PDPA Demonstrations
A large communist funeral procession for Mir Akbar Khyber prompts Daoud to arrest senior PDPA leaders.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1978 in Afghanistan
Explore 29 historical events and records for Afghanistan in 1978.
Historical records for Afghanistan in 1978
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 29 of 29 unique records.
29Unique records
1 of 1Page
21Named events on this page
5Named people on this page
4Places on this page
April
Constitution of Afghanistan
Nur Muhammad Taraki, Secretary General of the PDPA, becomes President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
Coup
Overthrown & assassinated during a left-led military coup
Coup
Rebel armour and aircraft attack government positions as Daoud orders loyal forces to resist.
Coup
The banned pron PDPA stages a coup during which Daud is killed
Coup
Takes charge as President of the Revolutionary Council. Imprisoned leader of the Khalk faction of the banned PDPA
Coup
Takes charge as President of the Revolutionary Council. Imprisoned leader of the Khalk faction of the banned PDPA. Daud is assassinated in a military coup
General
Taraki assumes the Presidency, Prime Minister'ship and General Secretary of the PDPA
Revolutionary Council
Nur Muhammad Taraki, Secretary General of the PDPA, becomes President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
Saur Revolution
PDPA-aligned military units begin the Saur Revolution against Daoud's government.
Assassination of Mohammad Daoud Khan
Revolutionary troops kill Daoud, ending the first Republic of Afghanistan.
Death of Mohammad Daoud Khan
Daoud is killed with members of his family after loyalists are overwhelmed inside the presidential palace.
Defence of Arg Palace
Daoud refuses to surrender and remains with loyal guards during the final assault on the palace.
Siege of Arg Palace
Government resistance collapses after revolutionary forces surround and storm the presidential palace.
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
The Revolutionary Council proclaims the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan under Taraki.
President of Afghanistan
Taraki becomes head of the Revolutionary Council and prime minister after the Saur Revolution.
Prime Minister of Afghanistan
Taraki assumes the offices of head of state, prime minister, and PDPA general secretary.
September
Coup
Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Hafizullah Amin seizes power after a palace shootout that results in the murder of President Taraki
October
Marriage Reform Decree
The government issues a decree regulating marriage payments and setting minimum marriage ages.
December
Alliance Afghanistan and Russia
Taraki presents the Soviet treaty as protection for the new revolutionary government.
Mutual Assistance Clause
The treaty permits consultations and assistance when either government considers its security threatened.
Soviet Alliance
Taraki signs a twenty-year Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation with the Soviet Union.
Treaty of Friendship
The treaty expands political, economic, and military cooperation between Kabul and Moscow.
Other events (month unknown)
Coup
Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran
Coup
Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran. Power is assumed by a 57 member Revolutionary Council of the Peoples Democratic Party
Exile of Hafizullah Amin
Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran
Exile of Hafizullah Amin
Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran
Martial Law
Declares martial law
Rebellion of Rebels in Nuristan
A rebellion begins in the Nuristan region of eastern Afghanistan and civil war spreads throughout the country
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.