You're listening ad-free on Amazon Music.

A pop singer sparks an anti-gay movement.

That campaign was a kick in the teeth, and boy, now we've got to get our act together,

and we have to really fight for our rights.

A rookie sportscaster gets a chance to make history.

I don't ever remember talking to her about how tough it is to be a woman in the business. You didn't have a choice. You were a woman. You were in the business. Do your job. A drug made from apricot pits gets touted as a cancer cure. It's got cyanide in it. And that's how it works. According to the people who say it works, utter nonsense. All of those events, and a whole lot more, happened in 1977.

I'm Josh Levine, the host of Slow Burn Season 4.

On Slate's new podcast, one year, we'll introduce you to people that changed American history.

Everyone was coming to Washington, and all of them were coming with some of the most

rootin-to-tutin, scientifically produced cavalcade of recreational drugs you could imagine.

We're going to tell stories you may have forgotten or that you've never heard before.

And then I'm like, oh my God, separese a Jesus.

That looks like the face of Jesus.

Was it a blessing or a curse?

I mean, I think that's one thing that we'll never know.

It's going to be surprising and strange and moving.

One year, 1977, coming on July 8th, wherever you get your podcasts.