360What happened in 1972?
4 moments from 1972 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- On this day · 5 June 1972
The first UN conference on the environment opens
On 5 June 1972, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment opened in Stockholm, Sweden, the first global meeting about protecting nature. It created the UN Environment Programme. The opening day is now marked every year as World Environment Day.
- On this day · 7 December 1972
Apollo 17 launches and photographs the 'Blue Marble'
On 7 December 1972, Apollo 17, the last Apollo mission to the Moon, lifted off. On the way, the crew took a photograph of the whole Earth fully lit by the Sun, known as 'The Blue Marble'. It became one of the most reproduced images in history.
- On this day · 19 December 1972
The last crewed Moon mission returns
On 19 December 1972, the Apollo 17 crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, ending the last crewed mission to the Moon. Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt had spent about three days on the surface. No one has walked on the Moon since, though new missions are planned.
- 1972 · from Humans walk on the Moon for the first time
The last Apollo Moon landing