Culture

Do you remember the 21st night of September in Winston-Salem?

Earth, Wind & Fire’s classic hit “September” was released in 1978 — so we went back to the archives to see what happened in Winston-Salem that year.

September 20, 2023 • 
Cambridge Wrege
WStoday_East Winston Library

The East Winston public library branch in 1978, 20 years before it was designated as the library’s first heritage center.

Courtesy of the Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection via Digital Forsyth

Earth, Wind & Fire once asked: “Do you remember the 21st night of September?” and it’s been stuck in our heads ever since.

On this ultimate Throwback Thursday, let’s take a look back at some Winston-Salem highlights from 1978 — the year the song was released.

  • On January 3, city government leased its first word processing equipment from IBM, ushering in the computer age.
  • The Airport Commission of Forsyth County began making upgrades at Smith Reynolds Airport — including terminal improvements, new fencing and repaving.
  • The city budget for 1978-1979 was $30,538,040. (That’s compared to $607.8 million today.)
  • The Arts Council proposed a “cultural block” around 3rd, 4th, Marshall, and Spruce Streets. The vision came to life with Winston Square Park.

Tell us your memories of 1978. Bonus points if they happened the 21st night of September.

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