1978

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 27

After forty years as a fascist nation, Spain transitioned to a democratic government.

Dec 21

John Wayne Gacy was arrested.

Dec 9

The first Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL) game took place, with the Chicago Hustle vs. the Milwaukee Does.

Oct 25

The original American horror film ''Halloween” premiered in Kansas City, Missouri, US.

Oct 10

A $1 coin was approved by the US Congress, featuring women's suffrage activist Susan B. Anthony.

Oct 6

The drama romance film 'Days of Heaven' by Terrence Malick was released.

Sep 15

The ''Dodgers” baseball team became the first major league to bring in 3 million fans for the season.

Sep 11

Janet Parker became the last person to die of smallpox in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Sep 1

The zombie horror movie 'Dawn of the Dead' premiered in Turin, Italy.

Aug 17

Three Americans made the first successful Atlantic Ocean crossing by hot air balloon.

Aug 3

Queen Elizabeth II opened the 11th Commonwealth Games held in Edmonton, Canada.

Jul 25

The first baby was born after being conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Jun 25

The rainbow flag was flown for the first time at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.

Jun 22

United States Naval Observatory astronomer James Christy discovered Pluto's largest moon.

Jun 18

American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer killed his first victim, Steven Mark Hicks.

Jun 16

Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was released in the US.

May 12

The US Commerce Department decided that hurricane names would no longer be only female.

May 11

Margaret A Brewer became the first female general in the US Marine Corps.

May 3

The first-ever 'spam' email was sent out to every ARPANET address on the US west coast.

Apr 28

Mohammed Daoud Khan, the President of Afghanistan, was assassinated in a coup.

Apr 14

Demonstrations broke out in Tbilisi, Georgia, after attempts by the USSR to repress the Georgian language.

Mar 22

Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas died after falling off a tightrope between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mar 10

The Incredible Hulk TV series premiered on CBC starring Bill Bixby.

Feb 24

The Yuba County Five disappeared after attending a college basketball game.

Feb 18

The first Ironman Triathlon was held in Kona, Hawaii, USA.

Feb 11

China lifted the country's ban on literature by Aristotle, Shakespeare, and Dickens.

Jan 1

A B747 plane by Air India flying from Bombay, India to Dubai, UAE, crashed with no survivors.