1977: Star Wars opens

[May 25]( THIS DAY IN HISTORY 1977 [Star Wars opens]( On this day in 1977, Memorial Day weekend opens with an intergalactic bang as the first of George Lucas' blockbuster Star Wars movies hits American theaters. The incredible success of Star Wars–it received seven Oscars, and earned $461 million in U.S. ticket sales and a gross of close to $800... [read more »]( American Revolution 1787 [Constitutional Convention convenes in Philadelphia »]( Automotive 1994 [Pennsylvania man buried with his beloved Corvette »]( Civil War 1862 [Confederates score a victory at First Battle of Winchester »]( Cold War 1977 [Chinese government removes ban on Shakespeare »]( Crime 1861 [President Lincoln suspends the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War »]( 1895 [Oscar Wilde is sent to prison for indecency »]( Disaster 1979 [DC-10 crashes, killing all aboard »]( General Interest 1660 [The English Restoration »]( 1787 [Constitutional Convention begins »]( 1793 [Catholic priest ordained in America »]( 1979 [Worst air crash in U.S. history »]( Hollywood 1977 [Star Wars released »]( Literary 1911 [Thomas Mann visits the Lido in Venice »]( 1927 [International best-selling thriller writer Robert Ludlum is born »]( Music 1878 [HMS Pinafore premieres in London »]( Old West 1975 [Grizzly bear is classified as a "threatened" species »]( Presidential 1961 [JFK asks Congress to support the space program »]( Sports 1935 [Babe Ruth hits last home run »]( Vietnam War 1968 [Communist launch new offensive »]( 1969 [National Democratic Front formed in Saigon »]( World War I 1915 [Large-scale deportations of Armenians begin in Turkey »]( World War II 1944 [Operation Knight's Move is launched »]( [HISTORY.com]( [SHOWS]( [VIDEOS]( [SCHEDULE]( [TOPICS]( [Subscribe]( | [Update Profile]( | [Contact Us](mailto:thc.newsletters@aetn.com) This is a promotional email from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You received this message because {EMAIL} is subscribed to This Day In History email updates. If you DO NOT wish to receive these emails please [UNSUBSCRIBE](. Having trouble viewing this message? [View the web version](. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not junk folders) and view images, [please add us to your address book or safe/white list](. © 2018 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Email Marketing, 235 E 45th Street, New York, NY 10017 [Corporate Information]( | [TV Parental Guidelines]( | [Careers]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Copyright Policy]( | [Ad Sales]( | [Ad Choices](