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January 17, 1972

January 17, 1972, was a Monday. It was 52 years, 10 months, and 19 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on January 17, 1972:

  • Seven Provisional IRA members escape from the prison ship HMS Maidstone in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on January 17, 1972:

  • United States: "American Pie" by Don McLean
  • United Kingdom: "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" by New Seekers

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 17, 1972

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • American Pie (Parts I & II) - Don McLean
  • Brand New Key - Melanie
  • Let's Stay Together - Al Green
  • Sunshine - Jonathan Edwards
  • Family Affair - Sly & The Family Stone
Play the top singles from 1972
A Spotify playlist of songs from 1972. Take a trip back to the days of Elton John, Lou Reed, Al Green and Don McLean.
Diamonds Are Forever

Top movie

The movie "Diamonds Are Forever" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 19,316 days ago. Approximately 644 months have passed. It was the 17th day of 1972, in week 03. The decade was the seventies. People who were born on January 17, 1972, are now 52 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. 1972 was a leap year, which means that it had an extra day in February. We have gone through approximately 215 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to January 17, 1972

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is January 17, 1972, and it's a Monday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Capricorn. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

The holiday season of 1971 seems like a distant memory. New year's resolutions are already being abandoned, and many are eagerly awaiting their first paycheck after Christmas In America, the song "American Pie" by Don McLean is at the top of the singles charts, while "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" by New Seekers is the number-one song in the UK. Richard Nixon is the President of the United States, and the movie Diamonds Are Forever is at the top of the box office.

Edward Heath is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Steptoe and Son", "The Main Chance", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and "Upstairs, Downstairs". In fashion, the hippie look from the 1960s is still popular. Clothing items such as tie dye shirts, bell-bottoms, midi skirts, gauchos and Mexican blouses are being worn by women. Meanwhile, men are wearing dark satin shirts, ethnic-looking tunics, bell bottom jeans, tweed sports jackets and turtlenecks.

It's 1972, so radio stations are playing songs from artists such as Don McLean, Harry Nilsson, Hot Butter, Neil Young, The Moody Blues, Roberta Flack, Bill Withers and Johnny Nash. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as J. Edgar Hoover, Jackie Robinson, Janet Munro, and Harry S. Truman would all still be alive. Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Lassie", "The Bugs Bunny Show", "Underdog", and "Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines".

Children are playing with toys such as Army men, Suzy Homemaker, Nerf Balls, and G.I. Joe Adventure Team.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 17, 1972, will have the star sign Capricorn.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1972 was the year of the Rat (Yang Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 1.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 17, 1972 falls under the Goose.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of January will have the birthstone Garnet.
  • Birth flower (January): The Carnation and the Snowdrop.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on January 17, 1972.

  • Music cassette tapes are becoming popular.

    Music cassette tapes are becoming popular

    Audio cassettes started becoming widespread from about 1972 onward. Although they lacked the sound quality of vinyl records, they were far more convenient and portable.
  • Color TV surpasses black-and-white.

    Color TV surpasses black-and-white

    Sales of color TV sets were beginning to surpass sales of the older black-and-white models. By this stage, almost all of the popular daytime networks were broadcasting in color.
  • The US is winding down its involvement in the Vietnam War.

    The US is winding down its involvement in the Vietnam War

    During 1972, the war in Vietnam was still ongoing. However, the US had greatly reduced their presence in the country. Between 1971 and 1972, the number of US troops in Vietnam fell from 156,800 to 24,200. Instead of keeping soldiers on the ground, the US shifted its focus to providing air support while negotiators in Paris tried to hammer out a peace agreement.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1972?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1972?

    The best NBA players in 1972 were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Havlicek, Spencer Haywood, Jerry West and Walt Frazier.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1972, the best soccer players were Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Günter Netzer, Johan Cruyff, Piet Keizer, Kazimierz Deyna, Gordon Banks, Barry Hulshoff, Włodzimierz Lubański and Bobby Moore.
  • The Godfather.

    The Godfather

    "The Godfather" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1972.
  • Roberta Flack - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"

    Roberta Flack - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"

    "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack would go on to win a Grammy for 1972's Song of the Year.
  • 1972 in movies.

    1972 in movies

    Movies released in 1972 included The Godfather, The Poseidon Adventure, "What's Up, Doc?", Behind the Green Door, Deliverance, Super Fly, Cabaret, The Getaway, Fritz the Cat, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Jeremiah Johnson, Blacula and Silent Running.
  • Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger.

    Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger

    US President Richard Nixon and his National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger were both named Time Person of the Year in 1972. Nixon and Kissinger had made history by traveling to China to "open up a dialogue."
  • 1972 in music.

    1972 in music

    The Billboard Charts in 1972 were dominated by Don McLean, Roberta Flack, Gilbert O'Sullivan, America, Joe Tex, Looking Glass and Al Green.
  • Have a nice day!

    Have a nice day!

    The smiley face and phrases such as "Have a nice day!" and "Have a happy day!" were being plastered onto t-shirts, mugs, and badges.
  • Bell-bottoms.

    Bell-bottoms

    Bell-bottoms (flares) were in fashion.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.
  • Office workers are using typewriters.

    Office workers are using typewriters

    Although personal computers began to emerge during the 1970s, typewriters were still the norm for most office workers.
  • The Volkswagen Beetle.

    The Volkswagen Beetle

    The Volkswagen Beetle was one of the most common cars on the road. Sales of the vehicle increased following the release of the 1968 film The Love Bug (and its subsequent spin-offs).
  • The Hippie movement.

    The Hippie movement

    The hippie counterculture reached its peak during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movement, which sprung up in opposition to the Vietnam War, was centered around peace, psychedelic music, sexual liberation, bright colors, and drugs such as LSD and marijuana.
  • Lava lamps are all the rage.

    Lava lamps are all the rage

    Sales of lava lamps increased in the late 1960s. It wasn't until the second half of the 1970s that they started to go out of fashion.
  • The afro hairstyle is at its peak in popularity.

    The afro hairstyle is at its peak in popularity

    The afro hairstyle took off during the 1960s and early 1970s. Public figures such as Angela Davis, Pam Grier, Jimi Hendrix, and the Jackson 5 were among those who sported the style.
  • The push-button telephone.

    The push-button telephone

    Push-button telephones were beginning to replace the older rotary-style landlines.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on January 17, 1972.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around January 17, 1972.

  • December 18, 1971: The US dollar is devalued for the second time in history.
  • December 23, 1971:
    • Jimmy Hoffa is released from prison after serving five years for jury tampering and wire fraud.
    • The action-thriller film "Dirty Harry" is released in movie theaters.
  • December 25, 1971: 158 people are killed when a fire breaks out at a hotel in South Korea.
  • December 27, 1971: The last episode of the sitcom "Nanny and the Professor" is aired on TV.
  • December 31, 1971: American actor Pete Duel dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
  • January 4, 1972: The first scientific hand-held calculator is released.
  • January 7, 1972: 104 people are killed when Iberia Airlines Flight 602 crashes into the island of Ibiza.
  • January 14, 1972: The sitcom "Sanford and Son" makes its debut on NBC.
  • January 16, 1972: Super Bowl VI: The Dallas Cowboys defeat the Miami Dolphins at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
  • This date: January 17, 1972
  • January 24, 1972:
    • Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi is discovered after having spent 28 years living in a jungle in Guam.
    • Michael Jackson releases his debut solo album "Got to Be There".
  • January 26, 1972: Yugoslavian flight attendant Vesna Vulovic survives a 10,160 meter fall after a bomb explodes on JAT Flight 367.
  • January 27, 1972: New York police officers Gregory Foster and Rocco Laurie are murdered by the Black Liberation Army.
  • January 30, 1972: The Bloody Sunday incident occurs in Northern Ireland when 13 unarmed civilians are shot dead by British soldiers.
  • February 2, 1972:
    • The British Embassy in Dublin is burned to the ground.
    • Stanley Kubrick's dystopian crime film "A Clockwork Orange" is released in movie theaters.
  • February 7, 1972: Elton John releases the single "Tiny Dancer".

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV series on January 17, 1972

People in January 1972 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from January 1972.

Emergency!
Emergency!
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
Upstairs, Downstairs
Upstairs, Downstairs
Soul Train
Soul Train
McMillan & Wife
McMillan & Wife
The Persuaders!
The Persuaders!
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
All in the Family
All in the Family
Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple

Cars in 1972

1972 saw the introduction of cars such as the Honda Civic, the Chevrolet LUV, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 5 Series, the Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation), and the Renault 5.

Cars in 1972.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in January 1972

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

The Electric Company
The Electric Company
Help!... It's the Hair Bear Bunch!
Help!... It's the Hair Bear Bunch!
Archie's TV Funnies
Archie's TV Funnies

The Funky Phantom
The Funky Phantom
The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show
The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show
All in the Family
All in the Family
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Groovie Goolies
Groovie Goolies
Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats
The Clangers
The Clangers
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Toys

Toys in 1972

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
Uno (card game)
Uno (card game)
The Rock Flowers dolls
The Rock Flowers dolls
Weebles
Weebles
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
G.I. Joe Adventure Team
G.I. Joe Adventure Team
Nerf Balls
Nerf Balls
Frisbee
Frisbee
Crissy (doll)
Crissy (doll)
Clackers
Clackers
Battleship (game)
Battleship (game)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite

Were you born on January 17, 1972?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1972.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out January 17, 1978, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on January 17.

Al Capone

Al Capone

Gangster Deceased
Born on January 17, 1899
He was not alive on this date.

Betty White

Betty White

Actress Deceased
Born on January 17, 1922
She turned 50 on this day in 1972.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Boxer Deceased
Born on January 17, 1942
He turned 30 on this day in 1972.

Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman

Comedian Deceased
Born on January 17, 1949
He turned 23 on this day in 1972.

Mick Taylor

Mick Taylor

Musician
Born on January 17, 1949
He turned 23 on this day in 1972.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey

Actor
Born on January 17, 1962
He turned 10 on this day in 1972.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

First Lady
Born on January 17, 1964
She turned 8 on this day in 1972.

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel

Actress
Born on January 17, 1980
She was born exactly 8 years after this date.

Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris

DJ
Born on January 17, 1984
He was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Marnie Simpson

Marnie Simpson

English TV personality
Born on January 17, 1992
She was born exactly 20 years after this date.

Maxwell Frost

Maxwell Frost

US politician
Born on January 17, 1997
He was born exactly 25 years after this date.

Jake Paul

Jake Paul

Youtuber
Born on January 17, 1997
He was born exactly 25 years after this date.

USA

US President

Richard Nixon was the President of the United States on January 17, 1972.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Edward Heath was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Jack Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on January 17, 1972 was most likely conceived around April 26, 1971.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 17, 1972 is close to October 9, 1972.

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Stats for January 17, 1972

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 17, 1972:

  • 19,316 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,759 weeks have passed.
  • 1,668,902,400 seconds have passed since January 17, 1972.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,947,052,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 861,153,638,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 278,150,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 143,525,606 steps. That's roughly 63,789 miles.
  • 20,026,829 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1972?

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