Historical Events
- Great Britain performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
Jonestown Massacre
In Jonestown, Guyana, 918 members of the Peoples Temple are murdered or commit suicide under the leadership of cult leader Jim Jones
- Leo J Ryan, American politician, and 4 others, killed in Jonestown, Guyana by members of Peoples Temple, followed by ritual mass suicide of 914 members of the religious cult
Famous Birthdays
- Andris Nelsons, Latvian conductor (Boston Symphony, 2014-present; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, 2017-present), born in Riga, Latvia
- Damien Johnson, Northern Irish footballer
Famous Deaths
Jim Jones (1931-1978)
American pastor and leader of the Peoples Temple cult (Jonestown Massacre), commits suicide at 47
- Lennie Tristano, American jazz pianist (The New Tristano), dies of a heart attack at 59
- Leo Ryan, American teacher and politician (U.S. House of Representatives from California, 1973-78), assassinated at 53 in Jonestown, Guyana
1978 Highlights
About November 18, 1978
Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 45 years, 5 months and 1 day
Leap Year: No
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Scorpio
Music Charts
- #1 Song: MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
- #1 Song: Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats