World Events in 1978
Camp David Accords
President Carter hosted Egyptian President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin for thirteen days of secret negotiations at Camp David. The resulting accords led to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation, earning Sadat and Begin the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mass suicide at Jonestown
On 18 November, over 900 members of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple died in a mass murder-suicide in Guyana after drinking cyanide-laced punch. The horrifying event followed the murder of US Congressman Leo Ryan, who had come to investigate the cult.
Cardinal Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II
The Archbishop of Krakow was elected Pope on 16 October, becoming the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. His election would have profound consequences for Poland's Solidarity movement and the end of communism in Eastern Europe.
Argentina wins the World Cup amid controversy
Argentina hosted and won the 1978 World Cup, defeating the Netherlands 3-1 in the final. The tournament was deeply controversial, taking place under a brutal military dictatorship that was using the event to burnish its international image.
Revolution in Iran begins
Mass protests against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime intensified throughout 1978, driven by religious opposition led by exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini. The upheaval would culminate in the Shah's departure in January 1979 and the establishment of an Islamic republic.
Music in 1978
"Rivers of Babylon / Brown Girl in the Ring"
Boney M
This double A-side dominated the UK charts for five weeks and became the second-best-selling single in UK chart history at that time, behind only Mull of Kintyre.
"Shadow Dancing"
Andy Gibb
The youngest Gibb brother topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks with this disco-infused pop song, making him the first artist to have his first three singles all reach number one.
#1 Film of 1978
Grease
Box Office: $190 million
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John starred in this nostalgic 1950s-set musical that became a global phenomenon, with its soundtrack album selling over 28 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1978
Ashton Kutcher
Actor (That '70s Show, The Butterfly Effect) and tech investor
Jensen Ackles
Actor (Supernatural)
Rachel McAdams
Actress (The Notebook, Mean Girls, Spotlight)
John Legend
Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter (All of Me)
Gianluigi Buffon
Italian goalkeeper, World Cup winner, and one of the greatest keepers in football history
Lost in 1978
Aldo Moro
Italian Prime Minister, kidnapped and murdered by the Red Brigades
Age 61
Jomo Kenyatta
First President of Kenya and independence leader
Age c. 83
Keith Moon
Legendary drummer of The Who
Age 32
Golda Meir
Fourth Prime Minister of Israel
Age 80
Technology in 1978
The first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in Oldham, representing a breakthrough in reproductive medicine. The LaserDisc format launched, offering the first optical video playback for consumers. Texas Instruments introduced the Speak & Spell, pioneering synthesised speech. GPS satellite navigation began its development phase.
- ● Louise Brown, the first IVF baby, born on 25 July in Oldham
- ● LaserDisc format launches for home video
- ● Texas Instruments releases the Speak & Spell electronic toy
- ● The first spam email is sent on ARPANET
Cost of Living in 1978
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £15,594 | $55,700 |
| Average salary | £4,700 | $15,100 |
| Pint of milk | 12p | $0.45 |
| Loaf of bread | 25p | $0.35 |
| Dozen eggs | 46p | $0.82 |
| Pint of beer | 32p | $1.10 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 84p | $0.63 |
| Cinema ticket | 85p | $2.34 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1978
Disco reached its zenith with Saturday Night Fever and the Bee Gees, while punk evolved into new wave with Blondie, Talking Heads, and Elvis Costello. The World Cup in Argentina was dogged by controversy over the ruling military junta. Fashion featured jumpsuits, wrap dresses, and an explosion of polyester. Dallas premiered on CBS, launching a decade-long obsession with soap opera excess.
In the News in 1978
Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro was kidnapped and murdered by the Red Brigades. Georgi Markov, a Bulgarian dissident, was assassinated on Waterloo Bridge with a poison-tipped umbrella. The Times newspaper ceased publication for almost a year in a dispute with print unions.