Happy 2024! Here’s What Life Was Like 50 Years Ago in 1974

It's officially 2024, and it's the start of a brand new year. Of course, 2023 had its highs, lows, and memorable moments. But what was life like in America 50 years ago in 1974?

The first point that comes to mind is the cost of living. Inflation is certainly present, although some experts believe it is on the decline. World Population Review states that as of December, "the average household in the United States spends $61,334 a year on expenses." Almost 35% of that is aligned to household, living, rent, or mortgage costs.

Furthermore, "the average American believes a family needs at least $85,000 in annual household income to get by," The Hill states. So, how does that compare? According to Census.gov, the median household income in 1974, was $11,100. This was with a high inflation level at the time as well.

If you flip back in your history books you will find 1974 was quite the eventful year. Let's start with this monstrous headline from The New York Times:  "Nixon Resigns." Vice President Gerald Ford automatically then became the president of the United States. He would remain in office until 1977.

On January 13, 1974, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII. Though they were technically the 1973 season winner here, it marked the Dolphins' back-to-back championship season. This was the last time the Dolphins won the Super Bowl. The 1974 season champion (played in January 1975) was the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In baseball, the Oakland A's won the World Series. The Philadelphia Flyers won the 1974 Stanley Cup. Finally, the Boston Celtics won their 12th NBA title, in an exciting seven-game series.

In addition, the most notable sporting event of the year was none of the above. In October, Muhammad Ali took on George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle."

A 31-year-old Barbara Streisand had the number one song of the year with "The Way We Were." Led by a teenage Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5 were also storming up the charts with "Dancing Machine." Other popular songs 50 years ago include "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John, and "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band.

The highest-grossing film of 1974 was The Towering Inferno, starring Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Not too far behind that was Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, starring Gene Wilder.

Other notable fun facts about what life was like 50 years ago in America in 1974: a new author in his mid-20's published his first novel entitled Carrie. This relatively unknown writer goes by the name of Stephen King.

Lastly, in 50 years the world has doubled its population. The People History claims 4 billion people globally was met in 1974, whereas, the Census currently has the world population at 8 billion.

When it comes to albums that turn 15 in 2024, you'll find some interesting debuts and long-awaited returns.

In 2009, the world was introduced to Halestorm. Fronted by Lzzy Hale, the band's self-titled debut was released in April and features "I Get Off" and "It's Not You." Since then, the band has been a mainstay on active rock radio. Even though the band's debut came out in 2009, they had been together for much longer. Hale and her drummer brother, Arejay, formed Halestorm when they were just kids. In fact, the first official Halestorm performance took place in August 1997.

The year also saw the debut album from Florence & The Machine. Lungs was released in July and features "Dog Days Are Over," "Kiss with a Fist" and their cover of "You've Got the Love." In the years since, singer Florence Welch remains one of the most unique vocalists in music.

The supergroup Them Crooked Vultures unleashed themselves onto the rock world in 2009. The band released their self-titled debut in November. Them Crooked Vultures features Queen of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones. You might remember Jones from a little band called Led Zeppelin.

In 2009, Alice in Chains made their return to the rock world with Black Gives Way to Blue. It's the band's fourth studio album and their first LP with singer William DuVall. The album arrived about 14 years after the release of their last album, 1995's Alice in Chains. It's also the first since the death of original singer Layne Staley, who died in April 2002 at age 34.

Elsewhere in 2009, there were new albums from Green Day, U2, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam. Keep scrolling to learn more about the notable albums that turn 15 in 2024!

Green Day released their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, on May 15, 2009. The album features "Know Your Enemy," "21 Guns" and "Last of the American Girls."

Yeah Yeah Yeahs released their third studio album, It's Blitz!, on March 6, 2009. The acclaimed album features "Zero," "Skeletons" and "Head Will Roll."

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand is Franz Ferdinand's third studio album. It features "Can't Stop Feeling," "What She Came For," "Ulysses" and "No You Girls."

Muse released their fifth studio album, The Resistance, on September 11, 2009. In addition to "Resistance," it also features the single "Exogenesis: Symphony," "Undisclosed Desires" and "Uprising."

Lungs, the debut album from Florence & The Machine came out on July 3, 2009. The album features a number of great songs including "Dog Days Are Over," "Kiss with a Fist" and a stunning cover of "You've Got the Love."

Alice In Chains' Black Gives Way to Blue on September 29, 2009. It was the band's first album with singer/guitarist William DuVall, who replaced the late Layne Staley. The album features the singles "Check My Brain" and "Lesson Learned."

Them Crooked Vultures is a supergroup featuring Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl. They only released one album: A self-titled LP, which came out on November 16, 2009.

U2 released No Line on the Horizon, their twelfth studio album, on February 27, 2009. While the album wasn't a similar commercial success like their previous albums, the LP still features solid tunes like the title track, "Magnificent" and "Moment of Surrender."

Bruce Springsteen released Working on a Dream, his sixteenth studio album on January 27, 2009. The album features "My Lucky Day," "Outlaw Pete," "The Wrestler" (as a bonus track) and the title track.

Halestorm's self-titled debut album was released on April 28, 2009. The album features "I Get Off" and "It's Not You."

Backspacer, Pearl Jam's ninth studio album, was released on September 20, 2009. It was the band's first No. 1 album in the United States since 1996's No Code. The album features "The Fixer" and "Amogth the Waves."

Five Finger Death Punch released War Is The Answer on September 22, 2009. It was their second studio album, and it featured "Walk Away" and their cover of "Bad Company."