• Apollo 13 - April 11, 1970 , the ill-fated space mission was launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida. April 17, 1970, the malfunctioning Apollo 13 space capsule returned to earth safely.
• USA - military forces invade Cambodia to search for Viet Cong fighters.
• Ohio - 4 Kent State students were killed by National Guard troops during an anti-war demonstration.
• NYC - September 1970, the first running of the New York City Marathon.
• Egypt - Anwar Sadat becames the president of Egypt.
Notable Deaths -
Vince Lombardi, 1913-1970, flamboyant American football coach of the Green Bay Packers. He was the winning coach in the first two Super Bowls.
Janis Joplin, 1943-1970, Blues and Rock & Roll singer died from an overdose of heroin.
Jimi Hendrix, 1942-1970, extraordinary Rock musician, his records help re-define the electric guitar. His life style led to his untimely drug related death.
Eugene Christophe , 1885-1970, a grand French champion, he never had a TdF victory, but was eternally in the hunt every time he entered the race. He was the first to receive the nickname “Eternal Second.”
L'Equipe Sport Figure of the Decade1970-1979 -
L'Equipe's athlete of the decade was Eddy Merckx of Belgium, Cycling's Grand Champion. Merckx's record earned him the title as the "Greatest Cyclist of All Times." He dominated his sport more than any other athlete did in the history of sports. Over a seven-year period, Merckx won almost 250 races, which included 5 Tour de France wins, 5 Giro d'Italia wins, 4 world titles, and 25 prestigious race victories. This total domination made Eddy Merckx a unique figure in sports history.
