February 1971

Tuesday 02:

In Uganda after a coup, Idi Amin replaces President Milton Obote as leader.

Friday 05:

Apollo 14 lands on the Moon.

Sunday 07:

Women gain the right to vote in Switzerland.

Monday 08:

A new stock market index called the Nasdaq debuts.

Tuesday 09:

Apollo program: Apollo 14 returns to Earth after the third manned moon landing.

Thursday 11:

US, UK, USSR, others sign Seabed Treaty outlawing nuclear weapons in international waters.

Saturday 13:

Vietnam War: Backed by American air and artillery support, South Vietnamese troops invade Laos.

Monday 15:

Decimalisation of British coinage completed on Decimal Day.

Sunday 21:

The Convention on Psychotropic Substances is signed at Vienna.

Friday 26:

Secretary-General U Thant signs United Nations proclamation of the vernal equinox as Earth Day.

Saturday 27:

Doctors in the first Dutch abortion clinic (the Mildredhuis in Arnhem) start to perform abortus provocatus