3 May 1978 was a Wednesday. By US legislative decree it was also Sun Day, a day to celebrate “the realization of the promise of solar energy”. The celebration was strongly encouraged by President Carter.
The sponsor in the House was Rep Leo J Ryan, who would soon become the second serving congressman to be assassinated in office. He had travelled to Guyana to investigate claims that people were being held against their will at Jonestown and died at the outset of the massacre.
3 May was a propitious choice. A total solar eclipse had occurred on 3 May 1715 and is known as Halley’s Eclipse. It is named for the great astronomer who predicted it to within four minutes accuracy.
