On this day

August 17, 1978

Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

Music on My Birthday

Billboard 200

The Top 50 albums for the chart week of August 16, 1978, covering August 17, 1978.

  1. 1
    Album cover for Grease by Soundtrack

    Grease

    Soundtrack

    Last week
    1
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    14
  2. 2
    Album cover for Some Girls by The Rolling Stones

    Some Girls

    The Rolling Stones

    Last week
    2
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    9
  3. 3
    Album cover for Natural High by Commodores

    Natural High

    Commodores

    Last week
    3
    Peak
    3
    Weeks
    13
  4. 4
    Album cover for Double Vision by Foreigner

    Double Vision

    Foreigner

    Last week
    4
    Peak
    4
    Weeks
    7
  5. 5
    Album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by Soundtrack

    Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

    Soundtrack

    Last week
    7
    Peak
    5
    Weeks
    2

Historical Events

Double Eagle II

1978Double Eagle II becomes first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it lands in Miserey, France near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.[†]

Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman, became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed on 17 August 1978 in Miserey near Paris, 137 hours and 6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.

Historical Context for August 17, 1978

In 1978, the world population was approximately 4,292,097,502 people[†]