40 Fascinating Photos of What the World Looked Like in 1972

Carly Tennes Published 09/27/2024 in wow

Though the seventies may be five decades in the past, their smoky, hairspray-scented aura still lives on. Just take a look at the era's now-iconic photographs, ones depicting everything from civil unrest, the hazy days of California car culture, and even David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' era.

From President Richard Nixon's trip to China to a summer day on a New Jersey boardwalk, here are 41 fascinating photos of what the world looked like in 1972.

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1.
“Cybill Shepherd - 1972.”
2.
“Christmas 1972.”
3.
“Southwest Airlines Strwardess 1972.”
4.
“My mom in her garden, 1972.”
5.
“Fidel Castro playing basketball against students during a visit to Krakow, Poland, 1972.”
6.
“Sir, this is a Wendy's. 1972.”
7.
“Tom Hanks at Skyline High in Oakland, 1972.”
8.
“1972: 3 women on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.”
9.
“US First Lady Pat Nixon holding future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. April 14, 1972.”
10.
“Computer class, 1972.”
11.
“Martial artists Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Bob Wall on the film set of “Way of the Dragon” in 1972 [1200 x 1465].”
12.
“Pacific Southwest Airlines Stewardesses ~1972.”
13.
“Nixon learning to use chopsticks during his visit to China, 1972.”
14.
“Gene Cernan smiling for the camera, with his suit caked in lunar dust. December 13, 1972.”
15.
“1972 World Chess Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky.”
16.
“Cruisin' the Boulevard in Southern California (1972).”
17.
“High School Cafeteria 1972.”
18.
“Guy de Rothschild and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. The Rothschild's Surrealist Ball, 1972.”
19.
“Zuma Beach Summer of 1972.”
20.
“Cruisin’ Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1972. Photos by Rick McCloskey.”
21.
“Mom and Dad, 1972.”
22.
“John Wayne dressed as the easter bunny.(1972)”
23.
“My aunt in 1972.”
24.
“Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk, 1972.”
25.
“Colorized photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1972. (Ex Yugoslavia).”
26.
“My uncle & aunt circa 1972.”
27.
“Lynda Carter representing Arizona at the Miss World USA 1972.”
28.
“Chicago concert June 1972.”
29.
“Jeanne Manford walks alongside her gay son in the equality march. 1972.”
30.
President Richard Nixon speaks with NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher the same day he signed a bill dedicating $5.5 million to the development of a space shuttle system.
31.
“Cunard's former RMS Queen Elizabeth caught fire and sank in Hong Kong harbor on January 9, 1972, while being converted into the floating college "Seawise University." A total loss, she sat partially submerged until scrapped in 1974. The fire is considered to have been the work of an arsonist.”
32.
A member of the Parachute Regiment pursues a protester during Bloody Sunday, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry, killing 17 and injuring 17.
33.
“Godfather of Soul” James Brown performs at Rikers Island.
34.
NASA’s Pioneer 10 takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Originally designed to or 21-month mission to fly by Jupiter, the spacecraft lasted for over 30 years before losing contact with Earth on January 23, 2003.
35.
Al Pacino and Jill Clayburgh pose for a photo while attending the premiere of ‘The Godfather.’
36.
Maryland Police apprehend Arthur Bremer after he shot Alabama Governor George Wallace.
37.
U.S. Marshals lead Eugenio Martínez — one of the five Watergate burglars — from a courthouse following his arraignment.
38.
 A supporter of Senator George McGovern attends the DNC in Miami.
39.
American Swimmer Marc Spitz represents Team USA at the 1972 Olympics In Munich, Germany.
40.
Franco Harris moments before scoring the legendary ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown.
41.
David Bowie performs “Starman” as his Ziggy Stardust persona on UK music program, 'Top of the Pops.’

1.
“Cybill Shepherd - 1972.”
2.
“Christmas 1972.”
3.
“Southwest Airlines Strwardess 1972.”
4.
“My mom in her garden, 1972.”
5.
“Fidel Castro playing basketball against students during a visit to Krakow, Poland, 1972.”
6.
“Sir, this is a Wendy's. 1972.”
7.
“Tom Hanks at Skyline High in Oakland, 1972.”
8.
“1972: 3 women on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.”
9.
“US First Lady Pat Nixon holding future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. April 14, 1972.”
10.
“Computer class, 1972.”
11.
“Martial artists Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Bob Wall on the film set of “Way of the Dragon” in 1972 [1200 x 1465].”
12.
“Pacific Southwest Airlines Stewardesses ~1972.”
13.
“Nixon learning to use chopsticks during his visit to China, 1972.”
14.
“Gene Cernan smiling for the camera, with his suit caked in lunar dust. December 13, 1972.”
15.
“1972 World Chess Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky.”
16.
“Cruisin' the Boulevard in Southern California (1972).”
17.
“High School Cafeteria 1972.”
18.
“Guy de Rothschild and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. The Rothschild's Surrealist Ball, 1972.”
19.
“Zuma Beach Summer of 1972.”
20.
“Cruisin’ Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1972. Photos by Rick McCloskey.”
21.
“Mom and Dad, 1972.”
22.
“John Wayne dressed as the easter bunny.(1972)”
23.
“My aunt in 1972.”
24.
“Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk, 1972.”
25.
“Colorized photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1972. (Ex Yugoslavia).”
26.
“My uncle & aunt circa 1972.”
27.
“Lynda Carter representing Arizona at the Miss World USA 1972.”
28.
“Chicago concert June 1972.”
29.
“Jeanne Manford walks alongside her gay son in the equality march. 1972.”
30.
President Richard Nixon speaks with NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher the same day he signed a bill dedicating $5.5 million to the development of a space shuttle system.
31.
“Cunard's former RMS Queen Elizabeth caught fire and sank in Hong Kong harbor on January 9, 1972, while being converted into the floating college "Seawise University." A total loss, she sat partially submerged until scrapped in 1974. The fire is considered to have been the work of an arsonist.”
32.
A member of the Parachute Regiment pursues a protester during Bloody Sunday, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry, killing 17 and injuring 17.
33.
“Godfather of Soul” James Brown performs at Rikers Island.
34.
NASA’s Pioneer 10 takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Originally designed to or 21-month mission to fly by Jupiter, the spacecraft lasted for over 30 years before losing contact with Earth on January 23, 2003.
35.
Al Pacino and Jill Clayburgh pose for a photo while attending the premiere of ‘The Godfather.’
36.
Maryland Police apprehend Arthur Bremer after he shot Alabama Governor George Wallace.
37.
U.S. Marshals lead Eugenio Martínez — one of the five Watergate burglars — from a courthouse following his arraignment.
38.
 A supporter of Senator George McGovern attends the DNC in Miami.
39.
American Swimmer Marc Spitz represents Team USA at the 1972 Olympics In Munich, Germany.
40.
Franco Harris moments before scoring the legendary ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown.
41.
David Bowie performs “Starman” as his Ziggy Stardust persona on UK music program, 'Top of the Pops.’

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NEXT GALLERY Friday Morning Randomness: 38 Fresh Memes for Exquisite Minds

1. “Cybill Shepherd - 1972.”

2. “Christmas 1972.”

3. “Southwest Airlines Strwardess 1972.”

4. “My mom in her garden, 1972.”

5. “Fidel Castro playing basketball against students during a visit to Krakow, Poland, 1972.”

6. “Sir, this is a Wendy's. 1972.”

7. “Tom Hanks at Skyline High in Oakland, 1972.”

8. “1972: 3 women on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.”

9. “US First Lady Pat Nixon holding future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. April 14, 1972.”

10. “Computer class, 1972.”

11. “Martial artists Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Bob Wall on the film set of “Way of the Dragon” in 1972 [1200 x 1465].”

12. “Pacific Southwest Airlines Stewardesses ~1972.”

13. “Nixon learning to use chopsticks during his visit to China, 1972.”

14. “Gene Cernan smiling for the camera, with his suit caked in lunar dust. December 13, 1972.”

15. “1972 World Chess Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky.”

16. “Cruisin' the Boulevard in Southern California (1972).”

17. “High School Cafeteria 1972.”

18. “Guy de Rothschild and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. The Rothschild's Surrealist Ball, 1972.”

19. “Zuma Beach Summer of 1972.”

20. “Cruisin’ Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1972. Photos by Rick McCloskey.”

21. “Mom and Dad, 1972.”

22. “John Wayne dressed as the easter bunny.(1972)”

23. “My aunt in 1972.”

24. “Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk, 1972.”

25. “Colorized photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1972. (Ex Yugoslavia).”

26. “My uncle & aunt circa 1972.”

27. “Lynda Carter representing Arizona at the Miss World USA 1972.”

28. “Chicago concert June 1972.”

29. “Jeanne Manford walks alongside her gay son in the equality march. 1972.”

30. President Richard Nixon speaks with NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher the same day he signed a bill dedicating $5.5 million to the development of a space shuttle system.

32. A member of the Parachute Regiment pursues a protester during Bloody Sunday, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry, killing 17 and injuring 17.

33. “Godfather of Soul” James Brown performs at Rikers Island.

34. NASA’s Pioneer 10 takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Originally designed to or 21-month mission to fly by Jupiter, the spacecraft lasted for over 30 years before losing contact with Earth on January 23, 2003.

35. Al Pacino and Jill Clayburgh pose for a photo while attending the premiere of ‘The Godfather.’

36. Maryland Police apprehend Arthur Bremer after he shot Alabama Governor George Wallace.

37. U.S. Marshals lead Eugenio Martínez — one of the five Watergate burglars — from a courthouse following his arraignment.

38. A supporter of Senator George McGovern attends the DNC in Miami.

39. American Swimmer Marc Spitz represents Team USA at the 1972 Olympics In Munich, Germany.

40. Franco Harris moments before scoring the legendary ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown.

41. David Bowie performs “Starman” as his Ziggy Stardust persona on UK music program, 'Top of the Pops.’

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20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

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36.

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39.

40.

1.
“Cybill Shepherd - 1972.”

2.
“Christmas 1972.”

3.
“Southwest Airlines Strwardess 1972.”

4.
“My mom in her garden, 1972.”

5.
“Fidel Castro playing basketball against students during a visit to Krakow, Poland, 1972.”

6.
“Sir, this is a Wendy's. 1972.”

7.
“Tom Hanks at Skyline High in Oakland, 1972.”

8.
“1972: 3 women on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.”

9.
“US First Lady Pat Nixon holding future Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. April 14, 1972.”

10.
“Computer class, 1972.”

11.
“Martial artists Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Bob Wall on the film set of “Way of the Dragon” in 1972 [1200 x 1465].”

12.
“Pacific Southwest Airlines Stewardesses ~1972.”

13.
“Nixon learning to use chopsticks during his visit to China, 1972.”

14.
“Gene Cernan smiling for the camera, with his suit caked in lunar dust. December 13, 1972.”

15.
“1972 World Chess Chess Championship Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky.”

16.
“Cruisin' the Boulevard in Southern California (1972).”

17.
“High School Cafeteria 1972.”

18.
“Guy de Rothschild and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild. The Rothschild's Surrealist Ball, 1972.”

19.
“Zuma Beach Summer of 1972.”

20.
“Cruisin’ Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles, 1972. Photos by Rick McCloskey.”

21.
“Mom and Dad, 1972.”

22.
“John Wayne dressed as the easter bunny.(1972)”

23.
“My aunt in 1972.”

24.
“Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk, 1972.”

25.
“Colorized photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1972. (Ex Yugoslavia).”

26.
“My uncle & aunt circa 1972.”

27.
“Lynda Carter representing Arizona at the Miss World USA 1972.”

28.
“Chicago concert June 1972.”

29.
“Jeanne Manford walks alongside her gay son in the equality march. 1972.”

30.
President Richard Nixon speaks with NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher the same day he signed a bill dedicating $5.5 million to the development of a space shuttle system.

32.
A member of the Parachute Regiment pursues a protester during Bloody Sunday, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry, killing 17 and injuring 17.

33.
“Godfather of Soul” James Brown performs at Rikers Island.

34.
NASA’s Pioneer 10 takes off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Originally designed to or 21-month mission to fly by Jupiter, the spacecraft lasted for over 30 years before losing contact with Earth on January 23, 2003.

35.
Al Pacino and Jill Clayburgh pose for a photo while attending the premiere of ‘The Godfather.’

36.
Maryland Police apprehend Arthur Bremer after he shot Alabama Governor George Wallace.

37.
U.S. Marshals lead Eugenio Martínez — one of the five Watergate burglars — from a courthouse following his arraignment.

38.
 A supporter of Senator George McGovern attends the DNC in Miami.

39.
American Swimmer Marc Spitz represents Team USA at the 1972 Olympics In Munich, Germany.

40.
Franco Harris moments before scoring the legendary ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown.

41.
David Bowie performs “Starman” as his Ziggy Stardust persona on UK music program, 'Top of the Pops.’