Timeline August 1977

Events in August 1977 16

• 1890 – 1977 Groucho Marx (1890-1977) Died 19 August 1977, aged 86 Groucho Marx was an American comedian and film star, the wisecracking leader of the Marx Brothers. His stage persona of round glasses, greasepaint moustache, and rapid-fire wit remained instantly recognizable decades after his film career ended.
• 1923 – 1977 Jean Hagen (1923-1977) American actress, the squeaky-voiced Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain.
• 1935 – 1977 Elvis Presley (1935-1977) American singer and actor, known as the King of Rock and Roll. His mix of country, blues and gospel made him the defining star of early rock and roll, and he remains one of the best-selling solo artists in history.
• 1977 Andy Summers joins the Police Trio line-up Summers replaces Padovani, completing the classic trio.
• 1977 US Open 1977 Men: Guillermo Vilas · Women: Chris Evert
• 1977 Son of Sam serial killer arrested David Berkowitz caught after year-long manhunt David Berkowitz was arrested in New York City and confessed to a series of shootings that had terrorized the city for over a year. The case drew intense media coverage and prompted new laws on profiting from crime stories.
• 1977 Space Shuttle Enterprise glide test First free flight of Space Shuttle The Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise made its first free flight on August 12, 1977, released from a Boeing 747 at 22,000 feet and gliding to a successful landing at Edwards Air Force Base.
• 1977 Wow! Signal received Mysterious radio signal from deep space The Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University received a strong, narrowband radio signal from deep space on August 15, 1977. Volunteer Jerry Ehman circled the data and wrote "Wow!" — the signal has never been explained or received again.
• 1977 Elvis Presley dies The King of Rock and Roll, age 42 Elvis Presley was found dead at his Graceland home in Memphis on August 16, 1977, aged 42. His death was attributed to cardiac arrhythmia. An estimated 75,000 fans lined the streets of Memphis for his funeral procession.
• 1977 Soviet Arktika reaches North Pole First surface ship at the North Pole The Soviet nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika became the first surface vessel to reach the geographic North Pole on August 17, 1977.
• 1977 – present Thierry Henry King of Highbury Arsenal legend and World Cup winner (1998); known for his pace and clinical finishing.
• 1977 Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode leaves on the Voyager Golden Record Rock and roll in space The only rock and roll song on the record carried by Voyager 2 and Voyager 1.
• 1977 Voyager 2 launched Probe begins grand tour of solar system NASA launched Voyager 2 on August 20, 1977, beginning a grand tour of the outer solar system. It has since flown past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune and is now in interstellar space.
• 1977 – 2009 Robert Enke (1977-2009) Died 10 November 2009, aged 32 Enke was the goalkeeper for the German national football team and Bundesliga club Hannover 96 when he died by suicide after a long struggle with depression, which he had kept largely hidden. His death prompted widespread discussion of mental health in professional sport. A foundation in his name continues to fund depression research.
• 1977 TRS-80 computer demonstrated Radio Shack enters the PC market Radio Shack demonstrated the TRS-80 Micro Computer System at the Boston Computer Show on August 25, 1977, one of the first mass-produced personal computers available in retail stores.
• 1977 Jean Hagen dies in Woodland Hills Jean Hagen dies aged 54.