later established to have been fake.
February 21, 1973 (Wednesday)
- Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 was a regularly scheduled flight from Tripoli to Cairo via Benghazi shot down by Israeli fighter jets in 1973....
(Boeing 727Boeing 727The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
) is shot down by IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i fighter aircraftFighter aircraftA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
over the Sinai Desert, after the passenger plane is suspected of being an enemy military plane. Only 5 (1 crew member and 4 passengers) of 113 survive.
February 22, 1973 (Thursday)
- Sino-American relationsSino-American relationsFor the article on U.S.-Taiwan relations, see Republic of China – United States relations.Sino-American or People's Republic of China–United States relations refers to international relations between the United States of America and the government of People's Republic of China...
: Following President Richard NixonRichard NixonRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's visit to mainland ChinaMainland ChinaMainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
agree to establish liaison offices. - Died: Jean-Jacques BertrandJean-Jacques BertrandJean-Jacques Bertrand was the 21st Premier of Quebec, Canada, from October 2, 1968 to May 12, 1970. He led the Union Nationale party.-Member of the legislature:...
, 56, Canadian politician and 20th Premier of Quebec; Elizabeth BowenElizabeth BowenElizabeth Dorothea Cole Bowen, CBE was an Irish novelist and short story writer.-Life:Elizabeth Bowen was born on 7 June 1899 at 15 Herbert Place in Dublin, Ireland and was baptized in the nearby St Stephen's Church on Upper Mount Street...
, 73, Irish novelist; Winthrop RockefellerWinthrop RockefellerWinthrop Rockefeller was a politician and philanthropist who served as the first Republican Governor of Arkansas since Reconstruction. He was a third-generation member of the Rockefeller family.-Early life:...
, 60, first Republican Governor of the US state of Arkansas since Reconstruction.
February 23, 1973 (Friday)
- Francesco Paolo BonifacioFrancesco Paolo BonifacioFrancesco Paolo Bonifacio was an Italian politician and jurist, a Minister of Justice and President of the Constitutional Court of Italy.-Biography:Bonifacio was born in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples....
becomes President of the Constitutional Court of ItalyConstitutional Court of ItalyThe Constitutional Court of Italy is a supreme court of Italy, the other being the Court of Cassation. Sometimes the name Consulta is used as a metonym for it, because its sessions are held in Palazzo della Consulta in Rome....
.
February 24, 1973 (Saturday)
- Eight matches are played in the UK, in the fifth round of the 1972–73 FA Cup. Chelsea, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County, Coventry City, Arsenal and Leeds United emerge victorious. Sunderland draw with Manchester City.
- Born: Philipp RöslerPhilipp RöslerPhilipp Rösler is a German politician, who, since 2011, has been the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and the Vice Chancellor of Germany...
, German politician, in Khánh Hưng, South Vietnam (Rösler's date of birth can only be estimated; he was adopted from an orphanage in Vietnam and brought to Germany nine months later) - Died: Carl WilliamsCarl Williams (driver)Carl Williams , was an American racecar driver.Born in Grandview, Missouri, Williams was killed in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 63 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1966-1970 and 1972...
, 32, American racing driver, in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City
February 25, 1973 (Sunday)
- Born: Julio Iglesias, Jr., Spanish singer, in Madrid, to Julio IglesiasJulio IglesiasJulio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
and Isabel PreyslerIsabel PreyslerMaría Isabel Preysler Arrastía, better known as Isabel Preysler, is a Filipina journalist, socialite, and television host.-Early years:Preysler was born in Manila, Philippines, the third of six children to a wealthy family...
February 26, 1973 (Monday)
- Edward HeathEdward HeathSir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
's BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
government publishes a Green Paper on prices and incomes policy.
February 27, 1973 (Tuesday)
- The American Indian MovementAmerican Indian MovementThe American Indian Movement is a Native American activist organization in the United States, founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota by urban Native Americans. The national AIM agenda focuses on spirituality, leadership, and sovereignty...
occupies Wounded Knee, South DakotaWounded Knee, South DakotaWounded Knee is a census-designated place in Shannon County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 382 at the 2010 census....
. - In the UK, rail workers and civil servantsCivil serviceThe term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
go on strike. - Sunderland A.F.C.Sunderland A.F.C.Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
defeat Manchester City F.C.Manchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
3-1 in an FA Cup replay, to reach the semi-finals; though underdogs, they go on to win the cup.
February 28, 1973 (Wednesday)
- The Republic of Ireland general electionIrish general election, 1973The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
is held. Jack LynchJack LynchJohn Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
becomes the first Taoiseach to concede defeat live on Irish television. - The landmark postmodern novel Gravity's RainbowGravity's RainbowGravity's Rainbow is a postmodern novel written by Thomas Pynchon and first published on February 28, 1973.The narrative is set primarily in Europe at the end of World War II and centers on the design, production and dispatch of V-2 rockets by the German military, and, in particular, the quest...
by Thomas PynchonThomas PynchonThomas Ruggles Pynchon, Jr. is an American novelist. For his most praised novel, Gravity's Rainbow, Pynchon received the National Book Award, and is regularly cited as a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature...
is published. - Died: Tito RodríguezTito RodriguezTito Rodríguez was a popular 1950s and 1960s Puerto Rican singer and bandleader. He is known by many fans as "El Inolvidable" , a moniker based on his most popular interpretation, a song written by composer Julio Gutierrez.-Early years:Rodríguez , born in Santurce, Puerto Rico,...
, 50, Puerto Rican singer and bandleader, of leukemia.