Timeline October 1977

Events in October 1977 13

• 1903 – 1977 Bing Crosby (1903-1977) Died 14 October 1977, aged 74 Bing Crosby was an American singer and actor whose recording of White Christmas remains the best-selling single of all time. He won an Academy Award for Going My Way and was one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century.
• 1977 German Autumn: Hanns Martin Schleyer kidnapped and killed Red Army Faction terrorism crisis grips West Germany Employer association president Hanns Martin Schleyer was kidnapped by the Red Army Faction, triggering a national crisis that included the hijacking of a Lufthansa airliner. Schleyer was murdered after West Germany refused to release imprisoned RAF leaders.
• 1977 "Moonflower" Released Double album blends new and live material Released in October 1977, Moonflower was a double album mixing new studio recordings with live tracks and became one of the best-selling records of Santana's career. It included a hit cover of The Zombies' "She's Not There," which returned the band to mainstream radio prominence. The album went platinum and demonstrated Santana's ability to balance commercial appeal with continued musical exploration.
• 1977 Soap premieres on ABC Controversial US sitcom debuts Soap, a parody of daytime soap operas featuring adult themes, premiered on ABC in September 1977. It was the most controversial show on US television that year.
• 1977 Charter 77 declaration Czech dissidents challenge communism Charter 77, a human rights manifesto signed by 242 Czech intellectuals including Václav Havel, was officially presented to the Czechoslovak government in 1977. Signatories faced harassment and arrest.
• 1977 GSG 9 storms hijacked Lufthansa jet in Mogadishu Landshut hostage rescue ends hijacking West German commandos stormed a Lufthansa airliner hijacked by Palestinian militants at Mogadishu airport, freeing all remaining hostages. The successful rescue, tied to the Schleyer kidnapping, boosted West Germany's resolve against RAF terrorism.
• 1977 – present Paul Pierce The Truth Celtics legend and 2008 Finals MVP.
• 1977 Atari 2600 released Home video gaming era begins Atari released the Atari 2600 home video game console on October 14, 1977, popularising the use of game cartridges and bringing arcade-style gaming into millions of homes.
• 1977 David Bowie releases Heroes Berlin Wall song A song about lovers at the Berlin Wall.
• 1977 Reggie Jackson hits 3 World Series HRs Yankees win World Series New York Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson hit three consecutive home runs off three pitchers in Game 6 of the World Series on October 18, 1977, leading the Yankees to their first championship since 1962.
• 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash Three band members killed The tour plane carrying Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed in a Mississippi swamp on October 20, 1977, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines.
• 1977 Last natural smallpox case Disease declared eradicated The last known case of naturally occurring smallpox was diagnosed in Merca, Somalia on October 26, 1977. The WHO subsequently declared smallpox eradicated in 1980 — the only human disease to have been completely wiped out.
• 1977 Sex Pistols release Never Mind the Bollocks Punk rock landmark album The Sex Pistols released their debut and only studio album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols on October 27, 1977. Despite being banned by major retailers, it entered the UK charts at number one.