BestOfDate

August 17, 1974

August 17, 1974, was a Saturday. It was 50 years, 2 months, and 16 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Leo.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 17, 1974:

  • United States: "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace
  • United Kingdom: "When Will I See You Again" by Three Degrees

The Billboard Hot 100 on August 17, 1974

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
  • Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
  • (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka with Odia Coates
  • Tell Me Something Good - Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
  • Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins
Play the top singles 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.
Return of the Dragon

Top movie

The movie "Return of the Dragon" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 18,340 days ago. Approximately 611 months have passed. It was the 229th day of 1974, in week 33. The decade was the seventies. People who were born on August 17, 1974, are now 50 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. We have gone through approximately 204 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to August 17, 1974

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is August 17, 1974, and it's a Saturday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Leo. The work week is over and Saturday has finally come, so people are spending time with their kids, going to bars, attending dances, shopping, and watching sports.

The summer of 1974 is in full swing. The weather is warm, and the evenings are brighter than usual. Most schools and colleges are now finished until August or September. In America, the song "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace is at the top of the singles charts, while "When Will I See You Again" by Three Degrees is the number-one song in the UK. Gerald Ford is the President of the United States, and the movie Return of the Dragon is at the top of the box office.

Harold Wilson is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Hawaii Five-O", "Adam-12", "Marcus Welby, M.D.", and "The Odd Couple". 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. People are playing video games such as "Pong", "Space Race", and "Gotcha".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "The Pink Panther Show", "Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines", "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!", and "Sesame Street". Children are playing with toys such as Lite-Brite, Big Jim (action figure), Baby Alive (doll), and Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on August 17, 1974, will have the star sign Leo.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1974 was the year of the Tiger (Yang Fire).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 1.
  • Native American Zodiac: August 17, 1974 falls under the Salmon.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of August will have the birthstone Peridot.
  • Birth flower (August): The Gladiolus and the Poppy.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on August 17, 1974.

  • Richard Nixon resigns.

    Richard Nixon resigns

    On August 9th, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from his position as President of the United States after it became clear that his impeachment over the Watergate scandal was a near certainty. Following his resignation, Gerald Ford became the new President of the United States.
  • 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.
  • 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 August 17, 1974.

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 August 17, 1974.

  • July 20, 1974:
    • Turkey invades Cyprus.
    • Soccer: Brian Clough is named as the new manager of Leeds United.
  • July 24, 1974: The US Supreme Court orders President Nixon to hand over subpoenaed White House tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor.
  • July 30, 1974: Watergate scandal: US President Richard Nixon releases recordings from the White House after being forced to do so by the Supreme Court.
  • August 8, 1974: US President Richard Nixon announces live on television that he will resign.
  • August 9, 1974:
    • The Watergate scandal forces Richard Nixon to resign as President of the United States.
    • Vice President Gerald Ford becomes the 38th President of the United States.
  • August 14, 1974: Turkey invades Cyprus again.
  • This date: August 17, 1974
  • September 2, 1974: Serial killer Ted Bundy moves from Seattle, Washington, to Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • September 5, 1974: The British prison sitcom "Porridge" begins airing on TV.
  • September 6, 1974: Two grouse hunters stumble across the remains of two of Ted Bundy's victims at a remote site near Issaquah.
  • September 8, 1974: US President Gerald Ford pardons former President Richard Nixon.
  • September 11, 1974:
    • 71 people are killed when Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashes in Charlotte, North Carolina.
    • The Western TV series "Little House on the Prairie" is aired for the first time.
  • September 12, 1974:
    • Soccer: Leeds United sack manager Brian Clough.
    • The first episode of the private detective series "Harry O" is aired on ABC.
  • September 13, 1974: The first episode of the police drama "Police Woman" is aired on NBC.

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV series on August 17, 1974

People in August 1974 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from August 1974.

Good Times
Good Times
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!

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

Cartoons and children's TV shows in August 1974

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

Bagpuss
Bagpuss
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
Toys

Toys in 1974

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Connect Four
Connect Four
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
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in August 1974.

Gotcha 1973
Gotcha
Space Race 1973
Space Race
Pong 1972
Pong

Were you born on August 17, 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 August 17, 1980, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

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

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Actor
Born on August 17, 1943
He turned 31 on this day in 1974.

David Koresh

David Koresh

Cult leader Deceased
Born on August 17, 1959
He turned 15 on this day in 1974.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn

Actor
Born on August 17, 1960
He turned 14 on this day in 1974.

Scott Halberstadt

Scott Halberstadt

Actor
Born on August 17, 1976
He was born exactly 2 years after this date.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry

French soccer player
Born on August 17, 1977
He was born exactly 3 years after this date.

James Tindale

James Tindale

Geordie Shore
Born on August 17, 1990
He was born exactly 16 years after this date.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler

Actor
Born on August 17, 1991
He was born exactly 17 years after this date.

Paige

Paige

Wrestler
Born on August 17, 1992
She was born exactly 18 years after this date.

Lil Pump

Lil Pump

Rapper
Born on August 17, 2000
He was born exactly 26 years after this date.

The Kid Laroi

The Kid Laroi

Australian singer
Born on August 17, 2003
He was born exactly 29 years after this date.

USA

US President

Gerald Ford was the President of the United States on August 17, 1974.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Harold Wilson 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 August 17, 1974 was most likely conceived around November 24, 1973.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on August 17, 1974 is close to May 10, 1975.

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Stats for August 17, 1974

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about August 17, 1974:

  • 18,340 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,620 weeks have passed.
  • 1,584,579,600 seconds have passed since August 17, 1974.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,848,676,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 817,643,073,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 264,096,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 136,273,846 steps. That's roughly 60,566 miles.
  • 19,014,955 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1974?

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