In 1972 Title IX was enacted as a follow-up to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prevent discrimination based on sex in education. The 1964 Act was passed to end discrimination in various fields based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the areas of employment and public accommodation. However the 1964 Act did not prohibit sex discrimination against persons employed at educational institutions. A parallel law, Title VI, had also been enacted in 1964 to prohibit discrimination in federally funded private and public entities. It covered race, color, and national origin but excluded sex. Feminists during the early 1970s lobbied Congress to add sex as a protected class category. Title IX was enacted to fill this gap and prohibit discrimination in all federally funded education programs. 

On January 30, the Bogside Massacre also known as Bloody Sunday occurred, where British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march against internment without trial. 

Ironically the 1971 film, Sunday Bloody Sunday which depicted a successful and well-adjusted gay man and had nothing to do with the Ireland - Britain conflict, was nominated for two Academy awards including Best Director. While the French Connection fairly swept up, Bedknobs and Broomsticks won best special effects, and Isaac Hays took home an Oscar for best original song, The Theme from Shaft. Charlie Chaplin was presented with an Honorary Oscar. The highest grossing film was the Godfather. Popular comedians were Lily Tomlin, Don Rickles and George Carlin. Notable books included Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach and Watership Down by Richard Adams. Roberta Flack topped the charts with The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack