- February 1
- First scientific hand-held calculator (HP-35) introduced (US$395). [1]
- February 3
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- February 4
- 6th round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ends in Vienna, Austria. [1]
- February 5
- US airlines begin mandatory inspection of passengers and baggage. [1]
- February 13
- 1776 closes at 46th Steet Theater in New York City after 1,217 performances. [1]
- February 18
- California Supreme Court abolishes death penalty. [1]
- February 21
- US President Richard Nixon becomes first US President to visit China. [1]
- February 22
- US President Richard Nixon meets with Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai in Beijing. [1]
- February 26
- Slag heap dam collapses above Buffalo Creek, West Virginia, USA, kills 125. [1]
- February 27
- US President Richard Nixon and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai issue Shanghai Communique. [1]
- February 28
- US President Richard Nixon ends historic week-long visit to China. [1]
- February 29
- Jack Anderson discloses Dita Beard (ITT) memo indicating antitrust charges were dropped for US$400,000 contribution to Republican Party. [1]
- March 2
- Pioneer 10 launched for Jupiter flyby. [1]
- March 3
- Sculpted figures of Jefferson Davis, Robert E Lee, and Stonewall Jackson are completed at Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA. [1]
- March 15
- Assassination attempt on Governor George Wallace of Alabama. [1]
- NASA selects three-part configuration for Space Shuttle. [1]
- March 21
- US Supreme Court rules states can't require one-year residency to vote. [1]
- March 22
- US Congress approves Equal Rights Amendment (never ratified). [1]
- March 23
- Presidential decree transfers the 1906-built San Francisco Mint building to the US Mint. [676.42]
- March 24
- The old San Francisco Mint is declared a historic landmark. [611.32]
- March 30
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- April 1
- 30,000 attend Mar Y Sol rock concert, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. [1]
- April 2
- 44th Academy Awards - French Connection, Gene Hackman and Jane Fonda win. [1]
- April 3
- Official US gold price raised from $35 per ounce to $38. [397.52]
- April 10
- US, USSR and 70 other nations agree to ban biological weapons. [1]
- April 11
- Benjamin L Hooks is named to the US Federal Communications Commission. [1]
- April 15
- Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Carole King, and Quincy Jones perform at a benefit for George McGovern for President. [1]
- April 16
- Two giant pandas (Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing) arrive in the US, from China. [1]
- Apollo 16 is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida; 5th manned lunar landing (Decartes Highlands). [1] [5]
- April 19
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- April 20
- Apollo 16 with John Young and Charles Duke lands on Moon with Boeing Lunar Rover #2. [1]
- April 22
- Apollo 16 astronauts John Young and Charles Duke explore the Moon. [1]
- April 23
- 26th Tony Awards: Sticks and Bones and Two Gentlemen of Verona win. [1]
- April 27
- Apollo 16 returns to Earth. [1]
- April 30
- Arthur Godfrey Time ends a 27-year run on radio. [1]
- May 2
- Electrical fire in Sunshine Silver mine - 126 die (Kellogg, Idaho, USA). [1]
- Lieutenant General Vernon A Walters becomes deputy director of US Central Intelligence Agency. [1]
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 6
- In Los Angeles, California, the 24rd Annual Emmy Awards are presented, hosted by Johnny Carson.
- Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: Peter Falk for the "Columbo" series of The NBC Mystery Movie
- Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Keith Michell for "Catherine Howard" of The Six Wives of Henry VIII
- Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Carroll O'Connor for All in the Family
- Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: Glenda Jackson for Elizabeth R
- Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Jean Stapleton for All in the Family
- Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Glenda Jackson for episode "The Shadow In The Sun" of Elizabeth R
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy: Edward Asner for Mary Tyler Moore
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Drama: Jack Warden for Brian's Song
- Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Comedy: Sally Struthers for All in the Family and Valerie Harper for Mary Tyler Moore
- Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama: Jenny Agutter for Snow Goose
- Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: John Rich for episode "Sammy's Visit" of All in the Family
- Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction of a Variety, Musical or Dramatic Program: Elliot Lawrence for 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin
- Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety or Music: Art Fisher for The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour
- Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama - A Single Program: Tom Gries for The Glass House
- Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama - A Single Program of a Series with Continuing Characters and/or Theme: Alexander Singer for episode "The Invasion of Kevin Ireland" of The Bold Ones: The Lawyers
- Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music: Walter C. Miller and Martin Charnin for 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Original Teleplay: Allan Sloane for To All My Friends on Shore
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music: Anne Howard Bailey for The Trial of Mary Lincoln
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Adaptation: William Blinn for Brian's Song
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: Burt Styler for episode "Edith's Problem" of All in the Family
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety or Music: Don Hinkley, Stan Hart, Larry Siegel, Roger Beatty, Heywood Kling, Art Baer, Ben Joelson, Stan Burns, Mike Marmer, and Arnie Rosen for The Carol Burnett Show
- Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama: Columbo: Richard Levinson and William Link for Death Lends a Hand
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Entertainment Programming - For a Series or a Single Program of a Series: Lloyd Ahern for Columbo: Blueprint for Murder
- Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design: Elizabeth Waller for episode "The Lion's Cub" of Elizabeth R
- Outstanding Achievement in Live or Tape Sound Mixing: Norman Dewes for episode "The Elevator Story" of All in the Family
- Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming - For a Series or a Single Program of a Series: Edward M. Abroms for Columbo: Death Lends a Hand
- Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing: Jerry Christian, James Troutman, Ronald LaVine, Sid Lubow, Richard Raderman, Dale Johnston, Sam Caylor, John Stacy, and Jack Kirschner for Duel
- Outstanding Single Program - Variety or Musical - Variety and Popular Music: Joseph Cates, Martin Charnin, and Jack Lemmon for 'S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin
- Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition - For a Special Program: John Williams for Jane Eyre
- Outstanding Variety Series - Musical: The Carol Burnett Show
- Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition - For a Series or a Single Program of a Series: Pete Rugolo for episode "In Defense of Ellen McKay" of The Bold Ones: The Lawyers
- Outstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or Variety: Harvey Korman for The Carol Burnett Show
- Outstanding Single Program - Variety or Musical - Classical Music: Bernstein on Beethoven: A Celebration in Vienna
- Outstanding Achievement in Music, Lyrics and Special Material: Ray Charles for episode "The Funny Side of Marriage" of The Funny Side
- Outstanding Series - Comedy: All in the Family
- Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming - Programs: Sesame Street
- Outstanding New Series: Elizabeth R
- Outstanding Series - Drama: Elizabeth R
- Outstanding Variety Series - Talk: The Dick Cavett Show
- Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement - Docu-Drama: The Search for the Nile
- Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Drama - Programs: The Doctors
- Outstanding Single Program - Drama or Comedy: Brian's Song
- Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design - For a Dramatic Program or Feature Length Film Made for Television, a Single Program of a Series or a Special Program: Jan Scott for The Scarecrow.
[214]
- May 10
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 11
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 14
- 24th Emmy Awards: All in the Family, Carrol O'Conner and Jean Stapleton. [1]
- May 15
- George Wallace is shot and left paralyzed by Arthur Bremer in Laurel, Maryland, USA. [1]
- Ryukyu Island and Daito Island are returned to Japan after 27 years of US control. [1]
- May 19
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 22
- US President Richard Nixon begins visit to Moscow, Russia. [1]
- May 24
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 25
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 26
- US President Richard Nixon and Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev signs SALT accord. [1]
- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site. [1]
- May 28
- White House "plumbers" break into Democratic National headquarters at Watergate. [1]
- June 9
- 14 inches of rain in six hours bursts Rapid City, South Dakota dam, drowns 200. [1]
- June 12
- George P. Shultz begins term as 60th Treasury Secretary of the US. [548.99]
- June 17
- The Main Street Electrical Parade premieres at Disneyland. The vehicles feature 500,000 sparkling lights, and 500 miles of wiring. [6]
- Five arrested for burglarizing US Democratic Party headquarters at Watergate. [1]
- June 23
- Hurricane Agnes is costliest natural disaster in American history. [1]
- US President Richard Nixon and Chief of Staff Harry Haldeman agree to use Central Intelligence Agency to cover up Watergate. [1]
- US President Richard Nixon signs act barring sex discrimination in college sports. [1]
- June 29
- US Supreme Court rules death penalty usually was "cruel and unusual punishment". [1]
- July 1
- Ms. magazine begins publishing. [1]
- July 10
- Democratic convention opens in Miami Beach, Florida (George McGovern wins). [1]
- July 12
- John B. Connally resigns as Treasury Secretary. [640.65]
- July 21
- In New York, 57 murders occur in 24 hours. [1]
- July 22
- 27.53 cm (10.84 inches) of rainfall, Fort Ripley, Minnesota (state 24-hour record). [1]
- July 23
- First Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS) is launched. [1]
- July 25
- US health officials concede blacks were used as guinea pigs in 40-year syphilis experiment. [1]
- July 30
- In Sitka, Alaska, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurs. The Fairweather fault ruptures over a length of 75 kilometers. [53]
- July 31
- Thomas Eagleton withdraws as Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. [1]
- August 1
- First article appears exposing Watergate scandal (Bernstein-Woodward). [1]
- August 9
- Rockwell receives NASA contract to construct the Space Shuttle. [1]
- August 10
- An asteroid 2-10m in diameter enters Earth's atmosphere over Utah, USA, and exits 100 seconds later over Alberta, Canada. [521]
- August 12
- Last American combat ground troops leave Vietnam. [1]
- August 21
- US orbiting astronomy observatory Copernicus launched. [1]
- August 23
- Republican convention (Miami Beach, Florida) re-nominates Vice President Spiro Agnew but not unanimous - one vote given to NBC newsman David Brinkley. [1]
- September 11
- Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco, California begins service with a 26-mile (42-km) line from Oakland to Fremont. [1] [5]
- September 24
- Antique F86 Sabrejet fails to takeoff at air show, kills 22. [1]
- September 26
- American Museum of Immigration dedicated. [1]
- October 11
- Prison uprising at Washington DC jail. [1]
- October 12
- 46 sailors injured in race riot on US aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. [1]
- October 26
- Guided tours of Alcatraz (by US Park Service) begin. [1]
- Henry Kissinger declares "Peace is at hand" in Vietnam. [1]
- October 27
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area created. [1]
- October 30
- Worst US rail accident in 14 years; 45 die in Chicago, Illinois. [1]
- November 1
- Standard Oil (New Jersey) changes its company name to Exxon. [228]
- November 2
- Construction begins on the Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, USA. [1]
- November 7
- US President Richard Nixon (Republican) re-elected defeating George McGovern (Democrat). [1]
- November 11
- US Army turns over Long Bihn base to South Vietnamese army. [1]
- November 14
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 1,000 (1,003.16) for the first time. [1] [227]
- November 15
- Small Astronomy Satellite Explorer 48 is launched to study gamma rays. [1]
- November
- New Jersey begins a daily drawn lottery. [86.58] [187.388]
- November 29
- Atari releases the Pong coin-operated arcade video game system. Nolan Bushnell and Al Alcorn developed the game at Atari, partly based on the Magnavox Odyssey system. [9]
- December 2
- "December Giant" largest sinkhole in US collapses (Alabama). [1]
- December 7
- Apollo 17 (US), final manned lunar landing mission (last of Apollo Moon series), is launched. [1] [5]
- December 8
- United Airlines airplane crashes at Chicago's Midway Airport killing 45. [1]
- December 11
- Apollo 17 becomes the sixth American mission to land on the Moon. Astronauts Cernan and Harrison become 11th and 12th astronauts on the Moon. [1] [5]
- December 14
- Apollo 17 mission leaves the moon, with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt as the last men to walk on the moon to date. [1] [5] [129] [524.25]
- December 18
- US begins its heaviest bombing of North Vietnam. [1]
- December 19
- The last American manned lunar flight, Apollo 17, crewed by Eugene Cernan, Ron Evans and Harrison Schmitt, returns to Earth. [1] [5]
- December 29
- Eastern Tristar Jumbo Jet crashes near Florida Everglades killing 101. [1]
- Life magazine ceases publication. [1]
- December 30
- US President Richard Nixon halts bombing of North Vietnam and announces peace talks. [1]
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