JONESTOWN — 1978 · Major Tragedy
The Jonestown Massacre
In the mid-1970s the U.S.-based Peoples Temple, led by Jim Jones, built a settlement called Jonestown in the jungle of north-western Guyana. U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan, who had travelled there to investigate abuse allegations, and four members of his party were killed by Temple members at the Port Kaituma airstrip on 18 November 1978. The same day more than 900 people died at Jonestown, most poisoned with a cyanide-laced drink; about a third were children. Some were documented as having been forced. With deaths in Georgetown and at the airstrip, the total reached 918. Until the 9/11 attacks it was cited as the largest loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act.
- Date
- 1978
- Place
- Barima-Waini, Guyana, Jonestown, GY
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 7.6900, -59.9500 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 1974Peoples Temple begins building a settlement in Guyana.
- 1977Most members move to Jonestown.
- 17 November 1978Congressman Leo Ryan visits Jonestown.
- 18 November 1978Ryan and four others killed at the airstrip; mass deaths at Jonestown.
- December 1978U.S. military repatriates the bodies.
Sources
- PBS American Experience — November 18, 1978 pbs.org ↗
- National Geographic — First on the scene after Jonestown nationalgeographic.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Jonestown en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Britannica
- PBS American Experience
- National Geographic
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.