"Old times there are not forgotten"
The rate of inflation and the nation's trade deficit increased rapidly. Production did not. Health costs rose faster than the rate of inflation and a plan to create a national health plan failed to gain support of the Congress. The National Energy Act of 1978 regulated natural gas prices and set fuel efficiency standards. A newspaper strike shut down all major newspapers in New York City for 88 days. Hannah H. Gray was innaugrated president of Chicago University, first woman university president in American history. The National Football League added two games to the regular season schedule - 14 games to 16 games.
New book titles: American Caesar, Chesapeake, The World According to Garp, and War and Rememberance.
At the movies: The Deer Hunter, Home and California Suite.
On stage: Ain't Misbehavin and The Gin Game
Emmy Awards: Fred Astaire for A Family Upside Down, Joanne Woodward for See How She Runs, Ed Asner for Lou Grant and Sada Thompson for Family.
January 16
Thirty-five new astronaut candidates began training. More than 8,000 had applied for those positions.
February 18
Classmate Glenn Buckland married Donna Cain originally of Greenville, North Carolina. The wedding ceremony was performed in Greensboro, North Carolina. Glen was employed by the North Carolina National Bank and Donna was an elementary school teacher at the time of the marriage.
March 25
Coal Miners went back to work following a 110-day strike, longest in the industry's history.
April 27
At the site of a nuclear power plant located at Willow Island, West Virginia a scaffolding collapse resulted in the deaths of 51 construction workers. Eleven were members of one family.
July 22
Classmate David Robert Bailes of Sand Branch, West Virgina died, a homicide victim. We do not believe anyone has ever been proscuted for this crime. David left two daughters, still living at home.
October 9
Classmate Ray Andrew McManamy retired from the United States Army with 21 years, 2 months and 21 days active duty service.