Utah in the 70's | Premieres Exclusively on PBS Utah this March

Step back in time into 1970s Utah, a decade shaped by upheaval and change, from equal rights and environmentalism to sexual revolution and serial crime.
 

From the beginning of the decade, marches and protests in opposition to the Vietnam War fueled new movements for women’s rights, civil rights, and environmental action.

Throughout the 70s, Utah was deeply divided over the Equal Rights Amendment after its 1972 congressional passage, split between those believing that women deserve equal rights, and those opposed based on “family values.”

WATCH: Preview of Utah in the '70s.

The major movements in civil rights began in the '50s and '60s and continued into the '70s, with major developments happening in Utah. Notably, in 1978, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Spencer W. Kimball lifted the ban that prevented Black members from being ordained to the priesthood.

Today’s environmentalists have their roots in efforts begun in the 1970s. Utah joined the nation in celebrating the first Earth Day in April 1970, addressing issues like air quality and the Great Salt Lake, calls for action that echoes the same concerns we hear today.

In reaction to Salt Lake City’s conservative reputation, a vibrant underground culture bloomed. A budding arts scene gained traction with independent filmmakers, Ballet West, the Utah Symphony, and more.

In the world of sports, both collegiate and professional, Utah was suddenly the place to be. In 1979, the University of Utah hosted the highest TV-rated college basketball game ever, with Michigan State vs. Indiana State in the NCAA finals. On the professional level, the Jazz basketball team made a surprising move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, also in 1979.

As Utah’s population grew, so did the complex challenges of managing crime. Hostage situations, murders, and serial killer Ted Bundy caused an uproar in what was previously considered a safe city.

Without a doubt, the ‘70s were an immensely formative time for Utah, when a new emerging culture clashed with tradition and institution. More than just disco and drugs, the ‘70s were a time of great upheaval, socially, politically, and economically. Hear it from the mouths of the people who lived it, and see how the ‘70s helped define Utah as a place for growth and a groovy new outlook on life.