1979 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	19th century – 20th century – 21st century
Decades:	1940s 1950s 1960s – 1970s – 1980s 1990s 2000s
Years:	1976 1977 1978 – 1979 – 1980 1981 1982

1979 was a busy year with many important events around the world. Space probes explored distant planets, new countries gained independence, and popular movies and songs were released. It was a time of big changes and new beginnings.

Exciting Events of 1979
Famous People Born in 1979
Notable People Who Passed Away in 1979
Nobel Prize Winners of 1979
Popular Movies Released in 1979
Hit Songs of 1979
New Books of 1979
Images for kids
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Exciting Events of 1979

Picture of Jupiter taken by Voyager 1

January 4 – The state of Ohio agreed to pay money to families affected by the Kent State shootings.
February 1 – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Tehran, Iran, after almost 15 years away.
March 4 – The U.S. Voyager 1 spacecraft sent back amazing photos showing Jupiter has rings!
April 1 – Iran officially became an Islamic Republic after a public vote. This changed the government from a Shah (king) to a republic.
May 1 – Greenland gained more control over its own government from Denmark. Its new Parliament started meeting in Nuuk.
June 18 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II agreement in Vienna. This agreement aimed to limit nuclear weapons.
July 16 – In Iraq, President Hasan al-Bakr stepped down, and Saddam Hussein took his place.
August 3 – The leader of Equatorial Guinea, Francisco Macías Nguema, was removed from power by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
September 1 – The American Pioneer 11 spacecraft became the first to visit Saturn. It flew very close to the planet!
September 7 – The Chrysler Corporation, a big car company, asked the United States government for a lot of money to avoid going out of business.
September 7 – ESPN, a popular sports television channel, started broadcasting.
September 16 – Three families managed to escape from East Germany by using a hot air balloon.
September 20 – French soldiers helped David Dacko to remove Bokassa from power.
October 14 – A large gay rights march took place in Washington, DC, with thousands of people supporting equal rights.
October 16 – A tsunami hit the coastal town of Nice, France, causing many deaths.
October 21 – In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a group of radicals took over the Grand Mosque. The Saudi Arabian army had to step in to remove them.
October 26 – South Korean president Park Chung Hee was killed by the head of the KCIA.
October 27 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became an independent country.
October 29 – Pope John Paul II visited Ireland.
November 5 – The radio news program Morning Edition began on National Public Radio in the United States.
December 5 – Jack Lynch resigned as the leader of Ireland, and Charles Haughey took over.
December 15 – Chris Haney and Scott Abbott created the popular board game Trivial Pursuit.