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May 17, 1978

May 17, 1978, was a Wednesday. It was the 137th day of 1978. The decade was the seventies.

45 years, 10 months, and 2 days have passed since May 17, 1978.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Taurus.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on May 17, 1978:

  • Charlie Chaplin's coffin is recovered more than two months after it was stolen in Cosier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on May 17, 1978:

  • United States: "With A Little Luck" by Wings
  • United Kingdom: "Rivers Of Babylon" by Boney M

The Billboard Hot 100 on May 17, 1978

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman
  • The Closer I Get To You - Roberta Flack With Donny Hathaway
  • With A Little Luck - Wings
  • Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - Johnny Mathis/Deniece Williams
  • Night Fever - Bee Gees
Play the top singles from 1978
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1978. Take a trip back to the days of the Bee Gees, the Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and Frankie Valli.
The Greek Tycoon

Top movie

The movie "The Greek Tycoon" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 16,743 days ago. Approximately 558 months have passed. It was the 137th day of 1978, in week 20. The decade was the seventies. People who were born on May 17, 1978, are now 45 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. We have gone through approximately 186 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to May 17, 1978

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is May 17, 1978, and it's a Wednesday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Taurus. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

The summer of 1978 has finally arrived. The weather has warmed up, and the evenings are brighter than usual. The school year is nearly finished. In America, the song "With A Little Luck" by Wings is at the top of the singles charts, while "Rivers Of Babylon" by Boney M is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie The Greek Tycoon is at the top of the box office.

James Callaghan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Last of the Summer Wine", "The Rockford Files", "Starsky & Hutch", and "Charlie's Angels". In fashion, clothes have become baggier and pants have become less flared. Sports clothing and the "disco look" are both popular at the moment. Women are wearing sundresses, strapless tops with t-shirts, shoulder pads, cardigans, knee-length skirts and daisy dukes. Meanwhile, men are wearing tracksuits, flare jeans, low-top sneakers and untucked collared shirts.

Because it's 1978, the music charts are being dominated by the likes of the Bee Gees, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John, the Village People, Boney M and Andy Gibb. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Keith Moon, Sid Vicious, and John Wayne would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Pursuit", "Gun Fight", and "Breakout".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "The Pink Panther Show", "Schoolhouse Rock!", "The Muppet Show", and "Fred Flintstone and Friends". Children are playing with toys such as Twister mat, Lite-Brite, Dungeons & Dragons, and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on May 17, 1978.

  • Iranian Revolution.

    Iranian Revolution

    Between January 1978 and February 1979, a revolutionary movement formed in Iran. This eventually led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of an Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
  • 1978 in music.

    1978 in music

    Popular music artists in 1978 included Andy Gibb, The Bee Gees, Debby Boone, Exile, Player, A Taste of Honey, Commodores, Frankie Valli, Kate Bush, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John, Eric Clapton, Paul Davis and Samantha Sang.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1978?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1978?

    The best NBA players in 1978 were Bill Walton, Truck Robinson, Julius Erving, George Gervin and David Thompson.
  • 1978 in movies.

    1978 in movies

    Movies released in 1978 included Grease, Superman, Animal House, Every Which Way but Loose, Heaven Can Wait, Hooper, Jaws 2, Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Deer Hunter, Halloween, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Dawn of the Dead.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1978, the best soccer players were Kevin Keegan, Hans Krankl, Rob Rensenbrink, Roberto Bettega, Paolo Rossi, Ronnie Hellström, Ruud Krol, Kenny Dalglish, Allan Simonsen and Peter Shilton.
  • The Deer Hunter.

    The Deer Hunter

    "The Deer Hunter" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1978.
  • Time Person of the Year: 1978.

    Time Person of the Year: 1978

    China's Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping was named the Time Person of the Year in 1978 after he overthrew Hua Guofeng and became the Supreme Leader of China.
  • Billy Joel - "Just the Way You Are"

    Billy Joel - "Just the Way You Are"

    "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel won a Grammy for 1978's Song of the Year.
  • Roller skates.

    Roller skates

    The popularity of roller skates exploded during the second half of the 1970s.
  • Disco music.

    Disco music

    Disco music became mainstream during the latter half of the 1970s. Nightclub-goers often wore extravagant outfits. Furthermore, dances such as the "Hustle", the "Bump" and the "Penguin" also became popular.
  • Hitchhiking is declining.

    Hitchhiking is declining

    Although hitchhiking is still pretty common, it is beginning to decline due to people's falling trust in strangers, lower air travel prices, an increase in highways, and more affordable cars.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.
  • Office workers are using typewriters.

    Office workers are using typewriters

    Although personal computers began to emerge during the 1970s, typewriters were still the norm for most office workers.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on May 17, 1978.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around May 17, 1978.

  • April 20, 1978: Korean Air Lines Flight 902 is forced to make an emergency landing on a frozen lake after it is shot down by a Soviet air defense plane.
  • May 3, 1978: The first ever spam email is sent to multiple ARPANET addresses.
  • May 6, 1978: A goal from Roger Osborne helps Ipswich Town win the FA Cup Final with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
  • May 8, 1978: Serial killer David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) pleads guilty to six murders.
  • May 9, 1978: The Red Brigades execute former Italian prime minister Aldo Moro two months after they kidnapped him.
  • May 10, 1978: Football: Liverpool win the European Cup after defeating Club Brugge 1-0.
  • May 12, 1978: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John release the song "You're the One That I Want".
  • May 15, 1978: Former Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies passes away at the age of 83.
  • This date: May 17, 1978
  • May 25, 1978: The Unabomber's first bomb explodes in the parking lot of the University of Illinois in Chicago.
  • May 26, 1978: The first legal casino opens in Atlantic City.
  • June 1, 1978: The 1978 FIFA World Cup starts in Argentina.
  • June 7, 1978: The Washington Bullets win the 1978 NBA Finals after they defeat the Seattle SuperSonics 4-3.
  • June 9, 1978: NBA draft: Larry Bird is selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick.
  • June 12, 1978: Serial killer David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) is given six life sentences.
  • June 16, 1978: The movie Grease is released.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on May 17, 1978, will have the star sign Taurus.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1978 was the year of the Horse (Yang Metal).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 2.
  • Native American Zodiac: May 17, 1978 falls under the Beaver.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of May will have the birthstone Emerald.
  • Birth flower (May): The Lily of the Valley and the Hawthorn.

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV series on May 17, 1978

People in May 1978 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from May 1978.

Dallas
Dallas
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Chips
Chips
Soap
Soap
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough
Three's Company
Three's Company
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
What's Happening!!
What's Happening!!
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers
Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter
Starsky & Hutch
Starsky & Hutch
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
Baretta
Baretta
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
Good Times
Good Times
Happy Days
Happy Days
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
The Bob Newhart Show
The Bob Newhart Show

Cars in 1978

1978 saw the introduction of cars such as the Chrysler Horizon, the Saab 900, the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Ford Fairmont, the Toyota Supra, and the AMC Concord.

Cars in 1978.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in May 1978

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

Fred Flintstone and Friends
Fred Flintstone and Friends
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
The All-New Super Friends Hour
The All-New Super Friends Hour

Bagpuss
Bagpuss
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
All in the Family
All in the Family
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
The Pink Panther Show
The Pink Panther Show
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Toys

Toys in 1978

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Water Ring Toss
Water Ring Toss
The Atari 2600
The Atari 2600
Star Wars action figures
Star Wars action figures
Mattel Electronic Football (handheld game)
Mattel Electronic Football (handheld game)
Lego Technic
Lego Technic
Stretch Armstrong
Stretch Armstrong
Micronauts
Micronauts
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Connect Four
Connect Four
Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle
Risk board game
Risk board game
Baby Alive (doll)
Baby Alive (doll)
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
Battleship (game)
Battleship (game)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite
Twister mat
Twister mat
Operation
Operation
The Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven
Etch A Sketch
Etch A Sketch
Troll doll
Troll doll
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in May 1978.

Breakout 1976
Breakout
Gun Fight 1975
Gun Fight
Pursuit 1975
Pursuit

Were you born on May 17, 1978?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1978.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out May 17, 1984, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on May 17.

Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper

Actor Deceased
Born on May 17, 1936
He turned 42 on this day in 1978.

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton

Actor Deceased
Born on May 17, 1955
He turned 23 on this day in 1978.

Bob Saget

Bob Saget

Comedian / Actor Deceased
Born on May 17, 1956
He turned 22 on this day in 1978.

Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard

Boxer
Born on May 17, 1956
He turned 22 on this day in 1978.

Enya

Enya

Irish singer
Born on May 17, 1961
She turned 17 on this day in 1978.

Tahj Mowry

Tahj Mowry

Actor
Born on May 17, 1986
He was born exactly 8 years after this date.

Charlotte Crosby

Charlotte Crosby

English TV personality
Born on May 17, 1990
She was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on May 17:

  • Constitution Day (Norway)
USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on May 17, 1978.

UK

UK Prime Minister

James Callaghan was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Jack Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on May 17, 1978 was most likely conceived around August 24, 1977.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on May 17, 1978 is close to February 7, 1979.

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Stats for May 17, 1978

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about May 17, 1978:

  • 16,743 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,391 weeks have passed.
  • 1,446,598,800 seconds have passed since May 17, 1978.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,687,698,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 746,444,980,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 241,099,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 124,407,497 steps. That's roughly 55,292 miles!
  • Since this date, 17,359,186 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1978?

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