Modern Era · South America · Politics

1978

Jonestown mass suicide

November 18, 1978

Nine hundred and nine members of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple drank cyanide-laced Flavor Aid in a Guyanese jungle compound. A third were children. A US congressman investigating the cult had been shot earlier that day on the airstrip. The phrase drink the Kool-Aid entered the language as shorthand for the abandonment of judgment.

More from 1978 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1978 (7 other events on record)

Deng launches Chinese reform · East Asia · Politics
First test-tube baby born · Europe · Science
Camp David Accords · Middle East · Politics
John Paul II becomes pope · Europe · Religion
Vietnamese boat people flee · Southeast Asia · Politics
Harvey Milk assassinated · North America · Politics

Before and after in South America

Before: March 24, 1976: Argentine junta takes power
After: April 2, 1982: Falklands War

Before and after in Politics

Before: September 12, 1977: Steve Biko killed in custody
After: February 1, 1979: Khomeini returns to Iran

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.

Sources

Wikipedia: Jonestown