random retro-spective
Jailed: Jeffrey Archer
The one-time darling of the Conservative Party was jailed in 2000 for perjury.
the retro hour: 1973
We've been through the archive and compiled everything we think you need to know about the year. To make it easier for you to find what you're looking for, everything is organised into categories.
the top stories
On January 1st, Britain, Ireland and Denmark became members of the EEC.
Former American President Lyndon Johnson died, whilst Nixon was sworn
in for a second term
A ceasefire was declared in Vietnam
The dollar was devalued by ten per cent to stem its fall in value; foreign
exchange markets closed around the world
VAT was introduced for the first time in the UK
AC Milan beat Leeds United 1-0 to win the European Cup Winners' Cup. Leeds
also lost in the FA Cup final by the same scoreline to Second Division
Sunderland.
Elizabeth Taylor announced that she had separated from Richard Burton
Painter Pablo Picasso died
Twenty trades unions were expelled from the TUC for obeying the new Industrial
Relations Act
Denis Healey vowed that Labour would tax the rich until "the pips
squeak"
Commercial radio began in London breaking the BBC's 50 year monopoly.
The Government imposed a compulsory 50mph speed limit to save fuel, as
oil prices rose
on the chart
Queen signed their first recording contract
Elvis and Priscilla Presley were divorced after six years of marriage
David Bowie collapsed at the end of his Valentine's Day show at New York's
Radio City Music Hall
The Carpenters' song Sing went to number three on the American chart -
it had originally been written for Sesame Street
The Eurovision Song Contest was won by Anne-Marie David representing Luxembourg
on the tv and at the cinema
Making their debuts were Are You Being Served?, Some Mothers Do 'Ave
'Em, Last Of The Summer Wine and That's Life
Trevor McDonald became Britain's first black newscaster
Top programmes in 1973 were the Eurovision Song Contest, The Benny Hill
Show, Miss World and This Is Your Life
Marlon Brando broke the jaw of a photographer
and refused his Oscar in protest at Hollywood's exploitation of native
Americans
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor split up after nine years of marriage
Top box office films of the year were Live And Let Die, The Godfather,
Last Tango In Paris and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
sports achievements and milestones
Derby County signed a protest in support of their sacked manager Brian
Clough
Leeds United won the First Division title
Sunderland took the FA Cup - the first Second Division side to win it
since 1931
Red Rum won the Grand National in record time.
Jackie Stewart became Formula 1 world champion.
The Open Championship was won by Tom Weiskopf
The Wimbledon champions were Jan Kodes and Billie-Jean King
and finally
The Netherlands banned driving on Sundays to preserve petrol
A survey revealed that more than 10% of Americans claimed they'd seen
a UFO
The first colour photocopier went on sale
Also new for 1973 were mountain bikes, disposable lighters and barcodes
on items in supermarkets
The CEEFAX and ORACLE teletext services were launched.