Here are some notable events that took place in 1972:

• Richard Nixon was re-elected as President of the United States.
• The Watergate scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
• The Summer Olympics were held in Munich, Germany, where 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and later killed by terrorists.
• The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando, was released.
• The last U.S. troops left South Vietnam, ending direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War.
• The Atari Pong video game was released.