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Major Events of March 1974: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 1974 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1974: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1974 Watergate Scandal Indictments: Seven key figures involved in the Watergate scandal were indicted and charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, representing a critical moment in the unraveling of the Nixon administration's illegal activities.
  • 02 Mar 1974 Watergate Scandal: Nixon's Involvement Confirmed: A grand jury concluded that US President Richard Nixon was directly involved in the Watergate cover-up, marking a critical moment in the unfolding political scandal that would ultimately lead to his resignation.
  • 03 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Crash in Paris: A catastrophic aviation disaster occurred when a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed near Paris, France, resulting in the death of all 346 passengers and crew aboard. This incident is considered the world's worst air disaster at the time, highlighting significant aviation safety concerns.
  • 04 Mar 1974 Harold Wilson Becomes British Prime Minister: Harold Wilson returns to power as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Edward Heath after a period of political transition. This marks a significant moment in British political history, with Wilson leading the Labour Party back into government.
  • 05 Mar 1974 US Soldier Drives Tank into East Berlin: In a dramatic Cold War incident, U.S. Army Specialist William A. Thompson Jr. stole a 50-ton M60 tank from Turner Barracks in West Berlin, drove through Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin, and caused significant chaos for 70 minutes, highlighting the tensions of the divided city.
  • 06 Mar 1974 Chappell Brothers' Cricket Century Achievement: Australian cricket brothers Ian and Greg Chappell achieved a remarkable feat by scoring centuries in each innings of a Test match against New Zealand in Wellington, demonstrating exceptional batting prowess and sibling synchronicity.
  • 07 Mar 1974 Watergate Scandal: Nixon White House Officials Indicted: Seven high-ranking officials from the Nixon White House were indicted for conspiring to obstruct the Watergate investigation. Notable individuals included former chief of staff H.R. Haldeman, top aide John Ehrlichman, and former attorney general John Mitchell. This event was a critical moment in the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.
  • 08 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Crash: Turkish Airlines Flight 981, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, tragically crashed in the Ermenonville Forest near Paris, resulting in the deaths of all 346 people on board. This catastrophic accident was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history at the time, highlighting critical safety concerns in aircraft design and maintenance.
  • 09 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Crash: On March 9, 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 experienced a catastrophic accident near Paris, France. The DC-10 aircraft suffered an explosive decompression at nearly 23,000 feet, causing the rear cargo door to blow off. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of all 346 passengers and crew members. Six passengers were ejected from the aircraft and fell to their deaths in a field near Saint-Pathus. The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.
  • 10 Mar 1974 James Earl Ray Pleads Guilty to Martin Luther King Jr. Murder: James Earl Ray formally pleaded guilty to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and was sentenced to 99 years in prison, marking a significant moment in the aftermath of the tragic 1968 murder.
  • 11 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Disaster: A catastrophic aviation accident occurred when Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed in the woods near Ermenonville, a suburb of Paris, France. The crash resulted in the tragic loss of all 346 people aboard, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history at that time.
  • 12 Mar 1974 Donna Manson Disappearance: Donna Manson disappeared from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. She was later confirmed to be a victim of serial killer Ted Bundy, marking a tragic moment in the series of crimes committed by one of America's most notorious murderers.
  • 13 Mar 1974 Charles de Gaulle Airport Opens: Charles de Gaulle Airport, a major international airport serving Paris, France, was officially inaugurated, becoming a critical transportation hub for the region and a significant infrastructure development.
  • 15 Mar 1974 Brazilian Presidential Resignation: Brazilian President Emílio Garrastazu Médici resigns from office, marking a significant moment in Brazil's political transition during the military dictatorship period.
  • 16 Mar 1974 Grand Ole Opry House Opens in Nashville: The first performance was held at the new Grand Ole Opry House located at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, marking a significant moment in country music history and venue development.
  • 17 Mar 1974 Jane Blalock Wins LPGA Tournament: Professional golfer Jane Blalock secured victory at the LPGA Bing Crosby Golf Classic International, demonstrating her skill in women's professional golf.
  • 18 Mar 1974 End of Arab Oil Embargo Against the United States: In a significant geopolitical development, most Arab oil-producing nations officially ended their five-month oil embargo against the United States, Europe, and Japan. This embargo, which was implemented in response to American support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War, had substantial economic and diplomatic implications for global energy markets and international relations.
  • 19 Mar 1974 Jefferson Starship begins their first tour.
  • 20 Mar 1974 Failed Kidnapping Attempt on Princess Anne: On March 20, 1974, Ian Ball attempted to kidnap Her Royal Highness Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips while they were traveling along The Mall near Buckingham Palace in London. The dramatic incident involved Ball stopping their vehicle and attempting to abduct the royal couple. Despite his efforts, the kidnapping was thwarted through the brave intervention of police and bystanders, preventing what could have been a significant royal security breach.
  • 21 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Disaster: A catastrophic aviation accident occurred when Turkish Airlines Flight 981, a DC-10 aircraft, experienced a fatal explosive decompression near Paris. The crash killed all 346 passengers and crew, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The explosive event occurred at nearly 23,000 feet, causing the rear cargo door to blow off and sending six passengers to their deaths before the plane crashed into a forest at 487 miles per hour.
  • 22 Mar 1974 Hiroo Onoda Surrenders After 29 Years: Imperial Japanese Army second lieutenant Hiroo Onoda formally surrendered in the Philippines, ending his 29-year-long guerrilla warfare campaign. Unaware that World War II had ended in 1945, Onoda was finally informed by his former commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi. He ceremonially presented his battle sword to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, symbolizing the conclusion of his extraordinary wartime mission.
  • 23 Mar 1974 Hiroo Onoda's Surrender: Imperial Japanese Army second lieutenant Hiroo Onoda officially surrendered on this day, ending an extraordinary 29-year period of continued military service in the Philippines. Unaware that World War II had ended in 1945, Onoda had been faithfully following his last military orders, hiding in the jungle and continuing guerrilla-style resistance. His surrender, facilitated by his former commanding officer, became a remarkable symbol of Japanese military discipline and loyalty.
  • 24 Mar 1974 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Begins: One of the most catastrophic environmental disasters in U.S. history commenced when the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The incident resulted in an unprecedented ecological catastrophe, with approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil spilling into a pristine 45-mile stretch of marine and coastal habitat, causing massive environmental damage and long-lasting ecological consequences.
  • 25 Mar 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 Disaster: A catastrophic aviation accident occurred when Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed in the dense woods near Ermenonville, a suburb of Paris, France. The tragic incident resulted in the complete loss of all 346 passengers and crew members aboard, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history at that time.
  • 26 Mar 1974 Chipko Movement Begins in India: Gaura Devi leads 27 women from Laata village in the Garhwal Himalayas to protect trees by forming human circles, marking the birth of the influential Chipko environmental conservation movement in India.
  • 27 Mar 1974 Deadliest Aviation Disaster in French History: Turkish Airlines Flight 981 suffered a catastrophic crash in the wooded area near Ermenonville, a Paris suburb, resulting in the complete loss of all 346 passengers and crew. This tragic event became one of the most significant aviation accidents of the 1970s, highlighting critical aircraft design and safety concerns.
  • 28 Mar 1974 Tubarão River Catastrophic Flooding in Brazil: A devastating flood in the Tubarão River in Santa Catarina, Brazil, resulted in 199 fatalities and displaced approximately 45,000 people, causing widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis.
  • 29 Mar 1974 Nixon Refuses to Release Watergate Tapes: In a critical moment of the Watergate scandal, U.S. President Richard Nixon defied the Senate investigative committee by refusing to hand over crucial audio recordings that could potentially reveal his involvement in the political cover-up.
  • 30 Mar 1974 Hiroo Onoda Surrenders After 29 Years: Imperial Japanese Army Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda officially surrendered in the Philippines, ending an extraordinary 29-year period of continued military service after World War II had concluded. Onoda had been following his last orders to continue fighting, unaware that the war had ended decades earlier, symbolizing remarkable dedication and isolation.