A largely bloodless military coup in Lisbon overthrows the Estado Novo dictatorship, leading to democracy in Portugal and the independence of its African colonies.
The United States, North and South Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government sign an agreement ending direct US involvement in the war.
Following Portugal's Carnation Revolution, Mozambique and Angola became independent, ending over four centuries of Portuguese presence; both soon fell into long civil wars.
Dictator Francisco Franco dies; Juan Carlos I becomes king and Spain begins its transition to democracy.
The Anglo-French supersonic airliner Concorde begins commercial passenger flights.
A period of political liberalisation in Czechoslovakia under Alexander Dubček ends when Warsaw Pact armies invade the country.
Student protests and a nationwide general strike shake France, leaving a lasting mark on its culture and society.