1977: Difference between revisions

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==Events==
==Events==
* [[January 18]]: The [[List of Blount County municipalities|Blount County town]] of [[Locust Fork]] was incorporated.
* [[April 4]]: 22 people died during the [[1977 Smithfield tornado]], which also destroyed much of the [[Daniel Payne College]] campus, forcing it to close.
* [[April 4]]: 22 people died during the [[1977 Smithfield tornado]], which also destroyed much of the [[Daniel Payne College]] campus, forcing it to close.
* [[May 17]]: The Grateful Dead played at [[Coleman Coliseum]] in [[Tuscaloosa]].
* [[May 18]]: Led Zeppelin played the [[BJCC Coliseum]].
* [[July 19]]: The [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Center|Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition]] was founded.
* [[July 24]]: 3 miners were killed in the [[1977 Chetopa Mine accident]].
* [[July 29]]-[[July 31|31]]: The [[Sears XDH-1]] electric car was demonstrated in [[Birmingham]] and [[Talladega]].
* September: The [[Red Mountain Museum]] opened to the public.
* September: The [[Red Mountain Museum]] opened to the public.
* [[September 11]]:  [[Norwood Methodist Church|Norwood United Methodist Church]] merged with [[Wesley Chapel Methodist Church]].
* [[November 22]]: The [[Birmingham Genealogical Society]] received tax-exempt status.
* [[November 22]]: The [[Birmingham Genealogical Society]] received tax-exempt status.
* [[Robert Chambliss]] was convicted of murder for the [[1963 church bombing]].
* [[Robert Chambliss]] was convicted of murder for the [[1963 church bombing]].
* [[Eddie Aldridge]] purchased the land that he later opened to the public as [[Aldridge Gardens]].
* [[Eddie Aldridge]] purchased the land that he later opened to the public as [[Aldridge Gardens]].
* [[Birmingham]] voters approved a $3.3 million bond issue for the preservation of [[Sloss Furnaces]] as a historic site.
* [[Birmingham]] voters approved a $3.3 million bond issue for the preservation of [[Sloss Furnaces]] as a historic site.
* In the [[1977 Birmingham City Council election]] [[Bessie Estelle]], [[Nina Miglionico]], and [[E. C. Overton]] won re-election to four-year terms. [[John Katopodis]] and [[Larry Langford]] were elected to two-year terms. [[Bud Hendricks]] ran unsuccessfully.
* In the [[1977 Birmingham City Council election]] [[Bessie Estell]], [[Nina Miglionico]], and [[E. C. Overton]] won re-election to four-year terms. [[John Katopodis]] and [[Larry Langford]] were elected to two-year terms. [[Bud Hendricks]] ran unsuccessfully.
* [[Anne G. Miller]] founded the [[Alabama Wildlife Center]].
* [[Anne G. Miller]] founded the [[Alabama Wildlife Center]].
* The [[Birmingham Oktoberfest]] was organized by [[Freunde Deutscher Sprache und Kultur]].
* The [[Birmingham Oktoberfest]] was organized by [[Freunde Deutscher Sprache und Kultur]].
* Cabaret group [[Wit's Other End]] was founded at [[Oaks Street]]'s Brandy Room on [[Morris Avenue]].
* Cabaret group [[Wit's Other End]] was founded at [[Oaks Street]]'s Brandy Room on [[Morris Avenue]].
* The [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition]] acquired a 24-acre mountainside parcel in [[South East Lake]] which later became the [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Center]].
* The [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve|Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition]] acquired a 24-acre mountainside parcel in [[South East Lake]] which later became the [[Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve]].
* The [[Gospel Harmonettes]] performed together for the last time.
* The [[Gospel Harmonettes]] performed together for the last time.
* The [[ChristWay Church|North Birmingham Church of God]] purchased a 7-acre lot on [[Tarrant Road]] in [[Gardendale]].
* The [[ChristWay Church|North Birmingham Church of God]] purchased a 7-acre lot on [[Tarrant Road]] in [[Gardendale]].
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* Gay rights group [[Lambda]] was founded.
* Gay rights group [[Lambda]] was founded.
* The [[William Given residence]] was one of the stops on a tour of historic homes in [[Forest Park]].
* The [[William Given residence]] was one of the stops on a tour of historic homes in [[Forest Park]].
* [[James H. Woodward]] became a full professor at [[UAB]].
* An arson and burglary necessitated extensive repairs to the [[Ensley Library]].
* [[St Symeon the New Theologian Orthodox Church]] was established.
* The [[Tuscaloosa County]] Town of [[Brookwood]] was incorporated.
* [[Joe Jordan|"G. I. Joe" Jordan]] founded the [[Vikings Motorcycle Club]].


===Business===
===Business===
* [[Scott Green]] opened [[Scott's Koneys]] on [[20th Street South]].
[[Image:Scott's Koneys.jpg|right|thumb|275px|[[Scott's Koneys]]]]
* [[May 15]]: [[Dennis Wammack|Dennis]] and [[Dianne Wammack]] opened [[Cameras Brookwood]] at the [[Brookwood Convenience Center]].
* [[July 7]]: [[Double "LL" Bar-B-Q]], open since [[1950]], was incorporated.
* [[August 5]]: [[WKXX-FM]] ("[[Kicks 106]]") was launched as a rival Top-40 station to [[WERC-AM]] and [[WSGN-AM]].* [[Scott Green]] opened [[Scott's Koneys]] on [[20th Street South]].
* [[Dan L. Hendley]] became president of [[AmSouth Bank|First National Bank of Birmingham]].
* [[Dan L. Hendley]] became president of [[AmSouth Bank|First National Bank of Birmingham]].
* E. A. Gregory sold the [[Parliament House]] to [[Palmer G. O'Barr]].
* E. A. Gregory sold the [[Parliament House]] to [[Palmer G. O'Barr]].
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* [[Edgewood Frame Shop]] moved to 1003 [[Oxmoor Road]].
* [[Edgewood Frame Shop]] moved to 1003 [[Oxmoor Road]].
* The [[Coffee Shoppe]] opened on [[Hollywood Boulevard]].
* The [[Coffee Shoppe]] opened on [[Hollywood Boulevard]].
* [[WKXX-FM]] ("[[Kicks 106]]") was launched as a rival Top-40 station to [[WERC-AM]] and [[WSGN-AM]].
* [[Shihan Oyama]] opened the [[New Tokyo]] restaurant on [[Highland Avenue]].
* [[Shihan Oyama]] opened the [[New Tokyo]] restaurant on [[Highland Avenue]].
* [[Colonial Stores]] was sold to Grand Union.
* [[Colonial Stores]] was sold to Grand Union.
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* [[Sarah Cole Brown]] retired as Chief Librarian and Director of the [[Lister Hill Library]]. [[Nancy Clemmons]] took her place as acting director.
* [[Sarah Cole Brown]] retired as Chief Librarian and Director of the [[Lister Hill Library]]. [[Nancy Clemmons]] took her place as acting director.
* [[Porter, White & Company]] was hired by [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] to serve as financial advisors to the city of [[Birmingham]].
* [[Porter, White & Company]] was hired by [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] to serve as financial advisors to the city of [[Birmingham]].
* [[Lolo Records]] closed.
* [[Timothy Massey]] opened his own [[Massey, Stotser & Nichols|law practice]] in [[Trussville]].
* [[Houston Blount]] succeeded [[Bernard Monaghan]] as president of [[Vulcan Materials]].
* [[Gary Monheit]] founded the dermatology practice that became [[Total Skin & Beauty|Dermatology Associates]].


===Sports===
===Sports===
* [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] won the [[1977 Iron Bowl]] 48-21.
* [[December 7]]: NHL legend Gordie Howe scored his 1,000th career goal against the [[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]]' [[John Garrett (hockey)|John Garrett]].
* The [[Auburn Tigers football]] team finished the season at 5-6 (later changed to 6-5 after forfeit by Mississippi State)
* [[Jacksonville State University]] won the Division II National Championship in football.
* [[Jacksonville State University]] won the Division II National Championship in football.
* [[Neil Bonnett]] earned his first NASCAR victory at the Capital City 400 in Richmond, Virginia.
* Black players for the [[Alabama Vulcans]] were housed at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]].
* [[William Aydelette|Buddy Aydelette]] began playing football for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide]].
* [[William Aydelette|Buddy Aydelette]] began playing football for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide]].
* The [[Auburn Tigers football]] team finished the season at 5-6 (later changed to 6-5 after forfeit by Mississippi State)
* [[Jack Baker]] played his final season for the Boston Red Sox.
* [[Bob Baumhower]] was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 40th overall pick in the 1977 NFL draft.
* [[Bob Baumhower]] was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 40th overall pick in the 1977 NFL draft.
* [[Neil Bonnett]] earned his first NASCAR victory at the Capital City 400 in Richmond, Virginia.
* [[T. R. Dunn]] was selected in the 2nd round of the 1977 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
* [[Vince Gibson]] took his Louisville Cardinals football team to the Independence Bowl.
* [[Vince Gibson]] took his Louisville Cardinals football team to the Independence Bowl.
* [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] won the [[1977 Iron Bowl]] 48-21.
* [[Hubert Green]] won the U. S. Open golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
* [[Elbert Jemison]] won the Alabama State Senior Amateur golf title.
* [[Johnny Musso]] played his final season for the Chicago Bears.
* [[Johnny Musso]] played his final season for the Chicago Bears.
* [[Joe Namath]] signed with the L. A. Rams.
* [[Joe Namath]] signed with the L. A. Rams.
* [[T. R. Dunn]] was selected in the 2nd round of the 1977 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
* [[Steve Sloan]] left Texas Tech to coach the University of Mississippi football team.
* [[Jack Baker]] played  his final season for the Boston Red Sox.
* [[Jerry Pate]] won the Phoenix Open and Southern Open on the PGA Tour.
* [[Jerry Pate]] won the Phoenix Open and Southern Open on the PGA Tour.
* [[Jackie Sherrill]] became head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
* [[Jackie Sherrill]] became head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
* Black players for the [[Alabama Vulcans]] were housed at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]].
* [[Steve Sloan]] left Texas Tech to coach the University of Mississippi football team.


==Works==
==Works==
* ''Saturday Night Fever'', feature film directed by [[John Badham]]
* ''Saturday Night Fever'', feature film directed by [[John Badham]]
* ''[[Pumping Iron]]'', documentary feature co-written by [[Charles Gaines]]
* ''Luxury Liner'', album by [[Emmylou Harris]]
* ''Luxury Liner'', album by [[Emmylou Harris]]
* "You'll Love Again", single by [[Hotel]]
* "You'll Love Again", single by [[Hotel]]
* ''Red White and Blue (grass) and Company'', album by [[Red, White and Blue(grass)]]


===Publications===
===Publications===
* ''[[Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide]]'' by [[Marjorie Longenecker White]]
* ''[[Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide]]'' by [[Marjorie Longenecker White]]
* The [[Birmingham Historical Society]] began publishing a quarterly ''[[Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society|Journal]]''
* The [[Birmingham Historical Society]] began publishing a quarterly ''[[Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society|Journal]]''
* ''Designing Your Face'' by [[Way Bandy]]


===Buildings===
===Buildings===
* [[Calera High School]]
* [[Calera High School]]
* [[Centre at Riverchase]] shopping center
* [[Hoover Twin Cinema]]
* [[Hoover Twin Cinema]]
* [[Red Mountain Museum]]
* [[Red Mountain Museum]]
* [[Riverchase Crossings]] shopping center
* Expansion/renovation of [[Bankhead Hotel]] for senior housing
* [[Lakeview School]] was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
* Renovation of [[Caldwell-Milner building]] for [[MetroBank]]
* [[Quarterback Tower]] at [[UAB]]


==People==
==Individuals==
* [[Robert Vance]] was appointed to the [[Fifth Circuit United States Court of Appeals]] by President Jimmy Carter.
* [[J. Frank Alexander]] succeeded [[John McQueen]] as pastor of [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]].
* [[Joe Bruno]] retired as CEO of [[Bruno's]].
* [[Robert W. Carter]] became an [[Adamsville Police Department|Adamsville Police Officer]].
* [[Robert Chambliss]] was convicted of the [[1963 church bombing|1963 bombing]] of [[16th Street Baptist Church]].
* [[Howard Cruse]] became an art director for ''Starlog'' magazine.
* [[Howard Cruse]] became an art director for ''Starlog'' magazine.
* [[Aubrey Edwards]] became minister of music at [[Shades Mountain Baptist Church]].
* [[Dennis Edwards]] was fired from [[The Temptations]].
* [[Dennis Edwards]] was fired from [[The Temptations]].
* [[Allen Farley]] transferred from the [[Bessemer Police Department]] to the [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]].
* [[Jack Farr]] succeeded [[Edna Snow]] as principal of [[Edgewood Elementary School]].
* [[Jack Farr]] succeeded [[Edna Snow]] as principal of [[Edgewood Elementary School]].
* Poet [[Sonia Sanchez]] accepted a Presidential Fellowship to teach at Temple University in Philadelphia.
* [[Joseph Gayles Jr]] was appointed president of [[Talladega College]].
* Astronaut [[Hank Hartsfield]] retired from the United States Air Force.
* Astronaut [[Hank Hartsfield]] retired from the United States Air Force.
* [[Jerry Haynes]] succeeded [[Edwin H. Wood]] as Chief of the [[Homewood Police Department]].
* [[Howell Heflin]] stepped down from the [[Alabama Supreme Court]] to resume his law practice.
* [[Jim Jeffrey]] began coaching and [[Vestavia Hills High School]].
* [[Marguerite Kinney]] joined the [[UAB]] nursing faculty.
* [[James Orange]] left the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] to work for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.
* [[Richard North Patterson]] became writer-in-residence at [[UAB]].
* [[Richard North Patterson]] became writer-in-residence at [[UAB]].
* [[Ray Reach]] worked as a graduate assistant for the jazz program at the [[University of Alabama]].
* Poet [[Sonia Sanchez]] accepted a Presidential Fellowship to teach at Temple University in Philadelphia.
* [[Robert Taylor]] began working at [[Five Points Hardware]].
* [[Robert Vance]] was appointed to the [[Fifth Circuit United States Court of Appeals]] by President Jimmy Carter.
* [[Jan Willis]] became a visiting professors at Wesleyan University.
* [[Jan Willis]] became a visiting professors at Wesleyan University.
* [[J. Frank Alexander]] succeeded [[John McQueen]] as pastor of [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]].
* [[Robert W. Carter]] became an [[Adamsville Police Department|Adamsville Police Officer]].
* [[Ray Reach]] worked as a graduate assistant for the jazz program at the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[Jerry Haynes]] succeeded [[Edwin H. Wood]] as Chief of the [[Homewood Police Department]].
* [[Joe Bruno]] retired as CEO of [[Bruno's]].
* [[David Wright]] purchased the [[Wright Dairy|Canebrake Farm]] in Calhoun County.
* [[David Wright]] purchased the [[Wright Dairy|Canebrake Farm]] in Calhoun County.
* [[Marguerite Kinney]] joined the [[UAB]] nursing faculty.
* [[Duard Le Grand]] retired as editor of the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]''.
* [[James Orange]] left the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] to work for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.
 
* [[Robert Chambliss]] was convicted of the [[1963 church bombing|1963 bombing]] of [[16th Street Baptist Church]].
===Births===
* [[January 8]]: [[Amber Benson]], actress
* [[January 13]]: [[Kyle Whitmire]], journalist
* [[February 8]]: [[Cyrondys Jackson]], radio and television reporter
* [[February 9]]: [[John Lytle Wilson]], artist
* [[February 11]]: [[Chad Fisher]], trombonist and composer
* [[March 3]]: [[Barret Swatek]], actress
* [[March 12]]: [[Gary Wheat]], jazz saxophonist
* [[April 6]]: [[Andy Phillips]], baseball player
* [[April 28]]: [[Zac Lovoy]], restauranteur
* [[June 4]]: [[Jefferey Farrow]], firefighter
* [[July 18]]: [[Adalius Thomas]], football player
* [[July 28]]: [[Chris Samuels]], football player
* [[August 7]]: [[Spencer Shoults]], artist and drummer
* [[August 19]]: [[Adlai Trone]], football player, financial planner and mayoral candidate
* [[August 24]]: [[John Green]], author
* [[August 30]]: [[Shaun Alexander]], football player
* [[November 7]]: [[Nakita Blocton]], circuit judge
* [[November 30]]: [[Nelsan Ellis]], actor
* [[Daniel Alarcón]], novelist
* [[Ahmad Austin]], artist and art instructor
* [[Carlos Izcaray]], [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]] conductor
* [[Tracy Ford]], [[Fairfield City Schools]] administrator
* [[Edwin Marty]], urban farmer
* [[Curt Posey]], [[Hoover City Council]] member
* [[Janet Simpson]], singer-songwriter
* [[Tina Watson]], allegedly murdered by her husband while scuba diving in Australia
* [[Felicia Jackson]], Miss Peanut
 
===Graduations===
* [[Andy Andrews]] graduated from [[Berry High School]].
* [[Buck Brock]] earned his bachelor of science at the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[Charles Cooper]] graduated first in his class from the[[ University of Alabama School of Law]].
* [[Annie Easley]] earned a bachelor of science in mathematics at Cleveland State University.
* [[Jim Hammond]] graduated from Clemson University.
* [[Jo Kittinger]] graduated from the [[University of Montevallo]].
* [[Rica Lewis-Payton]] graduated from [[Jones Valley High School]]
* [[Emily Lyons]] graduated from [[UAB]] with a bachelor of science in nursing.
* [[Ray Melick]] earned his journalism degree at the University of Georgia.
* [[Steve Skipper]] graduated from [[Homewood High School]].


===Awards===
===Awards===
* [[A. G. Gaston]] and [[Minnie Gaston]] were the first to be added to the [[Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]].
* [[A. G. Gaston]] and [[Minnie Gaston]] were the first to be added to the [[Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens]].
* [[Frances Carter]] was named [[Birmingham Woman of the Year]].
* [[Frances Carter]] was named [[Birmingham Woman of the Year]].
* [[Jim Houston Day]] was named [[Gardendale Man of the Year]].
* [[Julie Houston]] was crowned [[Miss Alabama]].
* [[Julie Houston]] was crowned [[Miss Alabama]].
* [[Oak Hill Cemetery]] and [[Bryce State Mental Hospital]] were added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
* [[Oak Hill Cemetery]] and [[Bryce State Mental Hospital]] were added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
* [[Chris Clark]] graduated from [[Ensley High School]].
* [[Chris Clark]] graduated from [[Ensley High School]].
* "Weaving" by [[Susan Harris Finley]] was purchased by the [[Bluff Park Art Association]].
* "Weaving" by [[Susan Harris Finley]] was purchased by the [[Bluff Park Art Association]].
* [[Charles J. Cooper]] graduated first in his class from the[[ University of Alabama]] School of Law.
* [[Emily Lyons]] graduated from [[UAB]] with a bachelor of science in nursing.
* [[Carl Harper]] began working for [[Birmingham Fire & Rescue]].
* [[Carl Harper]] began working for [[Birmingham Fire & Rescue]].
* Reverend [[John Cross]] became director of black church relations for the Atlanta Baptist Association.
* Reverend [[John Cross]] became director of black church relations for the Atlanta Baptist Association.
* [[Jo Kittinger]] graduated from the [[University of Montevallo]].
* [[Andy Andrews]] graduated from [[Berry High School]].
* [[Joe Sewell]] was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
* [[Joe Sewell]] was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
* [[UAB]]'s [[Richard Whitley]] and [[Charles Alford]] were recognized for their breakthrough work in demonstrating that a virus infection could be successfully treated using intravenous drugs.
* [[UAB]]'s [[Richard Whitley]] and [[Charles Alford]] were recognized for their breakthrough work in demonstrating that a virus infection could be successfully treated using intravenous drugs.
 
* [[Ralph Adams]], [[John Bloomer]], [[John Caddell]], [[Emory Cunningham]], [[Carl Elliott]], [[Walter Frommeyer]], [[James Galbraith]], [[Thomas Hill, Jr]], [[Robert E. Jones]], and [[Walter Kennedy]] were inducted into the [[Alabama Academy of Honor]]
===Births===
* [[January 8]]: [[Amber Benson]], actress
* [[January 13]]: [[Kyle Whitmire]], journalist
* [[March 3]]: [[Barret Swatek]], actress
* [[March 12]]: [[Gary Wheat]], jazz saxophonist
* [[April 6]]: [[Andy Phillips]], baseball player
* [[June 4]]: [[Jefferey Farrow]], firefighter
* [[August 30]]: [[Shaun Alexander]], football player
* [[Daniel Alarcón]], novelist
* [[Ahmad Austin]], artist and art instructor
* [[John Green]], author
* [[Edwin Marty]], urban farmer
* [[Tina Watson]], allegedly murdered by her husband while scuba diving in Australia


===Deaths===
===Deaths===
* [[January 1]]: Hotelier [[Jack Meyer]] died from a heart attack at his plantation in South Carolina.
* [[April 4]]: Twenty-two people were killed by the [[1977 North Smithfield tornado]].
* April 4: [[Jody Ford]], a transgendered salon owner, was [[List of homicides in 1977|shot to death]] in the parking lot of the [[Vestavia Motor Lodge]] after an altercation.
* [[April 26]]: Retired football coach and army officer [[William Van de Graaff]] died in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
* [[August 18]]: Chicago businessman Nigel Harlan disappeared from the [[Sho-Boat Lounge]] on [[Morris Avenue]] and was robbed and [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977|murdered]].
* [[August 18]]: Chicago businessman Nigel Harlan disappeared from the [[Sho-Boat Lounge]] on [[Morris Avenue]] and was robbed and [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977|murdered]].
* [[August 24]]: Country singer [[Happy Wilson]] died in Nashville, Tennessee.
* [[August 30]]: [[Virginia Simpson]] was found [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977|murdered]] in her bed at the [[Theodore Swann residence]].
* [[August 30]]: [[Virginia Simpson]] was found [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977|murdered]] in her bed at the [[Theodore Swann residence]].
* [[December 20]]: Blues pianist [[Big Chief Ellis]] died at [[UAB Hospital|University Hospital]] after a heart attack.
* December 20: Attorney [[Joe Simpson]] died.
* [[Jack Parker]], [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham Police officer]] and [[Fraternal Order of Police Birmingham Lodge No. 1]] president
* [[Joe Simpson]], printer and bookseller
* [[Robert Tidwell]], Dean of extension services for the [[University of Alabama]]


:''See also: [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977]]''
:''See also: [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1977]]''

Latest revision as of 15:41, 29 October 2023

1977 was the 106th year after the founding of the city of Birmingham.

Events

Business

Scott's Koneys

Sports

Works

Publications

Buildings

Individuals

Births

Graduations

Awards

Deaths

See also: List of Birmingham homicides in 1977

Context

In 1977 Apple Computer was incorporated. President Ford pardoned Tokyo Rose before he was succeeded by Jimmy Carter. Snow fell in Miami, Florida for the only time in recorded history. Roots aired on ABC. The New Zealand and Australian parliaments were established. The Toronto Blue Jays debuted. Star Wars opened in cinemas. James Earl Ray briefly escaped prison in Tennessee. Spain held its first democratic elections in decades. New York City experienced a 25-hour blackout. The Yankees won the World Series, helped by Reggie Jackson's 3 home runs in the final game. Three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a plane crash. Ram Jam scored a hit with their remake of Leadbelly's "Black Betty"

Notable 1977 births include actors Dustin Diamond, Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler; athletes Tom Brady and Randy Moss; rappers Ludacris and Kanye West; and singer Fiona Apple. Deaths in 1977 included those of Anaïs Nin, Charlie Chaplin, Groucho and Gummo Marx, Wernher von Braun, Vladimir Nabakov, Elvis Presley, Leopold Stokowski, Maria Callas, and Bing Crosby.

Top-grossing films were Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Rescuers, Saturday Night Fever, The Goodbye Girl, Oh, God!, The Deep, Smokey and the Bandit, The Spy Who Loved Me and Semi-Tough. Annie Hall swept the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress.

Hit singles included the Eagles' "Hotel California", Donna Summer's "I Feel Love", Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night", and Mannfred Mann's "Blinded by the Light". Eight is Enough, CHiPs and The Love Boat premiered on network television.

1970s
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Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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