January 6
January 6
John Gardner wins National Book Critics Circle Award
On this day, John Gardner wins the National Book Critics Circle Award for October Light, a novel about two elderly siblings in New England. Gardner was born in 1933 in…
A Year In History: 1977
This Year in History:
1977
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 17
January 17
Gary Gilmore executed
Gary Gilmore, convicted in a double murder, is shot to death by a firing squad in Utah, becoming the first person to be executed in the United States since the…
January 19
January 19
President Ford pardons Tokyo Rose
President Gerald R. Ford pardons Tokyo Rose. Although the nickname originally referred to several Japanese women who broadcast Axis propaganda over the radio to Allied troops during World War II,…
January 21
January 21
President Carter pardons draft dodgers
On January 21, 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter grants an unconditional pardon to hundreds of thousands of men who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. In total, some 100,000…
January 21
January 21
Carter pardons draft dodgers
On this day in 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardons all Vietnam War draft dodgers. During his presidential campaign, Carter had announced his intention to pardon those who had failed to…
January 23
January 23
“Roots” premieres on television
January 23, 1977 sees the premiere of Roots, a groundbreaking television program. The eight‑episode miniseries, which was broadcast over eight consecutive nights, follows a family from its origins in West…
February 14
February 14
The B‑52’s play their first gig
The B‑52’s, one of the strangest and, to fans, most irresistible, pop groups ever to achieve mainstream success, makes its worldwide debut at a Valentine’s Day house party in Athens,…
March 5
March 5
Dial‑a‑President radio program airs
On this day in 1977, the Dial‑a‑President radio program, featuring President Jimmy Carter and CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite, airs for the first time. The brainchild of Cronkite and CBS,…
March 7
March 7
Carter meets with Yitzhak Rabin
On this day in 1977, President Jimmy Carter meets with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. For two days, the president and Mrs. Carter played host to the prime minister and…
March 24
March 24
United States and Cuba engage in direct negotiations
For the first time since severing diplomatic relations in 1961, Cuba and the United States enter into direct negotiations when the two nations discuss fishing rights. The talks marked a…
March 27
March 27
Jumbo jets collide at Canary Islands airport
On March 27, 1977, two 747 jumbo jets crash into each other on the runway at an airport in the Canary Islands, killing 583 passengers and crew members. Both Boeing…
April 2
April 2
Racehorse, Red Rum, wins record third Grand National
On this day in 1977, racehorse Red Rum wins a historic third Grand National championship at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, after taking home victory in 1973 and 1974 and…
April 11
April 11
President Carter hosts White House Easter egg roll
On April 11, 1977, President Jimmy Carter, along with first lady Rosalynn Carter, hosts local children at the traditional White House “Easter egg roll.” According to White House curator Bill…
April 16
April 16
David Soul, of Starsky & Hutch, has the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts
On April 16, 1977, David Soul’s smash‑hit single “Don’t Give Up On Us Baby” reaches the top of the U.S. pop charts. But the story of a tough‑but‑sensitive TV detective’s…
April 26
April 26
Studio 54 opens in New York City
On April 26, 1977, the legendary discoteque Studio 54 opens its doors for the very first time. It would soon become the global epicenter of the disco craze and the…
April 28
April 28
Red Army Faction members found guilty of multiple murders in Germany
In Stuttgart, West Germany, the lengthy trial of the leaders of the terrorist Baader‑Meinhof Gang, also known as the Red Army Faction, ends with Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin, and Jan‑Carl…
April 30
April 30
Over 2,000 protesters occupy the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant construction site
On April 30, 1977, more than 2,000 protesters occupy the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant construction site in New Hampshire; 1,414 of these activists are arrested in what becomes one of…
May 4
May 4
David Frost interviews Richard Nixon
On this day in 1977, British journalist David Frost interviews former President Richard Nixon. In the televised interview, Nixon answered questions regarding the Watergate scandal and his resignation, admitting that…
May 10
May 10
Legendary actress Joan Crawford dies
On this day in 1977, the legendary actress Joan Crawford dies of a heart attack in her New York City apartment. Born Lucille Fay Le Sueur (her birth year has…
May 11
May 11
President Carter puts in a long day at the office
On this day in history, President Carter spends a typically busy day meeting with congressional and cabinet leaders, conducting phone meetings, squeezing in a game of tennis and family time,…
