What happened in April 1977?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1977, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🐘 Amy Carter Accepts Elephant – President Carter's daughter, Amy, will accept an Asian baby elephant named Shanti as a Bicentennial gift from Sri Lanka at the National Zoo.
- Apr 2🔥 Pine Barrens Fire Contained – Firefighters have contained the largest of 40 blazes in the South Jersey Pine Barrens, with no early reports of wildlife damage.
- Apr 3🌪️ Bangladesh Storm Kills 328 – A tornado in Bangladesh resulted in at least 328 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, causing widespread destruction across the region.
- Apr 4🌪️ Bangladesh Tornado Toll – Over 600 deaths confirmed from a tornado in Bangladesh, with the Madaripur district being the hardest hit.
- Apr 5🌊 Floods and Tornadoes – Tornadoes and heavy rains across three states resulted in 26 fatalities and left thousands homeless due to massive flooding.
- Apr 6🖼️ Churchill's Paintings Exhibit – Largest exhibition of Sir Winston Churchill's paintings in nearly two decades set for May 3 to June 5 for Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee.
- Apr 7🏗️ Navy Completes Indian Ocean Base – The U.S. Navy is rushing to finish its first air and naval facility in the Indian Ocean on Diego Garcia, enhancing military presence in the region.
- Apr 8🌍 Rabin Resigns as PM – Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin cancels his candidacy for a second term amid controversy over U.S. bank deposits.
- Apr 9🔬 Nuclear Equipment to Brazil – West Germany approved export licenses for nuclear equipment to Brazil, despite objections from the U.S. government.
- Apr 10🏛️ Spain Legalizes Communism – The Spanish Government legalized the Communist Party after a ban of four decades, marking a significant political shift in the country.
- Apr 11🏌️ Watson Wins Masters – Tom Watson claimed victory at the 41st Masters golf tournament, winning by two strokes over Jack Nicklaus.
- Apr 12🚀 Cosmos Satellite Launched – The Soviet Union launched the Cosmos 903 satellite into orbit, marking another achievement in space exploration.
- Apr 13🌍 Marcos Insurgents Peace Plan – President Ferdinand Marcos announced that Muslim rebel leaders agreed to end their rebellion in the southern Philippines and participate in a provisional government.
- Apr 14🔬 Alfalfa Treatment Boosts Yields – Scientists at Michigan State University found a way to increase food plant growth by 10 to 40 percent using a potent substance from alfalfa hay.
- Apr 15🗽 Giant Bat Sculpture Unveiled – A giant sculpture named 'Batcolumn' by Claes Oldenburg was dedicated in Chicago, symbolizing the city's artistic spirit.
- Apr 16🔬 New Knee Joint Patent – A new surgical implant for knee joints that mimics natural movements was patented by an orthopedic surgeon and a mechanical engineer.
- Apr 17🏛️ Philippines Holds Poll – Philippine Government proceeds with a referendum on southern region autonomy despite a boycott by the Moro National Liberation Front.
- Apr 18🗳️ Women Vote in Liechtenstein – Women voted for the first time in Liechtenstein's history during elections for justices of the peace in Vaduz.
- Apr 19🌊 Hot Springs Discovered – Scientists found active hot springs on the ocean floor, revealing a vibrant ecosystem in an otherwise barren environment.
- Apr 20🌍 Carter Signs Aid Bill – President Carter signed a bill authorizing $20 million in relief for victims of a devastating earthquake in Romania.
- Apr 21🌍 Rhodesia Talks Planned – The U.S. and Britain plan a conference on Rhodesia to ensure power transfer to the black majority and financial aid for whites.
- Apr 22🏆 P.G.A. Tour Sets Record – The P.G.A. Tour announced a record total of $9,688,977 in purses for 1977, marking a significant milestone in professional golf.
- Apr 23🔬 Light-Wave Communications – Scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories patented a new telecommunications system using light impulses through glass fibers.
- Apr 24🎨 Surrealism at SUNY – An international center for Surrealist studies is being developed at SUNY Purchase, featuring a $12 million facility.
- Apr 25🤸 Comaneci Scores Perfect 10 – Nadia Comaneci won multiple events, including a perfect 10 on the uneven bars, at the 20th international gymnastics championships in Romania.
- Apr 26🏛️ Ancient Town Found – A team of students discovered a 3,400-year-old town in Jordan, revealing grain silos and workshops from 1500 B.C.
- Apr 27🔬 Quark Discovery Signs – Scientists report potential evidence of quarks, the building blocks of matter, marking a significant step in particle physics research.
- Apr 28🏛️ Carter's Energy Program – President Carter's energy program announcement led to a 10% drop in his popularity, according to an NBC News poll.
- Apr 29🌍 U.S. and Cuba Agreement – The U.S. and Cuba announced a fishing rights agreement, marking their first formal negotiations in 16 years.
- Apr 30🔬 Solar Device Patent – Aerospace technologists at Langley Research Center received a patent for a solar energy device that separates hydrogen from water.
Happy Birthday! 1977 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1977 in real headlines. See the 1977 book →