Featured moment
Pong Released by Atari
The simple tennis game became the first commercially successful video game and launched the arcade industry.
The Godfather and the break-in.
Pong launched the video game industry, Watergate began, and The Godfather redefined cinema.
The Cost of Living in 1972
Gallon of Gas
$0.44
Loaf of Bread
$0.29
Gallon of Milk
$1.42
World Population
3.85 billion
Featured moment
Watergate Break-in
Five men were arrested breaking into the DNC headquarters, sparking the scandal that would end Nixon's presidency.
Featured moment
The Godfather Released
Francis Ford Coppola's mafia epic won Best Picture and became one of the most acclaimed films ever made.
The wider picture
More from 1972
A few more things worth remembering.
World Events
Munich Olympics Massacre
Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes at the Summer Games in West Germany.
Science & Space
Apollo 17: Last Man on the Moon
Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the lunar surface.
Cinema & TV
HBO Launches
Home Box Office became the first premium pay television channel in the US.
Gaming
Magnavox Odyssey Released
The first commercial home video game console was released to the public.
Cinema & TV
M*A*S*H Premieres
The Korean War dark comedy debuted, becoming one of the most successful TV series in history.
You arrivedin 1972.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1972 to today.