1977 held much to celebrate, from Queen Elizabeth II. Silver Jubilee to the release of Star Wars. New York was in the mood for celebration when Supersonic Concorde was cleared to land at the city’s airport and the coolest nightclub in the world, Studio 54, opened its doors. Space Shuttle Columbia had its first test flight.
However, West Germany faced its bloodiest year under attacks from the Baader Meinhof Gang, who committed a series of murders and hijacked a plane. A power shortage caused looting, and a serial killer terrorized the city. South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was killed in his police cell causing anger across the planet, and the world mourned the death of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley. This was 1977: the year that rocked the world.