Timeline August 1978

Events in August 1978 7

• 1897 – 1978 Pope Paul VI (1897-1978) Died 6 August 1978, aged 80 Born Giovanni Battista Montini, he led the Catholic Church through the closing sessions of the Second Vatican Council and its turbulent aftermath. He died at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
• 1899 – 1978 Charles Boyer (1899-1978) Died 26 August 1978, aged 78 Boyer was a French leading man of Hollywood's golden age, nominated for four Academy Awards including for "Gaslight". He died by suicide two days after the death of his wife of 44 years.
• 1927 – 1978 Robert Shaw (1927-1978) Died 28 August 1978, aged 51 The English actor and novelist was widely known for playing shark hunter Quint in "Jaws" and for roles in "From Russia with Love" and "The Sting". He died of a heart attack while driving in Ireland.
• 1978 US Open 1978 — first at Flushing Meadows Men: Jimmy Connors · Women: Chris Evert First US Open at the new USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York.
• 1978 Year of Three Popes Vatican sees two conclaves within two months After Pope Paul VI died in August, Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected Pope John Paul I but died just 33 days later, one of the shortest papacies in history. A second conclave in October elected Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.
• 1978 Double Eagle II crosses the Atlantic First successful manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean A crew of three Americans flew the helium balloon Double Eagle II from Presque Isle, Maine, to a field near Paris, completing the first successful transatlantic balloon flight. The 137-hour journey ended over a century of failed attempts.
• 1978 – 2020 Kobe Bryant The Black Mamba 5-time NBA champion with the Lakers; famous for his "Mamba Mentality" and scoring prowess.