1972
News
- Unemployment exceeded the 1,000,000 mark for the first time since the 1930s, almost double the 582,000 who were unemployed when Edward Heath’s Conservative government came to power less than two years ago.
- The UK’s last trolleybus system, in Bradford, was closed.
- Queen Elizabeth II met her uncle, Edward, Duke of Windsor for the last time, at his home in Paris.
- Edward, Duke of Windsor, dies of cancer at his home in France aged 77, 35 years after his abdication from the throne.
- The first official gay pride march in London was held.
Entertainment
- The BBC Radio 4 parodic panel show I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue was broadcast for the first time.
- The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar made its West End debut.
- The BBC1 television quiz programme Mastermind was broadcast for the first time.
- The first episode of Emmerdale Farm, a soap opera set in rural Yorkshire, was broadcast on ITV.
Music
- Led Zeppelin’s concert in Singapore is cancelled when government officials will not let them off the airplane because of their long hair.
- The 17th Eurovision Song Contest is held in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. The only time Scotland hosted the contest.
- Electric Light Orchestra make their live debut at the Fox and Greyhound pub in Park Lane.
Number #1 Hits of 1972
| Artist | Title |
| The New Seekers | I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing |
| T. Rex | Telegram Sam |
| Chicory Tip | Son Of My father |
| Nilsson | Without You |
| The Pipes & Drums & Military Band | Amazing Grace |
| T. Rex | Metal Guru |
| Don McClean | Vincent |
| Slade | Take Me Bak ‘Ome |
| Donny Osmond | Puppy Love |
| Alice Cooper | School’s Out |
| Rod Stewart | You Wear It Well |
| Slade | Mama Weer All Crazee Now |
| David Cassidy | How Can I Be Sure |
| Lieutenant Pigeon | Mouldy Old Dough |
| Gilbert O’Sullivan | Clair |
| Chuck Berry | My Ding-A-Ling |
| Little Jimmy Osmond | Long Haired Lover From Liverpool |
Sport
- Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, but did not win any medals.
- In the first UEFA Cup final, Tottenham Hotspur beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 in the first leg at the Molineux.
- Derby County won the Football League First Division title for the first time in their history.
- England women’s national football team played its first official association football match, against Scotland in Greenock, 100 years after the equivalent men’s match.
