Some major events that took place in 1977 include:

• The release of the first Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope, directed by George Lucas.
• The inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in the United States.
• The New York City blackout, which lasted 25 hours and resulted in widespread looting and arson.
• The signing of the Panama Canal Treaty, which provided for the transfer of control of the canal from the United States to Panama.
• The first cases of AIDS are reported in the United States.
• The first national Women's Conference was held in Houston, Texas.
• The first cases of "Legionnaires' Disease" were reported in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.