Uncover the Magic: What happened in 1974 UK Iconic Moments Revealed

What happened in 1974 in the UK. 2024 will be the 50th Anniversary of the events of 1974, so if you married or was born these are the events of a truly seminal year for you. Join us on a journey through 1974 in the UK, revisiting key historical events and cultural phenomena. Find out what happened in 1974 UK.

1974 was a year of significant change and challenges for the United Kingdom, marked by pivotal political shifts and economic crises. This blog post explores the key events of 1974 in the UK, offering insights into how these moments have shaped the nation’s history.

Major Events that happened in 1974 in the UK

• New Year’s Day is celebrated as a Bank Holiday for the first time.
• 3 Day working week introduced on 1st January 1974 due to industrial action by Miners and Railway workers.
• Two Elections for the UK Government were held this year as the first gave no overall control. A Lab-Lib pact was initially formed however this was problematic and a 2nd election called which gave the Labour party a slim 3 seat overall majority.
• Part of the Election Pledges from Labour was to call a referendum to decide on the continuing membership of the EEC. Held in 1975, the pro-Europe side won and the UK remained in.
• The year was blighted with the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the milestone of 1,000 victims was passed when a loyalist blew himself up whilst building an IED. The Troubles had began in 1969, 5 years earlier.
• Princess Anne and her husband successfully avoided a kidnap attempt along the Mall in London.
• The world’s worst air disaster occurred in France where a Turkish Airlines DC10 plane crashed killing all 344 passengers and crew on board.  The crash was known as the Ermenonville air disaster.
• The Flixborough Disaster occurred, when a chemical plant near Flixborough, Lincolnshire exploded killing 28 people, and injuring another 36. Casualties would have been higher had it occurred on a weekday.
• Lord Lucan disappears following Lady Lucan being attacked and their Nanny being murdered. He has never been found.
• John Stonehouse, Labour MP disappears in Florida, believed to have died/murdered he was later discovered in Australia having fled there to set up a new life with his then Secretary. He was discovered and deported back to the UK. He was charged with a number of crimes and convicted of them in 1976. Only after conviction did he resign as a MP!
• Helen Morgan, the current Miss Wales and Miss UK wins the Miss World title. Controversy ensured when it was found she was an unmarried mother, something she did not hide. However she was forced to resign the Miss World crown.

Global Events That Happened In 1974

• West German Chancellor resigns due to East German spy being discovered on his staff.
• The Watergate scandal unravelled leading to US President Nixon resigning from office. This prevented what would have been the first impeachment of a sitting US president.
• Henry Kissinger negotiates a ceasefire in the Yon Kippur war between Israel and Syria.
• China gifts Britain 2 Giant Pandas, they are housed at Regent Street Zoo in London.
• India had a major issue with food shortages due to floods and drought affecting parts of the country.
• Cyprus coup d’état by the Greek military Junta caused Turkey to invade Cypress leading to the division of Cyprus.
• President Juan Peron of Argentina dies of a heart attack. His third wife Isabel took over as president until ousted in 1976.
• Charles de Gaulle Airport opens near Paris. It is one of Europe’s busiest Airports.
• Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, Austrialia. It destroyed over 70% of the buildings and caused over $800 million in damage, also killing 71 people.

UK Music of 1974

the Global Best Selling singles released this year include Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas and Rock You Baby by George McCrae who both sold over 11 million copies of their singles.

The Best selling singles of the year in the UK were ‘Tiger Feet’ by Mud and ‘Seasons in the Sun’ by Terry Jacks.

The best selling original albums of the year were ‘Band on the Run’ by Paul McCartney and Wings and Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.

The year started with Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade being Number one after it had entered the charts at number one on 14th December 1973. Voted as one of the best Christmas songs ever in the UK it has sold less than 2 million copies as it never succeeded in the US charts.

The year ended with another Christmas song with Mud performing Lonely this Christmas.

The year was dominated by Glam Rock with UK artists like Mud, Alvin Stardust, Bay City Rollers, Slade and Garry Glitter all having number one songs.

Abba won the Eurovision song contest with their single Waterloo. Already an established Swedish band this catapulted them to international stardom.

Top UK Movie News of 1974

Glenda Jackson wins an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards for her role in the 1973 film A Touch of Class.

Herbie Rides Again was released as a sequel to The Love Bug (1968) increasing sales for the VW Beetle.

Box Office Hits released in the UK in 1974

• The Sting (Won Best Motion Picture Oscar)
• The Exorcist
• The Man with the Golden Gun
• Enter the Dragon
• The Three Musketeers
• Papillon
• Robin Hood
• The Great Gatsby
• The Towering Inferno
• Golden Voyage of Sinbad
• Blazing Saddles
• Confessions of a Window Cleaner
• Stardust
• Last Tango in Paris
• American Graffiti

Science & Technology of 1974 in the UK

• Clive Sinclair, later Knighted to become Sir Clive Sinclair, launched his first Scientific Calculator in 1972. In this year his company was producing over 100,000 pocket calculators per month of which 55% were exported making it a great success story of the era.
• Volkswagen launched the Golf model in this year. It has since become the company’s best selling car model.
• The BBC teletext service Ceefax goes live with 30 pages of information, a forerunner to todays information technology it lasted until 2012 when transmission services moved to a digital transmission model.
• British Airways was created when a management board was established by the government to manage the two nationalised airline corporations, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA), and two regional airlines, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines.

What Happened in Sport in 1974

• The Rumble in the Jungle Boxing match took place between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Many cite this as one of the greatest sporting events of the 20th Century in which Ali, the underdog, defeated Foreman, the reigning champion, by a Knockout in the 8th Round.
• John Conteh won the World Light Heavyweight Boxing Title beating Jorge Ahumada of Argentina on points.
• Red Rum wins the Grand National for the second time.
• Chris Everett and Jimmy Connors win Wimbledon in their respective competitions. It was notable as they were engaged to be married at the time. The media dubbed it the Lovebird Double. Sadly they never married and split for good in 1978.
• The Scotland Football are eliminated from the World Cup tournament. England had failed to qualify in this year.
• West Germany won the World Cup beating Holland in the final 2-1.
• Leeds United finish top of the First Division, Liverpool win the FA Cup and Wolves win the League Cup.
• Spurs made it to the UEFA Cup Final, only to lose 4-2 on aggregate to Feyenoord. After the second leg in Rotterdam, Tottenham supporters rioted in response to Feyenoord’s win.

UK Television of the Year 1974

The year started with TV stations having to suspend transmission at 10:30pm every evening due to the ongoing energy crisis which had led to the 3 day week.

• Tiswas was first broadcast in this year. A ground breaking children’s television series that aired until 1982. Combining anarchic sketches, slapstick comedy, live interviews, and music performances, the show captivated young audiences. Hosted by Chris Tarrant, Sally James, and other notable figures like Lenny Henry, “Tiswas” fostered a chaotic yet highly entertaining atmosphere.
• The prison comedy series Porridge was first aired this year. This beloved BBC comedy series set in fictional Slade Prison. The show follows the misadventures of inmate Norman Fletcher, played by Ronnie Barker, whose sharp wit and cynicism keep him one step ahead of the oppressive prison system. Co-starring Richard Beckinsale, the series delves into life behind bars with humour and poignancy.
• Bagpuss, a children’s program first aired this year. The series centres around its namesake character, Bagpuss, a wise cat with pink and white stripes. Bagpuss, along with a collection of enchanted toys in a store, comes alive in every episode. These intriguing tales spark children’s curiosity and promote learning. Surprisingly only 13 episodes were ever made.
• Tom Baker takes over as the fourth Dr Who from Jon Pertwee.
• BBC begins airing the American police series Kojak starring Telly Savalas.
• Wish You Were Here…? aired for the first time. This was a hit travel series on ITV until 2003. Hosted by Judith Chalmers, the show guided viewers through worldwide holiday spots. By showcasing cultural encounters, sharing travel advice, and featuring attractions, it served as an invaluable companion for travellers.

Interesting Facts and Figures about 1974

• The Interest Rate hits a 34 year high of 17.2%
• The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) published their first ever Good Beer Guide. As a product of CAMRA, a non-profit promoting quality, craft brews, this guide features the top British pubs and beers. It offers comprehensive reviews and in-depth insights, endorsing traditional brewing flavours and techniques.
• The restaurant chain McDonalds opens its first UK restaurant in Woolwich, South East London

Symbol of 1974 Chinese Zodiac

The Year of the Tiger.

Births, Deaths, and Marriages in 1974

Births

• Mel C, singer (Spice Girls & solo)
• Robbie Williams, singer (Take That & solo)
• Vernon Kay, TV presenter.
• Kate Moss, Model
• James Blunt, singer
• Denise Van Outen, TV presenter.
• Victoria Beckham, singer (Spice Girls) and fashion designer.
• David Mitchell, comedian and actor
• Nicole Appleton, singer (All Saints)
• Louise Rednapp, singer (Eternal & solo)

Deaths

• Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, last surviving child of George V
• H. E. Bates, novelist. (The Darling Buds of May)
• Sir James Chadwick, physicist (Won Nobel prize for discovery of Neutrons in 1932)
• Alan Cutler, singer, song writer (the Wurzels)

Marriages in the Year 1974

A total of 384,389 marriages took place in the UK in 1974

• James Hunt (Racing Driver) marries Susan Miller (Actror) She left Hunt in 1976 and married Richard Burton, the actor.
• Henry Kissinger (US politician) marries Nancy Maginnes (philanthropist and socialite) They remained married until his death in 2023.
• Sissy Spacek (actor) marries Jack Fisk (film production designer.) They are still married.
• Barry White (singer) marries his second wife, Glodean James (singer.) They become estranged however remain married until his death in 2003.
• Tim Rice (Lyricist and author) marries Jane Artereta, her second marriage. Knighted in 1994. The couple become estranged in the 80’s however have never divorced.
• Patrick Duffy (actor) marries Carlyn Rosser (ballerina.) They remain married until her death in 2017
• Sylvester Stallone (actor) marries Sasah Czack (actor) divorced 1985.
• Vicki Michelle (actor) marries Graham Fowler (cinematographer.) They are still married.

Anniversaries in 1974

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM film studio) celebrated their 50th Anniversary in this year. They celebrated by releasing That’s Entertainment, a compilation film of footage over the years.

UK Fashion of the year 1974

The fashion of 1974 was characterised by flared trousers and patterned shirts. The vibrant street life in London, with its classic cars and historical architecture, encapsulated the era’s spirit.

A lack of clothing became a thing in 1974 with the phenonium of the streak coming over from the US. Indeed the novelty song, The Streak, made number one in June this year.

UK Cost of Living in the year 1974

Comparison Table: Consumer Products Then and Now

Item	Price in 1974	Price Today	Notes
Loaf of Bread (800g, sliced)	£0.14	£1.20	Staple food item, indicative of basic food costs.
Pint of Milk	£0.05	£0.90	Essential dairy product.
Dozen Eggs	£0.36	£2.50	Basic cooking ingredient.
1KG of Oranges	£0.24	£0.56	Fresh fruit, health staple.
1 Litre of Petrol	£0.16	£1.30	Reflects transportation costs.
Pint of Bitter	£0.23	£3.79	Essential social product
Average House Price	£9,139	£290,000	Indicator of housing market and affordability.
Average Annual Salary	£2,205	£34,963	Reflects average earning capacity.

Reflecting on 1974: A Pivotal Year in the UK’s History

Pros and Cons of 1974’s Developments

Pros

• Political Change: The Labour government brought fresh perspectives on economic and social issues.
• Awareness: The energy crisis raised awareness about the need for sustainable energy sources.

Cons

• Economic Challenges: Both the change in government and the energy crisis contributed to economic instability.
• Social Strain: The energy shortages led to discomfort and difficulties for the general population.

FAQs About the UK in 1974

1. Who was the Prime Minister of the UK in 1974?
   • Harold Wilson became the Prime Minister after the Labour Party won the election.
2. What caused the 1974 energy crisis in the UK?
   • The crisis was primarily due to the global oil shortage.
3. How did the Labour government of 1974 address economic issues?
   • They implemented measures to control inflation and reduce unemployment.
4. What were the social impacts of the energy crisis in the UK?
   • The crisis led to limited heating and electricity, affecting daily life.
5. Did the UK’s foreign policy change in 1974?
   • Yes, there was a focus on improving relations with European countries.
6. How did industries in the UK respond to the energy crisis?
   • Many industries faced reduced production due to energy shortages.

Gift Ideas for 1974

The Year 1974 final thoughts

1974 was a year that encapsulated both challenge and change for the United Kingdom, leaving an indelible mark on its history. The events of this year, from political shifts to economic crises, continue to influence the nation’s trajectory even decades later.