January 5, 1974 – An earthquake in Lima, Peru, kills six people, and damages hundreds of houses.

January 23, 1974 – New Year’s Day in Chinese calendar. Start of the year of the Wood Tiger in Chinese astrology.

February 2, 1974 – The F-16 Fighting Falcon flies for the first time.

February 4, 1974 – M62 coach bombing: The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) explodes a bomb on a bus carrying off-duty British Armed Forces personnel in Yorkshire, England. Nine soldiers and three civilians are killed.

March 26, 1974 – Gaura Devi leads a group of 27 women of Laata village, Henwalghati, Garhwal Himalayas, to form circles around trees to stop them being felled and giving rise to the Chipko Movement in India.

April 27, 1974 – 10,000 march in Washington, D.C., calling for the impeachment of US President Richard Nixon

May 15, 1974 – Ma'alot massacre: In an Arab terrorist attack and hostage taking at an Israeli school, a total of 31 people are killed, including 22 schoolchildren.

May 17, 1974 – Police in Los Angeles, California, raid the Symbionese Liberation Army’s headquarters, killing six members, including Camilla Hall.

September 15, 1974 – Air Vietnam flight 727 is hijacked, then crashes while attempting to land with 75 on board.

November 22, 1974 – The United Nations General Assembly grants the Palestine Liberation Organization observer status.

January 8, 1974 – Maria Matsouka, Greek politician

January 10, 1974 – Hrithik Roshan, Indian actor

January 18, 1974 – Devon Odessa, American actress

March 4, 1974 – Crowbar, American professional wrestler

March 28, 1974 – Mark King, English snooker player

May 11, 1974 – Darren Ward, Welsh footballer

June 21, 1974 – Craig Lowndes, Australian racing driver

August 16, 1974 – Roger Cedeño, Venezuelan baseball player

September 2, 1974 – Inari Vachs, American adult film actress

September 28, 1974 – John Light, English actor