August 1972

Thursday 03:

U.S. Senate ratifies the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Friday 11:

Last United States ground combat unit departs South Vietnam

Monday 14:

An East German Ilyushin Il-62 crashes during takeoff from East Berlin, killing 156

Wednesday 16:

The Royal Moroccan Air Force mistakenly fires upon, but fails to bring down, Hassan II of Morocco's plane while he is traveling back to Rabat.

Tuesday 22:

Rhodesia is expelled by the IOC for its racist policies

Saturday 26:

Games of the XX Olympiad open in Munich, Germany.

Monday 28:

During the Olympic Games in Munich, Mark Spitz gets his first of seven gold medals in swimming events.