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January 20, 1974

January 20, 1974, was a Sunday. It was 50 years, 9 months, and 16 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Aquarius.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on January 20, 1974:

  • United States: "Show And Tell" by Al Wilson
  • United Kingdom: "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me" by New Seekers

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 20, 1974

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Show And Tell - Al Wilson
  • The Joker - The Steve Miller Band
  • Smokin' In The Boy's Room - Brownsville Station
  • I've Got To Use My Imagination - Gladys Knight And The Pips
  • You're Sixteen - Ringo Starr
Play the top songs from 1974
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1974. Take a trip back to the days of Dolly Parton, Barry White, ABBA, Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The Exorcist

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "The Exorcist".

Facts

This date was 18,552 days ago. Approximately 618 months have passed. It was the 20th day of 1974, in week 03. The decade was the seventies. People born on this day are currently 50 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. 206 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to January 20, 1974

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Sunday, January 20, 1974. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Aquarius. People are currently enjoying their weekend. However, because it's a Sunday, some are dreading the days ahead.

The holiday season of 1973 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 "Show And Tell" by Al Wilson is at the top of the singles charts, while "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me" by New Seekers is the number-one song in the UK. Richard Nixon is the President of the United States, and the movie The Exorcist is at the top of the box office.

Edward Heath is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Because it's 1974, the music charts are being dominated by the likes of Carl Douglas, ABBA, Mud, the Steve Miller Band, George McCrae and Terry Jacks. In fashion, the hippie look from the 1960s and early 1970s has disappeared. The disco look is beginning to take off. Women are wearing t-shirts, khaki pants, mood rings, kimonos and flare jumpsuits. Meanwhile, men are wearing velvet sports coats, slogan t-shirts, flannel, frilly shirts, jeans and khaki chinos.

If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Oskar Schindler and Eamon de Valera would be still alive. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "The Main Chance", "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour", "The Waltons", and "The Bob Newhart Show". Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Pong", "Space Race", and "Gotcha".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "The Bugs Bunny Show", "The Electric Company", and "Happy Days". Popular toys at the moment include Battleship (game), Frisbee, Crissy (doll), and Baby Alive (doll).

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 20, 1974, will have the star sign Aquarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1974 was the year of the Tiger (Yang Fire).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 6.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 20, 1974 falls under the Otter.
  • 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 20, 1974.

  • Who were the best NBA players in 1974?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1974?

    The best NBA players in 1974 were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Havlicek, Rick Barry, Walt Frazier and Gail Goodrich.
  • 1974 in movies.

    1974 in movies

    Movies released in 1974 included Blazing Saddles, The Towering Inferno, The Trial of Billy Jack, Young Frankenstein, Earthquake, The Godfather Part II, Airport 1975, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, The Longest Yard, Foxy Brown, Murder on the Orient Express and Benji.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1974, the best soccer players were Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kazimierz Deyna, Paul Breitner, Johan Neeskens, Grzegorz Lato, Gerd Müller, Robert Gadocha, Billy Bremner and Ralf Edström.
  • Roller skates.

    Roller skates

    The popularity of roller skates exploded during the second half of the 1970s.
  • The Godfather Part II.

    The Godfather Part II

    "The Godfather Part II" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1974.
  • Disco music.

    Disco music

    Disco music became mainstream during the latter half of the 1970s. Nightclub-goers often wore extravagant outfits. Furthermore, dances such as the "Hustle", the "Bump" and the "Penguin" also became popular.
  • King Faisal.

    King Faisal

    The King of Saudi Arabia, King Faisal, was named Time Person of the Year in 1974 due to his role in the 1973–74 oil crisis.
  • Barbra Streisand - "The Way We Were"

    Barbra Streisand - "The Way We Were"

    "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand won a Grammy for 1974's Song of the Year.
  • The Vietnam War is in its final stages.

    The Vietnam War is in its final stages

    The war in Vietnam was still ongoing. However, the US military had withdrawn. Meanwhile, North Vietnamese forces continued to win battles and make inroads into the south.
  • 1974 in music.

    1974 in music

    The Billboard Charts in 1974 were dominated by Barbra Streisand, Elton John, The Jackson 5, The Steve Miller Band, Terry Jacks, Ray Stevens, The Stylistics, Dionne Warwick and The Spinners.
  • Oil crisis.

    Oil crisis

    An oil crisis began in October 1973 after OAPEC placed an oil embargo on several countries that had supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. This led to shortages and long lines at gas stations. Some US states even asked their citizens to avoid putting up Christmas lights.
  • 1973-74 stock market crash.

    1973-74 stock market crash

    Between January 1973 and December 1974, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 45% of its value. The UK stock market fared even worse, with the FT 30 dropping by over 70%.
  • Hitchhiking is declining.

    Hitchhiking is declining

    Although hitchhiking is still pretty common, it is beginning to decline due to people's falling trust in strangers, lower air travel prices, an increase in highways, and more affordable cars.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on January 20, 1974.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to January 20, 1974.

  • December 26, 1973: The Exorcist is released.
  • January 1, 1974: Soccer: Manchester United legend George Best plays his final game for the club.
  • January 4, 1974: Serial killer Ted Bundy carries out his first known attack on Karen Sparks in Washington, Oregon.
  • January 13, 1974: Super Bowl VIII: The Miami Dolphins defeat the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas.
  • January 15, 1974:
    • Serial killer Dennis Rader (BTK) murders four members of the Otero family in Wichita, Kansas.
    • The first episode of "Happy Days" is aired.
  • This date: January 20, 1974
  • January 23, 1974: Former model and broadway dancer Athalia Ponsell Lindsley is stabbed to death outside of her home in St. Augustine, Florida.
  • January 26, 1974: Boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier get into a brawl at the ABC studios in New York City.
  • February 1, 1974:
    • Serial killer Ted Bundy murders Lynda Ann Healy.
    • 177 people are killed when a fire breaks out at the Joelma Building in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • February 4, 1974:
    • 19-year-old Patty Hearst is kidnapped by a left-wing group called the Symbionese Liberation Army in Berkeley, California.
    • Elton John releases the song "Bennie and the Jets".
  • February 8, 1974: The first episode of the sitcom "Good Times" is aired on TV.
  • February 19, 1974: The Jackson 5 releases their song "Dancing Machine".

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV series on January 20, 1974

People in January 1974 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from January 1974.

Happy Days
Happy Days
Kojak
Kojak
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
The Bob Newhart Show
The Bob Newhart Show
The Waltons
The Waltons
Maude
Maude
The Rookies
The Rookies
Emergency!
Emergency!
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son

Cars in 1974

1974 saw the introduction of cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, the Dodge Ramcharger, the Audi 50, the Volvo 200 Series, the Renault 7, and the Ford Elite.

Cars in 1974.

Children TV shows

Kids TV shows on January 20, 1974

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1974:

Happy Days
Happy Days
The Addams Family
The Addams Family
Super Friends
Super Friends

Bailey's Comets
Bailey's Comets
Inch High, Private Eye
Inch High, Private Eye
Speed Buggy
Speed Buggy
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
The Adventures of Black Beauty
The Adventures of Black Beauty
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
The Electric Company
The Electric Company
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1974

Toys and games that were popular in 1974:

Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle
Risk board game
Risk board game
Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks
Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle
Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle
Baby Alive (doll)
Baby Alive (doll)
Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks
Magnavox Odyssey
Magnavox Odyssey
Kenner SSP Racers
Kenner SSP Racers
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
Uno (card game)
Uno (card game)
Weebles
Weebles
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in January 1974.

Gotcha 1973
Gotcha
Space Race 1973
Space Race
Pong 1972
Pong

Were you born on January 20, 1974?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1974.

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 20, 1980, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on January 20.

Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein

Financier Deceased
Born on January 20, 1953
He turned 21 on this day in 1974.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher

Talkshow host
Born on January 20, 1956
He turned 18 on this day in 1974.

James Denton

James Denton

Actor
Born on January 20, 1963
He turned 11 on this day in 1974.

Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson

Actor
Born on January 20, 1966
He turned 8 on this day in 1974.

Nicky Wire

Nicky Wire

Manic Street Preachers
Born on January 20, 1969
He turned 5 on this day in 1974.

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

Singer
Born on January 20, 1971
He turned 3 on this day in 1974.

Evan Peters

Evan Peters

Actor
Born on January 20, 1987
He was born exactly 13 years after this date.

Blueface

Blueface

Rapper
Born on January 20, 1997
He was born exactly 23 years after this date.

USA

US President

Richard Nixon was the President of the United States on January 20, 1974.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Edward Heath was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Liam Cosgrave was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on January 20, 1974 was most likely conceived around April 29, 1973.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 20, 1974 is close to October 13, 1974.

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Stats for January 20, 1974

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 20, 1974:

  • 18,552 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,650 weeks have passed.
  • 1,602,892,800 seconds have passed since January 20, 1974.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,870,041,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 827,092,684,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 267,148,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 137,848,781 steps. That's roughly 61,266 miles.
  • 19,234,714 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1974?

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