1974
News
- New Year’s Day is celebrated as a public holiday for the first time.
- The Three-Day Week comes to an end.
- Ian Ball fails in his attempt to kidnap HRH Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips in The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace.
- McDonald’s open their first UK restaurant in Woolwich, South East London.
Entertainment
- BBC1 first broadcasts the children’s television series Bagpuss.
- The 19th Eurovision Song Contest is held at the Dome in Brighton, produced and transmitted by the BBC. Katie Boyle hosts the event for the fourth time.
- Ceefax is started by the BBC – one of the first public service information systems.
Music
- John Lennon joins Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden for three songs. It would be Lennon’s last stage performance.
- The first Knebworth Concert is held, headlined by The Allman Brothers Band.
- Mick Taylor leaves The Rolling Stones after 6 years.
Number #1 Hits of 1974
| Artist | Title |
| The New Seekers | You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me |
| Mud | Tiger Feet |
| Suzi Quatro | Devil Gate Drive |
| Alvin Stardust | Jealous Mind |
| Paper Lace | Billy Don’t Be A Hero |
| Terry Jacks | Seasons In The Sun |
| Abba | Waterloo |
| The Rubettes | Sugar Baby Love |
| Ray Stevens | The Streak |
| Charles Aznavour | She |
| George McCrae | Rock Your Baby |
| The Three Degrees | When Will I See You Again |
| The Osmonds | Love Me For A Reason |
| Carl Douglas | Kung Fu Fighting |
| John Denver | Annie’s Song |
| Sweet Sensation | Sad Sweet Dreamer |
| Ken Boothe | Everything I Own |
| David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star |
| Barry White | You’re The First The Last My Everything |
| Mud | Lonely This Christmas |
Sport
- Leeds United win their second Football League First Division title.
- Manchester United are relegated from the Football League First Division where they have played continuously since 1938. Their relegation is confirmed when they lose 1–0 at home to their neighbours City in the penultimate game of the league season and the only goal of the game comes from former United striker Denis Law.
- Liverpool win the FA Cup for the second time, beating Newcastle United 3–0 in the Wembley final, with Kevin Keegan scoring twice and Steve Heighway scoring the other goal.
- Bill Shankly, manager of FA Cup holders Liverpool, stuns the club by announcing his retirement after 15 years as manager. Shankly, 62, had arrived at Liverpool when they were in the Football League Second Division and transformed them into one of the world’s top club sides with three top division titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup triumph.
- Brian Clough is dismissed after 44 days as manager of defending league champions Leeds United following a disappointing start to the Football League season.
