Dashed left edge = started before July 1977 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond July 1977
Events in July 1977 15
1899 – 1977Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977)Died 2 July 1977, aged 77Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian-American novelist best known for Lolita and Pale Fire. He died in Montreux, Switzerland, where he had lived for the last years of his life.
1977The Montreal incident -- the Wall is conceivedDuring the Animals tour at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal in July 1977, Roger Waters -- frustrated by the enormous, impersonal venues the band's success has forced them into -- spits in the face of a fan who has been shouting and setting off fireworks throughout the concert. Appalled by his own behaviour, Waters conceives of a show in which a wall is built between the band and the audience during the performance, eventually blocking the band from view entirely. The Montreal incident is the direct origin of The Wall.
1977Wimbledon 1977Men: Björn Borg · Women: Virginia RuziciVirginia Wade won the women's title in the Silver Jubilee year — last British women's champion until 2022 (Kvitová is Czech, so Wade until Raducanu US Open, Vondrousova 2023 Wimbledon).
1977Donna Summer releases I Feel LoveElectronic dance music bornDonna Summer released I Feel Love in June 1977, produced by Giorgio Moroder. The fully electronic production was groundbreaking and is widely credited with inventing electronic dance music.
1977Pakistani coupGeneral Zia overthrows BhuttoGeneral Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq seized power in Pakistan on July 5, 1977, overthrowing Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a bloodless military coup. Bhutto was later executed in 1979.
1977The Spy Who Loved Me — Roger MooreWidely regarded as the best of the Moore era. Bond teams up with Soviet agent Anya Amasova to investigate a plan to steal nuclear submarines. Jaws makes his first appearance — the towering steel-toothed henchman becomes one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Budget: $14 million. Box office: $185.4 million.
1977New York City blackoutLooting and arson grip the cityA complete electricity blackout plunged New York City into darkness on July 13–14, 1977. Unlike the 1965 blackout, this one triggered widespread looting, arson and disorder across the city, with over 3,000 arrests.
1977Ogaden War beginsSomalia invades Ethiopia's Ogaden regionSomali forces invaded the Ogaden region of Ethiopia in an attempt to unite ethnic Somali territories. The war drew in Soviet and Cuban support for Ethiopia after the USSR switched sides, and fighting continued into 1978.
1977 – presentCrown Princess VictoriaThe Future QueenThe heir apparent. Her position was secured by the 1979 change in the Act of Succession.
1977Libyan-Egyptian border warFour-day war between Libya and EgyptLong-simmering tension between Muammar Gaddafi and Anwar Sadat erupted into a brief border war with air strikes and armored incursions. Algerian and Palestinian mediation ended the fighting after four days.
1977Deng Xiaoping restored to powerChinese reformer returnsDeng Xiaoping was restored to all his posts in the Chinese Communist Party on July 22, 1977, nine months after being purged. His return began China's transformation into a market economy.
1977Elvis Costello releases My Aim Is TrueAlisonA debut with Alison and Watching the Detectives.
1977Led Zeppelin's last US concertFinal North American tour endsLed Zeppelin played their final North American concert in Oakland, California on July 24, 1977, ending their 11th and last North American tour due to Robert Plant's family emergency.
1977Led Zeppelin cancel their US tourDeath of Robert Plant's sonPlant's five-year-old son Karac dies, ending the tour.
1977 – presentManu GinobiliManuPopularized the "Eurostep"; 4-time champion and Olympic gold medalist.