On this day, 18 January 1977, workers and poor people across Egypt rose up against the ending of state subsidies for basic goods in what became known as the bread intifada. The cancellation of around LE277 million (approximately $55 million in 2020) subsidies, especially on food, along with pay cuts for public sector workers was announced the day before.
On the morning of January 18, workers in factories around Cairo and Helwan began to walk out. In Shoubra el Kheima, some workers went on strike while others occupied their workplaces as well. Meanwhile students and civil servants marched on Parliament while protests spread across the country. Protesters cut railway lines and blockaded tracks, set fire to police stations, attacked hotels and wealthy districts, and the headquarters of the ruling Egypt Arab Socialist Party was set ablaze. Demonstrators braved violent security forces who were using live ammunition, and in some cases protesters seized weaponry from police stations.
Despite the government killing around 800 people and injuring many more, within two days strikes and rioting had occurred in most industrial towns and cities across the country. The government was forced to back down and withdraw its plans after just 48 hours.
This is a short history of the uprising: https://libcom.org/history/1977-egypts-bread-intifada https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1632879383563872/?type=3