World Events · 1971
Shifting Alliances, New Frontiers, and Changing Value
In 1971, global geopolitics were reshaped by the birth of Bangladesh, while global financial markets were stunned as the United States abandoned the gold standard. Meanwhile, human ingenuity pushed forward with the introduction of the first commercial microprocessor and the expansion of space travel.
- December 16, 1971 | South Asia
Creation of Bangladesh
Following the surrender of Pakistani military forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War, East Pakistan officially achieves independence to become the sovereign nation of Bangladesh.
- August 15, 1971 | Economics
The Nixon Shock
President Richard Nixon unilaterally cancels the direct convertibility of the US dollar to gold, abruptly ending the post-WWII Bretton Woods monetary system.
- June 13, 1971 | United States
Publication of the Pentagon Papers
The New York Times begins publishing classified Department of Defense documents revealing decades of secret US political and military escalation in the Vietnam War.
- July 31, 1971 | Space Exploration
Apollo 15 Drives on the Moon
NASA astronauts drive the first Lunar Roving Vehicle across the lunar surface, enabling far greater geological exploration of the Hadley-Apennine region.
- November 15, 1971 | Technology
Intel Releases the 4004 Microprocessor
Intel commercially releases the world's first single-chip microprocessor, laying the technological groundwork for the modern personal computer revolution.
- July 1, 1971 | US Law
Ratification of the 26th Amendment
Prompted by Vietnam War draft protests, the US lowers the official voting age from 21 to 18 through the fastest constitutional ratification in American history.
- September 15, 1971 | Environmentalism
Founding Voyage of Greenpeace
Activists set sail aboard a makeshift protest vessel toward Amchitka, Alaska, attempting to halt underground US nuclear weapons testing and launching Greenpeace.
- October 1, 1971 | Florida, USA
Opening of Walt Disney World
The Magic Kingdom opens near Orlando, Florida, transforming central Florida swamp land into the world's most visited entertainment resort.
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