What Happened This Year 1972

Historical Events from This Year 1972

Arts & Culture

Vandalism of Michelangelo's Pietà in Rome

May 21st, 1972 52 years ago

Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian geologist, vandalized Michelangelo's Pietà in St. Peter's Basilica by attacking the sculpture with a hammer. The incident happened on May 21, 1972, as Toth used a hammer to inflict significant damage to the masterpiece, chipping away at the marble. This act of destruction attracted extensive media coverage and drew attention to the vulnerabilities of art in public spaces. Toth was immediately subdued by onlookers and later deemed mentally disturbed.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Women Protest Sinn Féin Offices in Derry

May 22nd, 1972 52 years ago

In Derry, Northern Ireland, over 400 women staged a protest by attacking the offices of Sinn Féin. This demonstration was fueled by the recent shooting of a young British soldier on leave by the Irish Republican Army, which heightened tensions in the community. The women's actions highlighted their anger and discontent regarding the violence occurring in their neighborhoods, showcasing a rare moment of public dissent against the politics of the time.

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Politics & Government

Ceylon Becomes the Republic of Sri Lanka

May 22nd, 1972 52 years ago

Ceylon adopted a new constitution, transforming into a republic and officially changing its name to Sri Lanka. This landmark shift was marked by a new electoral system and a stronger emphasis on Buddhism, reflecting the aspirations of the Sinhalese majority. The constitutional transformation aimed to establish a more unitary state, shifting power dynamics in governance.

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Politics & Government

U.S. and USSR Sign Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

May 26th, 1972 52 years ago

The United States and the Soviet Union signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in Moscow, aimed at curtailing the arms race by limiting missile defense systems. Negotiated during a period of détente, the treaty was signed by U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. This agreement marked a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy, as both superpowers sought to stabilize relations while addressing the threats posed by nuclear arsenals and the potential for mutually assured destruction.

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Crime & Law

Lod Airport Massacre by Japanese Red Army

May 30th, 1972 52 years ago

Members of the Japanese Red Army launched an attack at Lod Airport, resulting in the deaths of 24 individuals and injuries to 78 others. Carrying automatic weapons and grenades, they targeted travelers and airport security. The attack was part of a larger plan to promote their ideology. The relationship between international terrorism and specific geopolitical tensions was highlighted as the group sought to bring attention to their cause.

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Crime & Law

Trial of the Angry Brigade Begins in London

May 30th, 1972 52 years ago

The trial of the Angry Brigade, a group accused of carrying out 25 bombings across the UK between 1970 and 1971, commenced in London. The defendants, identified as a collection of radical leftists, faced charges related to their anarchist actions targeting government buildings and symbols of authority. The bombings, which were largely non-lethal, nevertheless caused significant property damage and instigated widespread public concern regarding safety and domestic terrorism. The case drew attention to the growing political radicalism at the time, and the wider social implications of youth dissent in the context of post-war Britain.

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Military & Warfare

Phan Thị Kim Phúc and Napalm's Impact

June 8th, 1972 52 years ago

Phan Thị Kim Phúc, a nine-year-old girl, suffered severe burns from a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. Captured in an iconic photograph by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, the image depicts Kim Phúc running naked along a road, her skin burned and in agony. This moment transpired as Vietnamese forces, including the South Vietnamese government and the U.S. military, targeted a village in an effort to eliminate Viet Cong forces. The dramatic visual representation highlighted the devastating effects of the war on innocent civilians.

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Natural Disasters

Black Hills Dam Flood Devastates Communities

June 9th, 1972 52 years ago

Severe rainfall caused a dam in the Black Hills of South Dakota to burst, unleashing a catastrophic flood that resulted in the loss of 238 lives and inflicted $160 million in damage. The incident marked one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history, drastically affecting local communities along the Canyon Lake Dam.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Japan Air Lines Flight 471 Crash in New Delhi

June 14th, 1972 52 years ago

Japan Air Lines Flight 471 crashed on approach to Palam International Airport in New Delhi, India, resulting in the loss of 82 lives out of 87 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft, a Boeing 727, encountered difficulties during its landing approach due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. Tragically, the crash also claimed the lives of four individuals on the ground, further heightening the disaster's impact on the local community.

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