360What happened in 1977?
9 moments from 1977 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- History · 20 August and 5 September 1977
NASA launches the two Voyager spacecraft
In August and September 1977, NASA launched Voyager 2 and Voyager 1 to explore the outer planets, using a rare alignment that occurs every 175 years. Together they visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Both have since entered interstellar space and are the most distant human-made objects. Each carries a golden record of sounds from Earth.
- On this day · 3 January 1977
Apple Computer is incorporated
On 3 January 1977, Apple Computer was incorporated in California by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, with early backing from the investor Mike Markkula. That year it released the Apple II, one of the first successful personal computers. Apple later created the Macintosh, the iPod and the iPhone.
- On this day · 10 March 1977
Astronomers discover the rings of Uranus
On 10 March 1977, astronomers watching from an aircraft-mounted telescope over the Indian Ocean saw a star blink on and off several times as Uranus passed in front of it. The flickers revealed thin, dark rings around the planet. Voyager 2 photographed them in 1986.
- On this day · 25 May 1977
Star Wars opens in cinemas
On 25 May 1977, George Lucas's science-fiction film Star Wars opened in American cinemas. Its groundbreaking special effects and story of good against evil made it a worldwide hit. It launched one of the biggest film series in history and changed how films were made and marketed.
- On this day · 20 August 1977
Voyager 2 is launched
On 20 August 1977, NASA launched Voyager 2. It became the only spacecraft to visit all four giant planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and later entered interstellar space. It carries a golden record of sounds and greetings from Earth.
- On this day · 5 September 1977
Voyager 1 is launched
On 5 September 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1. It flew past Jupiter and Saturn, and in 2012 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space. More than 24 billion km away, it is the most distant human-made object, and still sends faint signals home.
- 1977 · from The world declares smallpox eradicated
The last natural case, in Somalia
- 20 August 1977 · from NASA launches the two Voyager spacecraft
Voyager 2 launches
- 5 September 1977 · from NASA launches the two Voyager spacecraft
Voyager 1 launches