What Happened This Year 1977

Historical Events from This Year 1977

Accidents & Tragedies

SA de Transport Aérien Flight 730 Tragedy

December 18th, 1977 47 years ago

SA de Transport Aérien Flight 730, operated by a Lockheed L-188 Electra, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Madeira Airport in Funchal, Portugal. The aircraft went down shortly before landing, resulting in the deaths of all 36 people on board, including passengers and crew. The tragedy highlighted the challenging approach to Madeira's airport due to its mountainous terrain and strong winds, resulting in safety reviews of regional aviation procedures.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Fatal Crash of United Airlines Flight 2860

December 18th, 1977 47 years ago

United Airlines Flight 2860, a Douglas DC-8, crashed in Kaysville, Utah, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members on board. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Salt Lake City International Airport, where the aircraft suffered a catastrophic engine failure. Despite efforts to regain control, the plane descended rapidly, impacting a field near Kaysville. The crash raised concerns regarding aircraft safety and maintenance protocols.

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Natural Disasters

Devastating Ms 5.8 Bob–Tangol Earthquake in Iran

December 19th, 1977 47 years ago

The Ms 5.8 Bob–Tangol earthquake struck Kerman Province in Iran, causing widespread destruction in several villages. On this occasion, the tremor resulted in the loss of over 660 lives and rendered thousands homeless. The quake was felt in the surrounding areas, leading to significant infrastructure damage, poor access to emergency services, and a great need for humanitarian assistance. Rescuers worked tirelessly to find survivors and provide relief to those affected by this tragic natural disaster.

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Education & Academia

Major Publication of Character Simplification Scheme

December 20th, 1977 47 years ago

China’s foremost newspapers, the People’s Daily and Guangming Daily, published the full Second Chinese Character Simplification Scheme following State Council approval. This was the first time the scheme was made fully available to the public. The simplifications aimed to increase literacy rates and simplify written Chinese, addressing inefficiencies in language use.

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Politics & Government

Begin and Sadat's Historic Meeting

December 25th, 1977 47 years ago

Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin met with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in Cairo to discuss peace agreements. The meeting marked a significant step towards normalizing relations between Israel and Egypt following decades of conflict. Key discussions included territorial disputes, security arrangements, and the possibility of a peace treaty that would reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.

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