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Looking Back...30 years ago

Updated 10/19/07

World News

  • Soviets set a space endurance record of 139 days
  • Millions march against the Shah of Iran in Tehran
  • Charlie Chaplin's body stolen from Swiss cemetery, recovered after tracing ransom calls
  • Czech pilot becomes the first non-Russian or American in space
  • Test-tube fertilization is success in England
  • 7.7 earthquake in Iran kills over 25,000

 

National News

  • 35 astronaut candidates are chosen by NASA for shuttle program
  • Coal miners strike for 110 days
  • Over 900 found dead after Reverend Jim Jones orders mass suicide
  • The endangered snail darter stops the $100 million Tellico Dam project in Tennessee
  • Residents of Love Canal N.Y. are forced to move because of industrial waste in canal

 

At the Movies

Academy Award Winners:

  • Best Actor: John Voight, Coming Home
  • Best Actress: Jane Fonda, Coming Home
  • Best Picture: The Deer Hunter

 

Music From 1978

  • Just the Way You Are
  • Copacabana
  • You Needed Me
  • Stayin' Alive
  • You Don't Bring Me Flowers

 

1978 Prices

  • Average income $16,975.00
  • New car $5,405.00
  • New house $54,749.00
  • Loaf of bread $.42
  • Gallon of gas $.63
  • Gallon of milk $1.72
  • Gold per ounce $193.60
  • Silver per ounce $5.40

 

President - Jimmy Carter

Vice President - Walter Mondale

1978 Dow Jones - 742.12 to 907.74

Dow Jones Average - 820

1978 Minimum Wage - $2.65

1978 Life Expectancy - 73.5 years