1973 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1973 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 11 Jan Watergate burglars trial begins: On January 11, 1973, the trial of the Watergate burglars began. The five men were charged with breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., in June 1972. Their arrest and subsequent trial were pivotal events that led to the Watergate scandal and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Jan Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision: On January 21, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. The ruling was based on the right to privacy and has since been a focal point in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights in the United States. This decision significantly impacted American law and society. source: oyez.org
- 22 Jan Landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision: On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. This ruling was a significant moment in American legal history, establishing a woman's right to choose and igniting ongoing debates about reproductive rights. source: supremecourt.gov
- 25 Jan Derren Nesbitt domestic violence conviction: On January 25, 1973, actor Derren Nesbitt was convicted of domestic violence. This incident drew media attention and raised discussions about domestic abuse in the entertainment industry. source: theguardian.com
- 05 Feb Serial killer Juan Corona sentenced: On February 5, 1973, Juan Vallejo Corona was sentenced to 25 consecutive life terms for the murders of 25 farm workers in California. His victims were all men who had been seen with him or hired through his labor contracting business. source: cdcr.ca.gov
- 14 Feb End of military draft in the United States: On February 14, 1973, the United States officially ended the military draft, transitioning to an all-volunteer force. This decision marked a significant change in U.S. military policy following the Vietnam War and reflected shifting public attitudes toward conscription. source: archives.gov
- 15 Feb US-Cuba Hijacking Prevention Agreement: On February 15, 1973, the United States and Cuba signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Hijacking of Aircraft and Vessels and Other Offenses." This agreement stipulated that individuals who hijacked aircraft or vessels would be prosecuted or extradited, and it addressed the return of hijacked property and funds obtained through illegal means. source: un-ilibrary.org
- 18 Feb Marshal Pétain's Body Stolen from Grave: On the night of February 18–19, 1973, Philippe Pétain's coffin was stolen from the Port-Joinville cemetery on the Île d'Yeu in France. The operation, carried out by a commando of six men close to the extreme right, was intended to transfer the Marshal's remains to the ossuary at Douaumont, near Verdun, as a sort of "rehabilitation" for Philippe Pétain's supporters. The coffin was recovered three days later and reburied in the same cemetery. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Feb Dean Corll Serial Killer Case: Joseph Lyles, 17, became the 28th victim of serial killer Dean Corll, highlighting a tragic chapter in criminal history involving multiple murders in Houston, Texas.
- 02 Mar Skyline Plaza Construction Collapse: A catastrophic structural failure occurred at the Skyline Plaza construction site in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, resulting in the deaths of 14 construction workers and injuries to 34 others. This incident underscored critical safety concerns in large-scale construction projects.
- 27 Mar Jerry Garcia Arrested for Drug Possession: Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia was stopped by law enforcement and charged with speeding and possession of LSD.
- 06 Apr Smothers Brothers Legal Victory: A federal court ruled in favor of the Smothers Brothers in a breach of contract lawsuit against CBS-TV, awarding them $776,300 USD, marking a significant moment in entertainment legal history.
- 09 Apr British Parliament rejects capital punishment: On April 9, 1973, the British Parliament voted to reject the reinstatement of capital punishment. This decision was a significant step in the ongoing debate over the death penalty in the UK. source: bbc.com
- 11 Apr British House of Commons rejects capital punishment restoration: On April 11, 1973, the British House of Commons voted against the restoration of capital punishment in the UK. This decision reflected the growing sentiment against the death penalty and was a significant moment in the country's legal history. source: bbc.com
- 08 May Capital Punishment Abolition in Northern Ireland: The British House of Commons voted to abolish capital punishment in Northern Ireland, reflecting a significant legal and human rights reform during a tumultuous period in the region's history.
- 11 May Pentagon Papers Trial: Charges Dismissed Against Ellsberg and Russo: On May 11, 1973, U.S. District Court Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. dismissed all charges against Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo in the Pentagon Papers case, citing government misconduct, including illegal wiretaps and a break-in at Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 May Supreme Court advances military gender equality: On May 14, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Frontiero v. Richardson that the military's practice of granting spousal benefits based on gender violated the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause, marking a significant step toward gender equality in the military. source: constitutioncenter.org
- 27 May Soviet copyright law changes public domain status: On May 27, 1973, the Soviet Union enacted changes to its copyright laws that affected the status of works in the public domain. These changes were part of a broader effort to control intellectual property and limit access to cultural works. The implications of this law were significant for artists and creators within the Soviet sphere. source: loc.gov
- 21 Jun Miller v. California Supreme Court decision clarifies obscenity standards: The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Miller v. California, establishing the 'Miller test' to define obscene materials as those lacking serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. source: law.cornell.edu
- 01 Jul United States Drug Enforcement Administration founded: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was founded on July 1, 1973. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Jul U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Established: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was established on July 30, 1973, to coordinate and enforce federal drug control efforts. The DEA consolidated various federal agencies involved in drug law enforcement, aiming to combat drug trafficking and abuse more effectively. source: dea.gov
- 06 Sep Tony Boyle arrested for Yablonski murders: On September 6, 1973, William Anthony "Tony" Boyle, former president of the United Mine Workers of America, was arrested on first-degree murder charges for orchestrating the deaths of labor leader Joseph A. Yablonski, his wife Margaret, and their daughter Charlotte on December 31, 1969. Boyle was convicted in 1974 and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Oct European Patent Convention signed: On October 5, 1973, the European Patent Convention was signed, establishing a unified system for patent protection across member states. This agreement aimed to simplify and harmonize patent procedures in Europe. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Oct Watergate Scandal: Saturday Night Massacre: On October 20, 1973, during the Watergate scandal, President Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, leading to the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus. This event intensified public outcry and led to further investigations into the scandal. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Oct Kidnapping of John Paul Getty III: In a shocking act of criminal brutality, kidnappers cut off the ear of John Paul Getty III, grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, and send it to a newspaper in Rome as a gruesome ransom demand. The severed ear does not arrive at the newspaper until November 8, heightening the drama of this high-profile kidnapping.
- 07 Nov War Powers Resolution enacted by Congress: The War Powers Resolution was enacted to limit the U.S. President's ability to engage military forces without congressional approval. This legislation aimed to ensure that Congress had a significant role in decisions regarding military action. source: congress.gov
- 30 Nov UN adopts International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid: On November 30, 1973, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, declaring apartheid a crime against humanity and establishing international criminal responsibility for its perpetrators. source: legal.un.org
What happened in 1973?
Discover what the world looked like in 1973: