What Happened in 1975 – Trivia, Movies, Songs, Toys, Born In
Trivia, Movies, Popular Toys, Sports, Celebrities Born In 1975, News, Fun Facts and more.
Ever wonder, “What Happened in 1975?”
What Famous Celebrities Were Born? What were the popular toys, movies, songs and TV shows? Well you’ll find out here.
So if you if you are planning a birthday party, trivia game night, wedding anniversary event, class reunion or just curious about 1975 movies, music, tovs, famous people born, news and fun facts; well you are in luck as we’ve got the answers. Party Game Ideas has pulled together a list of fun and interesting things that happened in 1975, so you can create trivia game questions or activities based on 1975. If you need games for a 1975 birthday party, bookmark this page as we will be creating games soon, but in the meantime check out our Born in 1973 – Birthday Party Game Pack that offers trivia and fun questions about food, pop culture and fun things that happened when those Born in 1973 were growing up.
1975 Items – Page Topics Listed in Order
1975 History & News, 1975 Fun Facts
1975 Top Movies, Notable Quotes, Top 40 Songs of 1975, Sports
Celebrities Born in 1975, Top TV Shows of 1975, Saturday Morning Cartoons, Top Toys
What Did Things Cost in 1975, and we have a 1975 Calendar too.
1975 History & News
- The Vietnam War comes to an end on April, 30th.
- 2 attempts to assassinate U. S. President Gerald Ford are made within 3 weeks. First was Sept. 5th in Sacramento, California by Lynette Fromme and the second by Sara Jane Moore in San Francisco, but were thwarted by Secret Service agents.
- U.S. Bill authorizes admission of women to military academies.
- NASA launches Viking 1 planetary probe toward Mars. Viking 1 would land on Mars on July 20th, 1976.
- Pennsylvania is 1st state to allow girls to compete with boys in HS sports.
- American publishing heiress-turned-bank robber Patty Hearst captured by FBI in San Francisco, California.
- Soviet orbiter Venera 9 becomes the 1st spacecraft to orbit and then land on Venus.
- Margaret Thatcher is the first woman elected to lead Britain’s Conservative Party.
- 11 killed, 75 hurt by terrorist bomb at LaGuardia Airport in NYC.
- Egypt reopens the Suez Canal after eight years.
- US President Gerald Ford signs Metric Conversion Act in to law (It was to make the metric system the preferred system for trade and commerce in the US.)
- Time Man of the Year: American Women
Interesting & Fun Facts about 1975
- The Pet Rock becomes an odd toy sensation. Over 1 Million boxed rocks sold for around $4 each.
- “Saturday Night Live” premieres on NBC with George Carlin as host on October 11th.
- For the first time, “Saturday Night Live” uses a time delay when Richard Pryor hosts on December 13th.
- Pop Rocks Candy is introduced and the exploding candy becomes a hit.
- Women who caught our attention in 1975 Barbi Benton, Cher, Angie Dickinson, Lauren Hutton, Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, Jane Seymour, Barbara Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor, Lindsay Wagner.
- Companies established in 1975 – Chili’s Restaurant, DeLorean Motor Company, Dooney & Bourke, Giorgio Armani, Linens & Things, Members Only, Microsoft, Oakley, Supercuts, The Vanguard Group
- Supreme Court rules teachers could spank their pupils after a warning.
- Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen’s landmark third album “Born To Run” – This album would catapult Springsteen to stardom (the album has become widely regarded as a masterpiece and one of Springsteen’s best records).
- ABC premieres “Good Morning America” with hosts David Hartman & Nancy Dussault.
- After 20 seasons, Gunsmoke – The American Western TV series, goes off the air.
- Jaws is released and the summer blockbuster is born! The “Jaws Affect” has people avoid going into the water at beaches across the country.
- Some of the Top Selling Fiction Books included “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” “Shogun,” “Salem’s Lot,” and “Ragtime.”
- Computer hobbyists Stephen Wozniak and Steven Jobs begin working on computer designs. Together they develop the Apple 1 prototype.
- Miller Lite is introduced and the “Tastes Great, Less Filling” debate begins.
- Wheel of Fortune premieres on NBC. (Jan. 6th)
- The Rubik’s Cube was invented and known as the Magic Cube, it wouldn’t make it to the US until 1980.
- Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft.
- Space Mountain opens at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
- Bands / Music groups formed in 1975 – Air Supply, The Boomtown Rats, Boston, Iron Maiden, Little River Band, Miami Sound Machine, Motorhead, Sex Pistols, Talking Heads, Triumph
- US Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappears in suburban Detroit on July 30th and is never seen or heard from again. Hoffa will not be legally declared dead until 1982, because they never found his body.
- “The Jeffersons” a spinoff from “All in the Family” premieres in January 1975 on CBS.
- Junko Tabei from Japan becomes 1st woman to reach summit of Mt Everest.
- There are no minted 1975 quarters, as quarters created in 1975 featured the 1776-1976 U.S. Bicentennial design.
- Home Box Office, HBO, becomes the first pay TV network to deliver a continuous broadcast signal via satellite and shows the “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match live.
- “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is released at the box office and make just over $4 million in the US.
- Golden Grahams cereal is introduced.
- The Pepsi Challenge starts where Pepsi hold taste tests across the country pitting Pepsi vs Coca-Cola.
- With songs like “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” things associated with country life have a surge in popularity. (Square Dancing, Western Clothing, Country Themed Kitchens & Home Decor)
- Jacques Cousteau finds the wreckage of the HMHS Britannic, which was sunk by a mine in 1916, in the Kea Channel.
- “As the World Turns” and “The Edge of Night”, the final two American soap operas that had resisted going to pre-taped broadcasts, air their last live episodes.
World Population – 4,062,000,000
Top Movies 1975 – US Box Office in millions
This list represents the earnings of movies that were released in 1975, based on our research. We did find some differing facts on earnings, but these were in most Top 12 rankings we reviewed.
1. Jaws $260
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest $109
3. Shampoo $49.4
4. Dog Day Afternoon $46.7
5. The Return of the Pink Panther $41.8
6. Three Days of the Condor $41.5
7. Funny Lady $40.1
8. The Other Side of the Mountain $34.7
9. Tommy $34.3
10. The Apple Dumpling Gang $31.9
11. Rollerball $30
12. The Adventures of the Wilderness Family $28.8
Other notable films of 1975
• The Hindenburg
• The Stepford Wives
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show has become a cult classic and is still shown in theaters today for special events and limited releases. However the movie was not a box office success and from the data we found, did not break a million in ticket sales in the calendar year of 1975. However The Rocky Horror Picture Show has gone on to earn over $114 million since it’s release date in September of 1975.
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail was released in the US and Britain and worldwide box office receipts were under $6 million. However, the film had a cult like following and over time has become must see classic that has inspired quotes and is still shown in theaters for special occasions. Ironic that “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” has made more money in video tape and dvd sales than it ever did at the box office!
- Academy Award for Best Picture 1975 – The Godfather: Part II
- Best Actor 1975 – Art Carney for Harry and Tonto
- Best Actress 1975 – Ellen Burstyn for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
Since the Oscars for movies released in 1975 are given out in 1976, we want to include which films won the following Academy Awards.
- Academy Award for Best Picture 1976 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
- Best Actor 1976 – Jack Nicholson for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
- Best Actress 1976 – Louisie Fletcher for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Notable Quotes from 1975
“I think we’re going to need a bigger boat.”
– Chief Brody in Jaws
“I don’t want to talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.”
– French knight to King Arthur, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail
“Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!”
– The Cast – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
New Advertising & Jingles
“Tastes Great!, Less Filling!”
– Miller Brewing – Promoting Miller Lite
Learn more about our Born in 1973 Birthday Party Games.
Top 40 Songs of 1975
Ratings are based on Hot 100 Charts from Nov. 2, 1974 – Nov. 1, 1975 ranking by Billboard
The Captain & Tennille ruled the airways with Love and a new sound was just starting to hit the airways with songs from the Bee Gees and KC & the Sunshine Band. This more energetic music would rules the charts over the next few years but until then check out the top 40 songs of 1975. While more 1960s sounding songs like “Bungle in the Jungle” (Number 89 for the year) would fade from the pop charts.
1. “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille
2. “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell
3. “Philadelphia Freedom” Elton John
4. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” Freddy Fender
5. “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli
6. “Some Kind of Wonderful” Grand Funk Railroad
7. “Shining Star” Earth, Wind & Fire
8. “Fame” David Bowie
9. “Laughter in the Rain” Neil Sedaka
10. “One of These Nights” Eagles
11. “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” John Denver
12. “Jive Talkin'” Bee Gees
13. “Best of My Love” Eagles
14. “Lovin’ You” Minnie Riperton
15. “Kung Fu Fighting” Carl Douglas
16. “Black Water” The Doobie Brothers
17. “The Ballroom Blitz” Sweet
18. “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” B.J. Thomas
19. “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” Tony Orlando and Dawn
20. “At Seventeen” Janis Ian
21. “Pick Up the Pieces” Average White Band
22. “The Hustle” Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
23. “Lady Marmalade” Labelle
24. “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” War
25. “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” Major Harris
26. “Boogie On Reggae Woman” Stevie Wonder
27. “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” Freddy Fender
28. “Angie Baby” Helen Reddy
29. “Fight the Power” The Isley Brothers
30. “Jackie Blue” Ozark Mountain Daredevils
31. “Fire” Ohio Players
32. “Magic” Pilot
33. “Please Mr. Postman” The Carpenters
34. “Sister Golden Hair” America
35. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” Elton John
36. “Mandy” Barry Manilow
37. “Have You Never Been Mellow” Olivia Newton-John
38. “Could It Be Magic” Barry Manilow
39. “Cat’s in the Cradle” Harry Chapin
40. “Wildfire” Michael Martin Murphey
Other Notable Songs and Facts from 1975
45. “Fallin’ in Love” Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, 49. “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” Barry White, 51. “You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt, 65. “Get Down Tonight” KC and the Sunshine Band, 68. “Fell Like Makin’ Love” Bad Company, 89. “Bungle in the Jungle” Jethro Tull, 98. “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
• Elton John’s “Island Girl” reached No. 1 for three weeks and would have been have ranked as a Top 20 song for 1975 if the charts were on a calendar year, but since they ran from November to November the song would only rank in 1976 as the 65th most popular song.
• “Fly, Robin Fly” by Silver Connection topped the charts for 3 weeks over November and December 1975 and would come in as the 14th most popular song of 1976. (Even though it was a hit in 1975.)
• KC & the Sunshine Band had a rare yo-yo hit at the end of 1975 when “That’s the Way (I Like It)” hit No. 1 on Nov. 22nd and then was pushed out of the top spot for 3 weeks by “Fly, Robin Fly” only to reclaim the No. 1 spot again on Dec. 20th. A rare feat that few bands / artist have been able to achieve.
1975 Year in Sports
- Football – Super Bowl IX – Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Minnesota Vikings 16-6
- Louisiana Superdome opens in New Orleans and 1st NFL game (Pre-season) is played August 9th.
- Horse Racing – Kentucky Derby – Foolish Pleasure
- Ice Hockey – Stanley Cup – Philadelphia Flyers defeated Buffalo Sabres 4 games to 2
- In the aftermath of the Cold War, the New York Rangers become first team in NHL history to face a touring Soviet hockey squad; Soviet Army beats the Rangers, 7-3 at Madison Square Garden.
- NBA Finals – Golden State Warriors defeated Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 games
- ABA Finals – Kentucky Colonels defeated Indiana Pacers 4 games to 1 games
- Golf – U.S. Open – Lou Graham
- Tennis
Wimbledon Championships – Men’s Arthur Ashe, Women’s Billie Jean King
US Open – Men’s Manuel Orantes, Women’s Chris Evert - Baseball – World Series – Cincinnati Reds defeated Boston Red Sox 4 games to 3 games.
- Baseball – Rennie Stennett, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman, ties Wilbert Robinson’s ML record by hitting 7 for 7 during a 9 inning game. Pittsburgh won the game 22-0.
- Tour De France – Bernard Thevenet of France.
1975 NCAA
- Football – These were the final games of the 1974 College Football Season
Orange Bowl: January 1, 1975 – Notre Dame defeated Alabama 13 – 11
Rose Bowl: January 1, 1975 – Univ. Southern California defeated Ohio State 18 – 17
Sugar Bowl : Held NYE December 31, 1974 – Nebraska defeated Florida 13 – 10
Cotton Bowl: January 1, 1975 – Penn State defeated Baylor 41 – 20 - Men’s Division 1 Basketball – UCLA defeats Kentucky 92 – 85
Celebrities Born in 1975
Check out these famous people born in 1975. Some of these celebs will surprise you because they look so young and others you might say, “I thought they were older.”
Pedro Pascal
Angelina Jolie
Bradley Cooper
Lauryn Hill
50 Cent
Niki Taylor
David Beckham
Drew Barrymore
Tiger Woods
More Celebrities and Famous People Born in 1975
- Andre 3000
- India Arie
- Mel B – Spice Girls
- Tiki Barber – NFL
- Mayim Bialik
- Zack Braff
- Russell Brand
- Michael Bublé
- Fergie
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson
- John Galecki
- Sara Gilbert
- CeeLo Green
- Chelsea Handler
- David Harbour – Actor – Hopper / Stranger Things
- Christina Hendricks
- Enrique Iglesias
- Natalie Imbruglia
- Allen Iverson – NBA
- Cheyenne Jackson
- Jimmie Johnson – Race-car Driver
- DJ Khaled
- Ray Lewis – NFL
- Brian Littrell – Member of the Backstreet Boys
- Eva Longoria
- Toby Maguire
- Rob Mariano – aka Boston Rob – Reality TV
- Danica McKellar – Actress – Winnie / The Wonder Years
- Jamie Oliver – Chef, Restaurateur
- Heather O Rourke – Actress – Carol Anne / Poltergeist
- David Ortiz – MLB
- Alex Rodriguez
- Tara Reid
- Kimora Lee Simmons
- Sia – Singer
- Dax Shepard
- Curtis Stone – Celebrity Chef, Author
- Trish Stratus – Wrestler
- John Sudeikis
- Charlize Theron
- Will.i.am
- Kate Winslet
Top Baby Names of 1975
- Girls Names – Jennifer, Amy, Heather, Melissa, Angela
- Boys Names – Michael, Jason, Christopher, James, David
Check out our Baby Shower name game – 100 Years of Baby Name Trivia.
Most Popular TV Shows of 1975
We include the Top 20 TV shows for two seasons, since they are different. Interesting to see the shows shift in popularity over the course of one year.
Top TV Shows of 1974 – 1975 Season
1. All in the Family 30.2
2. Sanford and Son 29.6
3. Chico and the Man 28.5
4. The Jeffersons 27.6
5. M*A*S*H 27.4
6. Rhoda 26.3
7. Good Times 25.8
8. The Waltons 25.5
9. Maude 24.9
10. Hawaii Five-O 24.8
11. The Mary Tyler Moore Show 24
12. The Rockford Files 23.7
13. Little House on the Prairie 23.5
14. Kojak 23.3
15. Police Woman 22.8
16. S.W.A.T. 22.6
17. The Bob Newhart Show 22.4
18T. The Wonderful World of Disney 22
18T. The Rookies
19T. Cannon 21.6
Mannix
Top TV Shows of 1975 – 1976 Season
1. All in the Family 30.1
2. Rich Man, Poor Man 28
3. Laverne & Shirley 27.5
4. Maude 25
5. The Bionic Woman 24.9
6. Phyllis 24
7T. Rhoda 24.4
7T. Sanford and Son 24.4
9. The Six Million Dollar Man 24.3
10. ABC Monday Night Movie 24.2
11. Happy Days 23.9
12. One Day at a Time 23.1
13. ABC Sunday Night Movie 23
14T. M*A*S*H 22.9
14T. The Waltons 22.9
16T. Starsky & Hutch 22.5
16T. Good Heavens 22.5
18. Welcome Back, Kotter 22.1
19. The Mary Tyler Moore Show 21.9
20. Kojak 21.8
Ironic that the The Bionic Woman and Laverne & Shirley were both spin-off TV shows that outranked the shows they were spun off from in the 1975-1976 TV season. The Bionic Woman was from The Six Million Dollar Man and Laverne & Shirley was a spin off from Happy Days.
Popular Saturday Morning Cartoons and TV Shows in 1975
- Scooby Doo, Where are You?
- Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch
- The Bugs Bunny Show
- Super Friends
- Speed Buggy
- Lassie’s Rescue Rangers
- The Pink Panther Show
- Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
- The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show
- The Addams Family
- Star Trek: The Animated Sereis
- The Land of the Lost
- Hong Kong Phooey
- The New Adventures of Gilligan
- Shazam!
- Valley of the Dinosaurs
- Devlin (A Motorcycle daredevil inspired by Evel Knievel)
Popular and Best Selling Toys of 1975
1975 had one of the strangest and more iconic toys of all time that still has people scratching their heads as to why people bought it. The Pet Rock was a huge success and over 4 million were sold by the time the fad ended. The board game Othello was one of the top selling games, Barbie and Baby Alive sold well, and action figures like G.I. Joe, Big Jim, Evel Knievel, Six Million Dollar Man and Star Trek were all popular. Below are some of the more notable and popular toys, games and dolls of 1975 and links to where you can find those new and vintage toys today.
More Popular Toys from 1975
- G.I. Joe Action Figures
- Lego Basic Sets
- Super Toe – Super Jock Football Field Goal Kicking Game (Released in 1975)
- Sit ‘n Spin
- Mr. Potato Head
- Nerf Balls
- Air Hockey Tables
- Hot Wheels
- Smash Up Derby Cars
- Socker Bopper
- Weebles Winnie-the-Pooh Hunny Tree
What did things cost in 1975
Check out this 1975 prices for food, gas, and even gold. Know that these are average prices for an item in the US during the year, based on our research. Keep in mind that gas, milk, eggs, and bacon prices can vary up to 20% during the year and by region. When possible we used US Govt. Economic data.
- Stamp $0.10, In December 1975 increased to $0.13
- Loaf of Bread $0.40
- Gallon of Milk $1.40
- Dozen Eggs $0.77
- Bacon 1 lb. $1.54
- Gallon of Gas $0.57
- Just Released – Pop Rocks Candy – $0.15 per pack
- Movie Ticket $2.03
- Minimum Wage $2.10
- One Ounce of Gold $140 (End of 1975), average for the year $160.86
- CB Radio $150-250 (This was a big 1970s fad.)
- The average 600 Watt Microwave Oven was right around $300
- Average New Car right around $4,800
- Cost of a 30 second Super Bowl ad in 1975 $107,000
Most likely if you are here researching What Happened in 1975, you are getting ready to plan a big event like a birthday celebration for a spouse or close friend. We hope that our 1975 trivia, fun facts, top movies, top 40 songs of 1975 and other information was helpful and interesting.
If you are hosting a birthday party for someone Born in 1975, be sure to check out these party supplies that will help make your event extra special for those Born in 1975.
Party Game Ideas may receive compensation if featured items are purchased from linked web sites.
Birthday Party Game Options
1961 - Birthday Games • 1962 - Birthday Games • 1963 - 60th Birthday Party Games• 1971 Birthday Games • 1972 - Birthday Games • 1973 - 50th Birthday Party Games • 1981 Birthday Games • 1982 Birthday Games • 1983 - 40th Birthday Party Game Pack • 1991 - Birthday Party Game Packs
Kid's Birthday Party Games
My 1st Birthday • Who Knows the Birthday Girl • Who Knows the Birthday Boy • Who Knows the Birthday Star
Birthday Bingo • Birthday Charades & Pictionary • Birthday Left Right Story
Birthday Decorations
Back in 1971 Poster, Back in 1981 Poster
Funny & Joke - 40th Birthday Star Posters, 40th Birthday Gold Glitter Posters, 50th Birthday Posters, 60th Birthday Posters
Year Trivia, Fun Facts, Celebs Born in, What Happened In
1961 Trivia • 1962 Trivia • 1963 Trivia • 1971 Trivia • 1972 Trivia • 1973 Trivia • • 1975 Trivia • 1981 Trivia • 1982 Trivia • 1983 Trivia • 1984 Trivia • 1985 Trivia • 1991 Trivia
1975 Calendar
Want to know on what day of the week someone was born, an anniversary or just need to check out a specific date from 1975? Then check out our 12 month 1975 calendar.
Thanks for visiting our What Happened in 1975 Trivia page. We hope you had fun reliving the movies, top songs & music, tv shows, actors born in 1975, toys, fun facts and other items from 1975. We created a graphic so you can save this page on Pinterest.
