Close Menu
Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    • Home
    • Explore
    • Categories
      • Business
      • Games
      • Geography
      • History
      • Movies
      • Music
      • People
      • Sport
      • Technology
      • TV
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok YouTube
    Subscribe
    Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok YouTube
    Subscribe
    Home » History » 20 Notable Events in 1978

    20 Notable Events in 1978

    Henno KrugerBy Henno Kruger3 Mins Read4,865 ViewsMay 17, 2022
    Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Copy Link

    I was one year old in 1978, so I don’t have much recollection of this period in my mind. That doesn’t mean interesting events didn’t happen back then.

    NetfloristOfferforge

    History has a tendency to repeat itself. Hopefully the human race can learn from past mistakes. I must admit that 1978 is not that long ago if you look at the big historical picture, though.

    1978

    Here are some notable events from 1978:

    1. Louise Brown, the worlds first test tube baby, was born in Oldham, Manchester in the United Kingdom in 1978.

    Louise Brown 1978

    2. The Woody Allen film Annie Hall won 4 Oscars. For Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

    3. Prime minister Ian Smith of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and 3 black leaders agreed to transfer to black majority rule in the African country.

    SA Gig Guide

    Ian Smith 1978

    4. The serial killer, Ted Bundy (who killed an estimated 35 people between 1973/4 and 1978) was captured in February 1978 in Pensacola, Florida in the United States.

    5. American Porn publisher Larry Flynt (the founder of Hustler Magazine) was shot and paralyzed in Lawrenceville, Georgia in the United States in this year.

    6. Kaiser Matanzima (a nephew of Nelson Mandela) broke all Transkei’s diplomatic ties with South Africa and announced that all SADF members seconded to the Transkei Army would be leaving Transkei by 31 March of this year.

    7. PW Botha took over the job of Prime Minister of South Africa from John Vorster in 1978.

    NordVPN

    PW Botha 1978

    8. The FIFA World Cup was held in Argentina. The hosts were victorious, beating The Netherlands 3 -1 in the final.

    9. David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam,” was sentenced to 365 years in prison in this year.

    10. Dominica, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.

    11. The comic strip, Garfield made its debut in this year.

    12/ Pope Paul VI died in Rome in 1978 and was succeeded by Pope John Paul I. However Pope John Paul I died after only 33 days in the papacy. He was succeeded by Pope John Paul II (the first Polish pope in history).

    13. At Blowering Dam in Australia, Ken Warby set the current world water speed record of 317.60 mph (511 km/h) in 1978.

    14. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord.

    15. Daniel Arap Moi became the president of Kenya.

    Daniel Arap Moi 1978

    16. Movies that were released in 1978 include The Deer Hunter (starring Robert de Niro), Midnight Express (starring Randy Quaid), Grease (starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John), Superman (starring Christoper Reeve), Halloween, Animal House (starring John Belushi and Kevin Bacon) and Up in Smoke.

    17. Wales completed the Grand Slam and won the 84th Five Nations Championship and the Blue Bulls (Northern Transvaal) won the Currie Cup in South Africa.

    18. Musical groups that were formed in 1978 include Bauhaus, Dead Kennedys, Dexys Midnight Runners, Duran Duran, Pulp, Simple Minds, Survivor and UB40.

    19. The Space Invaders video game was developed by Taito in Japan.

    20. After nearly 30 years production of the Volkswagen Beetle was halted in Germany. Over 20 million cars VW Beetles were produced over the years.

    There you have it, 20 notable events that happened in 1978.

    Watch this space for regular updates in the History category on Interesting Facts.

    Craving fresh facts in your Inbox? Get Factual! Subscribe To Our Newsletter.

    Feel free to explore our website or feel free to check out a list of related posts below.

    NetfloristOfferforge

    Take control of your online privacy and access content from anywhere with NordVPN - the trusted choice of millions. Whether you're streaming, browsing, or shopping, NordVPN keeps your data secure and your connection blazing fast. Don’t wait — protect yourself today and get up to 70% off your NordVPN plan!

    1978 Australia South Africa UK USA Years
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleElizabeth Moss: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    Next Article 20 Notable Events in 1976
    Henno Kruger
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Founder and owner of Running Wolf's Rant, Interesting Facts and SA Music Zone.

    Related Posts

    Isle of Wight 1970
    By Henno KrugerDecember 23, 2024

    23 Notable Events That Happened in 1970

    2,257 Views7 Mins Read
    Pink Floyd in 1975
    By Henno KrugerJune 1, 2024

    21 Notable Events in 1975

    5,839 Views6 Mins Read
    Woodstock - 1969
    By Henno KrugerSeptember 7, 2023

    23 Notable Events in 1969

    4,127 Views9 Mins Read
    Hale Bopp in 1995
    By Henno KrugerMay 29, 2022

    20 Notable Events in 1995

    1,507 Views6 Mins Read
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    NetfloristOfferforge
    More History Facts
    Hale Bopp in 1995
    May 29, 2022

    20 Notable Events in 1995

    1,507 Views6 Mins Read
    Ancient Egypt
    March 23, 2023

    Ancient Egypt: 18 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    626 Views3 Mins Read
    Wednesday
    May 22, 2024

    Wednesday: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    103 Views5 Mins Read
    Gulf War - 1991
    July 9, 2022

    20 Notable Events in 1991

    3,661 Views6 Mins Read
    Categories
    More Facts
    Durban South Africa
    July 25, 2023

    Durban: 20 Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known

    990 Views5 Mins Read
    Cindy Crawford
    April 20, 2024

    Cindy Crawford: 12 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    333 Views2 Mins Read
    The Ocean
    July 15, 2023

    The Ocean: 12 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    95 Views3 Mins Read
    Namibia Flag
    October 3, 2023

    Namibia: 28 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    241 Views7 Mins Read
    AdidasOfferforge
    Recent Comments
    • David Devo Oosthuizen on Gareth Haze: 18 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    • David Devo Oosthuizen on Ryno Theron: 10 Interesting Facts You Did Not Know
    • David Devo Oosthuizen on Ryno Theron: 10 Interesting Facts You Did Not Know
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok
    © 2025 Interesting Facts - Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.