What happened in July 1978?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1978, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jul 1🌍 Whale Quotas Set – The International Whaling Commission established new quotas for nearly all whale species after intense negotiations in London.
- Jul 2🏇 Lakeville Miss Wins Oaks – Lakeville Miss showcased stamina, winning the $105,900 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park by six lengths.
- Jul 3🌍 Cocos Islands Purchase – Australia announced it will buy the Cocos Islands from their British owner for $7 million, a significant territorial acquisition.
- Jul 4🌍 8 Latin Countries Sign Pact – Eight South American nations signed a treaty to develop and protect the Amazon basin, a vital ecological region.
- Jul 5🎻 U.S. Cellist Wins – Nathaniel Rosen becomes the first American to win a gold medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition since Van Cliburn in 1958.
- Jul 6🚀 Polish-Soviet Team Returns – The Polish-Soviet Soyuz 30 space team returned safely to Earth after an eight-day mission, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Jul 7✈️ Airbus Orders Surge – European aircraft manufacturers gain a lead with $467 million in orders for the Airbus A300, enhancing their position against U.S. competitors.
- Jul 8🌌 Moon Discovered Around Pluto – Astronomers at the U.S. Naval Observatory announced the discovery of a moon orbiting Pluto, the outermost planet in the solar system.
- Jul 9🎨 Museum Fire Destroys Art – A fire in Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Modern Art destroyed over 1,000 artworks, including oil paintings and sculptures, in just 30 minutes.
- Jul 10🩰 Baryshnikov's Ballet Debut – Mikhail Baryshnikov made his debut with the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center without prior announcement.
- Jul 11🔬 New Support for Unified Theory – Physicists from Stanford and Yale found new evidence supporting a theory that unifies two fundamental forces of nature.
- Jul 12☀️ Sun Eruption Disrupts Communications – A powerful solar eruption disrupted ship-to-shore communications and affected satellites, marking one of the strongest solar events recorded.
- Jul 13🏛️ Nuclear Test Held – A nuclear device was detonated in Nevada, causing a shock wave felt in Las Vegas. No radiation leaks were reported.
- Jul 14🖼️ Indian Protest March – Over 500 American Indians and supporters conclude a 3,000-mile protest march to Washington, advocating for their rights and recognition.
- Jul 15🚆 Train Breakdown Crisis – Nearly 13,000 commuters were trapped for hours aboard Conrail trains due to an electrical failure in New Rochelle, New York.
- Jul 16🚀 Satellite Launched – A Delta rocket launched a satellite from Cape Canaveral for the European Space Agency to study Earth's magnetic field.
- Jul 17🌍 Economic Summit in Bonn – Leaders of major economic powers, including President Carter, convened in Bonn to discuss global economic support and strategies.
- Jul 18🏛️ Bonn Summit Concludes – Leaders of major industrial nations concluded the Bonn Summit, agreeing on measures to combat unemployment and curb inflation.
- Jul 19🗽 Torch of Liberty Lit – Leaders gathered to light a 'torch of liberty' in protest against the imprisonment of dissidents in the Soviet Union.
- Jul 20🎶 Verdi's Requiem Concert – Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem performed by the New York Grand Opera in Central Park, featuring 150 singers and 70 instrumentalists.
- Jul 21⚛️ Nuclear Power for Seoul – South Korea's President Park Chung Hee dedicated the country's first nuclear power plant, enhancing energy production capabilities.
- Jul 22🌍 Dominica Gains Independence – The House of Commons approved an order granting full independence to Dominica, effective November 3, 1978.
- Jul 23🏛️ China-Japan Relations Strengthen – China and Japan plan joint industrial projects, marking a new era in their economic relations after decades of distance.
- Jul 24🏁 Mears Wins Indy Race – Rick Mears narrowly defeated Johnny Rutherford in the 150-mile Indianapolis car race, clinching victory just before a caution period.
- Jul 25🌌 Perseid Meteor Shower – Sky watchers can expect a spectacular Perseid meteor shower peaking on August 12, offering a dramatic celestial display.
- Jul 26🔬 Embryo Storage Studied – Research indicates that freezing embryos could allow infertile women to have multiple children from a single egg-harvesting procedure.
- Jul 27👶 First Test Tube Baby – The world's first baby born from a laboratory-fertilized egg, Louise Brown, is celebrated, marking a milestone in reproductive science.
- Jul 28👶 First Test-Tube Baby – The world's first baby conceived outside the body was born, marking a significant milestone in reproductive science.
- Jul 29🌍 Windmill Power Promoted – Denmark showcases one of the world's largest windmills, aiming to demonstrate positive renewable energy solutions.
- Jul 30🌍 Endangered Sea Turtles – Endangered Mexican sea turtles have been provided a new home on the Texas shore, aiming to help them thrive.
- Jul 31♟️ Chess Championship Draw – The fifth game of the world championship chess match in Baguio ended in a stalemate after 124 moves.
Happy Birthday! 1978 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1978 in real headlines. See the 1978 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: