November 1974 in the news

• On 8th November, the original Covent Garden Market in London closed after 300 years of operation. A bell tolling at 11 a.m. marked the occasion, and the market was relocated to a new site 2.5 miles away as the New Covent Garden Market, which reopened the following Monday.
• Also on 8th November, John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan, disappeared the day after the murder of his children's nanny, Sandra Rivett, at the Lucan family home. In a case that fascinated the nation, Lucan was accused of attacking his estranged wife and murdering Rivett. His blood-soaked car was found two days later, but Lucan was never found, and was declared legally dead in 1999.
• The UK continued to face economic difficulties, with high inflation and ongoing strikes affecting the public and private sectors, leading to widespread discontent.

• On 8th November, eight former members of the Ohio Army National Guard were acquitted in the trial of the 1970 Kent State shootings, where four students were killed during a protest. The acquittal came after the prosecution failed to prove that the guardsmen had intended to violate civil rights.
• On 11th November, after over three months of fighting, the Communist People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) won the Battle of Thuong Duc during the Vietnam War. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) managed to prevent the Communists from capturing the key city of Da Nang.
• On 24th November, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson discovered the remains of "Lucy," a 3.2-million-year-old hominid from the species Australopithecus afarensis in Ethiopia's Afar Triangle. The discovery provided groundbreaking insights into human evolution, as Lucy was the earliest known ancestor capable of walking upright.

• Bachman-Turner Overdrive – "You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet": This hard rock anthem, known for its catchy riff and memorable chorus, dominated the charts, becoming a major hit.
• Queen – "Killer Queen": This reached widespread acclaim, with its unique blend of glam rock and intricate production helping to cement Queen as one of the era's leading bands.
• Barry White – "You’re the First, the Last, My Everything": The soulful ballad continued to rise in popularity, with Barry White's deep voice and romantic lyrics capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.

• "The Exorcist": This horror classic has remained a major cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its chilling portrayal of demonic possession and establishing itself as a milestone in the genre.
• "The Godfather Part II": This epic crime film was released in the US and quickly became a critical and commercial success. Its complex storytelling and exploration of power solidified its status as a landmark in cinema.
• "Earthquake": The disaster film starring Charlton Heston premiered, featuring groundbreaking "Sensurround" technology that enhanced the movie-going experience with physical sound effects.

Births:

• 9th November: Alessandro Del Piero, the Italian football legend known for his career with Juventus and the Italian national team, was born.
• 14th November: Ben Chaloner, British jockey who would go on to achieve prominence in horse racing, was born.
• 21st November: Kieron Dyer, future English professional footballer known for his time with Newcastle United and the England national team, was born.

Deaths:

• 17th November: Erskine Childers, the President of Ireland, passed away at the age of 75. He was known for his significant contributions to the Irish state and his pivotal role in the independence movement
• 17th November: C.W. Ceram, German journalist and author known for his popular works on archaeology, passed away at the age of 57
• 24th November: Composer U Thant, former United Nations Secretary-General, died at the age of 65 after contributing significantly to global peacekeeping and diplomacy.