The year 1973 in the UK, 50 Years Ago From 2023.

computer genetaged image illustrates the major events that took place in the United Kingdom during the year 1973. A symbolic representations of the significant occurrences of that year, including the UK's entry into the European Economic Community, the Cod War with Iceland, the impact of the Oil Crisis, the establishment of the 5-day work week, and the numerous industrial strikes.

The year 2024 will be the 51st anniversary of the year 1973, if you are wondering what happened in 1973 in the UK let us remind you. First, I will tell you what the year 1973 was like in the United Kingdom. And I will give you some information about all the major events, which happened during this amazing year. In 1973. Many notable events occurred during this period those who lived them will know, this blog will help remind and inform those of a younger vintage.

If you are looking for events that happened 50 years ago in 2024 in the UK check out our new blog post.

Gifts suitable for 51st Birthdays and Anniversaries

It’s your chance to celebrate 51st anniversary this year with a unique gift that reflects and captures the news and hit music of 1973.

We have a great selection of CD and DVD greeting cards that capture and reflect all the news and hit music of 1973. Perfect to gift to anyone celebrating their 51st anniversary this year.

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What happened in 1973 in the UK

Events that made the headlines this year include:

  • UK joined EEC,
  • Cod War with Iceland,
  • Oil Crisis hit the UK following UKs support of Israel who were invaded.
  • 5 Day Week
  • Many Strikes,
  • Princess Anne Marries for 1st Time
  • USA president Nixon orders ceasefire in Vietnam War
  • Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II

What Symbol is 1973 in the Chinses zodiac

1973 was the year of the Water Ox

When was the Chinese lunar new year in 1973?

In 1973 the Chinese new year was on 3rd February

Anniversaries in 1973

  • The Mousetrap Play celebrated it’s 21st season of continuous shows (it’s still going!)
  • 80th Anniversary of the birth of the Labour Party movement
  • Centenary of HMS Resolution captained by Thomas Cook successfully crossing the Artic Circle(1873.) The first ship to ever do so.
  • Centenary of J S Fry & Sons producing the first chocolate egg.
  • Bicentennial of the Boston Tea Party (1773)
  • Time Magazine celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year.
  • UK Monarch in 1973: Queen Elizabeth II
  • UK Prime Minister: Edward Heath of the Conservative party.
  • The UK’s population in 1973 was 56.22 million people.

The average lifespan in the UK increased by 20 years between 1900 and 1973, but has only gone up by four years since then. In 1973 there were 12,000 people over 100 years old living in the UK – there are now more than three times as many at 46,000.

UK Cost of Living in 1973

  • Petrol (Gallon)   39p
  • Pint of Beer        18.5p
  • Pint of Milk         6p
  • Load of Bread    11p
  • Red Top Newspaper       3p
  • Average House price £9,900
  • Family Car (new)              £1,285
  • Average Annual Salary £1,539
  • Inflation is running at 8.4%

If you were born in 1973 when can you retire in the UK?

If you were born in 1973 the UK government will provide a state pension to you in the year 2040. When you are 67 years old. Don’t hold us to this however as many pundits expect this to change in the next few years. Currently, you will be classed as a senior citizen in the UK in 2033. This will be when you are 60 years old.

Births, Deaths and Marriages in 1973

Celebrities and Famous People born in the year 1973

Peter Andre, Kate Thornton, Penny Mordaunt, Steve Backshall, Gabby Logan, Noel Fielding, Dermot O’Leary, Peter Kay, Ryan Giggs,

There were 675,953 births in 1973 of which 65 more boys were born for every 1000 girls.

Notable Deaths in 1973

Noël Coward, Roger Delgado, Jack Hawkins, J. R. R. Tolkien, Pablo Picasso, Bruce Lee.

There were 587,000 deaths in the UK which is about 1% of the population

Marriages in 1973

  • Princess Anne and Captain Mark Philips married on 14th November this year. The event was watched by an estimated 100 million people worldwide. They divorced 19 years later.
  • Farrah Fawcett married Lee Majors in this year. They divorced 9 years later.
  • Queen Consort Camilla married the then, Captain Andrew Parker Bowles on 4th July this year. The catholic ceremony was preformed at the Guards Chapel, London. They divorced in 1995.
  • Steve McQueen married Ali MacGraw in 1973 after they had met on the set of his film The Getaway in 1971. They divorced 5 years later.
  • Michael Caine married Shakira Baksh in 1973, this was Michaels second marriage. They celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2023. Not a lot of people know that!!

In the UK 400,435 couples married in 1973. This was a slight decline from the previous years. This decline has continued to this day with fewer people marrying.

Hit Pop Chart Music for 1973

Best Selling Singles for 1973:

  1. Tony Orlando and Dawn with ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree’
  2. Simon Park Orchestra with ‘Eye Level’
  3. Peters and Lee with ‘Welcome Home’
  4. Sweet with ‘Blockbuster’
  5. Slade with ‘Cum feel the Noize’

Slade also released their eternal record ‘Merry Xmas everybody’ this year. Queen debuted in this year

Best Selling Albums of 1973 in the UK

  1. Elton John with ‘Don’t shoot me I’m only the Piano Player’
  2. David Bowie with ‘Aladdin Sane’
  3. Simon & Garfunkel with their ‘Greatest Hots’ album.
  4. Pink Floyd with ‘Dark Side of the Moon’
  5. Peters and Lee with ‘We can make it’

David Bowie was the best selling artist this year with 6 albums in the charts at the same time. Floyd’s dard side of the moon reached number one and remained in the album charts for the next 15 years!

Top UK Films for 1973

  • Live and Let Die saw the first performance of Roger Moore as James Bond.
  • The classic horror The Wicker Man first screened in this year.
  • The Three Musketeers with Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, Frank Finlay and Michael York was a hit at the Cinemas.
  • Take me High was released this year and is notable as it is the last feature film Cliff Richard starred in.
  • The Godfather on Best Film at the Oscars in this year.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_in_British_music

2. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages

3. On this Day A History of the World in 366 Days

4. 1973 The Story of Your Year Booklet

5. The Time of Your Life 1973 DVD

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