October 1974 in the news

• General Election: On 10th October, elections were held for all 635 seats of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The Labour Party of Prime Minister Harold Wilson increased its share to a 319 to 277 majority over the Conservative Party of former Prime Minister Edward Heath, after having a 301 to 297 plurality. The conservative Tories lost 20 seats. The Liberal Party lost one of its 14 seats and finished in third place.
• Women Undergrads: Also in October five previously all-male Colleges of the University of Oxford admitted women undergraduates for the first time
• Ceefax Launched: The BBC launched Ceefax, the world’s first teletext service, offering viewers a new way to access news and information.
• Economic Challenges: The UK continued to struggle with high inflation rates and economic issues, leading to significant discussions around policy changes.

• The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised oil prices again, contributing to the global energy crisis and impacting economic stability worldwide.
• Seán MacBride and Eisaku Satō were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in promoting peace, with MacBride recognised for his work with the International Peace Bureau and Satō for his stance against nuclear arms.
• The political turmoil in Ethiopia intensified as the monarchy was abolished, marking a major shift and leading to the establishment of a socialist government.
• On Friday 4^th October Deng Xiaoping, who had fallen into disfavour during the Cultural Revolution in China after serving as a high-ranking government official in the 1950s, was named as the Primary Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China by Premier Zhou Enlai, with the approval of Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, and would later become the paramount leader of the People's Republic.
• On Monday 14^th October The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly as the representative of the Palestinian people, and granted the right to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly on the question of Palestine in plenary meeting
• On Wednesday 30^th October Muhammad Ali regained the world heavyweight boxing title, defeating George Foreman by knockout in the 8th round of a bout at the 20th of May Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire, billed as "The Rumble in the Jungle".

• Barry White's "Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe": This soul classic by Barry White was popular in the UK charts, showcasing his signature deep voice and romantic themes.
• Ken Boothe's "Everything I Own": This reggae cover of the Bread classic topped the UK Singles Chart in October, highlighting the influence of reggae on the UK music scene.
• Roxy Music's "All I Want is You": This glam rock track resonated with audiences, solidifying Roxy Music's place in the UK's music landscape during the month.

• "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" premiered in the US and began to gain notoriety as a groundbreaking horror film, stirring discussions on violence and filmmaking techniques.
• "Murder on the Orient Express", based on Agatha Christie’s novel, was released in October in the UK, garnering critical acclaim for its star-studded cast and engaging storytelling.
• "Young Frankenstein": The comedy-horror directed by Mel Brooks premiered in the US, becoming a significant hit and a future classic in the comedy genre.

Births:

15th October: Paul Robinson, future English professional footballer known for playing as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team, was born.

17th October: Matthew Macfadyen, future British actor renowned for his roles in Pride & Prejudice and Succession, was born.

28th October: Joaquin Phoenix, future American actor known for his roles as dark, unconventional and eccentric characters in independent film, particularly in period dramas.

Deaths:

16th October: Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist credited with saving over 1,000 Jewish lives during the Holocaust, passed away at the age of 66.

26th October: Sir Henry Wilson Harris, a British journalist and former editor of The Spectator, died at the age of 90.