1974 (8 Soil Year / 7 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

February 4- The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patricia Hearst.
[revolutionary behavior]

March 1- Seven former White House officials are indicted for their role in the Watergate break-in and charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice.
[hidden change bursts through surface] (everyone sees)
[long-term consequences]

April 3- The Super Outbreak, the largest series of tornadoes in history, hits 13 U.S. states and one Canadian province. By the time the last of 149 tornadoes hit early the following morning, 315 die and over 5,000 are injured.
[Noteworthy. See 1983 & 1992 / hurricanes Alicia & Andrew]
[Noteworthy. See April 1965 / Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak]

May 9- The United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee opens formal and public impeachment hearings against President Richard M. Nixon.
[startling new directions]
[long-term consequences]

June 26- The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time, to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum.
[new directions / old ways end]
[long-term consequences]

August 5- The "smoking gun" tape of June 23, 1972, is revealed, in which U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman discuss using the Central Intelligence Agency to block a Federal Bureau of Investigation inquiry into Watergate. Nixon resigns August 9th.
[startling new directions]
[hidden change bursts through surface] (everyone sees)
[long-term consequences]

September 8- Eight Soil (in second half of year) stuntman Evel Knievel fails in his attempt to rocket across the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.
[Noteworthy?]

December 25- Darwin, Australia is almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy.
[Noteworthy]

January 20, 1975- In Hanoi, North Vietnam, the Politburo approves the final military offensive against South Vietnam.
[hidden change / below surface]
[long-term consequences]