One Day in Your Life: October 13, 1971

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October 13, 1971, is a Wednesday. Former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, an architect of the Cold War who was later blamed for letting China fall to the Communists, suffered a stroke yesterday at his home in Maryland and died at age 78. Today President Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, hold an Oval Office conversation about press arrangements for Nixon’s upcoming trip to China. The African country of Burundi restores diplomatic relations with China after nearly eight years. Radio relay operator Rick Holt of Dundalk, Maryland, writes another letter home from Vietnam. At a press conference, Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi states that her government will not negotiate with Pakistan over the question of independence for Bangla Desh, which broke away from India’s enemy, Pakistan, last spring. ABC-TV reports that Nixon has narrowed the list of potential Supreme Court nominees to replace Justice Hugo Black, who died last month.  In the wake of Hurricane Edith, also last month, parts of Louisiana are declared a federal disaster area. Future actor Sacha Baron Cohen and future TV and radio personality Billy Bush are born. In the first night game ever played in the 68-year history of the World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 to tie the series at two games each. In Wisconsin, a sixth-grade sports fan watches the game, keeping score on a notebook in his lap.

Rory Gallagher opens a five-night stand at the Whisky A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, and Yes plays Sheffield, England. The Bee Gees record “My World,” which will be released next spring, and jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman records tracks that will appear on his album Science Fiction. On the current survey at WLS in Chicago, there are two double-A-sided singles in the Top 10: Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” and “Reason to Believe” at Number One (for a third week) and Carole King’s “So Far Away” and “Smackwater Jack” at Number 10. “Do You Know What I Mean” by Lee Michaels is at Number Two and “Sweet City Woman” by the Stampeders is at Number Three. “If You Really Love Me” by Stevie Wonder is the biggest mover of the week, leaping from 14 to 6.

Perspective From the Present: Turning on the radio in October 1971 meant pure Top 40 pleasure that never seemed to stop. “Maggie May” and “Do You Know What I Mean,” along with “I’ve Found Someone of My Own” by Free Movement and “Spanish Harlem” by Aretha Franklin, are on my desert-island CD, and “Charity Ball” probably should be. “Birds of a Feather,” “I’m Coming Home,” “Stick Up,” “Marianne,” “Only You Know and I Know,” “Absolutely Right”—you might say that the hits just keep on comin’. Here’s Fanny on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, August 29, 1971: