Historical Events
Film Premier
"The Deer Hunter", directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep, premieres in Los Angeles (Academy Awards Best Picture 1979)
- Commencement of the 1st day/night World Series Cricket supertest at VFL Park, Melbourne
Famous Birthdays
- Anwar Siraj, Ethiopian footballer
- Ian Somerhalder, American actor (Lost, Vampire Diaries), born in Covington, Louisiana
- John Oster, Welsh footballer, born in Boston, England
- Kate Robinson, American figure skater and ice dancer, born in Peoria, Illinois
- Vernon Wells III, American baseball center fielder (Toronto Blue Jays; 3-time MLB All-Star & Gold Glove), born in Shreveport, Louisiana
Famous Deaths
Golda Meir
Golda Meir [Mabovitch], Israeli teacher, stateswoman and 4th Prime Minister of Israel (1969-74) known as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics, dies in of lymphatic cancer at 80

Golda Meir
1978 Highlights
About December 8, 1978
Day of the Week: Friday
How Long Ago? 42 years, 3 months and 28 days
Leap Year: No
Generation Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Sagittarius