What Happened on December 31, 1977

Historical Events

  • Amir Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah becomes leader of Kuwait

Gerulaitis Defeats Lloyd

Australian Open Men's Tennis: American Vitas Gerulaitis wins his first and only Grand Slam event; beats Englishman John Lloyd 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 3-6, 6-2

  • Cambodia drops diplomatic relations with Vietnam
  • Donald Woods, a banned anti-Apartheid white editor flees South Africa
  • Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is imprisoned for co-writing a play critical of the Kenyan government
  • Musical revue "Bubbling Brown Sugar" featuring songs of the Harlem Renaissance, closes at ANTA Theater, NYC, after 766 performances
  • Revival of Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion's musical "Man of La Mancha" starring Richard Kiley, closes at the Palace Theater, NYC, after 124 performances

Bundy Escapes Jail

Ted Bundy escapes from jail in Colorado

  • WFAT (Brooklyn New York pirate radio station) begins broadcasting on 1620 AM
1977 History

Famous Birthdays

  • Donald Trump Jr., American businessman and son of Donald Trump and Ivana Trump, born in New York City

Psy (46 years old)

South Korean pop star (Gangnam Style), born in Seoul, South Korea

  • Wardy Alfaro, Costa Rican soccer goalkeeper (5 caps; LDA Alajuelense 154 games), born in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Born in 1977

Famous Deaths

  • Nora Marlowe, actress (Sara-Gov & JJ), dies at 62
  • Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, ruler of Kuwait (b. 1924)
1977 Highlights

About December 31, 1977

Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 46 years, 2 months and 28 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Capricorn

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
  • UK #1 Song: Mull Of Kintyre/Girls' School - Wings