What happened in February 1978?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1978, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🛰️ Satellite Debris Found – Canadian and American scientists intensified searches after debris from the Soviet satellite Cosmos 954 was discovered in northern Canada.
- Feb 2🌍 Carter Appeals Canal Support – President Carter urged Americans to support the ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, emphasizing their national importance.
- Feb 3🚀 Soviets Refuel in Orbit – Two Soviet astronauts successfully performed an unprecedented refueling of engines in orbit aboard the Salyut 6 space laboratory.
- Feb 4🏙️ Tokyo Faces Bankruptcy – Tokyo, one of the world's largest cities, is on the brink of bankruptcy and may face a financial takeover by the central government.
- Feb 5🛰️ Soviet Satellite Crash – A Soviet satellite crash in Canada raises concerns about space debris and its potential hazards for future missions.
- Feb 6👩⚖️ Muriel Humphrey Sworn In – Muriel Humphrey, widow of Hubert H. Humphrey, becomes the first female U.S. Senator, taking the oath of office in a simple ceremony.
- Feb 7❄️ Snow Emergencies Declared – Heavy snowfall forced New York's Westchester and Rockland Counties to declare emergencies as snow fell at one inch per hour.
- Feb 8🌨️ Severe Snowstorm Hits – A fierce wind and snowstorm wreaked havoc in New England, causing power outages and traffic disruptions across the region.
- Feb 9🌍 Meteorites Linked to Life – Two meteorites found in Antarctica may provide insights into the origins of life, believed to carry fossil life forms from other worlds.
- Feb 10🦖 Dinosaur Exhibit Launch – A unique exhibit titled 'The Making of a Dinosaur' opens at the Museum of Natural History, showcasing the creation of the world's largest dinosaur kit.
- Feb 11✈️ Jetliner Engine Mystery – Investigators continue to search for answers regarding the failure of all three engines on a National Airlines jet two weeks ago.
- Feb 12🎭 Met Opera's 'Tannhäuser' – The Metropolitan Opera faced a last-minute crisis when soprano Martina Arroyo was injured, leading to Elinor Ross stepping in to perform.
- Feb 13🚀 Soviet Crew's Milestone – Yuri Romanenko and Georgy Grechko complete their 1,000th orbit aboard Salyut 6, marking a record for the longest single Russian space flight.
- Feb 14🎻 Hart and Ruskin Concert – Violinist Alfred Hart and pianist Abbott Ruskin performed a concert at Carnegie Hall, featuring works by Mozart, Strauss, and Grieg.
- Feb 15🔬 Soviet Launches Cosmos 989 – The Soviet Union launched Cosmos 989, a scientific satellite aimed at continuing outer space exploration.
- Feb 16❤️ Heart Transplant Breaks Moratorium – Surgeons in Texas performed a heart transplant, breaking an eight-year moratorium, saving a young oil worker's life.
- Feb 17🚀 First Space Furnace – Soviet astronauts Yuri Romanenko and Georgy Grechko successfully melted metals in the first electric blast furnace in outer space.
- Feb 18🌍 International Dance Showcase – The Matteo EthnoAmerican Dance Theatre presented a vibrant performance featuring dances from various cultures worldwide.
- Feb 19🌍 Carter's Mideast Diplomacy – President Carter emphasizes Israel's security and Palestinian rights in his Middle East policy, aiming for a balanced approach.
- Feb 20💖 Heart Transplant Success – A 23-year-old Arab received a transplanted heart from a Jewish donor in Israel and is in satisfactory condition post-operation.
- Feb 21🌍 New Way To Grow Truffles – French researchers announce a method for cultivating truffles, offering hope amid economic uncertainty and a falling franc.
- Feb 22🏗️ Major Development Planned – A $1 billion plan was unveiled to transform 300 acres of marshland in New Jersey into a commercial and residential area.
- Feb 23🎨 Carter's Arts Conferences – The House approved a bill allowing President Carter to convene White House conferences on arts and humanities next year.
- Feb 24🌍 U.S.-Soviet Arms Talks – U.S. and Soviet negotiators held their 232nd meeting on strategic arms limitation, agreeing to reconvene on March 2.
- Feb 25🌍 Oldest Footprints Found – Researchers report finding what may be the oldest human-like footprints, dating back 3.5 million years, in Africa.
- Feb 26🌍 China's Congress Meets – China's nominal parliament convenes to approve a 10-year economic plan, marking a significant step in post-Mao governance.
- Feb 27🎨 Smithsonian Honors Cassatt – A new Smithsonian exhibition honors Mary Cassatt, the first fine American woman painter, showcasing her significant contributions to art.
- Feb 28🗳️ Gandhi Gains Power – Indira Gandhi secures a solid power base in southern India, ensuring her continued influence in national politics after being ousted as Prime Minister.
Happy Birthday! 1978 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1978 in real headlines. See the 1978 book →