Throughout 1977 and the rest of the decade. Thousands of desperate refugees flee South Vietnam in the wake of the communist takeover of that country (1975). In Vietnam, the new communist government has sent many people who supported the old government in the South to “re-education camps”, and others to “new economic zones.” An estimated 1 million people have been imprisoned with no formal charges or trials. These “boat people” take to the sea in small, unsafe craft, hoping to reach a country that will allow them to live freely or emigrate to the U.S. or another Western country.

January, 1977. The world’s first personal all-in-one computer, the Commodore PET, is demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago.

May 17, 1977. The Likud Party, led by Menachem Begin, wins the elections in Israel. In the 1940’s before Israel became a nation, Begin was the leader of the Zionist militant group Irgun which killed British military who were occupying Palestine.

June 15, 1977. Spain has its first democratic elections, after 41 years under the Franco regime.

August, 1977. Space probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are launched on journeys to Jupiter and Saturn.

August 12, 1977. The NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise makes its first test free-flight from the back of a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

September 7, 1977. The U.S. signs a treaty with Panama agreeing to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

October 26, 1977. The last natural smallpox case is discovered in Somalia. Authorities in the health field consider this date the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, the most spectacular success of any vaccination program to date.

November 19, 1977. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat becomes the first Arab leader to make an official visit to Israel, where he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, seeking a permanent peace settlement.

December 4, 1977. Jean-Bédel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic, crowns himself Emperor.