32 Throwback Photos From the Early 1970s
From flared pants and feathered hair to muscle cars and anti-war protests, the early ’70s were a time of cultural shakeups and clashing ideals. In America, you could hear and see the tension as raised fists and rally cries over the Vietnam War grew louder by the day.
But amid the chaos, everyday life also carried on — in the glow of lava lamps, the rise of disco, and the clatter of TV dinners on fold-out trays. Join us for a walk down memory lane as we revisit these vintage photos that capture a world in flux.
1. First Graders Looking Adorable
2. A Family Hanging Out in Their Front Yard, 1971
3. A Young Woman Chats With a Cashier at a 7-Eleven, 1973
4. ‘Teenager Working at the Local Grocery Store, 1973’
5. A Couple Dances to Disco Beats in Aspen, Colorado, 1970
6. ‘My Mother at an Anti-Vietnam War Protest in the ’70s’
7. A Group of Friends Pose Before Prom, 1973
8. Elvis Presley With Then-Girlfriend Linda Thompson, 1972
9. A Woman Looking Stylish While Manning the Grill in Ontario, Canada, 1973
10. ‘Cruisin’ the Boulevard in Southern California, 1972′
11. A Rainy Day in New York City, 1971
12. A Nighttime View of the Twin Towers From the Hudson
13. ‘A Couple Enjoying Quality Time, 1970’
14. Flying Coach in the Early ’70s
15. ‘My Grandparent’s Wedding Day, 1970’
16. US President Richard Nixon Dines With Chinese Leaders in Beijing, 1972
17. Nixon Flashes Peace Signs as He Boards a Helicopter After Resigning the Presidency Earlier That Day, August 9, 1974
18. High School Yearbook, Early ’70s
19. ‘McDonald’s Menu, 1970.’ Just Look at Those Prices!
20. ‘Getting Ready for Some Saturday Night Dirt Track Racing, 1973’
21. Crowds Gather at Disney World’s Opening Day, October 1, 1971
22. ‘Somewhere in Iowa, 1970’
23. Cooling Down With Some Popsicles While Reppin’ Mickey D’s
24. The Original Cast of Saturday Night Live, October, 1975
25. Fans Make Their Way to the Watkins Glen Summer Jam, 1973. The Festival Drew Over 600,000 Attendees, the Most in History at the Time
26. ‘Harlem Block Party, 1973’
27. Led Zeppelin on the Tarmac After a Promoter Told Them They Had To Cut Their Hair To Perform in Singapore, 1972. The Tour Was Canceled
28. Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm Reunites With His Family After Five Years in a North Vietnamese Camp, 1973
29. ‘Richard O’Brien and Tim Curry, Circa 1974’
30. ‘Hanging out in Leakey, Texas, 1973’
31. Core Memories Being Made
32. Mick Jagger Looking Stoic, 1972
Want a deeper dive into the early ’70s?
Check out From the Front Lines to the Aftermath: 23 Incredible Photos of the Vietnam War for a closer look at the decade’s most pressing issue. You might also be interested in 22 Photos of Richard Nixon’s Presidency and Political Career and Inside the Mob: 15 Photos That Capture the Mafia in the 1970s.