Ironton High School - Owl Yearbook (Ironton, OH)

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ISSUES: IRONTON THE NATION THE WORLD Unlike previous Arab-lsraeli wars, the 1973 war affected us directly. The Arabs, in order to put diplomatic pressure on Israel, placed an oil em- bargo on any nation not supporting them. Although many nations gave in to the Arab demands, the United States continued her policy of support towards Israel. During the early days of the war Syria, Egypt, and especially Israel suf- fered heavy tank, plane, and personal losses. Then Israel, in one of the most savage tank battles in history, trapped an Egyptian force east of Suez and occupied a large area west of the ca- nal. At this time, the American armed forces were put on alert because of possible Soviet intervention. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger then almost single-handedly initiated peace talks, convincing the Egyptians to pull back forces and the Israelis to withdraw from the Canal. As of March, the oil embargo was still in effect.

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On November six, 1973, Ironton voters passed a levy to build a new physical education building at Ironton High School. The new facility will match the architectual design of the present high school. It will provide the much- needed room for gym and health classes, winter sports, and intramural activities. Also, the new gym will provide a place for adult recreation after school. With the completion of this building, IHS will have one of the best physical education departments in Ohio. We are heading toward the most acute shortage of energy since World War II, President Richard Nixon told the nation in a broadcast address on November 7th, 1973. Due to an Arab shut-off of oil to the United States, America faced a winter with 17 percent less oil than her estimated needs. Americans were asked to do what they could individually, such as lowering home thermostats six degrees and forming car pools for shop- ping or driving to work. Also, Congress passed emer- gency legislation to deal with the problem. In lanuary the nation switched to year-round daylight savings time. Highway speeds were lowered to 55 miles per hour. Still, by lanuary of 1974, many local gasoline stations had closed down, or at least shortened operating hours. In March, the President announced that the crisis was over. We were merely faced with an energy problem. The United States had come through another critical sit- uation and had shown her self-sufficiency to the world. 22

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 Meeting A Deadline The 1974 Yearbook Staff at work 24