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January 20, 1978

January 20, 1978, was a Friday. It was 46 years, 2 months, and 29 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Aquarius.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on January 20, 1978:

  • Kate Bush releases her debut single "Wuthering Heights".
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on January 20, 1978:

  • United States: "Baby Come Back" by Player
  • United Kingdom: "Mull Of Kintyre / Girls School" by Wings

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 20, 1978

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Baby Come Back - Player
  • How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
  • Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
  • You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) - Rod Stewart
  • (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again - LTD
Play the top songs 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.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".

Facts

This date was 16,891 days ago. Approximately 563 months have passed. It was the 20th day of 1978, in week 03. The decade was the seventies. People born on this day are currently 46 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. 188 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to January 20, 1978

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Friday, January 20, 1978. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Aquarius. People have "that Friday feeling" and are excited for the weekend.

The holiday season of 1977 seems like a distant memory. New year's resolutions are already being abandoned, and many are eagerly awaiting their first paycheck after Christmas In America, the song "Baby Come Back" by Player is at the top of the singles charts, while "Mull Of Kintyre / Girls School" by Wings is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind is at the top of the box office.

James Callaghan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 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. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Happy Days", "The Jeffersons", "Three's Company", and "Soap". Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Pursuit", "Gun Fight", and "Breakout".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "All in the Family", "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", "The All-New Super Friends Hour", and "Fred Flintstone and Friends". Popular toys at the moment include Battleship (game), VertiBird (toy helicopter), Mattel Electronic Football (handheld game), and Star Wars action figures.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on January 20, 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 January 20, 1978.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to January 20, 1978.

  • December 25, 1977: Comedian Charlie Chaplin passes away.
  • December 30, 1977: American serial killer Ted Bundy escapes from his cell in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
  • January 1, 1978: 213 people are killed when Air India Flight 855 crashes.
  • January 14, 1978: English punk rock band the Sex Pistols hold their last ever concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.
  • January 15, 1978:
    • Super Bowl XII: The Dallas Cowboys defeat the Denver Broncos 27-10 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
    • American serial killer Ted Bundy murders two women at the Chi Omega sorority in Tallahassee, Florida.
  • January 18, 1978: William H. Webster becomes the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • This date: January 20, 1978
  • January 28, 1978: Serial killer Richard Chase is arrested in Sacramento, California.
  • February 1, 1978: Film director Roman Polanski skips bail and flees to France after pleading guilty to having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
  • February 5, 1978: The Northeastern United States blizzard of 1978 kills 100 people.
  • February 9, 1978: Serial killer Ted Bundy abducts and murders 12-year-old Kimberly Dianne Leach in Lake City, Florida.
  • February 15, 1978: Serial killer Ted Bundy is captured in Pensacola, Florida.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 20, 1978, will have the star sign Aquarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1978 was the year of the Horse (Yang Metal).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 1.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 20, 1978 falls under the Otter.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of January will have the birthstone Garnet.
  • Birth flower (January): The Carnation and the Snowdrop.

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV series on January 20, 1978

People in January 1978 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from January 1978.

The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Logan's Run
Logan's Run
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
Black Sheep Squadron
Black Sheep Squadron
What's Happening!!
What's Happening!!
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
The Bionic Woman
The Bionic Woman

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

Kids TV shows on January 20, 1978

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1978:

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

The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
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!
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1978

Toys and games that were popular in 1978:

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
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in January 1978.

Breakout 1976
Breakout
Gun Fight 1975
Gun Fight
Pursuit 1975
Pursuit

Were you born on January 20, 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 January 20, 1984, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on January 20.

Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein

Financier Deceased
Born on January 20, 1953
He turned 25 on this day in 1978.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher

Talkshow host
Born on January 20, 1956
He turned 22 on this day in 1978.

James Denton

James Denton

Actor
Born on January 20, 1963
He turned 15 on this day in 1978.

Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson

Actor
Born on January 20, 1966
He turned 12 on this day in 1978.

Nicky Wire

Nicky Wire

Manic Street Preachers
Born on January 20, 1969
He turned 9 on this day in 1978.

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

Singer
Born on January 20, 1971
He turned 7 on this day in 1978.

Evan Peters

Evan Peters

Actor
Born on January 20, 1987
He was born exactly 9 years after this date.

Blueface

Blueface

Rapper
Born on January 20, 1997
He was born exactly 19 years after this date.

USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on January 20, 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 January 20, 1978 was most likely conceived around April 29, 1977.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 20, 1978 is close to October 13, 1978.

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Stats for January 20, 1978

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 20, 1978:

  • 16,891 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,413 weeks have passed.
  • 1,459,378,800 seconds have passed since January 20, 1978.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,702,608,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 753,039,460,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 243,229,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 125,506,577 steps. That's roughly 55,781 miles.
  • 17,512,546 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1978?

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