Timeline May 1971

Events in May 1971 7

• 1925 – 1971 Audie Murphy (1925-1971) Died 28 May 1971, aged 45 Audie Murphy was the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II, earning every military combat award for valor available from the US Army. He later became a Hollywood actor, starring in numerous westerns and playing himself in the film adaptation of his memoir To Hell and Back. He died in a small plane crash in Virginia.
• 1971 Amtrak Begins Operations National passenger railroad corporation takes over US intercity rail Amtrak, formally the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, began operating intercity passenger trains after Congress created it to relieve private railroads of unprofitable passenger service. It consolidated most remaining US passenger rail routes under a single federally subsidized operator. The company remains the primary provider of intercity passenger rail in the United States.
• 1971 Stevie Wonder turns 21 and wins creative control New Motown contract Renegotiates with Motown for full control and his own publishing.
• 1971 Paul McCartney releases Ram With Linda McCartney Panned at the time, later reclaimed as a classic.
• 1971 Queen Máxima born Queen consort of the Netherlands Máxima Zorreguieta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later became Queen of the Netherlands.
• 1971 – present Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nigerian novelist Adichie writes novels and essays about identity, feminism, and postcolonial experience.
• 1971 Marvin Gaye releases What's Going On Protest soul A song cycle on war, poverty and the environment that Berry Gordy didn't want to release.