What happened in May 1977?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1977, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🏥 Carter's Welfare Reform Progress – President Carter and aides report significant progress in preparing welfare reform proposals ahead of a self-imposed deadline.
- May 2🎉 Two Million March in Moscow – About two million flag-waving marchers paraded before Soviet leaders during the May Day celebration in Red Square.
- May 3🎹 Judit Jaimes's Pianism – Venezuelan pianist Judit Jaimes performed a recital at Alice Tully Hall, showcasing her unique interpretation of works by Berg, Schubert, and Schumann.
- May 4🏛️ Notre Dame Statues Unearthed – Recovered 21 heads of church statues from Notre Dame, lost since the French Revolution, along with 350 fragments.
- May 5👑 Queen's Jubilee Celebration – Queen Elizabeth II opened her Silver Jubilee celebration at Westminster Hall, appealing to Scots and Welsh to remember the benefits of union with England.
- May 6🌍 Carter in London – President Jimmy Carter arrives in London for his first international summit, aiming to strengthen ties with world leaders.
- May 7🏛️ Carter Meets Leaders – President Carter met with five leaders of major allies in London, setting the stage for an important economic conference.
- May 8🏇 Seattle Slew Wins Derby – Seattle Slew captures the 103rd Kentucky Derby, remaining undefeated and showcasing a thrilling performance at Churchill Downs.
- May 9🏛️ First St. Augustine Rebuilt – The nation's first permanent settlement, St. Augustine, will be recreated as it appeared in 1580, announced the Restoration Foundation.
- May 10🌳 Bryant Park Fair – Rain dampens a volunteer fair at Bryant Park where city officials and volunteers aimed to beautify the park.
- May 11🧑🎤 Ramses II Returns Home – The mummy of Ramses II was returned to Egypt after being treated for infection in Paris, marking a significant moment in archaeological preservation.
- May 12🛩️ Concorde Flights Allowed – A U.S. judge ruled the ban on Concorde flights to Kennedy Airport illegal, allowing the supersonic airliner to operate there again.
- May 13🎷 Jazz Quartet Performance – Ron Carter's jazz quartet, featuring Marlena Shaw and Bob James's orchestra, performs at Avery Fisher Hall.
- May 14🌪️ Cyclone Hits Bangladesh – A cyclone with 100 mph winds struck Bangladesh, causing one death and injuries, along with significant destruction in coastal areas.
- May 15🏒 Canadiens Win Stanley Cup – The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, 2-1, in overtime, capturing the Stanley Cup with a four-game sweep.
- May 16⚽ Pele Shines in Victory – Pele scored three goals as the Cosmos won 3-0, showcasing his legendary talent on the soccer field.
- May 17🚀 U.S. and Russia Space Talks – The U.S. and Soviet Union announced discussions for an international space station in the 1980s, marking a significant step in space cooperation.
- May 18🌍 Carter Opposes White Rule – President Carter demands an end to white rule in South-West Africa, warning of strong action from the U.S. and allies if changes aren't made.
- May 19🕊️ Geneva Parley Begins – Cyrus R. Vance and Andrei A. Gromyko open negotiations in Geneva to address strategic weapons limitations.
- May 20✈️ Lindbergh Flight Celebration – The anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's historic solo transatlantic flight is marked with celebrations and the flight of a sister ship.
- May 21🚀 Space Shuttle Delayed – The first manned flight of the space shuttle on a 747 has been delayed two weeks due to ground test issues, NASA announced.
- May 22🏇 Seattle Slew Wins Preakness – Undefeated Seattle Slew won the 102nd Preakness Stakes, finishing 1.5 lengths ahead of Iron Constitution in front of a record crowd.
- May 23🎭 Martin Luther King Parade – Thousands celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. in a vibrant parade along Fifth Avenue, marking the 10th annual memorial event.
- May 24🔬 Bacteria Produce Insulin Gene – Scientists report engineering bacteria to produce the gene for insulin, potentially revolutionizing diabetes treatment.
- May 25📰 Podgorny Ousted – Nikolai V. Podgorny was removed from the Soviet Politburo, marking a significant shift in Soviet leadership dynamics.
- May 26🌍 China Lifts Shakespeare Ban – China announced it will publish a new Chinese edition of Shakespeare's works, lifting a decade-long ban on the playwright.
- May 27🏗️ Climber Scales Tower – A toymaker scaled the South Tower of the World Trade Center in a three-and-a-half-hour climb, delighting onlookers below.
- May 28🛹 Skateboarding Accidents Rise – Skateboarding popularity surges, with riders reaching speeds of up to 60 mph, leading to increased accidents and injuries.
- May 29🔬 Malaria Resurgence Stemmed – World Health Organization reports a potential halt to the resurgence of malaria that has caused significant health issues.
- May 30🔥 Kentucky Club Fire – A devastating fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killed at least 160 people and injured many more, marking a tragic event in U.S. history.
- May 31📸 Earliest Slave Photos Found – Fifteen daguerreotypes, believed to be the earliest known photographs of American slaves, discovered at Harvard's Peabody Museum.
Happy Birthday! 1977 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1977 in real headlines. See the 1977 book →