The air of New York is buzzing with pride as the Knicks continue fighting to the last second to victory in this NBA championship series against the San Antonio Spurs.
People all over the tristate flood streets and bars to celebrate wins after these nail-biting games, hoping their beloved Knickerbockers will make history once again⸺something the city hasn’t experienced since 1973.
Last time the Knicks won, the team held training camp at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University) and a 24-year-old Bruce Springsteen had just released his debut album ‘Greetings from Asbury Park,’ just to give perspective on how long it’s been.
So what was happening 53 years ago when the Knicks secured their last championship title in a 4-1 series against the Los Angeles Lakers?
Politics in 1973
- Richard Nixon served his fourth year as president and the Watergate Scandal continues to unfold. Millions of Americans tuned into the Senate Watergate hearings, eventually leading to his resignation the following year.
- The Paris Peace Accords are signed by the United States, and North and South Vietnam, stating that the U.S would withdraw from combat in Vietnam, ending its involvement in the Vietnam War.
- The U.S. military began to operate as a volunteer force ending the draft.
- The 1973 Oil Embargo triggers an energy crisis leading to long gas lines amid shortages in fuel.
- NASA launches Skylab, the United States’ first space station.
- The Supreme Court rules the decision to end or continue a pregnancy belongs to the individual in Roe v. Wade.
- Activists of the American Indian Movement (AIM) occupy South Dakota town Wounded Knee in a 71-day standoff against the U.S. government with the motive of changing policies and drawing attention to Indigenous rights.
Sports
- The Oakland Athletics win the World Series, defeating the New York Mets 4-3.
- The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Championship in 6-4 games.
- For the first time, men and women receive equal prize money in the US Open, a hallmark achievement in tennis.
- Billie Jean King played former number 1-ranked tennis player Bobby Riggs in what promoters dubbed the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match which 90 million people worldwide would tune into.
- The Miami Dolphins defeat the Washington Redskins in the Superbowl. The Dolphins were undefeated during their regular season that year, the only team to achieve a perfect season in NFL history.
- Secretariat became the first Triple Crown Winner winning the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, considered by many as the greatest race ever by a thoroughbred racehorse.
Music, Film and Media
- Rock/heavy metal band KISS debuted, with their first performance on January 10 1973 having an audience of around ten people.
- Pink Floyd released the iconic album Dark Side of the Moon, spending 741 weeks on The Billboard Charts.
- Roberta Flack’s “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” wins record of the year at the Grammys, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Innervisions’ wins Best Album and Bette Midler wins Best New Artist.
- Marvin Gaye records “Lets Get It On,” a landmark track in the soul and R&B genres.
- ‘The Exorcist’ premieres in theaters and becomes the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
- ’The Godfather’ directed by Francis Ford Coppola takes home the Oscar for Best Picture.
- Sitcom ‘All in the Family’ is the most watched TV show this year.
- Martial artist and film legend Bruce Lee dies from brain edema at age 32.
- ’Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution’ by physician Dr. Robert Atkins spends numerous weeks on the NYT Bestseller list, inspiring many Americans to embrace a low-carb, high protein diet.
Cost of living in the U.S.
- Average price of gas: $0.39 a gallon ($2.97 in 2026)
- Average price of a dozen eggs: $0.66 ($5.03 in 2026)
- Average home price: $35,500 ($266,868 in 2026)
- Average price of a new car: $4,052 ($30,896 in 2026)
- Federal minimum wage: $1.60 an hour ($12.20 in 2026)
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: When was the last time the Knicks won? Do you remember 1973?
