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The 1970s were a whirlwind of groove and social changes. People from this decade witnessed many remarkable events, such as the gay liberation movement victories, the election of the first female Prime Minister in the U.K., and the rise of disco.

Alongside these successes, they were also a part of some unfortunate incidents like the Vietnam War, the Oil Crisis, and the loss of many icons like Elvis Presley, Coco Chanel, and Pablo Picasso.

The decade was an era like no other, and luckily the subreddit “The 70s are back!” has collected many images to preserve it. For Gen Z, they may already be mere relics from the past, but these images can reveal a lot about what was happening at the time. Let’s take a nostalgic journey by scrolling through the list and immersing ourselves in the spirit of the ‘70s.

#1

Early ‘70s / Early 70’s, Cheers

Early ‘70s / Early 70’s, Cheers

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Kaedyn Walsh
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this. Seriously, I'm so in love with love. Look at them. They both found their Person. <3

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#3

If You Ever Used One Of These Perpetual Towel Contraptions To Dry Your Hands In The 1970s You’re Probably Immune To All Forms Of Viruses And Diseases Now

If You Ever Used One Of These Perpetual Towel Contraptions To Dry Your Hands In The 1970s You’re Probably Immune To All Forms Of Viruses And Diseases Now

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SM
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that comment about being immune! But in all seriousness, I do believe that trying to "live in a germ-free environment" has caused problems for younger generations. Soap and water, and good cleaning habits, good, tying to go around killing all bacteria, bad.

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Things got pretty weird in the 1970s, especially in the US, mostly because it came after the youth and change-driven 1960s and the incoming flashy styles of disco and punk. Even though people yearned for new social possibilities, they were faced with political division (Roe v. Wade, the Watergate scandal), hostility (wars in Asia), and rejection. As they started to lose hope of reuniting as a society with a common interest in goals, many focused on issues of subgroups they belonged to based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and religion.

#4

I Can Smell This Picture- When We Got Bored With Our Cap Guns We Started Bashing The Whole Rolls With A Hammer! Fun Times In The 1970s!

I Can Smell This Picture- When We Got Bored With Our Cap Guns We Started Bashing The Whole Rolls With A Hammer! Fun Times In The 1970s!

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#5

Smallpox Vaccination Scar ! Who Has One?

Smallpox Vaccination Scar ! Who Has One?

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#6

Anybody Remember These Guys?

Anybody Remember These Guys?

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During this period, many American citizens witnessed indigenous people seeking to maintain their culture and improve their quality of life. For decades, they were living in poverty and discrimination. In the '70s, the average life expectancy for a Native American person was 46 years, compared to the national average of 69. Half of them lived on reservations, where employment reached 50%. After many struggles and protests, the US government restored millions of acres of tribal lands and increased funding for Native American education, healthcare, and housing.

#7

Silly Putty ! Remember Copying The Funny Pages From The News Paper?

Silly Putty ! Remember Copying The Funny Pages From The News Paper?

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#8

Only The Lucky Kids Got These In The Anonymous Christmas Gift Exchange In School

Only The Lucky Kids Got These In The Anonymous Christmas Gift Exchange In School

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The drive for gay and lesbian rights intensified as well. The activists called for any homosexual individuals to come out and reveal their orientation. Therefore, gay communities moved from the underground to the political sphere. They strongly protested against the American Psychiatric Association, which categorized homosexuality as a mental illness. This “diagnosis” often resulted in job loss, loss of custody, and other serious consequences for the LGBT community. By 1974, it was no longer considered a mental illness. The same year, Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly lesbian woman to run for office in Michigan.

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#10

If You Know, You Know. This Guy Was Sort Of Like The Steve Irwin Of The '70s

If You Know, You Know. This Guy Was Sort Of Like The Steve Irwin Of The '70s

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#11

I Now Realize Everyone Was Drunk On This Show

I Now Realize Everyone Was Drunk On This Show

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#12

Who Else Loved Underdog And His Villains?

Who Else Loved Underdog And His Villains?

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Kat-Renee Kittel
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh where oh where can my Underdog be oh where oh where can he be...

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Women's liberation also continued in the 1970s. Feminists opened women’s shelters, successfully fought for protection from employment discrimination for pregnant ladies, reformed sexual assault laws, and funded schools that opposed sexist stereotypes. In 1973, the US Supreme Court, in Roe v. Wade, put in place several laws that made abortions during the first three months legal. This meant that women could seek help nationwide without needing to prove that the pregnancy was a danger to their health or that it was the result of a reported assault.

#13

Remember When Dairy Queen Was A Takeout Stand? (1970s-80s)

Remember When Dairy Queen Was A Takeout Stand? (1970s-80s)

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#14

Pizza Day Was The Best Day Of The Week In Elementary School In The 70s

Pizza Day Was The Best Day Of The Week In Elementary School In The 70s

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Growing up in the ‘70s amongst all of this was undeniably different from today. With the hippie movement in full swing and more women acquiring jobs, parents usually employed a “hands-off” approach when raising their children. Unsupervised play was still a thing, children of this era remember being told, “Be home when the street lights come on” or “Whose house are you going to, and when will you be back?” Kids between the ages of 5 and 13 would take care of themselves with no adult supervision before and after school on a regular basis.

#16

Moon Boots. If You Lived In A Cold Climate, You Wore Them

Moon Boots. If You Lived In A Cold Climate, You Wore Them

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Mad Dragon
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With bread bags over your feet so your socks did not end up soaking wet if the snow was slushy.

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#17

What Were You Chewing Back In The Day?

What Were You Chewing Back In The Day?

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Kat-Renee Kittel
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fruit Stripe Gum!! Does anybody remember how to create chains from the chewing gum wrappers? My older brother had a friend who actually used the gum wrapper chains for curtain dividers and he showed me how to make the chains.

SuperChicken
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Loved these gums, when I was a little girl. I remember Joe Bazooka cartoons from those Bazooka gums.

Bill Swallow
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ya left out Beeman's Pepsin (favorite of pilots with The Right Stuff, and with Rocketeers), Clove, and Black Jack. Honorable Mention for Big Red. And those little cloth bags full of 'Gold Nuggets' (gum with really hard, glossy, yellow sugar glaze).

Zaphod
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You still see young street kids selling Chiclets in Tijuana

INGI
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the tiny chiclets, right? I loved the sound as I poured them into my mouth, then proceeded to nearly choke on the huge wad of gum I created :P

Upstaged75
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That stuff that came in a package with shredded pieces. Big League Chew?? It was supposed to mimic chewing tobacco like the baseball players used. My softball team went crazy for it. :)

OneHappyPuppy
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrigley's and Chiclets. Dentyne still exists, just in a wholly different package

me McG
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can still enjoy a wad under many a school desk that doesn't break the 60 year rule.

R.C.
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Juicy Fruit is the best imo. It's too bad the flavour only lasted for 3 minutes lol.

Jumping Jellyfishes
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After only having Bazooka and those 2¢ hard-as-a-rock singles, the appearance of Bubble Yum and Bubblicious was a real game changer!

Der Kommissar
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adams Fan Tan. Teaberry, Blackjack and Clove also made by Adams were nasty

J Adams
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did I think chiclets were some kind of chicken dish? I dunno I thought it was something along the lines of deep fried sweetbreads or other ‘offal’ type meat from a chicken

BreGerEu
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Left bottom home in Germany. Right bottom on vacation in Portugal. Edit: Plus Hubba Bubba.

CORGI QUEEN
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

would chew (insert gum that becomes unchewable rubber is 5 seconds)

LizAnn
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bubblicious or Bubble Yum had a chocolate flavor for a while. Loved the orange the best. When the flavor left you just stuffed another piece in your mouth and ended up trying to chew about 3 or 4 pieces at a time.

Mark (it/urgh)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember having a fake Juicy Fruit packet with a small mousetrap inside it. Always fun asking people if they wanted a piece of gum. SNAP.

Kaedyn Walsh
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

grape bubble yum and grape bubblicious were the best grape gums ever. Loved Juicy Fruit also. Fruit stripe was good - for the 3 seconds the flavor was there lol . Loved FreshenUp as well.

Oddly Me
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freshen-up was my favorite, with the extra flavor boost from the juicy center..

Michael A. Brown
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bazooka was first. It was cheaper. Then it was Bubble Yum, which was softer. Then I switched to Bubblicious because they had better flavors. As I got older it was Wrigley's

Patti Bulldog
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mini fruity chiclets, then onto Bubble Yum, then Freshen Up aka c*m gum

Petra Winnubst-Turkenburg
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bazooka! Ik heb die zelfs met mijn ouders ingepakt aan de keukentafel, In Nederland

Terry Filkohazi
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The gum bottom left, Bazooka, Freshen up, Dentyne and Fruit 🦓

Janice Seagraves
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bazooka bubble gun made the best bubbles, but OMG did your jaws ever hurt.

deejak
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can taste each pic. Can't scroll away til all the flavors are gone and my jaw is tired.

Leslie Jabine
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was making chains out of the wrappers! At least 7+ feet long!

IndoGrrlRN67
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't chew Bazooka. You read the comic then broke your tooth.

Lotekguy
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First choice was the gum that came with baseball cards, even though it was usually hard as a rock.

Leigh James
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I chewed all of them; lot's of amphetamines available in Junior and Senior High School in the '70's!

Nice Beast Ludo
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

CHICLETS!!! I only liked the rainbow and mini ones the yellow bag

Alex
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🎶bazooka bubblegum bazooka bazooka bubblegum🎶

SmooshyFries
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had em all at one time or another but usually skipped Dentyne- too hot! Loved loved Freshen Up

wowbagger
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I miss the shredded bubble gum that came in a big envelope so you could pretend you were chewing tobacco.

Happy Homemaker
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved fruit flavored Chiclets. Fruit Stripe was my second favorite. At my grandmother’s house we were only allowed to have Cinnamon Trident because “dentists recommended it”. 😂

Julie Blaylock
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bazooka and Fruit Stripe, and Juicy Fruit or Doublemint at church!

Giraffy Window
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum and her sisters made sure their dad had a pack of juicy fruit gum in his shirt pocket the day of his funeral. I wish they'd bring back the sugar version.

Cat Chat
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, as the new sheriff on Fargo season 1 reminisced about...Hubba Bubba... the grape flavor.

Andy Cran
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bazooka Joe here in UK...I remember the cartoon strips inside

Sue
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freshen up had a flavored gel in the middle that squirted out when you chewed it. We called it c*m gum of course.

Mia C
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bazooka! The flavor lasted maybe 2 minutes but it was SO good!

Geoffrey Scott
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dennis the Menace movie. Him replacing Walter Matthaus (Mr. Wilson's) denture teeth with Chiclets. Not a 70's movie, but every boomer watching it, got it and laughed.

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#18

I’m Feeling Really Dizzy And My Cheeks Hurt Real Bad

I’m Feeling Really Dizzy And My Cheeks Hurt Real Bad

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kissmychakram
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11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember that if you inadvertently got any of this on wooden furniture it would remove any varnish it made contact with.

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One thing adding to the not-so-strict parenting was the lack of communication devices. There weren’t cell phones or smart watches back then. Getting hold of your child meant calling up your neighbors. Children would usually stay out all day, and if they needed to get in contact, they could use a payphone (ancient, we know). They got around without cell phones by making a plan days in advance and sticking to it. It’s hard to imagine doing all this planning just to go to a bowling alley with a friend after school. Nowadays, with nearly everyone having cell phones, we can make arrangements and know where someone is in an instant.

#19

Lincoln Logs Arrived At The Thrift Store Today. Imagine How Long They've Been In Someone's Closet

Lincoln Logs Arrived At The Thrift Store Today. Imagine How Long They've Been In Someone's Closet

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#20

Who Else Loved Watching, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, In 1974 & 1975 ?

Who Else Loved Watching, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, In 1974 & 1975 ?

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Kat-Renee Kittel
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every single episode! 😍 It was being re-aired recently on Comet I think.

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#21

Spencer Gifts ! My Friends And I Would Head Straight To The Poster Rack

Spencer Gifts ! My Friends And I Would Head Straight To The Poster Rack

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Some things that no longer exist in our current world but were useful in the ‘70s were services like milkmen, diaper changers, and television repairmen. Many people had metal boxes on their front porches, and the milkmen would pick up the empty glass bottles and leave milk on their doorstep. You could also leave a dirty bag of cloth diapers for someone to collect, and they would replace them with a stack of new ones. And if the TV broke, you would pay someone who came to your house in a van filled with parts and fixed it in your home. How ‘70s is that?

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#22

Pop Some Boston Into The Cassette Deck And Let's Cruise

Pop Some Boston Into The Cassette Deck And Let's Cruise

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#24

I Think These Were Created To Give 70's Children Nightmares

I Think These Were Created To Give 70's Children Nightmares

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Libstak
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many peeps think my user name is related to these guys, Sleestak, libstak...

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Also, let's not forget that reading paper maps and looking for distinctive landmarks were the only ways to travel successfully. Watching your favorite television shows in the 1970s was like making an appointment. Recording devices didn’t exist yet, so if you missed a show, better luck next time! Even thinking about it sends shivers down your spine. Additionally, at the time, the nationwide highway speed limit was 55 miles per hour in the US (now it rarely ever goes below 65).

#25

Me And My Little Brother. Halloween - 1973

Me And My Little Brother. Halloween - 1973

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Zaphod
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone wore these flammable plastic suits with cheap masks. You'd go to every house and fill your pillow case with candy on Halloween

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#26

You Are From The 70's. If You Remember The Soda Machines With The Cup And Crushed Ice Dispenser

You Are From The 70's. If You Remember The Soda Machines With The Cup And Crushed Ice Dispenser

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#27

Long John Silver’s In The Late 1970s Was Something Special

Long John Silver’s In The Late 1970s Was Something Special

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The era of the 1970s was multifaceted in many ways. From social and cultural changes to daily life without cellphones or GPS, it was a mix of challenges and significant achievements that left a lasting effect on the decades ahead. Reflecting on this period, we have to ask, dear Pandas, do you recall something from the ‘70s that no longer exists or was peculiar even to this decade?

#28

Remember “Wacky Packages” Trading Cards From Topps? (1967-77)

Remember “Wacky Packages” Trading Cards From Topps? (1967-77)

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#29

So I Have An Awesome 70s Smoking Room. Tell Me What U Think

So I Have An Awesome 70s Smoking Room. Tell Me What U Think

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Hawkmoon
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Farrah Fawcett... I think this picture must have been the best-selling poster in the world at the time. It was everywhere.

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#30

Barefoot Gas Pedal, Hurst Shifter, And Boston

Barefoot Gas Pedal, Hurst Shifter, And Boston

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#31

If You Didn't Take Him Up On The Roof, You Didn't Truly "Live" The 70s

If You Didn't Take Him Up On The Roof, You Didn't Truly "Live" The 70s

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Zaphod
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You had to try and maake him jump the Snake River Canyon!

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#33

Members Of A Cult Or A Flower Selling Cartel?

Members Of A Cult Or A Flower Selling Cartel?

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#34

Am I The Only One That Had One Of These?

Am I The Only One That Had One Of These?

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#37

I Had Baseball My Brother Had Football. Did Anyone Else Have One Or Know Someone Who Did?

I Had Baseball My Brother Had Football. Did Anyone Else Have One Or Know Someone Who Did?

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