Year 1978 in History

Air India Flight 855 crashes into the Arabian Sea less than two minutes after takeoff, killing all 213 people on board

Air India Flight 855 was a scheduled passenger flight from Bombay (now Mumbai), India, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" debuts on BBC TV, based on the books by James Herriot, starring Robert Hardy a

TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" debuts on BBC TV, based on the books by James Herriot, starring Robert Hardy and Christopher Timothy

Bee Gees' album "Saturday Night Fever" goes #1; stays on top for 24 weeks

Sweden becomes the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, due to their harmful effect on the earth's ozone lay

Sweden becomes the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, due to their harmful effect on the earth's ozone layer

Novelist Danielle Steel (30) divorces Danny Zugelder after almost 3 years of marriage

Actress and model Bianca Jagger (32) files for divorce from Rolling Stone singer Mick Jagger (34) after 7 years of marri

Actress and model Bianca Jagger (32) files for divorce from Rolling Stone singer Mick Jagger (34) after 7 years of marriage on the grounds of his adultery with model Jerry Hall

US Senator Edward W. Brooke (58) divorces first wife Remigia Ferrari-Scacco after 31 years of marriage

Film "Grease" opens, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, based on the 1971 Broadway musical

Dame Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British and Australian singer, songwriter and actress.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "Evita," starring Elaine Paige, premieres at the Prince Edward Theatre in Lon

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "Evita," starring Elaine Paige, premieres at the Prince Edward Theatre in London

British Open Men's Golf at St Andrews: Jack Nicklaus completes his third career Grand Slam, winning by 2 strokes over Be

British Open Men's Golf at St Andrews: Jack Nicklaus completes his third career Grand Slam, winning by 2 strokes over Ben Crenshaw and Ray Floyd

Second studio album by Chic, "C'est Chic," is released, featuring the single "Le Freak" (Billboard Album of the Year 197

Second studio album by Chic, "C'est Chic," is released, featuring the single "Le Freak" (Billboard Album of the Year 1979)

Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, and Jimmy Carter sign the Camp David Accords, frameworks for peace in the Middle East and b

Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, and Jimmy Carter sign the Camp David Accords, frameworks for peace in the Middle East and between Egypt and Israel

Over 30 major nations ratify the Environmental Modification Convention, which prohibits weather warfare that has widespr

Over 30 major nations ratify the Environmental Modification Convention, which prohibits weather warfare that has widespread, long-lasting or severe effects

James Earl Ray, assassin of Martin Luther King weds Anna Sandhu

Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005.

New York City Marathon: Grete Waitz of Norway wins in her race debut with a world record time of 2:32:30; Bill Rodgers w

New York City Marathon: Grete Waitz of Norway wins in her race debut with a world record time of 2:32:30; Bill Rodgers wins his third straight title in 2:12:12

"Halloween", directed by John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut, is released

Halloween II is a 1981 American slasher film directed by Rick Rosenthal, in his directorial debut, written and produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, and starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald...

Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi places the country under military rule, allowing General Gholām Reza Azhāri to form a

Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi places the country under military rule, allowing General Gholām Reza Azhāri to form a government

In Jonestown, Guyana, 918 members of the Peoples Temple are murdered or commit suicide under the leadership of cult lead

In Jonestown, Guyana, 918 members of the Peoples Temple are murdered or commit suicide under the leadership of cult leader Jim Jones

"The Deer Hunter", directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep, premiere

"The Deer Hunter", directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep, premieres in Los Angeles (Academy Awards Best Picture 1979)

Commencement of the first day/night World Series Cricket Supertest at VFL Park, Melbourne

First game of the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL): Chicago Hustle vs. Milwaukee Does

Rhino Records releases their first album, "Wildmania," by Larry "Wild Man" Fischer

Indian cricket spin bowler B. S. Chandrasekhar becomes first in Test history to register identical figures in both innin

Indian cricket spin bowler B. S. Chandrasekhar becomes first in Test history to register identical figures in both innings (6 for 52) in Indian innings win over Australia in 3rd Test in Melbourne

First US postage stamp is copyrighted, the Carl Sandburg stamp

Angola revises its constitution in include a state security law

A constitution, or supreme law, is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly...

Commonwealth of Northern Marianas established

Saipan () is the largest island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean.

Soyuz 27 launches, carrying 2 cosmonauts to Salyut 6 space station

Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...

Soyuz 27 links with Salyut 6 and Soyuz 26 (first time three spacecraft link)

NASA select its first American women astronauts

NASA Astronaut Group 8 was a group of 35 astronauts announced on January 16, 1978. It was the first NASA selection since Group 6 in 1967, and was the largest group to that date.

Super Bowl XII, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA: Dallas Cowboys beat Denver Broncos, 27-10; MVP: Harvey Martin, Dal

Super Bowl XII, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA: Dallas Cowboys beat Denver Broncos, 27-10; MVP: Harvey Martin, Dallas, DE & Randy White, Dallas, DT

Soyuz 27 returns to Earth

Geoff Boycott captains England for the 1st time, v Pakistan at Karachi

Eddie Mathews elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Edwin Lee Mathews (October 13, 1931 – February 18, 2001) was an American professional baseball third baseman.

Columbia Pictures pays $9.5 million for the movie rights to "Annie"

Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán becomes undisputed world lightweight champion with a 12th-round TKO of Esteban De Jesus a

Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán becomes undisputed world lightweight champion with a 12th-round TKO of Esteban De Jesus at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas; defends his WBA title for 12th time, also takes De Jesus’ WBC title

Belgian industrial Haron Empain kidnapped in Paris

Carter Executive Order on Intelligence (# 12036)

Executive Order 12036 is a United States Presidential Executive Order signed on January 24, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter that imposed restrictions on and reformed the U.S.

Muriel Humphrey (D-Mn) appointed to fill late husband's Senate seat

Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. (May 27, 1911 – January 13, 1978) was an American politician who served from 1965 to 1969 as the 38th vice president of the United States.

Ranger's Don Murdoch failed on 4th penalty shot against Islanders

Addie Joss & Larry MacPhail elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Adrian "Addie" Joss (April 12, 1880 – April 14, 1911), nicknamed "the Human Hairpin", was an American professional baseball pitcher.

Israel turns 3 milt outposts in West Bank into civilian settlements

Australia beat India 3-2 on 6th day of final test, after India are all out for 445 chasing 493 to win

NHL New York Islanders rookie Mike Bossy scores 1st career hat trick in 6-1 win over Washington Capitols at Nassau Vete

NHL New York Islanders rookie Mike Bossy scores 1st career hat trick in 6-1 win over Washington Capitols at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York

Blizzard forms in US North East, 100 people killed in New England and New York over 3 days

The Northeastern United States blizzard of 1978 was a catastrophic, historic nor'easter that struck New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area.

Ethiopian offensive in Ogaden desert

Ogaden (pronounced and often spelled Ogadēn; Somali: Ogaadeen, Amharic: ውጋዴ/ውጋዴን) is one of the historical names used for the modern Somali Region.

US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...

First "micro on a chip" or microchip is patented by Texas Instruments

England all out 64 for 1st loss to NZ in cricket (Geoffrey Boycott captain)

1st Computer Bulletin Board System (Ward & Randy's CBBS, Chicago)

11 civilians and 1 RUC officer are killed and 30 wounded by a Provisional Irish Republican Army incendiary bomb at the L

11 civilians and 1 RUC officer are killed and 30 wounded by a Provisional Irish Republican Army incendiary bomb at the La Mon Restaurant near Belfast

1st Iron Man Triathlon (swim, bike ride, and run marathon) held, beginning and ending at the Aloha Tower in Honolulu Har

1st Iron Man Triathlon (swim, bike ride, and run marathon) held, beginning and ending at the Aloha Tower in Honolulu Harbor of Oʻahu, Hawaii

Egypt announces it is pulling its diplomats out of Cyprus

Electrical workers accidentally discover the Aztec Templo Mayor, or Great Temple, two blocks from Mexico City's central

Electrical workers accidentally discover the Aztec Templo Mayor, or Great Temple, two blocks from Mexico City's central square, the Zócalo

2 tankers with propane gas explode killing 15 at Waverly, Tenn

Kevin Porter, NJ, sets NBA record with 29 assists in a game

The 2016 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2015–16 season and conclusion of the season's playoffs.

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

Soyuz 28 carries 2 cosmonauts (1 Czechoslovakian) to Salyut 6

Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...

1st day of Test cricket for Desmond Haynes (WI v Australia)

Desmond Leo Haynes is a former Barbadian cricketer and cricket coach who played for the West Indies cricket team between 1978 and 1994.

Chicago Daily News, founded in 1875, publishes last issue

The Chicago Daily News was an afternoon daily newspaper in the midwestern United States, published between 1875 and 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.

Landsat 3 launched from Vandenberg AFB, California

Landsat 3 is the third satellite of the Landsat program. It was launched on March 5, 1978, with the primary goal of providing a global archive of satellite imagery.

Brian Clark's stage drama "Whose Life is it Anyway?" starring Tom Conti and Jane Asher, and directed by Michael Lindsay-

Brian Clark's stage drama "Whose Life is it Anyway?" starring Tom Conti and Jane Asher, and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, opens at the Mermaid Theatre, London

Belgian baron Charles Bracht kidnapped

Baron Charles Victor Bracht (7 January 1915 – 7 March 1978) was a Belgian businessman who founded the multinational industrial conglomerate, N.V.

Ice Dance Championship at Ottawa Canada won by Linichuk & Karponosov

Terrorists attack mail truck at Tel Aviv, 45 killed

Moluccan "suicide commandos" occupies Province house

Marines terminate Moluccan action in Province house (1 dead)

-21] operation Litani: Israeli offensive in South Lebanon

Amoco Cadiz spills 223,000 tons of crude oil off French coast

Amoco Cadiz tanker spills 1.6 mil gallons of oil off French coast

,000 attend rock concert California Jam II in Ontario, California

50,000 demonstrate in Amsterdam against neutron bomb

Flyers' Rick MacLeash scores on 6th penalty shot against Islanders

Padres fire Al Dark (2nd manager ever fired during spring training)

France performs nuclear test

US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

Wings release single "With a Little Luck"

"With a Little Luck" is a single by the band Wings from their 1978 album London Town. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1978.

AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, UCLA beat Maryland 90-74 in Los Angeles

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team, established in 1974, represents the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the Big Ten Conference. The current coach is Cori Close.

The Rutles mockumentary "All You Need is Cash" is shown on British TV

A mockumentary (a portmanteau of mock and documentary) is a type of film or television programme depicting fictional events, but presented as a documentary.

Daryl Gates becomes the 49th Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department

Daryl Francis Gates was an American police officer who served as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978 to 1992.

USSR launches Kosmos 1000 navigational satellite

Georges de Mestral's patent for "velvet type fabric" expires, puts "Velcro" in the open market

Karnataka beat Uttar Pradesh by inn & 193 to win Ranji Trophy

Guttenberg bible sells for $2,000,000 in New York City

Brewers sweep Orioles 11-3, 16-3, & 13-5 (each with a grand slam)

Formation of Major Indoor Soccer League announced

Gyorgy Ligeti's opera "Le Grand Macabre" premieres in Stockholm

Le Grand Macabre (completed 1977, revised 1996) is the third stage production by Hungarian composer György Ligeti, and his only major stage-work.

Jackson slugs a 3-run HR in the 1st inning, & the field is showered

David Hare's play "Plenty" premieres in London

Plenty is a play by David Hare, first performed in 1978, about British post-war disillusion.

43 die as 2 express trains collide head-on south of Bologna, Italy

63,500,000 shares traded on NY stock exchange (record)

Senate votes to turn Panama Canal over to Panama on Dec 31, 1999

The United States Senate election of 1978 in Massachusetts was held on November 7, 1978, with the incumbent Republican Senator Edward Brooke being defeated by Democratic Congressman Paul...

Yitzhak Navron elected 5th president of Israel

Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz of Poland is the first woman to sail single-handed around the world, arriving back in the

Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz of Poland is the first woman to sail single-handed around the world, arriving back in the Canary Islands after 401 days

ABC premiere of crime drama "Vega$"

France sends troops to Chad

Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the...

Afghanistan revolution (National Day), pro-Russian military coup

The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA; Dari: حزب دموکراتیک خلق افغانستان), known as the Homeland Party after June 1990, was a Marxist–Leninist political party in Afghanistan established...

1st African American mayor of New Orleans, Ernest Nathan Morial, inaugurated

NFL Draft: Earl Campbell from University of Texas first pick by Houston Oilers

Earl Christian Campbell, nicknamed "the Tyler Rose", is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily with the...

"Sun Day" - solar energy events held in the US

Russian leader Brezhnev visits West-Germany

South Africa military goes into Angola

ABC TV airs "Stars Salute Israel at 30"

Margaret A Brewer is 1st female general in the US Marine Corps

US Commerce Department says hurricane names will no longer be only female

Henry Rono of Kenya sets record for 3,000 m steeplechase (8:05.4)

Henry Rono (12 February 1952 – 15 February 2024) was a Kenyan track and field athlete who specialised in various long-distance running events.

First round of the presidential elections in Upper Volta

Presidential elections were held in the Republic of Upper Volta on 14 May 1978, with a second round on 28 May after no candidate won more than 50% in the first round.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lee Lacy hits record 3rd consecutive pinch-hit home run

Italy legalizes abortion

Abortion in Italy became legal in May 1978, when Italian women were allowed to terminate a pregnancy on request during the first 12 weeks and 6 days (90 days).

Three PFLP members kill a police officer near El Al Airlines at Orly Airport in Paris

Unification church couples wed in England

The Unification Church, officially the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU; 세계평화통일가정연합) is an Abrahamic monotheistic new religious movement, whose members are called...

AL approves transfer of Red Sox to Jean Yawkey for $15M

American management consultant Marilyn Loden first coins the term "glass ceiling" to describe invisible career barriers

American management consultant Marilyn Loden first coins the term "glass ceiling" to describe invisible career barriers for women

Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: 3-peat for Montreal Canadiens; beat Boston Bruins, 4-1 as Mario Tremblay s

Stanley Cup Final, Boston Garden, Boston, MA: 3-peat for Montreal Canadiens; beat Boston Bruins, 4-1 as Mario Tremblay scores twice; 4-2 series victory

1st legal gambling casino opens in Atlantic City

Resorts Casino Hotel is a hotel and casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Resorts brought gaming to Atlantic City in 1978 as the first American casino outside Nevada when it opened in 1978.

Second round of the presidential elections in Upper Volta. The election is won by incumbent Sangoulé Lamizana.

Presidential elections were held in the Republic of Upper Volta on 14 May 1978, with a second round on 28 May after no candidate won more than 50% in the first round.

US first-class postage rises 3 cents to 15 cents after being held static for three years

31st Cannes Film Festival: "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" directed by Ermanno Olmi wins the Palme d'Or

England cricket fast bowler Chris Old becomes only third man to capture 4 wickets in 5 balls in a Test, as Pakistan dism

England cricket fast bowler Chris Old becomes only third man to capture 4 wickets in 5 balls in a Test, as Pakistan dismissed for 164 in 1st Test at Edgbaston; Old 5 for 70

Phillies Dave Johnson is 1st to hit 2 pinch hit grand slams in a year

David Allen Johnson (January 30, 1943 – September 5, 2025) was an American professional baseball player and manager.

32nd Tony Awards: "Da" (play) and "Ain't Misbehavin'" (musical) win

The 32nd Annual Tony Awards was broadcast by CBS television on June 4, 1978, from the Shubert Theatre in New York City.

Proposition 13 cuts California property taxes 57%

Proposition 13 (officially named the People's Initiative to Limit Property Taxation) is an amendment of the Constitution of California enacted during 1978, by means of the initiative process, to cap...

51st National Spelling Bee: Peg McCarthy wins spelling deification

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) strikes down 148 year policy of excluding black men from priesthoo

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) strikes down 148 year policy of excluding black men from priesthood

Costa Rica becomes a member of the Berne Convention copyright treaty

The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, usually known as the Berne Convention, was an international assembly held in 1886 in the Swiss city of Bern by ten European...

Christa Tybus of London sets record of 24½ hrs of hula-hoop

David Berkowitz sentenced in NY Supreme Court to 25 yrs to life

Israeli Defense Forces withdraw from Lebanon

The 1978 South Lebanon conflict, also known as the First Israeli invasion of Lebanon and codenamed Operation Litani by Israel, began when Israel invaded southern Lebanon up to the Litani River in...

Sierra Leone adopts constitution

The Constitution of Sierra Leone is the supreme law governing Sierra Leone and delineates its frame of government.

Belgian government resigns

Cincinnati Red Tom Seaver no-hits St Louis Cards, 4-0

1st 6 teams of Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL) granted-Iowa, NJ, Milwaukee, Chicago, Minnesota & Dayton

James Christy's discovery of Pluto's moon Charon announced

Charon (-⁠ən or SHARR-ən), formal designation (134340) Pluto I, is the largest of the five known natural satellites of the dwarf planet Pluto. It has a mean radius of 606 km (377 mi).

FIFA World Cup Final, El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Striker Mario Kempes scores 2 goals as Argentina beats the

FIFA World Cup Final, El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Striker Mario Kempes scores 2 goals as Argentina beats the Netherlands, 3-1 after extra time

Air Canada Flight 189 to Toronto overruns the runway and crashes into the Etobicoke Creek ravine, killing two of the 107

Air Canada Flight 189 to Toronto overruns the runway and crashes into the Etobicoke Creek ravine, killing two of the 107 passengers on board

Henry Rono of Kenya sets record for 3,000 m, 7:32.1

Henry Rono (12 February 1952 – 15 February 2024) was a Kenyan track and field athlete who specialised in various long-distance running events.

Supreme Court orders Cal medical school to admit Allan Bakke a white man claiming reverse discrimination when applicatio

Supreme Court orders Cal medical school to admit Allan Bakke a white man claiming reverse discrimination when application was rejected

Giants' Willie McCovey becomes 12th to hit 500 HRs

US Supreme Court rules 5-4, FCC had a right to reprimand NY radio station WBAI for broadcasting George Carlin's "Filthy

US Supreme Court rules 5-4, FCC had a right to reprimand NY radio station WBAI for broadcasting George Carlin's "Filthy Words" in 1973

Memphis fire fighters halt 3-day strike under a court order

Soyuz 30 spacecraft touches down in Soviet Kazakhstan

A sleeping car catches fire in Taunton, Somerset, killing twelve people

NBA approves franchise swap; Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquire Boston Celtics, while the Ce

NBA approves franchise swap; Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquire Boston Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin gets Braves, later moved to San Diego to become the Clippers

Pioneer-Venus 2 Multi-probe launched to Venus

The Pioneer Venus project was part of the Pioneer program consisting of two spacecraft, the Pioneer Venus Orbiter and the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe, launched to Venus in 1978.

American Nazi Party holds a rally at Marquette Park, Chicago

Bloodless military coup in Mauritania; President Moktar flees

Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in Northwest Africa.

Auto with liquid gas crashes and explodes in Spain, killing 160

US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

Albania drops diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China

Egyptian and Israeli officials begin 2 days of talks

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

Franklin Bradshaw is murdered in Salt Lake City by his grandson Marc Schreuder at the instigation of his mother Frances

Franklin Bradshaw is murdered in Salt Lake City by his grandson Marc Schreuder at the instigation of his mother Frances Schreuder

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

Cleveland Indians' Duane Kuiper becomes the third player in MLB history to hit two bases-loaded triples in a game at Yan

Cleveland Indians' Duane Kuiper becomes the third player in MLB history to hit two bases-loaded triples in a game at Yankee Stadium

At Old Timer's Game, it is announced that Martin will again manage the Yankees

Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...

American Penny Dean swims the English Channel in a record 7 hours and 40 minutes; record holds until 1995

Expos crush Braves 19-0, collecting 28 hits and tying the National League record with eight home runs

Eleventh Commonwealth Games open in Edmonton, Canada

Australia competed at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton Canada from 3 to 12 August 1978.

New Orleans Saints beat Philadelphia Eagles 14-7 in an NFL exhibition at Mexico City's Olympic Stadium

Eddie Mathews, Addie Joss, and Larry MacPhail are inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, honors individuals who have excelled in playing, managing, and serving the sport, and is the central point for the study of the...

Pioneer-Venus 2 with five atmospheric probes launches toward Venus

USSR performs an underground nuclear test

USSR conducts a nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya

China and Japan sign a peace treaty

The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China is a peace treaty concluded between the People's Republic of China and Japan on August 12, 1978.

Bomb attack in Beirut kills 175

US House of Representatives approves (233-169) a 39-month extension for ERA

First successful crossing of the Atlantic by balloon is completed by Americans Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Ne

First successful crossing of the Atlantic by balloon is completed by Americans Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman aboard Double Eagle II

Memphis, Tennessee, settles with striking police officers and firefighters

Between 377 and 470 people die in an arson fire at a movie theater in Abadan, Iran

The Cinema Rex fire happened on August 19th 1978 when the Cinema Rex in Abadan, Iran, was set ablaze, killing between 377 and 470 people.

Gunmen open fire on an Israeli El Al Airlines bus in London

Release of first gay-themed telefilm, "Matlovich vs. U.S. Air Force," based on the true story of Leonard Matlovich, a US

Release of first gay-themed telefilm, "Matlovich vs. U.S. Air Force," based on the true story of Leonard Matlovich, a US Air Force sergeant who is discharged from the Air Force for being gay

Left-wing Sandinistas revolutionaries occupy National Palace in Managua, Nicaragua

Iranian students occupy the Iranian embassy in Wassenaar

USSR performs an underground nuclear test

MLB baseball umpires stage a one-day strike

Cardinal Albino Luciani of Venice becomes Pope John Paul I

Pope John Paul I was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later.

Dutch cyclist Gerrie Knetemann wins the UCI Road World Championship, defeating Francesco Moser of Italy and Dane Jorgen

Dutch cyclist Gerrie Knetemann wins the UCI Road World Championship, defeating Francesco Moser of Italy and Dane Jorgen Marcussen in Nürburg, West Germany

Donald Vesco rides a 21-foot-long Kawasaki motorcycle at 318.598 mph (512.73 km/h)

USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan

Constitution adopted by Sri Lanka

The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has been the constitution of the island nation of Sri Lanka since its original promulgation by the National State Assembly on 7...

#4655 Marjoriika, #4814 Casacci, #5344 Ryabov, #6262 Javid & #8064

Last broadcast of "Columbo" starring Peter Falk on NBC

Columbo is an American crime drama television series starring Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department.

John McClain performs 180 outside loops in an airplane over Houston

Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson hits his 20th HR of the season in a 6-2 home win over Seattle; 19th MLB player to h

Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson hits his 20th HR of the season in a 6-2 home win over Seattle; 19th MLB player to hit 20 HR in 11 straight years

Crew of Soyuz 31 returns to Earth aboard Soyuz 29

Jerry Lewis's 13th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $29,074,405

USSR performs an underground nuclear test

First game of the Boston Massacre: NY Yankees beat the Red Sox 15-3

The Red Sox–Yankees rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

Second game of the Boston Massacre; NY Yankees beat the Red Sox 13-2

The Red Sox–Yankees rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

Arlyne Rhode sets the female footbow distance record of 1,113 yards and 30 inches (1,018.64 m)

Medical photographer Janet Parker is the last known person to die of smallpox; she contracted the infection in a laborat

Medical photographer Janet Parker is the last known person to die of smallpox; she contracted the infection in a laboratory in Birmingham, England

New York Yankees recover from 14 games behind to gain sole possession of AL East 1st place with 7-3 win over the Tigers

New York Yankees recover from 14 games behind to gain sole possession of AL East 1st place with 7-3 win over the Tigers in Detroit

MLB Atlanta Braves' Jim Bouton (38) beats San Francisco Giants, his 1st win since 1970

Dodgers become the first major league team to draw 3 million fans

7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes near Tabas, central Iran, killing an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 people

30th Emmy Awards: "All in the Family," Ed Asner, and Sada Thompson win

"WKRP in Cincinnati," an ensemble TV sitcom created by Hugh Wilson and set in a struggling radio station, debuts on CBS

WKRP in Cincinnati is an American sitcom television series about the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional AM radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson.

USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeastern Kazakhstan

The Provisional Irish Republican Army explodes bombs at the RAF airfield near Eglinton, County Londonderry; the terminal

The Provisional Irish Republican Army explodes bombs at the RAF airfield near Eglinton, County Londonderry; the terminal building, two aircraft hangars and four planes are destroyed

Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin returns home after Camp David summit

Dutch women's hockey team wins World Championship

Ron Guidry beats Cleveland 4-0, raising his record to 23-3 with an ERA of 1.74

PSA Boeing 727 and a Cessna private plane collide over San Diego, California; 144 people die

Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks (BRAC) goes on strike, halting more than two-thirds of the rail service

US performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

Israeli Knesset endorses Camp David Accords

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

"Flying High" debuts on CBS

Flying High is an American comedy-drama television series, created by Dawn Aldredge and Martin Cohan, starring Kathryn Witt, Connie Sellecca, Pat Klous, and Howard Platt.

Cleveland, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, and the Pittsburgh Phillies win their third consecutive NL East Division tit

Cleveland, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, and the Pittsburgh Phillies win their third consecutive NL East Division title

Comoros adopts a constitution

The Comoros, officially the Union of the Comoros, is an archipelagic country made up of three islands in Southeastern Africa, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian...

Syrians and Palestinians exchange fire in East Beirut, killing 1,300

The NY Yankees win their third consecutive AL East title, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in a dramatic single playoff ga

The NY Yankees win their third consecutive AL East title, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in a dramatic single playoff game; Ron Guidry secures his 25th win, aided by Bucky Dent's three-run homer

Price of gold hits a record $223.50 an ounce in London

Isaac Bashevis Singer wins the Nobel Prize for literature

The 1978 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to the Polish-born American Jewish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–1991) "for his impassioned narrative art which, with roots in a Polish-Jewish...

Hanna H. Gray is inaugurated as the first female head of a US university (University of Chicago)

Royals' George Brett hits 3 home runs, and Yankees win championship game 3, 6-5

George Howard Brett is an American former professional baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City...

LA Dodgers win the pennant

Ken Warby sets the world water speed record at 275.97 knots (511.10 km/h; 317.58 mph) on Blowering Dam, Tumut River, NSW

Ken Warby sets the world water speed record at 275.97 knots (511.10 km/h; 317.58 mph) on Blowering Dam, Tumut River, NSW, Australia

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are injured by a cherry bomb

Aristides Royo elected president of Panama

Representatives of Israel & Egypt open talks in Washington

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

Despite Denis Potvin hat trick in 3:21 NY Islanders lose 7-10 making Islander record when scoring a hat trick-22-2-1

USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeastern Kazakhstan

Test debut of Kapil Dev, India vs. Pakistan at Faisalabad

NY Islanders start a streak of 23 undefeated games at home (15-0-8)

US President Jimmy Carter presents Congressional Medal to American opera singer Marian Anderson

NY Islanders first scoreless tie vs. LA Kings

Sam Shepard's stage drama "Buried Child" opens off-Broadway at Theater for the New City, later transfers to the Theatre

Sam Shepard's stage drama "Buried Child" opens off-Broadway at Theater for the New City, later transfers to the Theatre de Lys; premieres in NYC

British ska-rock band The Police perform their first US concert at CBGB in NYC

Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes in a Cessna 182 over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne after rep

Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes in a Cessna 182 over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft

"Laugh-In" comedienne Judy Carne is arrested at Gatwick Airport for drug possession

CBS raises LP prices to $8.98

Punk rock singer Sid Vicious attempts suicide while at Riker's Detention Center in NYC

Keith Richards is convicted of heroin possession in Toronto

Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones.

Independent Counsel Act is signed into law.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is a United States federal law that was passed in the wake of the Nixon Watergate scandal and the Saturday Night Massacre.

Bobby Orr scores his last career NHL goal against Detroit Red Wings

Robert Gordon Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of all time.

Laura Nickel and Curt Noll find the 25th Mersenne prime, 2^21701 - 1

Iranian oil workers go on strike

Wayne Gretzky is sold to the Edmonton Oilers after just 8 games with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA (scoring 6 point

Wayne Gretzky is sold to the Edmonton Oilers after just 8 games with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA (scoring 6 points); scores 104 points in 72 games (both teams combined) and is named WHA rookie of the year

Dominica gains independence from UK & adopts constitution

3rd annual reentry free-agent draft, Pete Rose, Tommy John, & Darrell Evans, available

Oakland Raider's John Madden becomes 13th coach to win 100 NFL games

Boston Red Sox Jim Rice wins American League MVP

James Edward Rice is an American former professional baseball left fielder and designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball (MLB).

North American Soccer League (NASL) realigns its 24 teams into 6 divisions

Israel's top negotiators broke away from Middle East peace talks

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom becomes president of Maldives

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician, statesman and diplomat who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008.

NASA launches HEAO 2

die as Icelandic Airlines DC-8 crashes in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Harold Pinter's play "Betrayal" premieres in London

Harold Pinter (10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008) was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor.

Major Indoor Soccer League holds its 1st draft

First flight of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet

The McDonnell Douglas F A designation). Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F A-18; the United States Marine Corps would also adopt the aircraft.

"The Miracle at the Meadowlands", Eagles Herman Edwards returns a fumble for a touchdown with 31 seconds left to give Ph

"The Miracle at the Meadowlands", Eagles Herman Edwards returns a fumble for a touchdown with 31 seconds left to give Philadelphia a 19-17 victory over the rival New York Giants

Atlanta Braves infielder Bob Horner wins NL Rookie of Year Award

The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

10 die as fire erupts at Holiday Inn in Rochester, NY

44th Heisman Trophy Award: Billy Sims, Oklahoma running back

Cincinnati Reds fire their manager Sparky Anderson after nine years with the team

The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central Division.

UN observes "International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People," boycotted by the US and other nations, such as Is

UN observes "International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People," boycotted by the US and other nations, such as Israel

France conducts a nuclear test at Moruroa Atoll

The France's 1979–1980 nuclear test series was a group of 22 nuclear tests conducted in 1979–1980.

Australian cricket fast bowler Rodney Hogg debuts in the 1st Test against England in Brisbane; after Australia is all ou

Australian cricket fast bowler Rodney Hogg debuts in the 1st Test against England in Brisbane; after Australia is all out for 116, Hogg makes an immediate impact by dismissing both high-profile England openers Graham Gooch (2) and Geoff Boycott (13)

Dianne Feinstein is named as San Francisco's 1st female and Jewish mayor after the assassination of George Moscone, then

Dianne Feinstein is named as San Francisco's 1st female and Jewish mayor after the assassination of George Moscone, then elected for two full terms

Spain adopts a constitution

The Spanish Constitution (Spanish: Constitución Española) is the supreme law of the Kingdom of Spain.

Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo for negotiating peace between Egypt and Israel

Menachem Begin (16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992) was an Israeli politician who founded Herut and Likud and served as prime minister of Israel from 1977 to 1983. Before the creation of the state of...

6 masked men bound 10 employees at Lufthansa cargo area at NYC Kennedy Airport and made off with $5.8M in cash & jewelry

6 masked men bound 10 employees at Lufthansa cargo area at NYC Kennedy Airport and made off with $5.8M in cash & jewelry; all of the participants and some associates were later killed on order of the alleged organized crime mastermind, loot never recovered

CBS' premiere of "Lovey: A Circle of Children Part II", sequel to "A Circle of Children", which is also based on Mary Ma

CBS' premiere of "Lovey: A Circle of Children Part II", sequel to "A Circle of Children", which is also based on Mary Mac Cracken

China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC

Cleveland, Ohio becomes the first post-Depression era city to default on its loans, owing $14,000,000 to local banks.

OPEC raises oil prices by 18% and agrees on a 14.5% petroleum price increase for 1979, to be implemented quarterly

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

France performs nuclear test

Kaikoura Lights incident: possible UFO sighting recorded and filmed off the coast of New Zealand's South Island [1]

Kenney Jones becomes The Who's new drummer, replacing the deceased Keith Moon

NY Islanders center Bryan Trottier sets NHL record scoring 6 points - 4 goals & 2 assists - in 2nd period of 9-4 win ove

NY Islanders center Bryan Trottier sets NHL record scoring 6 points - 4 goals & 2 assists - in 2nd period of 9-4 win over rival NY Rangers; adds goal & assist for game total 8 points; Islanders undefeated home streak stands at 16 games

Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 1st of 2 consecutive trophies as best football player in Eu

Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 1st of 2 consecutive trophies as best football player in Europe; beats Barcelona striker Hans Krankl and Anderlecht winger Rob Rensenbrink

Ohio State dismisses Woody Hayes as its football coach

The Ohio State University abuse scandal centered on allegations of sexual abuse that occurred between 1978 and 1998, while Richard Strauss was employed as a physician by the Ohio State University...

CIA director, Admiral Stansfield Turner retires from the Navy

Famous Births

January Jones is born

January Jones, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1978-01-05. January Kristen Jones is an American actress.

Volodymyr Zelensky is born

Daddy Yankee is born

Ashton Kutcher is born

Ashton Kutcher, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1978-02-07. Christopher Ashton Kutcher ( KUUTCH-ər; born February 7, 1978) is an American actor, film producer and businessman.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is born

Floyd Mayweather Jr. athlete, known for american boxer and boxing promoter, was born on 1978-02-24. Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr.

Jason Aldean is born

Jason Aldean, American musician, known for american country singer, was born on 1978-02-28. Jason Aldine Williams, known professionally as Jason Aldean, is an American country music singer.

Chris Martin is born

Chris Martin, English musician, known for english singer-songwriter, was born on 1978-03-02. Christopher Anthony John Martin is an English singer, songwriter, musician and producer.

Ronan Keating is born

Ronan Keating, Irish singer, known for irish singer, was born on 1978-03-03. Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish singer, songwriter and media personality.

James Van Der Beek is born

James Van Der Beek, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1978-03-08. James David Van Der Beek (March 8, 1977 – February 11, 2026) was an American actor.

Jessica Chastain is born

Jessica Chastain, American actress and producer, known for american actress and producer, was born on 1978-03-24. Jessica Michelle Chastain is an American actress and producer.

Gerard Way is born

Gerard Way, American musician, known for american singer, was born on 1978-04-09. Gerard Arthur Way is an American singer, songwriter, and comic book writer.

Sarah Michelle Gellar is born

Sarah Michelle Gellar, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1978-04-14. Sarah Michelle Prinze is an American actress.

John Cena is born

John Cena, American actor and wrestler, known for american actor and wrestler, was born on 1978-04-23.

John Oliver is born

John Oliver, American american comedian, known for british and american comedian, was born on 1978-04-23. John William Oliver is a British and American comedian and television personality.

Kal Penn is born

Kal Penn, American actor and civil servant, known for american actor and civil servant, was born on 1978-04-23.

Richard Ayoade is born

Richard Ayoade, British comedian and actor, known for british comedian and actor, was born on 1978-05-23. Richard Ayoade is a British comedian, actor, writer, director, and presenter.

Kanye West is born

Kanye West, American musician, known for american rapper and producer, was born on 1978-06-08.

Dan Wheldon is born

Dan Wheldon, British athlete, known for british racing driver, was born on 1978-06-22.

Jason Mraz is born

Jason Mraz, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1978-06-23. Jason Thomas Mraz ( mə-RAZ; born June 23, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.

Liv Tyler is born

Liv Tyler, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1978-07-01. Liv Rundgren Tyler is an American actress.

Brock Lesnar is born

Brock Lesnar, American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, known for american professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, was born on 1978-07-12.

Tom Brady is born

Tom Brady athlete, known for american football player and commentator, was born on 1978-08-03. Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.

Iva Majoli is born

Iva Majoli, Croatian athlete, known for croatian tennis player, was born on 1978-08-12. Iva Majoli is a Croatian former professional tennis player who competed for both Yugoslavia and Croatia.

Thierry Henry is born

Thierry Henry, French athlete, known for french football manager, was born on 1978-08-17. Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional football coach, pundit, sports broadcaster, and former player.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is born

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian nigerian writer, known for nigerian writer, was born on 1978-09-15.

Jeezy is born

Jeezy, American musician, known for american rapper, was born on 1978-09-28. Jay Wayne Jenkins, known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper.

John Mayer is born

John Mayer, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1978-10-16. John Clayton Mayer ( MAY-ər; born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is born

Maggie Gyllenhaal, American actress and filmmaker, known for american actress and filmmaker, was born on 1978-11-16. Margalit Ruth "Maggie" Gyllenhaal is an American actress and filmmaker.

Angela Stanford is born

Emmanuel Macron is born

Psy is born

Psy, South Korean musician, known for south korean rapper, was born on 1978-12-31. Park Jae-sang, better known as Psy ( SY; 싸이), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Notable Deaths

Hubert Humphrey dies

Robert Menzies dies

Paul VI dies

Jomo Kenyatta dies