How Well Do You Know This Decade in History: 1970-1979

“Tricky Dick," or President Nixon, tried all sorts of illegal things to slow the investigation of the Watergate scandal. In the end, he was forced to resign in shame.

In April 1975, Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell to North Vietnam, ending the Vietnam War. American troops and diplomats fled for their lives.

During the ‘70s, a the silent majority referred to voters who had no desire to chat about their political views in public. They were, notably, often conservatives who abhorred the outspoken protesters of the ‘60s.

The ‘79 Iranian Revolution brought an end to 2,500 — yes, 2,500 — years of Persian monarchy, replacing it with Islamic leadership. The revolution put Iran at odds with the United States.

Gimme that electric bass line and hit the dance floor! Disco was the music of the ‘70s, blared in colorful clubs filled with pulsating lights and, of course, disco balls.

In early 1974, Nixon pushed his Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, which would have ensured that all Americans had access to affordable health care. But the chaos of his presidency did nothing to help make the plan a reality.

In 1973, Middle Eastern countries began an oil embargo, causing an oil crisis in many parts of the world. Immediately, the price of oil quadrupled in America, causing all sorts of economic problems.

In the ‘70s, the New Right gained momentum. They were conservative voters who wanted a return to "traditional" values that predated the tumult of the ‘60s.

In 1977, the Bee Gees scored (yet another) major hit with "How Deep is Your Love." The Bee Gees were easily one of the most dominant musical groups of the decade.

The 1970 Bhola cyclone was the deadliest in history, killing about 500,000 people in what was then called East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The Category 4 storm flooded many low-lying islands, leaving residents nowhere to run.

In the ‘70s, Margaret Thatcher fought her way to the pinnacle of British politics, became the first leader of a Western country. She was called the "Iron Lady" for her tough leadership style.

From the end of WWII until 1991, the USSR had the world’s biggest (and possibly scariest) army. The Soviets used their military might to exert influence all over the globe.

At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Palestinian terrorists kidnapped and killed 11 Israeli competitors. The event marred the Games and captured the world’s attention.

In 1979, Gloria Gaynor hit number one with "I Will Survive." Perhaps the song was really meant in hopes that Americans would survive the turbulent ‘70s.

President Nixon was so insecure about his tenuous grasp on power that he and his men became borderline paranoid. They even bugged the offices of political enemies in order to keep their positions.

In the ‘60s, a new sense of communal living and politics absorbed America. In the ‘70s, though, individualism was back — one reason it’s sometimes called the "me" decade.

President Nixon asked gas stations not to sell gas on Saturday nights or Sundays, and most complied. The result? Scary long lines for gas during the week.

After Nixon fled from office in shame, Vice President Gerald Ford took his place. Ford immediately gave Nixon a pardon, freeing him from any punishment for crimes that he may have committed during his time in office.

It took about two weeks of negotiations encouraged by President Jimmy Carter, but the Camp David Accords were ultimately successful, bringing peace between Israel and Egypt.

Police bungled the hostage situation at Munich. In the aftermath, police and military forces all over the world began developing new tactics and gear to address close-quarters crisis situations.

For about four decades, Franco ruled as the dictator of Spain. When he finally died in ‘75, Spain finally had a chance to pursue democracy.

Jim Jones was a cult leader who moved his group from the U.S. to Guyana. When he came under scrutiny, he and his followers committed suicide — around 900 men, women, and children died.

In the ‘70s, Egypt’s Anwar Al Sadat helped created a peace with Israel, an act for which he was roundly condemed by other Middle Eastern leaders. His actions so infuriated opponents that he was assassinated in 1981.

In early ‘73, gas was sitting at around 38 cents per gallon, but the crisis sent it up to 55 cents. That would be about $2.80 today.

In the ‘70s, disco culture was saturated with drug use, particularly Quaaludes, which became known as "disco biscuits." Cocaine was another drug that was very prevalent in dance clubs of the day.

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in an effort to stabilize the political situation in its favor. The result was a 10-year debacle that cost thousands of lives and ended in a Soviet withdrawal.

With WWII well in the rearview mirror, Japan finally found its economic footing again. The country became the world’s mightiest industrial power in the ‘70s, besting even the United States.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Sagebrush Rebellion sought to change the way the federal government controlled lands of the American West. In essence, residents wanted more control in the hands of their state and local government instead of Washington, D.C.

After centuries of colonization, Africa’s decolonization process continued in the ‘70s. Angola gained independence from Portugal during the decade.

It’s the stuff of nightmares — one engine on flight 191 essentially fell off of a wing, sending the plane careening into the ground and killing 273 people, the deadliest American commercial air disaster ever.