International Year of the Child begins (declared by UNESCO)
International Year of the Child begins (declared by UNESCO)
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1979. This year saw 259 significant events. 28 notable figures were born. 3 notable figures passed away.
20th Century1970s
1979 Timeline
International Year of the Child begins (declared by UNESCO)
International Year of the Child begins (declared by UNESCO)
Village People's "Y.M.C.A." becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day
Village People's "Y.M.C.A." becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day
BBC landmark nature series "Life on Earth" presented by David Attenborough first shown on BBC One
Life on Earth: A Natural History by David Attenborough is a British television natural history series made by the BBC in association with Warner Bros. Television and Reiner Moritz Productions.
Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 15 years in exile
Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Iran on 1 February 1979, after 14 years in exile, was an important event in the Iranian Revolution.
Actor Max Von Sydow (49) divorces actress Christina Olin after 28 years of marriage
Actor Max Von Sydow (49) divorces actress Christina Olin after 28 years of marriage
A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the US results in the release of radioactive gas and iodine
A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the US results in the release of radioactive gas and iodine into the atmosphere, but no deaths
Tanzanian army captures Kampala, the capital of Uganda forcing Ugandan dictator Idi Amin to flee into exile in Libya
Idi Amin Dada Oumee (30 May 1928 – 16 August 2003) was a Ugandan military officer and politician who served as the third president of Uganda from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979.
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990.
The Cure release their debut album "Three Imaginary Boys" (Boys Don't Cry in US, Australia)
Boys Don't Cry is the Cure's first compilation album. Released in February 1980, this album is composed of several tracks from the band's May 1979 debut album Three Imaginary Boys (which had yet to…
Ixtoc I rig in the Gulf of Mexico blows out, spilling 3 million barrels of oil in one of the worst oil spills in history
Ixtoc I rig in the Gulf of Mexico blows out, spilling 3 million barrels of oil in one of the worst oil spills in history
Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" becomes No. 1 album in the US featuring "Take the Long Way Home"
Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" becomes No. 1 album in the US featuring "Take the Long Way Home"
"Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park: fans go wild destroying disco records and cause the White Sox to forfeit seco
"Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park: fans go wild destroying disco records and cause the White Sox to forfeit second game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers
American "All By Myself" singer-songwriter Eric Carmen (29) divorces wife Marcy Hill, after less than a year of marriage
American "All By Myself" singer-songwriter Eric Carmen (29) divorces wife Marcy Hill, after less than a year of marriage
British actor Peter O'Toole and Welsh actress Siân Phillips (46) divorce after nearly twenty years of marriage
British actor Peter O'Toole and Welsh actress Siân Phillips (46) divorce after nearly twenty years of marriage
"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and fun
"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and funded by George Harrison's HandMade Films, premieres in US theaters
American singer Vikki Carr (39) weds businessman Michael Nilsson
American singer Vikki Carr (39) weds businessman Michael Nilsson
Lord Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and last Viceroy of India, is killed along
Lord Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and last Viceroy of India, is killed along with three companions, two of whom are children, by the IRA when his boat is blown up near Sligo, Ireland
MLB outfielder Tim Raines (20) weds his high school sweetheart Virginia Hilton
MLB outfielder Tim Raines (20) weds his high school sweetheart Virginia Hilton
Guinness Book of Records presents Paul McCartney with a rhodium disc as the all-time best-selling singer-songwriter
Guinness Book of Records presents Paul McCartney with a rhodium disc as the all-time best-selling singer-songwriter
Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini describes the United States as "The Great Satan" amid accusations of imperiali
Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini describes the United States as "The Great Satan" amid accusations of imperialism and the sponsoring of corruption
Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (57) weds photographer Jill Krementz (39)
Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (57) weds photographer Jill Krementz (39)
Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast a game together for the first time, a pairing that lasts 22 years and becomes on
Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast a game together for the first time, a pairing that lasts 22 years and becomes one of the most well-known partnerships in TV sports broadcasting history
Pink Floyd's album "The Wall" is released and sells six million copies in two weeks
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965 by Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals) and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), with David...
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture," the first movie of the series, premieres, directed by Robert Wise and starring William
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture," the first movie of the series, premieres, directed by Robert Wise and starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle th
Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle the Budweiser Rocket (739.666 mph or Mach 1.01). The speed was never officially recorded and the attempt remains controversial.
After invading Afghanistan two days earlier, Soviet forces carry out a coup in Kabul and kill President Hafizullah Amin,
After invading Afghanistan two days earlier, Soviet forces carry out a coup in Kabul and kill President Hafizullah Amin, replacing him with Babrak Karmal
Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious's trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, begins in New York City
Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious's trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, begins in New York City
US State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to relatives of Kent State University shooting victims, in an out of court settl
US State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to relatives of Kent State University shooting victims, in an out of court settlement
Shapour Bakhtiar government established by the Shah in Iran, will preside until unrest in the country subsides
Shapour Bakhtiar government established by the Shah in Iran, will preside until unrest in the country subsides
Vietnamese forces capture Phnom Penh from Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
Argentina & Chile sign Beagle Canal accord
Argentina & Chile sign Beagle Canal accord
LA's Hillside Strangler, Kenneth Bianchi, arrested in Bellingham
Kenneth Alessio Bianchi is an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist. He is known for the Hillside Strangler murders which he committed with his cousin Angelo Buono Jr.
Charlie Daniels hosts Volunteer Jam
The Volunteer Jam is a sporadically held concert series headlined by the Charlie Daniels Band, featuring a multitude of musical acts that perform onstage with the band.
Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez beats WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino of Mexico in a 15-round split decisio
Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez beats WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino of Mexico in a 15-round split decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico; becomes two-division champion at the age of 20
USSR performs underground nuclear test
The Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), formally known as the 1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, prohibited all test detonations of nuclear...
Peter Jenkins finishes "A Walk Across America" at Florence, Oregon
Peter Jenkins finishes "A Walk Across America" at Florence, Oregon
John N Mitchell (former US Attorney General) released on parole from federal prison
John Newton Mitchell was the 67th attorney general of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He also was chairman of Nixon's 1968 and 1972 presidential campaigns.
Neptune becomes outermost planet (Pluto moves closer)
Neptune becomes outermost planet (Pluto moves closer)
10,000s UK public sector workers go on strike
10,000s UK public sector workers go on strike
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...
22.2-km Oshimizu railroad tunnel holed through, central Honshu, Japan
22.2-km Oshimizu railroad tunnel holed through, central Honshu, Japan
"The Dukes of Hazzard" premieres on US TV network CBS
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American action comedy television series created by Gy Waldron that aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985, with seven seasons consisting of 147 episodes.
Islanders ends 23 undefeated games at home streak (15-0-8)
Islanders ends 23 undefeated games at home streak (15-0-8)
Brenda Spencer (16) kills 2 adults and injures 8 children and a police officer in a San Diego, California schoolyard sho
Brenda Spencer (16) kills 2 adults and injures 8 children and a police officer in a San Diego, California schoolyard shooting; incident inspires Irish rockers Boomtown Rats' song "I Don't Like Mondays"
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) agrees to new constitution
Zimbabwe Rhodesia (), alternatively known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, also informally known as Zimbabwe or Rhodesia, was a short-lived unrecognised sovereign state that existed from 1 June 1979 to 18 April...
"Y.M.C.A." by Village People peaks at #2 on pop singles chart
"Y.M.C.A." is a song by American disco group Village People, written by Jacques Morali (also the record's producer) and singer Victor Willis and released in October 1978 by Casablanca Records as the...
"Co-Ed Fever," TV Comedy, debut & cancelled that outing on CBS
"Co-Ed Fever," TV Comedy, debut & cancelled that outing on CBS
Costliest single periodical ad, $3.2 million, Gulf + Western in Time
Costliest single periodical ad, $3.2 million, Gulf + Western in Time
Pakistan Supreme Court affirms the Lahore High Court's death sentence against former Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali
Pakistan Supreme Court affirms the Lahore High Court's death sentence against former Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
"Supertrain", TV Anthology, Superbomb of 1979, debuts on NBC
"Supertrain", TV Anthology, Superbomb of 1979, debuts on NBC
Denis Sassou-Nguesso becomes the President of the Republic of the Congo for the first time
Denis Sassou-Nguesso becomes the President of the Republic of the Congo for the first time
ABC airs "Heroes of Rock N Roll" special, featuring archival performances of 62 artists
ABC airs "Heroes of Rock N Roll" special, featuring archival performances of 62 artists
Beginning of James Clavell's novel "Whirlwind"
Beginning of James Clavell's novel "Whirlwind"
Kosmos 1076, the first Soviet oceanographic satellite, launches
Kosmos 1076, the first Soviet oceanographic satellite, launches
Formation of Guardian Angels crime fighters in New York City
Formation of Guardian Angels crime fighters in New York City
In Kabul, Muslims kidnap the American ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs who is later killed during a gunfight betwe
In Kabul, Muslims kidnap the American ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs who is later killed during a gunfight between his kidnappers and police
-52°F (-47°C), Old Forge, New York (state record)
-52°F (-47°C), Old Forge, New York (state record)
11 'loyalists' known as the "Shankill Butchers" are sentenced to life in prison for 19 murders; the gang was named for i
11 'loyalists' known as the "Shankill Butchers" are sentenced to life in prison for 19 murders; the gang was named for its late-night kidnapping, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians in Belfast
2 Iowa girls HS basketball teams play 4 scoreless quarters game was won 4-2 in 4th overtime period
2 Iowa girls HS basketball teams play 4 scoreless quarters game was won 4-2 in 4th overtime period
Frank Peterson Jr named 1st black general in Marine Corps
Frank Peterson Jr named 1st black general in Marine Corps
Highest price ever paid for a pig is $42,500 in Stamford, Texas
Highest price ever paid for a pig is $42,500 in Stamford, Texas
Soyuz 32 carries 2 cosmonauts to Salyut 6 space station is launched
Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...
CBS' premiere of NYC sitcom "Flatbush", which received many derision phone calls about it from Brooklynites to CBS
CBS' premiere of NYC sitcom "Flatbush", which received many derision phone calls about it from Brooklynites to CBS
Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond" premieres in NYC
Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond" premieres in NYC
ESPN and NCAA come to an agreement giving the network worldwide multi-media rights to NCAA championships for various spo
ESPN and NCAA come to an agreement giving the network worldwide multi-media rights to NCAA championships for various sports
Iran resumes petroleum exports
Iran has a mixed, centrally planned economy with a large public sector. It consists of hydrocarbon, agricultural and service sectors, in addition to manufacturing and financial services, with over 40...
Baseball exhibition season opens with semi-pro & amateur umpires
Baseball exhibition season opens with semi-pro & amateur umpires
1st extraterrestrial volcano discovered on Jupiter's satellite Io
1st extraterrestrial volcano discovered on Jupiter's satellite Io
Eubie Blake, a 92-year old ragtime piano player and composer, and Gregory Hines are musical guest on Saturday Night Live
Eubie Blake, a 92-year old ragtime piano player and composer, and Gregory Hines are musical guest on Saturday Night Live
Randy Hold receives 67 min in penalties in a 60 min NHL hockey game
Randy Hold receives 67 min in penalties in a 60 min NHL hockey game
European Monetary System is established, ECU created
The European Monetary System (EMS) was a multilateral adjustable exchange rate agreement in which most of the nations of the European Economic Community (EEC) linked their currencies to prevent large...
Hawker Siddeley Trident plane crashes into a factory near Beijing, China, killing at least 200
The Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident (originally the de Havilland DH.121 and briefly the Airco DH.121) is a British airliner produced by Hawker Siddeley. In 1957, de Havilland proposed its DH.121...
Apparat releases Newdos + 2.1 for Radio Shack's TRS-80
The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by...
Ice Dance Championship at Vienna won by N Linichuk & G Karponosov USSR
Ice Dance Championship at Vienna won by N Linichuk & G Karponosov USSR
Battles between Kurds & Iranians break in Sananday, Iran
Battles between Kurds & Iranians break in Sananday, Iran
US House of Representatives begins live TV broadcasts via C-SPAN
Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN SEE-span) is an American cable and satellite television network, created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a nonprofit public service.
Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.
Israeli parliament approves peace treaty with Egypt
The Egypt–Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on 26 March 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.
Columbia flown on carrier aircraft lands at Kennedy Space Center
Columbia flown on carrier aircraft lands at Kennedy Space Center
AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, Old Dominion beat Louisiana Tech 75-65 in Greensboro
AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, Old Dominion beat Louisiana Tech 75-65 in Greensboro
US Supreme Court rules 8-1 that cops can't randomly stop cars
US Supreme Court rules 8-1 that cops can't randomly stop cars
Andrew Hilditch given out handled the ball v Pakistan at WACA
Handled the ball was formerly one of the methods of dismissing a batter in the sport of cricket, but was integrated into the Law on obstructing the field when the Laws of Cricket were rewritten in...
Montreal Canadiens beat visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3 to become just the 2nd team in NHL history to win 50 (or more)
Montreal Canadiens beat visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3 to become just the 2nd team in NHL history to win 50 (or more) games for 4 straight years
Iran proclaimed an Islamic Republic following fall of Shah
The history of Iran (also known as Persia) is intertwined with Greater Iran, which is a region encompassing all of the areas that have witnessed significant settlement or influence by the Iranian...
Belgium's Martens government forms
Belgium's Martens government forms
Ex-President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan is executed.
Murtaza Bhutto (18 September 1954 – 20 September 1996) was a Pakistani politician and leftist activist who led Al-Zulfiqar, a left-wing militant organization, against Zia-ul-Haq's military regime.
Henri La Mothe dives 28' into 12 3/8" of water
Henri La Mothe dives 28' into 12 3/8" of water
th & final episode of "All in the Family"; followed by "Archie Bunker's Place" for 4 seasons
th & final episode of "All in the Family"; followed by "Archie Bunker's Place" for 4 seasons
J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros pitches a complete game but sets a MLB record by throwing 6 wild pitches in 2-1 win
J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros pitches a complete game but sets a MLB record by throwing 6 wild pitches in 2-1 win over the LA Dodgers at the Astrodome
Christian Turks occupy St Jansbasiliek
Christian Turks occupy St Jansbasiliek
Susan Horvath, of Penn, crowned America's Young Woman of the Year
Susan Horvath, of Penn, crowned America's Young Woman of the Year
Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes the Montenegro and Albanian coast, killing 136 people
Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes the Montenegro and Albanian coast, killing 136 people
Failed Palestinian attack on Zaventem Airport, Belgium
Failed Palestinian attack on Zaventem Airport, Belgium
Four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are killed by a Provisional Irish Republican Army van bomb in Bessbrook, County
Four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are killed by a Provisional Irish Republican Army van bomb in Bessbrook, County Armagh; the bomb is believed to be the largest PIRA bomb used up to that point
"Real People" premieres on NBC TV
"Real People" premieres on NBC TV
FCC raids & shuts down pirate radio station WFAT (Brooklyn New York)
FCC raids & shuts down pirate radio station WFAT (Brooklyn New York)
Keyboardist Brent Mydland plays his first concert as a member of the Grateful Dead at the Spartan Stadium, San Jose, Cal
Keyboardist Brent Mydland plays his first concert as a member of the Grateful Dead at the Spartan Stadium, San Jose, California
Fighting in London between the Anti-Nazi League and the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group results in the death of
Fighting in London between the Anti-Nazi League and the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group results in the death of protester Blair Peach
Rhodesian bishop Abel Muzorewa wins general election
Rhodesian bishop Abel Muzorewa wins general election
Peace treaty between Israel & Egypt goes into effect
The Egypt–Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on 26 March 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.
-May 10] Vivekananda (Sri Lanka) begins nonstop ride, cycling 187 hrs, 28 min, around Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, Sr
-May 10] Vivekananda (Sri Lanka) begins nonstop ride, cycling 187 hrs, 28 min, around Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka
NFL Draft: Tom Cousineau from Ohio State first pick by Buffalo Bills
Thomas Michael Cousineau is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the...
Masterpiece Radio Theater begins broadcasting
Masterpiece Radio Theater begins broadcasting
American Fred Markham (22) sets a bicycle speed record of 81.8 kph (50.8 mph) over 200 meter course
American Fred Markham (22) sets a bicycle speed record of 81.8 kph (50.8 mph) over 200 meter course
5th UNCTAD-conference opens in Manila
5th UNCTAD-conference opens in Manila
Radio Shack releases TRSDOS 2.3
TRSDOS (which stands for the Tandy Radio Shack Disk Operating System) is the operating system for the Tandy TRS-80 line of eight-bit Zilog Z80 microcomputers that were sold through Radio Shack from...
Iranian-Jewish businessman Habib Elghanian is the 1st Jew executed by the Islamic government firing squad in Tehran, pro
Iranian-Jewish businessman Habib Elghanian is the 1st Jew executed by the Islamic government firing squad in Tehran, prompting the mass exodus of the once 100,000-strong Jewish community of Iran
Federated States of Micronesia becomes self-governing
The Federated States of Micronesia (abbreviated FSM), or simply Micronesia, is an island country in Micronesia, a region of Oceania.
"Utter Glory... Morrissey Hall" opens & closes at Mark Hellinger NYC
"Utter Glory... Morrissey Hall" opens & closes at Mark Hellinger NYC
"Kids Are All Right" rockumentary film featuring The Who premieres at the Cannes Film Festival
"Kids Are All Right" rockumentary film featuring The Who premieres at the Cannes Film Festival
MLB National League approves sale of Houston Astros by Ford Motors to John J McMullen for $19M
MLB National League approves sale of Houston Astros by Ford Motors to John J McMullen for $19M
Coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii: 12°F (-11°C), on the Big Island at Mauna Kea Observatory, elevation 13,796
Coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii: 12°F (-11°C), on the Big Island at Mauna Kea Observatory, elevation 13,796 feet
"In The Navy" single by Village People hits #3
"In The Navy" single by Village People hits #3
1st edition of "Wisden Cricket Monthly"
1st edition of "Wisden Cricket Monthly"
32nd Cannes Film Festival: "Apocalypse Now" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and "Die Biechtrommel" directed by Volker S
32nd Cannes Film Festival: "Apocalypse Now" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and "Die Biechtrommel" directed by Volker Schlondorff jointly awarded the Palme d'Or
American Airlines DC-10 crashes on takeoff from Chicago killing 273 including 2 on the ground
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 was a scheduled flight on September 25, 1978 by Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN), with a stopover at Los Angeles (LAX).
CBS premiere of Melissa Anderson's modern "Survival of Dana", her first "bad girl" role, in which Anderson's title chara
CBS premiere of Melissa Anderson's modern "Survival of Dana", her first "bad girl" role, in which Anderson's title character leaves her North Dakota town for Los Angeles after her parents' divorce
Percom Data Company Inc release Microdos for Radio Shack's TRS-80
The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by...
Radio City Music Hall (NYC) reopens
Radio City Music Hall (also known as Radio City) is an entertainment venue and theater at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York...
33rd Tony Awards: "The Elephant Man" (play) and "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (musical) win
33rd Tony Awards: "The Elephant Man" (play) and "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (musical) win
Seychelles adopts constitution
The Constitution of Seychelles is the governing document of the Republic of Seychelles. 18 June, the anniversary of its ratification, is celebrated in Seychelles as "Constitution Day".
th running of horse's Derby in England
th running of horse's Derby in England
52nd National Spelling Bee: Katie Kerwin wins spelling maculature
52nd National Spelling Bee: Katie Kerwin wins spelling maculature
"The Source" goes online, the first public computer information service
"The Source" goes online, the first public computer information service
Michael Cairney topples a record row of 169,713 dominoes
Michael Cairney topples a record row of 169,713 dominoes
Baltimore Orioles pull their 8th triple play (5-4-3 vs Cleveland)
Baltimore Orioles pull their 8th triple play (5-4-3 vs Cleveland)
Bryan Allen flies a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Albatross over English Channel, taking 2 hrs, 49 min [1]
Bryan Allen flies a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Albatross over English Channel, taking 2 hrs, 49 min [1]
First space shuttle SRB qualification test firing lasts 122 seconds
First space shuttle SRB qualification test firing lasts 122 seconds
Billy Martin becomes Yankee manager (2nd time), replacing Bob Lemon
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
"My Sharona" single released by The Knack
"My Sharona" () is the debut single by American power pop band the Knack. The song was written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger, and it was released in 1979 from their debut album, Get the Knack.
OPEC raises oil prices 24%
In October 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) announced that it was implementing a total oil embargo against countries that had supported Israel at any point during...
Mascot San Diego Chicken is reborn at Jack Murphy Stadium
Mascot San Diego Chicken is reborn at Jack Murphy Stadium
"Good Times" single released by Chic (Billboard Song of the Year 1979)
"Good Times" is a disco soul song by American R&B band Chic, released in June 1979 by Atlantic Records as the first single from their third album, Risqué (1979).
Sony introduces the Walkman, first popular portable cassette player
Walkman is a brand of portable audio players manufactured by Sony since 1979. It was originally introduced as a portable cassette player and later expanded to include a range of portable audio...
IRA bomb explodes in British consulate in Antwerp
IRA bomb explodes in British consulate in Antwerp
USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
Don Martina's MAN party wins election in Dutch Antilles
Don Martina's MAN party wins election in Dutch Antilles
A car bomb destroys a Renault owned by famed "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld at their home in France. A note pu
A car bomb destroys a Renault owned by famed "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld at their home in France. A note purportedly from ODESSA claims responsibility.
US Skylab enters atmosphere over Australia and disintegrates
Skylab was the United States' first space station, launched by NASA, occupied for about 24 weeks between May 1973 and February 1974.
USSR performs nuclear test
USSR performs nuclear test
Morarji Desai resigns as Prime Minister of India
The prime minister of India is the chief executive of the Government of India and chair of the Union Council of Ministers.
Price of gold hits record $303.85 an ounce in London
Gold is a chemical element; its chemical symbol is Au (from Latin aurum) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a bright-metallic-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal.
2 supertankers collide off Tobago-260,000 tons of oil spill
2 supertankers collide off Tobago-260,000 tons of oil spill
A 44 kg Newfoundland dog pulls a 2,293 kg load in Bothell, Washington
A 44 kg Newfoundland dog pulls a 2,293 kg load in Bothell, Washington
National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring American women is dedicated in Seneca Falls, NY
National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring American women is dedicated in Seneca Falls, NY
cm of rainfall in Alvin, Texas (state record)
Alvin is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area and Brazoria County. As of the 2020 census, Alvin had a population of 27,098.
Estimated 109 cm (43 inches) of rain falls in Alvin, Texas (national record)
Estimated 109 cm (43 inches) of rain falls in Alvin, Texas (national record)
France performs a nuclear test
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates of Israel's stockpile range from 90 to 400 warheads, and the country is believed to possess a nuclear triad of delivery options: by...
Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo forms a government in Portugal
Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo forms a government in Portugal
MLB New York Mets purchase contract of outfielder José Cardenal from Philadelphia Phillies between games of a double-hea
MLB New York Mets purchase contract of outfielder José Cardenal from Philadelphia Phillies between games of a double-header between the two teams
Fastest jai-alai shot at 188 mph (302.5 km/h) by José Arieto at Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island
Fastest jai-alai shot at 188 mph (302.5 km/h) by José Arieto at Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island
USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
Government of Mauritania signs peace treaty with Polisario
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro, better known by its acronym Polisario Front, is a Sahrawi nationalist liberation movement seeking to end the occupation of...
Marcus Hooper, 12, becomes the youngest person to swim across the English Channel
Marcus Hooper, 12, becomes the youngest person to swim across the English Channel
English seaside resort Brighton gets first British nudist beach
Brighton (BRY-tən) is a seaside resort in the unitary authority area of Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, England, 47 miles (76 km) south of London.
28°F (-2.22°C) in Embarrass, Minnesota
28°F (-2.22°C) in Embarrass, Minnesota
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
MLB St. Louis Cardinals' Lou Brock becomes the 14th MLB player to achieve 3,000 hits
MLB St. Louis Cardinals' Lou Brock becomes the 14th MLB player to achieve 3,000 hits
A rainbow is seen in the north of Wales for a three-hour duration
A rainbow is seen in the north of Wales for a three-hour duration
Andrew Young resigns as US ambassador to the United Nations
Andrew Jackson Young Jr. is an American politician, diplomat, and activist. Beginning his career as a pastor, Young was an early leader in the civil rights movement, serving as executive director of...
"My Sharona" by The Knack hits #1 and stays at the top for 6 weeks
"My Sharona" by The Knack hits #1 and stays at the top for 6 weeks
India's Premier Charan Singh resigns
Chaudhary Charan Singh (23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987) was an Indian politician, peasant leader, author and an independence activist who briefly served as the prime minister of India from July 1979...
Mets win a protested game against Astros 5-0
The 1979 Houston Astros season was the 18th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 15th as the Astros, 18th in the National League (NL), 11th in the NL...
Black leaders meet in New York to support Andrew Young
Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is a member of the House of Windsor.
Iranian army opens offensive against Kurds
Kurds, or the Kurdish people, are an Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq,...
60,916 NFL fans choose the old Patriots logo over the new
60,916 NFL fans choose the old Patriots logo over the new
California Angels trounce Toronto Blue Jays 24-2
California Angels trounce Toronto Blue Jays 24-2
IRA bomb explodes in Brussels' Grand Place
IRA bomb explodes in Brussels' Grand Place
Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
First recorded occurrence of a comet hitting the Sun releases energy equal to one million hydrogen bombs
First recorded occurrence of a comet hitting the Sun releases energy equal to one million hydrogen bombs
Comet Howard-Koomur-Michels collides with Sun
Comet Howard-Koomur-Michels collides with Sun
Debbie Boone & Gabriel Ferrer wed in LA
Debbie Boone & Gabriel Ferrer wed in LA
US Men's Amateur Golf Championship, Canterbury GC: Mark O'Meara wins 8 & 7 over John Cook
US Men's Amateur Golf Championship, Canterbury GC: Mark O'Meara wins 8 & 7 over John Cook
Hurricane David, a strong Atlantic storm, kills over 1,000 people
Hurricane Hugo was a powerful tropical cyclone that inflicted widespread destruction across the northeastern Caribbean and the Southeastern United States in September 1989.
Jerry Lewis's 14th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $30,000,000
Jerry Lewis's 14th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $30,000,000
India needs 438 to win against England; game ends at 8-429
India needs 438 to win against England; game ends at 8-429
Canada puts its first gold bullion coin on sale
The sovereign is a British gold coin with a nominal value of one pound sterling (£1) and contains 0.2354 troy ounces (113.0 gr; 7.32 g) of pure gold.
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) launches; the first show is SportsCenter
SportsCenter (SC) is an American television sports news broadcasting show broadcast by ESPN.
The US performs a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...
31st Emmy Awards: "Taxi," "Lou Grant," Ron Leibman, and Ruth Gordon win
31st Emmy Awards: "Taxi," "Lou Grant," Ron Leibman, and Ruth Gordon win
Three Puerto Rican nationalists who attempted to kill Truman are freed
On November 1, 1950, Puerto Rican secessionists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman at the Blair House during the renovation of the White House.
An 8.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
An 8.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
Boston Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski gets his 3,000th hit off NY Yankee Jim Beattie
Boston Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski gets his 3,000th hit off NY Yankee Jim Beattie
China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC
China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC
The film "Quadrophenia", loosely based on The Who's 1973 rock opera of the same name, is released
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer...
Red Sox Bob Watson is 1st to hit for cycle in AL & NL (Astros)
Red Sox Bob Watson is 1st to hit for cycle in AL & NL (Astros)
"Rapper's Delight," the debut single by hip-hop trio Sugar Hill Gang, is released by Sugar Hill Records
"Rapper's Delight" is a 1979 rap song that serves as the debut single of American hip-hop trio the Sugarhill Gang, produced by Sylvia Robinson.
Pietro Mennea runs a world record 200 m in 19.72 seconds
Pietro Paolo Mennea, nicknamed la Freccia del Sud ("the Arrow of the South"), was an Italian sprinter and politician.
Royals' George Brett becomes the 6th player to have 20 doubles, triples, and home runs in a season
Royals' George Brett becomes the 6th player to have 20 doubles, triples, and home runs in a season
Briitish rock band "The Who" plays first of five concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Briitish rock band "The Who" plays first of five concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Assassination of French left-wing militant Pierre Goldman
Assassination of French left-wing militant Pierre Goldman
José Eduardo dos Santos becomes President of Angola
José Eduardo dos Santos was an Angolan politician and military officer who served as the second president of Angola from 1979 to 2017.
Israel performs a nuclear test at Indian Ocean
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates of Israel's stockpile range from 90 to 400 warheads, and the country is believed to possess a nuclear triad of delivery options: by...
MLB St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock steals his 938th and final base of his career
MLB St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock steals his 938th and final base of his career
CompuServe begins offering a dial-up online information service to consumers, marketed as MicroNET [1]
CompuServe begins offering a dial-up online information service to consumers, marketed as MicroNET [1]
MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Pete Rose reaches 200 hits in a season for the 10th time
MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Pete Rose reaches 200 hits in a season for the 10th time
California Angels win their first AL West pennant
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, within the Greater Los Angeles area.
Summer Los Angeles Olympic coverage is sold to ABC for $225 million
Summer Los Angeles Olympic coverage is sold to ABC for $225 million
"Message In A Bottle" single by The Police peaks at #1 in UK
"Message in a Bottle" is a song by British rock band the Police. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Reggatta de Blanc (1979).
Milwaukee Brewers lose 5-0, ending 213 consecutive games without a shutout
Milwaukee Brewers lose 5-0, ending 213 consecutive games without a shutout
Nigeria adopts a constitution, and Alhaji Shagari becomes president
The president of Nigeria, officially the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the head of state and head of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hugh Leonards "Life" premieres in Dublin
Hugh Leonard (9 November 1926 – 12 February 2009) was an Irish playwright and author.
Harry Drake sets the long-distance footbow shot record of 2,006 yards 1 foot 9 inches (1,834.82 meters)
Harry Drake sets the long-distance footbow shot record of 2,006 yards 1 foot 9 inches (1,834.82 meters)
Cleveland Browns' Dino Hall sets a club record with 9 kickoff returns
Cleveland Browns' Dino Hall sets a club record with 9 kickoff returns
Frank Mahovlich formally retires from the NHL after a failed comeback attempt with the Detroit Red Wings
The Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, formally Le Club de Hockey Canadien, was founded on December 4, 1909. The Canadiens are the oldest professional hockey franchise in the world.
Howard Stern begins broadcasting on WCCC in Hartford, Connecticut
Howard Allan Stern is an American broadcaster, comedian, and media personality. He is best known for his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated...
An unprecedented 2.9 inches of snow is measured in Central Park in New York City
An unprecedented 2.9 inches of snow is measured in Central Park in New York City
Rock band Fleetwood Mac gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Fleetwood Mac were a British and American rock band formed in London in 1967 by singer and guitarist Peter Green.
Allan McLeod Cormack & Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield win Nobel Prize for medicine for developing CAT scan
Allan McLeod Cormack & Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield win Nobel Prize for medicine for developing CAT scan
,000 demonstrate in Bonn against nuclear energy
,000 demonstrate in Bonn against nuclear energy
D. Bautista of Mexico completes a 20,000 m walk in a record time of 1:20:06.8
D. Bautista of Mexico completes a 20,000 m walk in a record time of 1:20:06.8
American John Tate beats local favorite Gerrie Coetzee by UD in 15 rounds in Pretoria, South Africa, for the vacant WBA
American John Tate beats local favorite Gerrie Coetzee by UD in 15 rounds in Pretoria, South Africa, for the vacant WBA heavyweight boxing title
"One Mo' Time" with Vernel Bagners premieres in NYC
"One Mo' Time" with Vernel Bagners premieres in NYC
Billy Martin punches a marshmallow salesman, resulting in him being fired by the New York Yankees
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
USSR performs underground nuclear test
USSR performs underground nuclear test
Park Chung-hee, President of South Korea is assassinated by KCIA head Kim Jae-kyu. Choi Kyu-ha becomes the acting Presid
Park Chung-hee, President of South Korea is assassinated by KCIA head Kim Jae-kyu. Choi Kyu-ha becomes the acting President; Kim is executed the following May.
Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
Dick Howser, the best Yankees manager by win-loss percentage (.636), returns to New York, replacing Billy Martin
Dick Howser, the best Yankees manager by win-loss percentage (.636), returns to New York, replacing Billy Martin
Billy Martin is fired as Yankees manager for the second time
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
NASA launches the space vehicle S-203
NASA launches the space vehicle S-203
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan wins the American League Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
Bolivia military coup under General Busch, President Guevara flees
Bolivia military coup under General Busch, President Guevara flees
Peter Shaffer's musical "Amadeus" premieres in London
Amadeus is a play by Peter Shaffer which gives a fictional account of the lives of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, imagining a rivalry between the two at the court of Joseph...
Five people mortally wounded during anti-Ku Klux Klan demonstration in NC
Five people mortally wounded during anti-Ku Klux Klan demonstration in NC
Iran government of Bazargan resigns
Mehdi Bazargan was an Iranian scholar, academic, long-time pro-democracy activist and head of Iran's interim government.
MLB Chicago Cubs reliever Bruce Sutter wins NL Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
ABC broadcasts "Iran Crisis: American Held Hostage" with Frank Reynolds, a forerunner to "Nightline"
ABC broadcasts "Iran Crisis: American Held Hostage" with Frank Reynolds, a forerunner to "Nightline"
False alarm of a Soviet ballistic missile attack by US NORAD system after technician fails to code a test properly
False alarm of a Soviet ballistic missile attack by US NORAD system after technician fails to code a test properly
Train detrailment in Mississauga, Ontario; a 106 car train derails causing the evacuation of 200,000 people
Train detrailment in Mississauga, Ontario; a 106 car train derails causing the evacuation of 200,000 people
Boston Court issues occupancy permit for Cambridge Buddhist Center
Boston Court issues occupancy permit for Cambridge Buddhist Center
Tony Franklin of Philadelphia Eagles kicks 59-yard field goal
Tony Franklin of Philadelphia Eagles kicks 59-yard field goal
British newspaper "The Times" resumes publishing after 1 year
The Times is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register, adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788.
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, premieres in the
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, premieres in the United States
Chuck Berry released from prison for income tax evasion conviction
Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter; and one of the pioneers of rock and roll.
Houston Astros sign Nolan Ryan to a record four-year $4.5 million contract
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr., nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive.
First artificial blood transfusion occurs at the University of Minnesota Hospital in the US when a patient refuses a con
First artificial blood transfusion occurs at the University of Minnesota Hospital in the US when a patient refuses a conventional blood transfusion due to religious beliefs and receives the blood substitute Fluosol
Crowd at Islamabad, Pakistan attack US embassy, 1 dies
Crowd at Islamabad, Pakistan attack US embassy, 1 dies
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, concludes in the
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, concludes in the United States
Israel returns Alma oilfields in Gulf of Suez to Egypt
Israel returns Alma oilfields in Gulf of Suez to Egypt
Intl Olympic Committee votes to readmit China after 21 years
Intl Olympic Committee votes to readmit China after 21 years
1st day-night one-day cricket international, Australia v WI at SCG
1st day-night one-day cricket international, Australia v WI at SCG
Air New Zealand DC-10 crashes into Mt. Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers, making it New Zealand's deadlie
Air New Zealand DC-10 crashes into Mt. Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers, making it New Zealand's deadliest peacetime disaster
Crowds attack US embassy in Tripoli, Libya
Crowds attack US embassy in Tripoli, Libya
11 members of the audience trampled to death during a stampede to claim unreserved seats for a concert by The Who at The
11 members of the audience trampled to death during a stampede to claim unreserved seats for a concert by The Who at The Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey # 7, Bingo Smith
The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland.
Piet Dankert appointed as chairman of European Parliament
Piet Dankert appointed as chairman of European Parliament
Geoff Boycott scores cricket century in a limited-over international
Sir Geoffrey Boycott is a former Test cricketer, who played cricket for Yorkshire and England.
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
British rocker David Bowie performs three songs on American television program Saturday Night Live - "The Man Who Sold t
British rocker David Bowie performs three songs on American television program Saturday Night Live - "The Man Who Sold the World", "TVC-15" and "Boys Keep Swinging"
Budweiser rocket car reaches 1190 km/h (739.66 mph) but is widely disputed because the speed is not measured under offic
Budweiser rocket car reaches 1190 km/h (739.66 mph) but is widely disputed because the speed is not measured under official land speed record conditions, and the methodology is questionable
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Behn Wilson scores with 4:08 remaining in regulation to earn a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburg
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Behn Wilson scores with 4:08 remaining in regulation to earn a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins and equal NHL record for longest undefeated streak of 28 games; go on to break record and extend to 35 games
Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as his Atlanta Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he
Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as his Atlanta Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he is benched by coach Al MacNeil; record eventually broken by Doug Jarvis (964)
NY Islanders greatest shutout lose (8-0) vs Chicago Black Hawks
NY Islanders greatest shutout lose (8-0) vs Chicago Black Hawks
First Ariane rocket launched
Ariane is a series of European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. The name comes from the French spelling of the mythological character Ariadne.
Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 2nd consecutive trophy as best football player in Europe; b
Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 2nd consecutive trophy as best football player in Europe; beats Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ajax sweeper Ruud Krol
Soviet special forces take over the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan
Soviet special forces take over the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan
Red Army beats NY Islanders 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum
Red Army beats NY Islanders 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum
English Progressive rock group, Emerson, Lake & Palmer break up
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970.
Drew Brees is born
Drew Brees, American athlete, known for american football player and television analyst, was born on 1979-01-15.
Brian O'Driscoll is born
Brian O'Driscoll, New Zealand athlete, known for ireland and british & irish lions rugby union player, was born on 1979-01-21.
Rosamund Pike is born
Rosamund Pike, English actress and producer, known for english actress and producer, was born on 1979-01-27. Rosamund Mary Ellen Pike is an English actress and producer.
Danai Gurira is born
Danai Gurira, American zimbabwean-american actress, known for zimbabwean-american actress, was born on 1979-02-14.
Louise Woodward is born
Louise Woodward, British criminal case of 1997 baby death by british au pair, known for american criminal case of 1997 baby death by british au pair, was born on 1979-02-28.
Jensen Ackles is born
Jensen Ackles, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1979-03-01. Jensen Ross Ackles is an American actor and musician.
Didier Drogba is born
Didier Drogba, French athlete, known for ivorian footballer, was born on 1979-03-11. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Perez Hilton is born
Perez Hilton blogger, known for american blogger, was born on 1979-03-23. Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, is an American blogger, columnist, and media personality.
Chris Stapleton is born
Chris Stapleton, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1979-04-15. Christopher Alvin Stapleton is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
David Krumholtz is born
David Krumholtz is born
Katie Price is born
Katie Price, English television personality, model, and singer, known for english television personality, model, and singer, was born on 1979-05-22.
Maria Menounos is born
Maria Menounos, American american-greek television host, known for american-greek television host, was born on 1979-06-08. Maria Menounos is an American television host.
Miroslav Klose is born
Miroslav Klose, German athlete, known for german football manager, was born on 1979-06-09.
Zoe Saldaña is born
Zoe Saldaña, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-06-19. Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego, known professionally as Zoe Saldaña, is an American actress.
James Corden is born
James Corden, English actor and comedian, known for english actor and comedian, was born on 1979-08-22.
Wes Bentley is born
Wes Bentley, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1979-09-04. Wes Bentley is an American actor.
Ron DeSantis is born
Ron DeSantis is born
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot is born
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenyan athlete, known for kenyan long-distance runner, was born on 1979-09-26.
Usher is born
Usher is born
Rachel McAdams is born
Rachel McAdams, Canadian actress, known for canadian actress, was born on 1979-11-17. Rachel Anne McAdams is a Canadian actress.
Tom Ellis is born
Tom Ellis, Welsh welsh actor, known for welsh actor, was born on 1979-11-17. Thomas John Ellis is a Welsh actor.
Katherine Heigl is born
Katherine Heigl, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-11-24. Katherine Heigl ( HY-gəl; born November 24, 1978) is an American actress and model. She portrayed Dr.
Nelly Furtado is born
Nelly Furtado, Canadian musician, known for canadian singer, was born on 1979-12-02. Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer and songwriter.
Neil Druckmann is born
Neil Druckmann, American video game designer, known for american video game designer, was born on 1979-12-05.
Manny Pacquiao is born
Manny Pacquiao athlete, known for filipino boxer and politician, was born on 1979-12-17. Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. is a Filipino professional boxer and former politician.
Katie Holmes is born
Katie Holmes, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-12-18. Kate Noelle Holmes is an American actress and filmmaker.
John Legend is born
John Legend, American singer, known for american singer, was born on 1979-12-28. John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record…
Heath Ledger is born
Heath Ledger, Australian actor, known for australian actor, was born on 1979-04-04. Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008) was an Australian actor.
Ted Cassidy dies
Ted Cassidy, American actor, known for american actor, died on 1979-01-16. Theodore Crawford Cassidy (July 31, 1932 – January 16, 1979) was an American actor.
Dennis Gabor dies
Dennis Gabor, British hungarian-british physicist, known for hungarian-british physicist, died on 1979-02-09.
Cyrus Eaton dies
Cyrus Eaton canadian-american banker, businessman and philanthropist, known for canadian-american banker, businessman and philanthropist, died on 1979-05-09. Cyrus Stephen Eaton Sr.
Events
Village People's "Y.M.C.A." becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day
Village People's "Y.M.C.A." becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day
BBC landmark nature series "Life on Earth" presented by David Attenborough first shown on BBC One
Life on Earth: A Natural History by David Attenborough is a British television natural history series made by the BBC in association with Warner Bros. Television and Reiner Moritz Productions.
Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 15 years in exile
Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Iran on 1 February 1979, after 14 years in exile, was an important event in the Iranian Revolution.
Actor Max Von Sydow (49) divorces actress Christina Olin after 28 years of marriage
Actor Max Von Sydow (49) divorces actress Christina Olin after 28 years of marriage
A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the US results in the release of radioactive gas and iodine
A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in the US results in the release of radioactive gas and iodine into the atmosphere, but no deaths
Tanzanian army captures Kampala, the capital of Uganda forcing Ugandan dictator Idi Amin to flee into exile in Libya
Idi Amin Dada Oumee (30 May 1928 – 16 August 2003) was a Ugandan military officer and politician who served as the third president of Uganda from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979.
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990.
The Cure release their debut album "Three Imaginary Boys" (Boys Don't Cry in US, Australia)
Boys Don't Cry is the Cure's first compilation album. Released in February 1980, this album is composed of several tracks from the band's May 1979 debut album Three Imaginary Boys (which had yet to…
Ixtoc I rig in the Gulf of Mexico blows out, spilling 3 million barrels of oil in one of the worst oil spills in history
Ixtoc I rig in the Gulf of Mexico blows out, spilling 3 million barrels of oil in one of the worst oil spills in history
Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" becomes No. 1 album in the US featuring "Take the Long Way Home"
Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" becomes No. 1 album in the US featuring "Take the Long Way Home"
"Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park: fans go wild destroying disco records and cause the White Sox to forfeit seco
"Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park: fans go wild destroying disco records and cause the White Sox to forfeit second game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers
American "All By Myself" singer-songwriter Eric Carmen (29) divorces wife Marcy Hill, after less than a year of marriage
American "All By Myself" singer-songwriter Eric Carmen (29) divorces wife Marcy Hill, after less than a year of marriage
British actor Peter O'Toole and Welsh actress Siân Phillips (46) divorce after nearly twenty years of marriage
British actor Peter O'Toole and Welsh actress Siân Phillips (46) divorce after nearly twenty years of marriage
"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and fun
"Monty Python's Life of Brian" directed by Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, and John Cleese, and funded by George Harrison's HandMade Films, premieres in US theaters
American singer Vikki Carr (39) weds businessman Michael Nilsson
American singer Vikki Carr (39) weds businessman Michael Nilsson
Lord Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and last Viceroy of India, is killed along
Lord Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and last Viceroy of India, is killed along with three companions, two of whom are children, by the IRA when his boat is blown up near Sligo, Ireland
MLB outfielder Tim Raines (20) weds his high school sweetheart Virginia Hilton
MLB outfielder Tim Raines (20) weds his high school sweetheart Virginia Hilton
Guinness Book of Records presents Paul McCartney with a rhodium disc as the all-time best-selling singer-songwriter
Guinness Book of Records presents Paul McCartney with a rhodium disc as the all-time best-selling singer-songwriter
Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini describes the United States as "The Great Satan" amid accusations of imperiali
Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini describes the United States as "The Great Satan" amid accusations of imperialism and the sponsoring of corruption
Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (57) weds photographer Jill Krementz (39)
Author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (57) weds photographer Jill Krementz (39)
Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast a game together for the first time, a pairing that lasts 22 years and becomes on
Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast a game together for the first time, a pairing that lasts 22 years and becomes one of the most well-known partnerships in TV sports broadcasting history
Pink Floyd's album "The Wall" is released and sells six million copies in two weeks
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965 by Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals) and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), with David...
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture," the first movie of the series, premieres, directed by Robert Wise and starring William
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture," the first movie of the series, premieres, directed by Robert Wise and starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle th
Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle the Budweiser Rocket (739.666 mph or Mach 1.01). The speed was never officially recorded and the attempt remains controversial.
After invading Afghanistan two days earlier, Soviet forces carry out a coup in Kabul and kill President Hafizullah Amin,
After invading Afghanistan two days earlier, Soviet forces carry out a coup in Kabul and kill President Hafizullah Amin, replacing him with Babrak Karmal
Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious's trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, begins in New York City
Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious's trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, begins in New York City
US State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to relatives of Kent State University shooting victims, in an out of court settl
US State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to relatives of Kent State University shooting victims, in an out of court settlement
Shapour Bakhtiar government established by the Shah in Iran, will preside until unrest in the country subsides
Shapour Bakhtiar government established by the Shah in Iran, will preside until unrest in the country subsides
Vietnamese forces capture Phnom Penh from Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
Argentina & Chile sign Beagle Canal accord
Argentina & Chile sign Beagle Canal accord
LA's Hillside Strangler, Kenneth Bianchi, arrested in Bellingham
Kenneth Alessio Bianchi is an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist. He is known for the Hillside Strangler murders which he committed with his cousin Angelo Buono Jr.
Charlie Daniels hosts Volunteer Jam
The Volunteer Jam is a sporadically held concert series headlined by the Charlie Daniels Band, featuring a multitude of musical acts that perform onstage with the band.
Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez beats WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino of Mexico in a 15-round split decisio
Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez beats WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino of Mexico in a 15-round split decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico; becomes two-division champion at the age of 20
USSR performs underground nuclear test
The Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), formally known as the 1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, prohibited all test detonations of nuclear...
Peter Jenkins finishes "A Walk Across America" at Florence, Oregon
Peter Jenkins finishes "A Walk Across America" at Florence, Oregon
John N Mitchell (former US Attorney General) released on parole from federal prison
John Newton Mitchell was the 67th attorney general of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He also was chairman of Nixon's 1968 and 1972 presidential campaigns.
Neptune becomes outermost planet (Pluto moves closer)
Neptune becomes outermost planet (Pluto moves closer)
10,000s UK public sector workers go on strike
10,000s UK public sector workers go on strike
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...
22.2-km Oshimizu railroad tunnel holed through, central Honshu, Japan
22.2-km Oshimizu railroad tunnel holed through, central Honshu, Japan
"The Dukes of Hazzard" premieres on US TV network CBS
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American action comedy television series created by Gy Waldron that aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985, with seven seasons consisting of 147 episodes.
Islanders ends 23 undefeated games at home streak (15-0-8)
Islanders ends 23 undefeated games at home streak (15-0-8)
Brenda Spencer (16) kills 2 adults and injures 8 children and a police officer in a San Diego, California schoolyard sho
Brenda Spencer (16) kills 2 adults and injures 8 children and a police officer in a San Diego, California schoolyard shooting; incident inspires Irish rockers Boomtown Rats' song "I Don't Like Mondays"
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) agrees to new constitution
Zimbabwe Rhodesia (), alternatively known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, also informally known as Zimbabwe or Rhodesia, was a short-lived unrecognised sovereign state that existed from 1 June 1979 to 18 April...
"Y.M.C.A." by Village People peaks at #2 on pop singles chart
"Y.M.C.A." is a song by American disco group Village People, written by Jacques Morali (also the record's producer) and singer Victor Willis and released in October 1978 by Casablanca Records as the...
"Co-Ed Fever," TV Comedy, debut & cancelled that outing on CBS
"Co-Ed Fever," TV Comedy, debut & cancelled that outing on CBS
Costliest single periodical ad, $3.2 million, Gulf + Western in Time
Costliest single periodical ad, $3.2 million, Gulf + Western in Time
Pakistan Supreme Court affirms the Lahore High Court's death sentence against former Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali
Pakistan Supreme Court affirms the Lahore High Court's death sentence against former Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
"Supertrain", TV Anthology, Superbomb of 1979, debuts on NBC
"Supertrain", TV Anthology, Superbomb of 1979, debuts on NBC
Denis Sassou-Nguesso becomes the President of the Republic of the Congo for the first time
Denis Sassou-Nguesso becomes the President of the Republic of the Congo for the first time
ABC airs "Heroes of Rock N Roll" special, featuring archival performances of 62 artists
ABC airs "Heroes of Rock N Roll" special, featuring archival performances of 62 artists
Beginning of James Clavell's novel "Whirlwind"
Beginning of James Clavell's novel "Whirlwind"
Kosmos 1076, the first Soviet oceanographic satellite, launches
Kosmos 1076, the first Soviet oceanographic satellite, launches
Formation of Guardian Angels crime fighters in New York City
Formation of Guardian Angels crime fighters in New York City
In Kabul, Muslims kidnap the American ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs who is later killed during a gunfight betwe
In Kabul, Muslims kidnap the American ambassador to Afghanistan, Adolph Dubs who is later killed during a gunfight between his kidnappers and police
-52°F (-47°C), Old Forge, New York (state record)
-52°F (-47°C), Old Forge, New York (state record)
11 'loyalists' known as the "Shankill Butchers" are sentenced to life in prison for 19 murders; the gang was named for i
11 'loyalists' known as the "Shankill Butchers" are sentenced to life in prison for 19 murders; the gang was named for its late-night kidnapping, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians in Belfast
2 Iowa girls HS basketball teams play 4 scoreless quarters game was won 4-2 in 4th overtime period
2 Iowa girls HS basketball teams play 4 scoreless quarters game was won 4-2 in 4th overtime period
Frank Peterson Jr named 1st black general in Marine Corps
Frank Peterson Jr named 1st black general in Marine Corps
Highest price ever paid for a pig is $42,500 in Stamford, Texas
Highest price ever paid for a pig is $42,500 in Stamford, Texas
Soyuz 32 carries 2 cosmonauts to Salyut 6 space station is launched
Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...
CBS' premiere of NYC sitcom "Flatbush", which received many derision phone calls about it from Brooklynites to CBS
CBS' premiere of NYC sitcom "Flatbush", which received many derision phone calls about it from Brooklynites to CBS
Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond" premieres in NYC
Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond" premieres in NYC
ESPN and NCAA come to an agreement giving the network worldwide multi-media rights to NCAA championships for various spo
ESPN and NCAA come to an agreement giving the network worldwide multi-media rights to NCAA championships for various sports
Iran resumes petroleum exports
Iran has a mixed, centrally planned economy with a large public sector. It consists of hydrocarbon, agricultural and service sectors, in addition to manufacturing and financial services, with over 40...
Baseball exhibition season opens with semi-pro & amateur umpires
Baseball exhibition season opens with semi-pro & amateur umpires
1st extraterrestrial volcano discovered on Jupiter's satellite Io
1st extraterrestrial volcano discovered on Jupiter's satellite Io
Eubie Blake, a 92-year old ragtime piano player and composer, and Gregory Hines are musical guest on Saturday Night Live
Eubie Blake, a 92-year old ragtime piano player and composer, and Gregory Hines are musical guest on Saturday Night Live
Randy Hold receives 67 min in penalties in a 60 min NHL hockey game
Randy Hold receives 67 min in penalties in a 60 min NHL hockey game
European Monetary System is established, ECU created
The European Monetary System (EMS) was a multilateral adjustable exchange rate agreement in which most of the nations of the European Economic Community (EEC) linked their currencies to prevent large...
Hawker Siddeley Trident plane crashes into a factory near Beijing, China, killing at least 200
The Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident (originally the de Havilland DH.121 and briefly the Airco DH.121) is a British airliner produced by Hawker Siddeley. In 1957, de Havilland proposed its DH.121...
Apparat releases Newdos + 2.1 for Radio Shack's TRS-80
The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by...
Ice Dance Championship at Vienna won by N Linichuk & G Karponosov USSR
Ice Dance Championship at Vienna won by N Linichuk & G Karponosov USSR
Battles between Kurds & Iranians break in Sananday, Iran
Battles between Kurds & Iranians break in Sananday, Iran
US House of Representatives begins live TV broadcasts via C-SPAN
Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN SEE-span) is an American cable and satellite television network, created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a nonprofit public service.
Egyptian Parliament unanimously approve peace treaty with Israel
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.
Israeli parliament approves peace treaty with Egypt
The Egypt–Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on 26 March 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.
Columbia flown on carrier aircraft lands at Kennedy Space Center
Columbia flown on carrier aircraft lands at Kennedy Space Center
AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, Old Dominion beat Louisiana Tech 75-65 in Greensboro
AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, Old Dominion beat Louisiana Tech 75-65 in Greensboro
US Supreme Court rules 8-1 that cops can't randomly stop cars
US Supreme Court rules 8-1 that cops can't randomly stop cars
Andrew Hilditch given out handled the ball v Pakistan at WACA
Handled the ball was formerly one of the methods of dismissing a batter in the sport of cricket, but was integrated into the Law on obstructing the field when the Laws of Cricket were rewritten in...
Montreal Canadiens beat visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3 to become just the 2nd team in NHL history to win 50 (or more)
Montreal Canadiens beat visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3 to become just the 2nd team in NHL history to win 50 (or more) games for 4 straight years
Iran proclaimed an Islamic Republic following fall of Shah
The history of Iran (also known as Persia) is intertwined with Greater Iran, which is a region encompassing all of the areas that have witnessed significant settlement or influence by the Iranian...
Belgium's Martens government forms
Belgium's Martens government forms
Ex-President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan is executed.
Murtaza Bhutto (18 September 1954 – 20 September 1996) was a Pakistani politician and leftist activist who led Al-Zulfiqar, a left-wing militant organization, against Zia-ul-Haq's military regime.
Henri La Mothe dives 28' into 12 3/8" of water
Henri La Mothe dives 28' into 12 3/8" of water
th & final episode of "All in the Family"; followed by "Archie Bunker's Place" for 4 seasons
th & final episode of "All in the Family"; followed by "Archie Bunker's Place" for 4 seasons
J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros pitches a complete game but sets a MLB record by throwing 6 wild pitches in 2-1 win
J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros pitches a complete game but sets a MLB record by throwing 6 wild pitches in 2-1 win over the LA Dodgers at the Astrodome
Christian Turks occupy St Jansbasiliek
Christian Turks occupy St Jansbasiliek
Susan Horvath, of Penn, crowned America's Young Woman of the Year
Susan Horvath, of Penn, crowned America's Young Woman of the Year
Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes the Montenegro and Albanian coast, killing 136 people
Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes the Montenegro and Albanian coast, killing 136 people
Failed Palestinian attack on Zaventem Airport, Belgium
Failed Palestinian attack on Zaventem Airport, Belgium
Four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are killed by a Provisional Irish Republican Army van bomb in Bessbrook, County
Four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are killed by a Provisional Irish Republican Army van bomb in Bessbrook, County Armagh; the bomb is believed to be the largest PIRA bomb used up to that point
"Real People" premieres on NBC TV
"Real People" premieres on NBC TV
FCC raids & shuts down pirate radio station WFAT (Brooklyn New York)
FCC raids & shuts down pirate radio station WFAT (Brooklyn New York)
Keyboardist Brent Mydland plays his first concert as a member of the Grateful Dead at the Spartan Stadium, San Jose, Cal
Keyboardist Brent Mydland plays his first concert as a member of the Grateful Dead at the Spartan Stadium, San Jose, California
Fighting in London between the Anti-Nazi League and the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group results in the death of
Fighting in London between the Anti-Nazi League and the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group results in the death of protester Blair Peach
Rhodesian bishop Abel Muzorewa wins general election
Rhodesian bishop Abel Muzorewa wins general election
Peace treaty between Israel & Egypt goes into effect
The Egypt–Israel peace treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on 26 March 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.
-May 10] Vivekananda (Sri Lanka) begins nonstop ride, cycling 187 hrs, 28 min, around Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, Sr
-May 10] Vivekananda (Sri Lanka) begins nonstop ride, cycling 187 hrs, 28 min, around Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka
NFL Draft: Tom Cousineau from Ohio State first pick by Buffalo Bills
Thomas Michael Cousineau is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the...
Masterpiece Radio Theater begins broadcasting
Masterpiece Radio Theater begins broadcasting
American Fred Markham (22) sets a bicycle speed record of 81.8 kph (50.8 mph) over 200 meter course
American Fred Markham (22) sets a bicycle speed record of 81.8 kph (50.8 mph) over 200 meter course
5th UNCTAD-conference opens in Manila
5th UNCTAD-conference opens in Manila
Radio Shack releases TRSDOS 2.3
TRSDOS (which stands for the Tandy Radio Shack Disk Operating System) is the operating system for the Tandy TRS-80 line of eight-bit Zilog Z80 microcomputers that were sold through Radio Shack from...
Iranian-Jewish businessman Habib Elghanian is the 1st Jew executed by the Islamic government firing squad in Tehran, pro
Iranian-Jewish businessman Habib Elghanian is the 1st Jew executed by the Islamic government firing squad in Tehran, prompting the mass exodus of the once 100,000-strong Jewish community of Iran
Federated States of Micronesia becomes self-governing
The Federated States of Micronesia (abbreviated FSM), or simply Micronesia, is an island country in Micronesia, a region of Oceania.
"Utter Glory... Morrissey Hall" opens & closes at Mark Hellinger NYC
"Utter Glory... Morrissey Hall" opens & closes at Mark Hellinger NYC
"Kids Are All Right" rockumentary film featuring The Who premieres at the Cannes Film Festival
"Kids Are All Right" rockumentary film featuring The Who premieres at the Cannes Film Festival
MLB National League approves sale of Houston Astros by Ford Motors to John J McMullen for $19M
MLB National League approves sale of Houston Astros by Ford Motors to John J McMullen for $19M
Coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii: 12°F (-11°C), on the Big Island at Mauna Kea Observatory, elevation 13,796
Coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii: 12°F (-11°C), on the Big Island at Mauna Kea Observatory, elevation 13,796 feet
"In The Navy" single by Village People hits #3
"In The Navy" single by Village People hits #3
1st edition of "Wisden Cricket Monthly"
1st edition of "Wisden Cricket Monthly"
32nd Cannes Film Festival: "Apocalypse Now" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and "Die Biechtrommel" directed by Volker S
32nd Cannes Film Festival: "Apocalypse Now" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and "Die Biechtrommel" directed by Volker Schlondorff jointly awarded the Palme d'Or
American Airlines DC-10 crashes on takeoff from Chicago killing 273 including 2 on the ground
Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 was a scheduled flight on September 25, 1978 by Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN), with a stopover at Los Angeles (LAX).
CBS premiere of Melissa Anderson's modern "Survival of Dana", her first "bad girl" role, in which Anderson's title chara
CBS premiere of Melissa Anderson's modern "Survival of Dana", her first "bad girl" role, in which Anderson's title character leaves her North Dakota town for Los Angeles after her parents' divorce
Percom Data Company Inc release Microdos for Radio Shack's TRS-80
The TRS-80 Micro Computer System (TRS-80, colloquially known as the "Trash-80", later renamed the TRS-80 Model I to distinguish it from its successors) is a desktop microcomputer developed by...
Radio City Music Hall (NYC) reopens
Radio City Music Hall (also known as Radio City) is an entertainment venue and theater at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York...
33rd Tony Awards: "The Elephant Man" (play) and "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (musical) win
33rd Tony Awards: "The Elephant Man" (play) and "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (musical) win
Seychelles adopts constitution
The Constitution of Seychelles is the governing document of the Republic of Seychelles. 18 June, the anniversary of its ratification, is celebrated in Seychelles as "Constitution Day".
th running of horse's Derby in England
th running of horse's Derby in England
52nd National Spelling Bee: Katie Kerwin wins spelling maculature
52nd National Spelling Bee: Katie Kerwin wins spelling maculature
"The Source" goes online, the first public computer information service
"The Source" goes online, the first public computer information service
Michael Cairney topples a record row of 169,713 dominoes
Michael Cairney topples a record row of 169,713 dominoes
Baltimore Orioles pull their 8th triple play (5-4-3 vs Cleveland)
Baltimore Orioles pull their 8th triple play (5-4-3 vs Cleveland)
Bryan Allen flies a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Albatross over English Channel, taking 2 hrs, 49 min [1]
Bryan Allen flies a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Albatross over English Channel, taking 2 hrs, 49 min [1]
First space shuttle SRB qualification test firing lasts 122 seconds
First space shuttle SRB qualification test firing lasts 122 seconds
Billy Martin becomes Yankee manager (2nd time), replacing Bob Lemon
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
"My Sharona" single released by The Knack
"My Sharona" () is the debut single by American power pop band the Knack. The song was written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger, and it was released in 1979 from their debut album, Get the Knack.
OPEC raises oil prices 24%
In October 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) announced that it was implementing a total oil embargo against countries that had supported Israel at any point during...
Mascot San Diego Chicken is reborn at Jack Murphy Stadium
Mascot San Diego Chicken is reborn at Jack Murphy Stadium
"Good Times" single released by Chic (Billboard Song of the Year 1979)
"Good Times" is a disco soul song by American R&B band Chic, released in June 1979 by Atlantic Records as the first single from their third album, Risqué (1979).
Sony introduces the Walkman, first popular portable cassette player
Walkman is a brand of portable audio players manufactured by Sony since 1979. It was originally introduced as a portable cassette player and later expanded to include a range of portable audio...
IRA bomb explodes in British consulate in Antwerp
IRA bomb explodes in British consulate in Antwerp
USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
Don Martina's MAN party wins election in Dutch Antilles
Don Martina's MAN party wins election in Dutch Antilles
A car bomb destroys a Renault owned by famed "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld at their home in France. A note pu
A car bomb destroys a Renault owned by famed "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld at their home in France. A note purportedly from ODESSA claims responsibility.
US Skylab enters atmosphere over Australia and disintegrates
Skylab was the United States' first space station, launched by NASA, occupied for about 24 weeks between May 1973 and February 1974.
USSR performs nuclear test
USSR performs nuclear test
Morarji Desai resigns as Prime Minister of India
The prime minister of India is the chief executive of the Government of India and chair of the Union Council of Ministers.
Price of gold hits record $303.85 an ounce in London
Gold is a chemical element; its chemical symbol is Au (from Latin aurum) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a bright-metallic-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal.
2 supertankers collide off Tobago-260,000 tons of oil spill
2 supertankers collide off Tobago-260,000 tons of oil spill
A 44 kg Newfoundland dog pulls a 2,293 kg load in Bothell, Washington
A 44 kg Newfoundland dog pulls a 2,293 kg load in Bothell, Washington
National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring American women is dedicated in Seneca Falls, NY
National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring American women is dedicated in Seneca Falls, NY
cm of rainfall in Alvin, Texas (state record)
Alvin is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area and Brazoria County. As of the 2020 census, Alvin had a population of 27,098.
Estimated 109 cm (43 inches) of rain falls in Alvin, Texas (national record)
Estimated 109 cm (43 inches) of rain falls in Alvin, Texas (national record)
France performs a nuclear test
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates of Israel's stockpile range from 90 to 400 warheads, and the country is believed to possess a nuclear triad of delivery options: by...
Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo forms a government in Portugal
Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo forms a government in Portugal
MLB New York Mets purchase contract of outfielder José Cardenal from Philadelphia Phillies between games of a double-hea
MLB New York Mets purchase contract of outfielder José Cardenal from Philadelphia Phillies between games of a double-header between the two teams
Fastest jai-alai shot at 188 mph (302.5 km/h) by José Arieto at Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island
Fastest jai-alai shot at 188 mph (302.5 km/h) by José Arieto at Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island
USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
USSR performs a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
Government of Mauritania signs peace treaty with Polisario
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro, better known by its acronym Polisario Front, is a Sahrawi nationalist liberation movement seeking to end the occupation of...
Marcus Hooper, 12, becomes the youngest person to swim across the English Channel
Marcus Hooper, 12, becomes the youngest person to swim across the English Channel
English seaside resort Brighton gets first British nudist beach
Brighton (BRY-tən) is a seaside resort in the unitary authority area of Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, England, 47 miles (76 km) south of London.
28°F (-2.22°C) in Embarrass, Minnesota
28°F (-2.22°C) in Embarrass, Minnesota
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
MLB St. Louis Cardinals' Lou Brock becomes the 14th MLB player to achieve 3,000 hits
MLB St. Louis Cardinals' Lou Brock becomes the 14th MLB player to achieve 3,000 hits
A rainbow is seen in the north of Wales for a three-hour duration
A rainbow is seen in the north of Wales for a three-hour duration
Andrew Young resigns as US ambassador to the United Nations
Andrew Jackson Young Jr. is an American politician, diplomat, and activist. Beginning his career as a pastor, Young was an early leader in the civil rights movement, serving as executive director of...
"My Sharona" by The Knack hits #1 and stays at the top for 6 weeks
"My Sharona" by The Knack hits #1 and stays at the top for 6 weeks
India's Premier Charan Singh resigns
Chaudhary Charan Singh (23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987) was an Indian politician, peasant leader, author and an independence activist who briefly served as the prime minister of India from July 1979...
Mets win a protested game against Astros 5-0
The 1979 Houston Astros season was the 18th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 15th as the Astros, 18th in the National League (NL), 11th in the NL...
Black leaders meet in New York to support Andrew Young
Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is a member of the House of Windsor.
Iranian army opens offensive against Kurds
Kurds, or the Kurdish people, are an Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq,...
60,916 NFL fans choose the old Patriots logo over the new
60,916 NFL fans choose the old Patriots logo over the new
California Angels trounce Toronto Blue Jays 24-2
California Angels trounce Toronto Blue Jays 24-2
IRA bomb explodes in Brussels' Grand Place
IRA bomb explodes in Brussels' Grand Place
Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
First recorded occurrence of a comet hitting the Sun releases energy equal to one million hydrogen bombs
First recorded occurrence of a comet hitting the Sun releases energy equal to one million hydrogen bombs
Comet Howard-Koomur-Michels collides with Sun
Comet Howard-Koomur-Michels collides with Sun
Debbie Boone & Gabriel Ferrer wed in LA
Debbie Boone & Gabriel Ferrer wed in LA
US Men's Amateur Golf Championship, Canterbury GC: Mark O'Meara wins 8 & 7 over John Cook
US Men's Amateur Golf Championship, Canterbury GC: Mark O'Meara wins 8 & 7 over John Cook
Hurricane David, a strong Atlantic storm, kills over 1,000 people
Hurricane Hugo was a powerful tropical cyclone that inflicted widespread destruction across the northeastern Caribbean and the Southeastern United States in September 1989.
Jerry Lewis's 14th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $30,000,000
Jerry Lewis's 14th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $30,000,000
India needs 438 to win against England; game ends at 8-429
India needs 438 to win against England; game ends at 8-429
Canada puts its first gold bullion coin on sale
The sovereign is a British gold coin with a nominal value of one pound sterling (£1) and contains 0.2354 troy ounces (113.0 gr; 7.32 g) of pure gold.
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) launches; the first show is SportsCenter
SportsCenter (SC) is an American television sports news broadcasting show broadcast by ESPN.
The US performs a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...
31st Emmy Awards: "Taxi," "Lou Grant," Ron Leibman, and Ruth Gordon win
31st Emmy Awards: "Taxi," "Lou Grant," Ron Leibman, and Ruth Gordon win
Three Puerto Rican nationalists who attempted to kill Truman are freed
On November 1, 1950, Puerto Rican secessionists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman at the Blair House during the renovation of the White House.
An 8.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
An 8.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
Boston Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski gets his 3,000th hit off NY Yankee Jim Beattie
Boston Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski gets his 3,000th hit off NY Yankee Jim Beattie
China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC
China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC
The film "Quadrophenia", loosely based on The Who's 1973 rock opera of the same name, is released
The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer...
Red Sox Bob Watson is 1st to hit for cycle in AL & NL (Astros)
Red Sox Bob Watson is 1st to hit for cycle in AL & NL (Astros)
"Rapper's Delight," the debut single by hip-hop trio Sugar Hill Gang, is released by Sugar Hill Records
"Rapper's Delight" is a 1979 rap song that serves as the debut single of American hip-hop trio the Sugarhill Gang, produced by Sylvia Robinson.
Pietro Mennea runs a world record 200 m in 19.72 seconds
Pietro Paolo Mennea, nicknamed la Freccia del Sud ("the Arrow of the South"), was an Italian sprinter and politician.
Royals' George Brett becomes the 6th player to have 20 doubles, triples, and home runs in a season
Royals' George Brett becomes the 6th player to have 20 doubles, triples, and home runs in a season
Briitish rock band "The Who" plays first of five concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Briitish rock band "The Who" plays first of five concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Assassination of French left-wing militant Pierre Goldman
Assassination of French left-wing militant Pierre Goldman
José Eduardo dos Santos becomes President of Angola
José Eduardo dos Santos was an Angolan politician and military officer who served as the second president of Angola from 1979 to 2017.
Israel performs a nuclear test at Indian Ocean
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates of Israel's stockpile range from 90 to 400 warheads, and the country is believed to possess a nuclear triad of delivery options: by...
MLB St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock steals his 938th and final base of his career
MLB St. Louis Cardinals legend Lou Brock steals his 938th and final base of his career
CompuServe begins offering a dial-up online information service to consumers, marketed as MicroNET [1]
CompuServe begins offering a dial-up online information service to consumers, marketed as MicroNET [1]
MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Pete Rose reaches 200 hits in a season for the 10th time
MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Pete Rose reaches 200 hits in a season for the 10th time
California Angels win their first AL West pennant
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, within the Greater Los Angeles area.
Summer Los Angeles Olympic coverage is sold to ABC for $225 million
Summer Los Angeles Olympic coverage is sold to ABC for $225 million
"Message In A Bottle" single by The Police peaks at #1 in UK
"Message in a Bottle" is a song by British rock band the Police. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Reggatta de Blanc (1979).
Milwaukee Brewers lose 5-0, ending 213 consecutive games without a shutout
Milwaukee Brewers lose 5-0, ending 213 consecutive games without a shutout
Nigeria adopts a constitution, and Alhaji Shagari becomes president
The president of Nigeria, officially the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the head of state and head of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hugh Leonards "Life" premieres in Dublin
Hugh Leonard (9 November 1926 – 12 February 2009) was an Irish playwright and author.
Harry Drake sets the long-distance footbow shot record of 2,006 yards 1 foot 9 inches (1,834.82 meters)
Harry Drake sets the long-distance footbow shot record of 2,006 yards 1 foot 9 inches (1,834.82 meters)
Cleveland Browns' Dino Hall sets a club record with 9 kickoff returns
Cleveland Browns' Dino Hall sets a club record with 9 kickoff returns
Frank Mahovlich formally retires from the NHL after a failed comeback attempt with the Detroit Red Wings
The Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, formally Le Club de Hockey Canadien, was founded on December 4, 1909. The Canadiens are the oldest professional hockey franchise in the world.
Howard Stern begins broadcasting on WCCC in Hartford, Connecticut
Howard Allan Stern is an American broadcaster, comedian, and media personality. He is best known for his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated...
An unprecedented 2.9 inches of snow is measured in Central Park in New York City
An unprecedented 2.9 inches of snow is measured in Central Park in New York City
Rock band Fleetwood Mac gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Fleetwood Mac were a British and American rock band formed in London in 1967 by singer and guitarist Peter Green.
Allan McLeod Cormack & Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield win Nobel Prize for medicine for developing CAT scan
Allan McLeod Cormack & Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield win Nobel Prize for medicine for developing CAT scan
,000 demonstrate in Bonn against nuclear energy
,000 demonstrate in Bonn against nuclear energy
D. Bautista of Mexico completes a 20,000 m walk in a record time of 1:20:06.8
D. Bautista of Mexico completes a 20,000 m walk in a record time of 1:20:06.8
American John Tate beats local favorite Gerrie Coetzee by UD in 15 rounds in Pretoria, South Africa, for the vacant WBA
American John Tate beats local favorite Gerrie Coetzee by UD in 15 rounds in Pretoria, South Africa, for the vacant WBA heavyweight boxing title
"One Mo' Time" with Vernel Bagners premieres in NYC
"One Mo' Time" with Vernel Bagners premieres in NYC
Billy Martin punches a marshmallow salesman, resulting in him being fired by the New York Yankees
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
USSR performs underground nuclear test
USSR performs underground nuclear test
Park Chung-hee, President of South Korea is assassinated by KCIA head Kim Jae-kyu. Choi Kyu-ha becomes the acting Presid
Park Chung-hee, President of South Korea is assassinated by KCIA head Kim Jae-kyu. Choi Kyu-ha becomes the acting President; Kim is executed the following May.
Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
Dick Howser, the best Yankees manager by win-loss percentage (.636), returns to New York, replacing Billy Martin
Dick Howser, the best Yankees manager by win-loss percentage (.636), returns to New York, replacing Billy Martin
Billy Martin is fired as Yankees manager for the second time
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
NASA launches the space vehicle S-203
NASA launches the space vehicle S-203
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan wins the American League Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
Bolivia military coup under General Busch, President Guevara flees
Bolivia military coup under General Busch, President Guevara flees
Peter Shaffer's musical "Amadeus" premieres in London
Amadeus is a play by Peter Shaffer which gives a fictional account of the lives of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, imagining a rivalry between the two at the court of Joseph...
Five people mortally wounded during anti-Ku Klux Klan demonstration in NC
Five people mortally wounded during anti-Ku Klux Klan demonstration in NC
Iran government of Bazargan resigns
Mehdi Bazargan was an Iranian scholar, academic, long-time pro-democracy activist and head of Iran's interim government.
MLB Chicago Cubs reliever Bruce Sutter wins NL Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
ABC broadcasts "Iran Crisis: American Held Hostage" with Frank Reynolds, a forerunner to "Nightline"
ABC broadcasts "Iran Crisis: American Held Hostage" with Frank Reynolds, a forerunner to "Nightline"
False alarm of a Soviet ballistic missile attack by US NORAD system after technician fails to code a test properly
False alarm of a Soviet ballistic missile attack by US NORAD system after technician fails to code a test properly
Train detrailment in Mississauga, Ontario; a 106 car train derails causing the evacuation of 200,000 people
Train detrailment in Mississauga, Ontario; a 106 car train derails causing the evacuation of 200,000 people
Boston Court issues occupancy permit for Cambridge Buddhist Center
Boston Court issues occupancy permit for Cambridge Buddhist Center
Tony Franklin of Philadelphia Eagles kicks 59-yard field goal
Tony Franklin of Philadelphia Eagles kicks 59-yard field goal
British newspaper "The Times" resumes publishing after 1 year
The Times is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register, adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788.
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, premieres in the
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, premieres in the United States
Chuck Berry released from prison for income tax evasion conviction
Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter; and one of the pioneers of rock and roll.
Houston Astros sign Nolan Ryan to a record four-year $4.5 million contract
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr., nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive.
First artificial blood transfusion occurs at the University of Minnesota Hospital in the US when a patient refuses a con
First artificial blood transfusion occurs at the University of Minnesota Hospital in the US when a patient refuses a conventional blood transfusion due to religious beliefs and receives the blood substitute Fluosol
Crowd at Islamabad, Pakistan attack US embassy, 1 dies
Crowd at Islamabad, Pakistan attack US embassy, 1 dies
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, concludes in the
"Salem's Lot", American two-part miniseries based on the horror novel of the same name by Stephen King, concludes in the United States
Israel returns Alma oilfields in Gulf of Suez to Egypt
Israel returns Alma oilfields in Gulf of Suez to Egypt
Intl Olympic Committee votes to readmit China after 21 years
Intl Olympic Committee votes to readmit China after 21 years
1st day-night one-day cricket international, Australia v WI at SCG
1st day-night one-day cricket international, Australia v WI at SCG
Air New Zealand DC-10 crashes into Mt. Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers, making it New Zealand's deadlie
Air New Zealand DC-10 crashes into Mt. Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers, making it New Zealand's deadliest peacetime disaster
Crowds attack US embassy in Tripoli, Libya
Crowds attack US embassy in Tripoli, Libya
11 members of the audience trampled to death during a stampede to claim unreserved seats for a concert by The Who at The
11 members of the audience trampled to death during a stampede to claim unreserved seats for a concert by The Who at The Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey # 7, Bingo Smith
The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland.
Piet Dankert appointed as chairman of European Parliament
Piet Dankert appointed as chairman of European Parliament
Geoff Boycott scores cricket century in a limited-over international
Sir Geoffrey Boycott is a former Test cricketer, who played cricket for Yorkshire and England.
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
British rocker David Bowie performs three songs on American television program Saturday Night Live - "The Man Who Sold t
British rocker David Bowie performs three songs on American television program Saturday Night Live - "The Man Who Sold the World", "TVC-15" and "Boys Keep Swinging"
Budweiser rocket car reaches 1190 km/h (739.66 mph) but is widely disputed because the speed is not measured under offic
Budweiser rocket car reaches 1190 km/h (739.66 mph) but is widely disputed because the speed is not measured under official land speed record conditions, and the methodology is questionable
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Behn Wilson scores with 4:08 remaining in regulation to earn a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburg
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Behn Wilson scores with 4:08 remaining in regulation to earn a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins and equal NHL record for longest undefeated streak of 28 games; go on to break record and extend to 35 games
Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as his Atlanta Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he
Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as his Atlanta Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he is benched by coach Al MacNeil; record eventually broken by Doug Jarvis (964)
NY Islanders greatest shutout lose (8-0) vs Chicago Black Hawks
NY Islanders greatest shutout lose (8-0) vs Chicago Black Hawks
First Ariane rocket launched
Ariane is a series of European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. The name comes from the French spelling of the mythological character Ariadne.
Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 2nd consecutive trophy as best football player in Europe; b
Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 2nd consecutive trophy as best football player in Europe; beats Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ajax sweeper Ruud Krol
Soviet special forces take over the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan
Soviet special forces take over the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan
Red Army beats NY Islanders 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum
Red Army beats NY Islanders 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum
English Progressive rock group, Emerson, Lake & Palmer break up
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970.
Famous Births
birth
Drew Brees is born
Drew Brees, American athlete, known for american football player and television analyst, was born on 1979-01-15.
birth
Brian O'Driscoll is born
Brian O'Driscoll, New Zealand athlete, known for ireland and british & irish lions rugby union player, was born on 1979-01-21.
birth
Rosamund Pike is born
Rosamund Pike, English actress and producer, known for english actress and producer, was born on 1979-01-27. Rosamund Mary Ellen Pike is an English actress and producer.
birth
Danai Gurira is born
Danai Gurira, American zimbabwean-american actress, known for zimbabwean-american actress, was born on 1979-02-14.
birth
Louise Woodward is born
Louise Woodward, British criminal case of 1997 baby death by british au pair, known for american criminal case of 1997 baby death by british au pair, was born on 1979-02-28.
birth
Jensen Ackles is born
Jensen Ackles, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1979-03-01. Jensen Ross Ackles is an American actor and musician.
birth
Didier Drogba is born
Didier Drogba, French athlete, known for ivorian footballer, was born on 1979-03-11. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a striker.
birth
Perez Hilton is born
Perez Hilton blogger, known for american blogger, was born on 1979-03-23. Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, is an American blogger, columnist, and media personality.
birth
Chris Stapleton is born
Chris Stapleton, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1979-04-15. Christopher Alvin Stapleton is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
birth
David Krumholtz is born
David Krumholtz is born
birth
Katie Price is born
Katie Price, English television personality, model, and singer, known for english television personality, model, and singer, was born on 1979-05-22.
birth
Maria Menounos is born
Maria Menounos, American american-greek television host, known for american-greek television host, was born on 1979-06-08. Maria Menounos is an American television host.
birth
Miroslav Klose is born
Miroslav Klose, German athlete, known for german football manager, was born on 1979-06-09.
birth
Zoe Saldaña is born
Zoe Saldaña, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-06-19. Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego, known professionally as Zoe Saldaña, is an American actress.
birth
James Corden is born
James Corden, English actor and comedian, known for english actor and comedian, was born on 1979-08-22.
birth
Wes Bentley is born
Wes Bentley, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1979-09-04. Wes Bentley is an American actor.
birth
Ron DeSantis is born
Ron DeSantis is born
birth
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot is born
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenyan athlete, known for kenyan long-distance runner, was born on 1979-09-26.
birth
Usher is born
Usher is born
birth
Rachel McAdams is born
Rachel McAdams, Canadian actress, known for canadian actress, was born on 1979-11-17. Rachel Anne McAdams is a Canadian actress.
birth
Tom Ellis is born
Tom Ellis, Welsh welsh actor, known for welsh actor, was born on 1979-11-17. Thomas John Ellis is a Welsh actor.
birth
Katherine Heigl is born
Katherine Heigl, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-11-24. Katherine Heigl ( HY-gəl; born November 24, 1978) is an American actress and model. She portrayed Dr.
birth
Nelly Furtado is born
Nelly Furtado, Canadian musician, known for canadian singer, was born on 1979-12-02. Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer and songwriter.
birth
Neil Druckmann is born
Neil Druckmann, American video game designer, known for american video game designer, was born on 1979-12-05.
birth
Manny Pacquiao is born
Manny Pacquiao athlete, known for filipino boxer and politician, was born on 1979-12-17. Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. is a Filipino professional boxer and former politician.
birth
Katie Holmes is born
Katie Holmes, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-12-18. Kate Noelle Holmes is an American actress and filmmaker.
birth
John Legend is born
John Legend, American singer, known for american singer, was born on 1979-12-28. John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record…
birth
Heath Ledger is born
Heath Ledger, Australian actor, known for australian actor, was born on 1979-04-04. Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008) was an Australian actor.
Notable Deaths
death
Ted Cassidy dies
Ted Cassidy, American actor, known for american actor, died on 1979-01-16. Theodore Crawford Cassidy (July 31, 1932 – January 16, 1979) was an American actor.
death
Dennis Gabor dies
Dennis Gabor, British hungarian-british physicist, known for hungarian-british physicist, died on 1979-02-09.
death
Cyrus Eaton dies
Cyrus Eaton canadian-american banker, businessman and philanthropist, known for canadian-american banker, businessman and philanthropist, died on 1979-05-09. Cyrus Stephen Eaton Sr.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1979?
- In 1979, there were 259 significant historical events. Notable events include International Year of the Child begins (declared by UNESCO), Village People's "Y.M.C.A." becomes their only UK #1 single; at its peak, it sells over 150,000 copies per day, BBC landmark nature series "Life on Earth" presented by David Attenborough first shown on BBC One.
- Who was born in 1979?
- 28 notable figures were born in 1979, including Drew Brees is born, Brian O'Driscoll is born, Rosamund Pike is born.
- Who died in 1979?
- 3 notable figures passed away in 1979, including Ted Cassidy dies, Dennis Gabor dies, Cyrus Eaton dies.