Born in 1978
Turns 48 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1978
1978 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $51.50Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $51.50
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $51.50
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $51.50
Front Page: New Zealand edition. The year is filled in; add their name in the editor. “Your name” is a placeholder. Light news is selected. A new keepsake, not an original newspaper.
BACK TO 1978 · New Zealand
A little history to go with their gift.
Louise Brown’s birth marked the first successful birth following in vitro fertilisation. In film, Grease brought its songs and retro styling to cinemas, while Björn Borg won Wimbledon. The year joined a medical milestone with two very different moments in popular entertainment and sport.
What happened in 1978?
The first IVF baby is born
Louise Brown was born in the United Kingdom in 1978, the first baby born following in vitro fertilisation.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority · Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Camp David agreements are signed
On September 17, 1978, Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin signed two framework agreements at the White House after the Camp David summit.
Björn Borg defended his Wimbledon crown
Björn Borg defeated Jimmy Connors to win his third consecutive Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles title.
Mario Andretti secured Formula One’s world title
Mario Andretti secured the Formula One drivers’ championship at the Italian Grand Prix, driving for Lotus.
Firsts and new ideas
The first GPS test satellite reached orbit
The early GPS programme began as defence technology but created the infrastructure behind modern navigation and location services.
Ipswich claimed its first FA Cup
Ipswich Town defeated Arsenal 1–0 to win the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
Number ones and music in 1978
Chart positions belong to the country and chart named in each record.
Rumours wins album of the year
At the 20th Grammy Awards on February 23, 1978, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours won album of the year.
Ben Lummis was born in 1978
Born in 1978, Ben Lummis became a New Zealand pop star after winning the first season of New Zealand Idol.
Prices and everyday money in 1978
New Zealand figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| Cinema (adult avg.) | $1.76 | one admission Statistics New Zealand |
| Average ordinary time hourly earnings, males | $4.10 | NZ dollars per hour New Zealand Royal Commission on Social Policy; archived by National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past |
| Postage stamp, face denomination (Queen Elizabeth II Postafix coil) | 10c | one stamp NZ Post Collectables |
Planning the birthday
Someone born in 1978 turns 48 in 2026. Before their birthday they are one year younger. Choose the birth year for the print; add the full date in the editor if you know it.
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