World Events in 1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes Prime Minister
The Conservative Party won the general election on 3 May and Thatcher became Britain's first female Prime Minister. Standing on the steps of Downing Street, she quoted St Francis of Assisi: 'Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.'
Iranian Revolution — the Shah falls
Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled Iran in January after months of mass protests. Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile in February to establish an Islamic republic, fundamentally reshaping Middle Eastern politics for decades to come.
Iran hostage crisis begins
On 4 November, Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and took 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. The crisis lasted 444 days, humiliated President Carter, and poisoned US-Iranian relations permanently.
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan on Christmas Day to prop up the faltering communist government. The resulting decade-long war killed over a million Afghans, contributed to the Soviet Union's collapse, and sowed the seeds of future conflicts in the region.
The Winter of Discontent
A wave of public sector strikes over the winter of 1978-79 brought Britain to its knees. Rubbish piled in the streets, schools closed, and in some areas the dead went unburied, fatally undermining James Callaghan's Labour government.
Lord Mountbatten assassinated by the IRA
Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cousin of the Queen and last Viceroy of India, was killed by an IRA bomb on his fishing boat in County Sligo on 27 August. On the same day, 18 British soldiers were killed in an ambush at Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland.
Music in 1979
"Heart of Glass"
Blondie
Debbie Harry and Blondie's infectious fusion of new wave and disco topped the UK charts for four weeks, marking their breakthrough and the beginning of their imperial phase.
"My Sharona"
The Knack
This power-pop classic spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the best-selling US single of 1979, its driving riff becoming one of the most recognisable in rock history.
#1 Film of 1979
Kramer vs. Kramer
Box Office: $106 million
Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep starred in this domestic drama about a custody battle that reflected changing attitudes towards marriage and parenting. It won five Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Born in 1979
Adam Levine
Maroon 5 frontman and The Voice coach
Heath Ledger
Australian actor, posthumous Oscar winner for The Dark Knight
Brandy Norwood
R&B singer and actress (Moesha, Cinderella)
Kate Hudson
Actress (Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)
Norah Jones
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and pianist (Come Away with Me)
Lost in 1979
Lord Mountbatten
Last Viceroy of India, Supreme Allied Commander, and cousin to the Queen
Age 79
John Wayne
Iconic American film star and Western legend
Age 72
Sid Vicious
Sex Pistols bassist and punk icon
Age 21
Airey Neave
War hero, MP, and close ally of Margaret Thatcher
Age 63
Technology in 1979
The Sony Walkman launched in July, revolutionising personal music listening and changing the way people experienced their daily commute. VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, appeared on the Apple II and gave businesses a reason to buy personal computers. Usenet was created, foreshadowing internet forums.
- ● Sony Walkman (TPS-L2) goes on sale in Japan on 1 July
- ● VisiCalc spreadsheet software released for Apple II
- ● Usenet is established, a precursor to internet forums
- ● Pac-Man developed by Namco (released in Japan May 1980)
Cost of Living in 1979
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £19,925 | $58,500 |
| Average salary | £5,400 | $16,500 |
| Pint of milk | 13p | $0.48 |
| Loaf of bread | 30p | $0.40 |
| Dozen eggs | 50p | $0.85 |
| Pint of beer | 36p | $1.20 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 90p | $0.86 |
| Cinema ticket | 95p | $2.51 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1979
The Winter of Discontent saw uncollected rubbish piling in the streets and the dead going unburied as public sector strikes paralysed Britain. Disco backlash reached its peak with the notorious 'Disco Demolition Night' in Chicago. Punk fractured into post-punk, Two-Tone ska, and synth-pop. Fashion was in transition — safety pins and mohawks coexisted with power dressing. Nottingham Forest, managed by Brian Clough, won the European Cup.
In the News in 1979
Airey Neave, Margaret Thatcher's close ally, was assassinated by the INLA in a car bomb at the House of Commons car park. Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb while boating in Ireland. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.