Look Back To 1973: What Happened That Year

Britain joined the EEC, the oil crisis hit and Slade wrote Christmas.

Here's 1973 in full - the music, the news, the screen, the sport and the ordinary details. Good for a birthday card, a party quiz round or a reminiscence session.

In the charts in 1973

• Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' was the Christmas number one and the year's best-selling single.
• Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' came out the same December and lost to Slade.
• Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon in March.

In the news in 1973

• The UK joined the European Economic Community on 1 January.
• The oil crisis from October pushed up fuel prices sharply.
• VAT was introduced in April.

On screen in 1973

• Last of the Summer Wine began; Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em followed in 1973.
• The Wicker Man and Live and Let Die were released.
• Television closedown was brought forward to 10.30pm in December to save power.

In sport in 1973

• Sunderland beat Leeds United in the FA Cup final, one of the great upsets.
• Red Rum won his first Grand National, catching Crisp on the run-in.
• England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup after drawing with Poland at Wembley.

Everyday life in 1973

• The three-day week was announced in December and began in January.
• Chopper bikes, Raleigh Grifters and Airfix kits filled Christmas lists.
• Fuel rationing coupons were printed, though never used.

If you were born in 1973

• Anyone born in 1973 has heard 'Merry Xmas Everybody' every December of their life.
• They were born the year Britain joined the EEC.
• Anyone born in 1973 turns 30 in 2003, 40 in 2013, 50 in 2023, 60 in 2033 and 70 in 2043.
• For a milestone card, the strongest line is usually the number one from the week they were born rather than the year's biggest events - it's personal, and it takes two minutes to find.
• For a reminiscence session, read one section at a time and stop on whatever gets a reaction. The point is the conversation, not the facts.

Shop birthday cards

How to write it so it lands

• The number one from the week they were born beats the year's headlines on a card.
• Read one section at a time in a reminiscence session and stop where the conversation starts.
• Use it as a guess-the-year round by reading three facts and hiding the date.

Where to shop next

• Look back to 1976
• Look back to 1975
• Look back to 1974
• Look back to 1972
• Look back to 1971
• Look back to 1970
• The 1970s: the whole decade
• 1970s party playlist
• 70s kids' TV shows
• 70s quiz questions
• British Bulldog rules
• Kerby rules
• Sweets that disappeared
• Test card, Ceefax and three channels
• The 2020s so far
• The 2010s: the whole decade
• The 2000s: the whole decade
• The 1990s: the whole decade
• The 1980s: the whole decade
• The 1960s: the whole decade
• The 1950s: the whole decade
• The 1940s: the whole decade
• The 1930s: the whole decade
• The 1920s: the whole decade
• Decade calendar: every year from 1920
• Decade trivia: fun facts by era
• Decade trivia game: play for points
• Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
• Decade recipes: dishes and food trends by era
• Decade travel: destinations and holidays by era
• Decade tech: gadgets and computers by era
• Decade films: best movies and directors by era
• Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
• Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
• Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
• Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
• Nostalgia gift shop
• Retro party supplies
• Nostalgia birthday party by decade
• Nostalgia hamper and gift ideas
• Guess the year quiz
• Care home reminiscence quiz
• Reminiscence gifts for grandparents
• Milestone birthday cards
• Shop birthday cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What was the Christmas number one in 1973?

'Merry Xmas Everybody' by Slade, which entered at number one.

When did Britain join the EEC?

1 January 1973. A referendum in 1975 confirmed continued membership.

How old is someone born in 1973?

Subtract 1973 from the current year. They turn 40 in 2013, 50 in 2023, 60 in 2033 and 70 in 2043.

Do you sell anything to do with this year?

We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, including milestone birthday cards. This page itself is free to read and free to copy.