1979 World Netball Championships
Australia, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago shared the title as there were no finals, instead the top 10 teams playing off in a round robin. Each of the top three teams won eight out of nine matches, losing once, to one of the other two: New Zealand defeated Trinidad and Tobago 49–33; Trinidad and Tobago defeated Australia 40–38; and Australia defeated New Zealand 38–36. The tournament rules of the time did not provide a way of determining an outright winner under the circumstances, so the three teams shared the title.


1979 World Orienteering Championships
The 1979 World Orienteering Championships, the 8th World Orienteering Championships, were held in Tampere, Finland, 2–4 September 1979.


1979 World Orienteering Championships
The championships had four events; individual contests for men and women, and relays for men and women.


1979 World Rally Championship
The 1979 World Rally Championship was the seventh season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) World Rally Championship (WRC). The season consisted of 12 rallies, one more than the previous year. The addition marked the return to New Zealand, an event which would remain on the schedule through today.


1979 World Rally Championship
1979 marked the first season for the new World Rally Championship for Drivers. This successor to the preceding FIA Cup for Rally Drivers was aligned with the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers. Both championships used the same schedule of events for accumulating points toward the titles, although the point awarding methods were different for each. Manufacturers continued to receive points under the system adopted in 1977, in which points were garnered for both placement overall and placement within the car's group.


1979 World Rally Championship
Only the top finishing car from each manufacturer would garner points, and regardless of group finish, an overall finish of 10th or better was required to obtain points. Drivers were awarded points on the former system, simply based on overall finish, from 20 points for 1st place to 1 point for 10th place.


1979 World Rally Championship
After several years of competitive but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to seize the championship, Ford finally gathered its first WRC manufacturer's title. A strong season which included five rally wins gave it the edge over new challenger Datsun, whose 160J (Violet) proved successful, and former champion Fiat. Ford's fortune would be short-lived however, and despite determined and competitive participation in WRC events, 1979 would be the company's sole WRC title until their return to victory in 2006.


1979 World Rally Championship
The competition for the first WRC driver's title was extremely close, and ultimately was decided by the two contenders placing first and second in the final rally of the season. The final difference between the winner, Swede Björn Waldegård, and the runner-up, Finn Hannu Mikkola, was only a single point.


1979 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
IX World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in London, Great Britain on 4 and 5 July 1979.


1979 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Groups
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1979 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Groups
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1979 World Rowing Championships
The 1979 World Rowing Championships were World Rowing Championships that were held from 30 August – 9 September 1979 at Bled in Slovenia, Yugoslavia.


1979 World Rowing Championships, Great Britain
Nine men's teams (three lightweight) and four women's teams from Great Britain competed at the championships.


1979 World Sambo Championships
The 1979 World Sambo Championships were held in Madrid, Spain on December 11 to 14 1979. Championships were organized by FILA.


1979 World Series
The 1979 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1979 season. The 76th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National League (NL) champion Pittsburgh Pirates (98–64) and the American League (AL) champion Baltimore Orioles (102–57). The Pirates won in seven games, becoming the fourth team in World Series history to come back from a three-games-to-one deficit to win the Series.


1979 World Series
This marked the second time in the 1970s the Pirates won a World Series Game 7 on the road against the Orioles, the previous time being in the 1971 World Series. The Pirates were famous for adopting Sister Sledge's hit song "We Are Family" as their theme song during the 1979 season.


1979 World Series
Willie Stargell, Rennie Stennett, Frank Taveras, pitchers Bruce Kison and Doc Ellis, and catcher Manny Sanguillén were the only players left over from the Pirates team that defeated the Orioles in 1971, and Orioles' pitcher Jim Palmer, shortstop Mark Belanger, and manager Earl Weaver were the only remaining Orioles from the 1971 team. Grant Jackson pitched for the Orioles in the 1971 series and for the Pirates in the 1979 series.


1979 World Series
In this Series, it was the AL team's "turn" to play by NL rules, meaning no designated hitter and the Orioles' pitchers would have to bat. While this resulted in Tim Stoddard getting his first major league hit and runs batted in in Game 4, overall, it hurt the Orioles because Lee May, their designated hitter for much of the season and a key part of their offense, was only able to bat three times in the whole series.


1979 World Series
Willie Stargell, who was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, hit .400 with a record seven extra-base hits and matched Reggie Jackson's record of 25 total bases, set in 1977.


1979 World Series
The 1979 Pirates were the last team to win Game 7 of a World Series on the road until the San Francisco Giants defeated the Royals in Kansas City to win Game 7 of the 2014 series. With the Steelers having already won Super Bowl XIII (they would later repeat in Super Bowl XIV following the Pirates' championship), Pittsburgh also became the third city to win both the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same season or calendar year. New York's Jets and Mets won championships in the 1969 calendar year, followed by Baltimore (Orioles and Colts) in the 1970 season, New York (Mets and Giants) in the 1986 season, and Boston/New England in the 2004 (Red Sox and Patriots) and 2018 seasons (Red Sox and Patriots).


1979 World Series, Background, Baltimore Orioles
These same two teams also met in 1971. Earl Weaver's Orioles had won the first two games of that series only to lose to Danny Murtaugh's Pirates in seven. This time Pittsburgh manager Chuck Tanner was looking to win a Series of his own. Gone were the likes of slugger Boog Powell and defensive wizard Brooks Robinson—shortstop Mark Belanger and pitcher Jim Palmer were the only two remaining players from the 1971 roster. A young (23-year-old) "Steady Eddie" Murray was a staple at first-base and an emerging superstar.


1979 World Series, Background, Baltimore Orioles
The only other real "star" hitter on the team was right-fielder Ken Singleton who set career highs in home runs, 35, and runs batted in, 111, in the regular season. Center fielder Al Bumbry provided the speed, 37 swipes, and outfielder Gary Roenicke and third-baseman Doug DeCinces provided some additional power. The talented pitching staff was captained by veteran catcher Rick Dempsey. The starters were led by 1979 Cy Young Award winner Mike Flanagan (23–9, 3.08), Scott McGregor (13–6, 3.35), Steve Stone (11–7, 3.77) and Jim Palmer (10–6, 3.30). The bullpen helped with 30 wins against only 13 losses led by Don Stanhouse (7–3, 21 saves) and Tippy Martinez (10–3, 2.88). The Orioles won the American League East rather easily, finishing eight games ahead of the second place Milwaukee Brewers. Many considered the series a bit of a whitewash.


1979 World Series, Background, Pittsburgh Pirates
On the other hand, these Pittsburgh Pirates struggled early in the season, eventually winning the National League East by just two games over the Montreal Expos. Only after getting infielders, Tim Foli (from the New York Mets) and Bill Madlock (from the San Francisco Giants), did the Pirates start winning consistently. The great Roberto Clemente had inspired the 1971 team toward the title, and the key ingredient to the 1979 team was his successor and spiritual leader, 38-year-old Willie "Pops" Stargell. His clubhouse demeanor, a simple good-heartedness and friendly manner, helped keep the Pirates loose during a tight divisional race with a surprise sweep of the always powerful Cincinnati Reds in the League Championship Series.


1979 World Series, Background, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Bucs lineup featured the National League leader in stolen bases, Omar Moreno with 77; team runs batted in leader, Dave Parker with 94, and two-time batting champion, Bill Madlock (1975, 1976). Madlock would add two more batting titles in 1981 and 1983. The pitching staff was a ragtag bunch led by the "Candy-Man" John Candelaria's 14 wins (nine losses), with five other pitchers winning ten or more games. The tall and lean Kent Tekulve had 31 saves, good for second in the league, while winning ten games.


1979 World Series, Background, Pittsburgh Pirates
"Pops" Stargell would hit three home runs in this series becoming the oldest player to win both the regular season MVP and the World Series MVP. His "Family" would persevere after losing three out of the first four games, giving Earl Weaver and his Orioles a déjà vu nightmare when the Bucs came back to win in seven games.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 1
Game 1 was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 9 but was postponed due to a wintry mix of rain and snow. When it was played the following night, the first-pitch temperature of 41 °F (5 °C) was the coldest in the history of the Fall Classic until it was eclipsed 18 years later in Game 4 of the 1997 World Series. A steady rain that fell throughout the contest also factored into the six total errors, three committed by each team.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 1
All five Orioles runs were scored in the first inning; two on a throwing error by second baseman Phil Garner, followed by one on a wild pitch by starter Bruce Kison and the final two on a Doug DeCinces home run. A pair of RBIs each for Garner (two-out single in the sixth) and Willie Stargell (groundout in the fourth, leadoff homer in the eighth) sparked a Pirates comeback that fell a run short.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 2
This time, the Pirates struck first with two in the second on an RBI single by Bill Madlock and a sacrifice fly by catcher Ed Ott. The Orioles countered in the bottom half of the inning with an Eddie Murray homer. Murray would also tie the game in the sixth by doubling in Ken Singleton. Murray tried to put the Orioles ahead in the same inning by tagging and attempting to score on a line-out to right by John Lowenstein, but Dave Parker threw him out easily. Making the decision to send Murray was made that much more odd by the fact that Parker's throw to the plate arrived well ahead of him. Murray tried to bowl Ott over at the plate, but the stocky Ott held fast, staying on his feet.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 2
Murray also made a questionable base running decision in the eighth. With Murray on second and Doug DeCinces on first with no outs, Lowenstein grounded to shortstop Tim Foli. Murray strangely stopped instead of running out the force play. Foli attempted a tag which Murray eluded, and then threw to Phil Garner at second to force DeCinces. Murray's hesitation allowed Garner to throw to third and catch him in a rundown. Murray slowed up returning to second when he should have sped back since he was entitled to the base with DeCinces being forced out.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 2
Murray would not collect another hit or RBI for the rest of the Series.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 2
In the ninth, after a two-out single by Ott and a walk to Garner, Manny Sanguillén pinch-hit for Don Robinson and hacked a high and outside fastball from Don Stanhouse into right for a single. Ott barely slid past the outstretched arms of catcher Rick Dempsey to score the winning run, after Murray had questionably cut-off a strong throw from RF Ken Singleton. Kent Tekulve retired the side in the ninth for the save.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 3
The Pirates jumped out to an early 3–0 lead on a Dave Parker sacrifice fly in the first and a one-out, two-run double by Garner in the second. A Benny Ayala one-out, two-run homer cut the Orioles' deficit to one just before a 67-minute rain delay in the middle of the third inning.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 3
The Orioles seized the momentum after play resumed by scoring five runs in the fourth, highlighted by a Kiko Garcia bases-loaded triple that chased Pirates starter John Candelaria from the game along with an RBI single by Ken Singleton and groundout by Doug DeCinces off of Enrique Romo. Garcia added a two-out RBI single in the seventh, finishing the evening going 4-for-4 with four RBI. Scott McGregor allowed only one other run after the second (on Bill Madlock's RBI single in the sixth after a Willie Stargell double) and pitched a complete game to give the Orioles a 2–1 series lead.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 4
The Pirates seized an early 4–0 lead in the second on a leadoff homer by Stargell, a two-run double by Ott and an Omar Moreno two-out RBI single. The first two were among five straight hits that effectively ended starter Dennis Martínez's afternoon. The Orioles countered with three runs in the third off Jim Bibby on consecutive one-out doubles by Garcia (2 RBI) and Ken Singleton. The Pirates stretched their lead to 6–3 on RBI doubles by John Milner and Parker in the fifth and sixth innings respectively.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 4
With one out and the bases loaded, Pirates manager Chuck Tanner sent in submarining relief ace Kent Tekulve to face right-handed hitting Gary Roenicke. Weaver countered by pinch-hitting lefty John Lowenstein. Lowenstein made the move pay off by slamming a two-run double. After a walk loaded the bases again, Weaver sent another lefty hitter, Terry Crowley, to bat for Dave Skaggs. Crowley smashed another two-run double off Tekulve to give the Orioles the lead. Pitcher Tim Stoddard, batting because Weaver was out of pinch hitters at that point, followed with an RBI single. An RBI force-out by Bumbry ended the scoring.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 5
With a world championship on the line and Game 1 starter Bruce Kison injured, Chuck Tanner decided to go with little-used veteran left-hander Jim Rooker as his starter. He would let Rooker go as long as possible, then bring in Bert Blyleven to finish, saving his two best pitchers, sore-shouldered John Candelaria and Jim Bibby for Games 6 and 7, if played.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 5
The risky move more than paid off as Rooker gave Tanner five good innings, retiring the first 10 batters, no-hitting for four innings, and holding the Orioles to one run in the fifth when Gary Roenicke scored on a double play grounder. The Pirate bats finally came alive against Mike Flanagan in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Willie Stargell and an RBI single by Bill Madlock.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 5
The Pirates added two more in the seventh on a RBI triple by Tim Foli and a RBI double by Dave Parker, and then three more in the eighth on a RBI single by Phil Garner and a two-run single by Foli. Thanks to the unexpected performance from Rooker, a 4–for–4 day from Madlock, and Foli's three RBIs, the Pirates had staved off defeat.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 5
Chuck Tanner's mother died the morning of Game 5 (this was mentioned during the telecast by announcer Howard Cosell). The 1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski threw out the first ball in Game 5, which would be Three Rivers Stadium's final World Series game and, to date, the last World Series game played in Pittsburgh.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 6
Back home at Memorial Stadium, local baseball coach Mary Dobkin threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Oriole bats continued to be unexpectedly cold as John Candelaria and Jim Palmer locked into a scoreless duel through six innings. Dave Parker broke the ice with a RBI single in the seventh, followed by a Stargell sacrifice fly. The Pirates added two more runs in the eighth on a Bill Robinson sac fly and a RBI single by Omar Moreno. Kent Tekulve earned his second save of the series.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 6
After the game Howard Cosell in his limo was surrounded and attacked by angry Oriole fans with shaving cream, which prompted Baltimore police to complement his private security for Game 7.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 7
The Pirates capped an amazing comeback on the strength of Willie Stargell, who went 4–for–5 with a single, two doubles, and a towering two-run homer in the sixth off Scott McGregor. McGregor pitched eight solid innings in a losing cause. For insurance in the ninth, Omar Moreno collected an RBI single, while another run scored when Dave Parker and Bill Robinson were hit by pitches back-to-back, scoring Moreno. Orioles manager Earl Weaver made five pitching changes in the ninth inning in an attempt to keep the game within reach.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 7
The O's only run came on a Rich Dauer homer in the third, the team's second RBI in the last three games. Significantly, Eddie Murray, the Orioles' main offensive threat, was 0-for-21 in the final five games of the Series, including a fly-out to Parker to end the eighth with the bases loaded (following an intentional walk to Ken Singleton). Following their six run outburst in the eighth inning of Game 4, the Birds scored only two runs on 17 hits over the series final 28 innings. Pirates reliever Grant Jackson got the win after 22⁄3 innings after relieving Don Robinson, who had relieved Jim Bibby who lasted four innings and allowed the lone Oriole run.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 7
U.S. President Jimmy Carter made an appearance in Game 7—he threw out the first pitch—and after the game made a visit to the victorious Pittsburgh clubhouse. Prior to the ceremonial first pitch, Bill Schustik played the National Anthem. Pirates closer Kent Tekulve earned a save.


1979 World Series, Matchups, Game 7
With the exception of winning the 2013 National League Wild Card Game this is the last postseason series the Pirates have won.


1979 World Series, Composite box
1979 World Series (4–3): Pittsburgh Pirates (N.L.) over Baltimore Orioles (A.L.)


1979 World Series, Uniforms
The Pirates wore four different uniform combinations during the series:


1979 World Series, Uniforms
The Orioles wore three different uniform combinations of their own:


1979 World Series, Broadcasting
This was the first World Series in which the participating teams' announcers were not involved in the play-calling on national radio. (Network television had ended the practice two years earlier.) For the '79 Classic, Vin Scully and Sparky Anderson handled the broadcasts for the CBS Radio network.


1979 World Series, Broadcasting
The Series was televised by ABC Sports, with play-by-play announcers Keith Jackson (in Baltimore) and Al Michaels (in Pittsburgh), and color commentators Howard Cosell and Don Drysdale. ABC's broadcast was also simulcast over the Orioles' and Pirates' respective local television outlets, CBS affiliates WMAR-TV in Baltimore and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, in addition to ABC's own affiliates WJZ-TV and WTAE-TV.


1979 World Series of Poker
The 1979 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was a series of poker tournaments held at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.


1979 World Series of Poker, Main Event
There were 54 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter the tournament. Fowler was the first amateur to win the WSOP Main Event.


1979 World Snooker Championship
The 1979 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 1979 Embassy World Snooker Championship for sponsorship reasons) was a ranking professional snooker tournament that took place from 16 to 28 April 1979 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), it was the third consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament having taken place in 1977.


1979 World Snooker Championship
A qualifying event for the championship was held, producing eight qualifiers who joined the eight invited seeded players in the main event. The tournament was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC, and was sponsored by the Embassy cigarette company. The winner received £10,000 from the total prize fund of £35,000.


1979 World Snooker Championship
Tournament debutant Terry Griffiths met Dennis Taylor in the final, which was a best-of-47-frames match. Griffiths won the match 24–16, to become the first player to proceed from the qualifying competition and win the title at the Crucible. There were 13 century breaks compiled during the championship, the highest of which was 142 by Bill Werbeniuk.


1979 World Snooker Championship, Overview
The World Snooker Championship is an annual professional snooker tournament organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). Founded in the late 19th century by British Army soldiers stationed in India, the cue sport was popular in the British Isles. However, in the modern era, which started in 1969 when the World Championship reverted to a knockout format, it has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially in East and Southeast Asian nations such as China, Hong Kong and Thailand.


1979 World Snooker Championship, Overview
Joe Davis won the first World Championship in 1927, hosted by the Billiards Association and Control Council, the final match being held at Camkin's Hall in Birmingham, England. Since 1977, the event has been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The 1979 championship featured sixteen professional players competing in one-on-one snooker matches in a single-elimination format, each match played over several frames. These competitors in the main tournament were selected using a combination of the top players in the snooker world rankings and the winners of a pre-tournament qualification stage.


1979 World Snooker Championship, Prize fund
The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:


1979 World Snooker Championship, Main draw
The results for the tournament are shown below. The numbers in brackets denote players seedings, whilst players in bold are match winners.


1979 World Snooker Championship, Qualifying
The results from the qualifying competition are shown below, with match winners denoted in bold:


1979 World Snooker Championship, Century breaks
There were 13 century breaks at the championship, the highest being 142 by Bill Werbeniuk. There was also a £5,000 bonus for compiling a higher break than the championship record of 142.


1979 World Sportscar Championship
The 1979 World Sportscar Championship season was the 27th season of  FIA World Sportscar Championship racing. It featured the 1979 World Championship for Makes which was open to Group 1 and 2 Touring Cars, Group 3 and 4 Grand Touring cars, and Group 5 Special Production Cars . The championship ran from 3 February 1979 to 16 September 1979 and consisted of nine rounds. It was contested in two engine capacity divisions, Over 2 Litres and Under 2 Litres.


1979 World Sportscar Championship
The Over 2 Litres Division was won by Porsche and the Under 2 Litres Division by Lancia.


1979 World Sportscar Championship, Season results
Note: Entries which were not eligible to score championship points are not accounted for in the above table.


1979 World Sportscar Championship, Manufacturers' championship
Points were awarded for placings gained by the top ten cars in each division at each round in the order of 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1. However, points were only awarded for the highest placed car from each make in each division and any other cars from that make were merely skipped in the points allocation.


1979 World Sportscar Championship, Manufacturers' championship
Only the best seven round results for each make in each division counted towards the championship with any other points earned not included in the final totals. Relinquished points are shown within brackets.


1979 World Sportscar Championship, Manufacturers' championship
Some rounds were also open to cars from other categories (e.g. Group 6 "Two Seater Racing Cars") however these cars were not eligible to score points for their respective makes.


1979 World Sportscar Championship, The cars
The following  models contributed to the nett points totals scored by their respective makes.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships were held in Pyongyang from April 25 to May 6, 1979.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Doubles
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Doubles was the 35th edition of the men's doubles championship. Dragutin Šurbek and Antun Stipančić won the title after defeating István Jónyer and Tibor Klampár in the final by three sets to nil.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Singles
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Singles was the 35th edition of the men's singles championship.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Singles
Seiji Ono defeated Guo Yuehua in the final  after Yuehua was forced to retire during the fourth set due to leg cramps.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Team
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Swaythling Cup (Men's Team) was the 35th edition of the men's team championship.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Team
Hungary won the gold medal defeating China 5-1 in the final. Japan won the bronze medal.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Mixed Doubles
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Mixed Doubles was the 35th edition of the mixed doubles championship.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Mixed Doubles
Liang Geliang and Ge Xin'ai defeated Li Zhenshi and Yan Guili in the final by three sets to nil.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Doubles
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Doubles was the 34th edition of the women's doubles championship. Zhang Li and Zhang Deying defeated Ge Xin'ai and Yan Guili in the final by three sets to nil.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Singles
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Singles was the 35th edition of the women's singles championship. Ge Xin'ai defeated Li Song Suk in the final by three sets to nil, to win the title.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Team
The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Corbillon Cup (Women's Team) was the 28th edition of the women's team championship.


1979 World Table Tennis Championships – Women's Team
China won the gold medal defeating North Korea 3-0 in the final, Japan won the bronze medal.


1979 World Taekwondo Championships
The 1979 World Taekwondo Championships are the 4th edition of the World Taekwondo Championships, and were held in Sindelfingen, Stuttgart, West Germany from October 26 to October 28, 1979. A total of 453 athletes and officials from 38 nations took part in the championships.


1979 World Weightlifting Championships
The 1979 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Thessaloniki, Greece from November 3 to November 11, 1979. There were 189 men in action from 39 nations.


1979 World Weightlifting Championships, Medal table
Ranking by all medals: Big (Total result) and Small (Snatch and Clean & Jerk)


1979 World Wrestling Championships
The 1979 World Wrestling Championships were held in San Diego, California, United States. As during the 1973 edition, the venue, San Diego State University Arena hosted the Pan American Sambo Championships very next day after the freestyle event finale.


1979 World's Strongest Man
The 1979 World's Strongest Man was the third edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Don Reinhoudt from the United States. It was his first title after finishing second the previous year. Lars Hedlund from Sweden finished second after finishing third the previous year, and Bill Kazmaier also from the United States finished third. The contest was held at the Universal Studios, California.


1979 Wyoming Cowboys football team
The 1979 Wyoming Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wyoming in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third and final season under head coach Bill Lewis, the team compiled a 4–8 record, was outscored by a total of 276 to 186, and played its home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.


1979 XB
1979 XB is a lost asteroid with a short observation arc of 3.9 days that can not be recovered with targeted observations and awaits serendipitous survey observations. It is classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Apollo group and is estimated to be 660 meters (2,200 feet) in diameter. The unnumbered minor planet has a poorly constrained orbit and has not been observed in 40 years. It has been listed on the Sentry Risk Table since the list started in 2002. With a cumulative Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale of -2.74, the poorly known orbit and assumed size place 1979 XB fifth on an unconstrained listing of the Sentry Risk Table.


1979 XB
1979 XB was first observed on 11 December 1979 by astronomers at the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia, when the asteroid was estimated to be 0.09 ± 0.02 AU (13.5 ± 3.0 million km) from Earth and had a solar elongation of 127°. The object has never been confirmed by a second observatory. The uncertainty region for this asteroid is now hundreds of millions of kilometers long.


1979 XB, Orbit-fit
With a short 4-day observation arc, the trajectory is poorly constrained and the uncertainties fit numerous different orbits. The perihelion point (closest approach to the Sun) is better known than the aphelion point (furthest distance from the Sun). Due to the uncertainty, the orbital period ranges from 2.4 to 4.2 years.


1979 XB, 2024
Around mid-December 2024 the asteroid has about a 0.05% chance of making an Earth approach within 0.1 AU. But it will not pass any closer than 0.005 AU (750,000 km; 460,000 mi). The nominal JPL Horizons December 2024 Earth distance is 4 AU (600,000,000 km; 370,000,000 mi) with an uncertainty of more than a billion km.


1979 XB, 2056 virtual impactor
JPL Horizons suggests that closest approach the asteroid will make to Earth in 2056 is a distant 1.2 AU (180,000,000 km; 110,000,000 mi) on 4 August 2056. NEODyS expects the closest Earth approach to be an even more distant 3.1 AU (460,000,000 km; 290,000,000 mi) on 2 October 2056.


1979 XB, 2056 virtual impactor
With a short 4 day observation arc, the Sentry Risk Table shows an estimated 1 in 6 million chance of the asteroid impacting Earth on 12 December 2056. The nominal JPL Horizons 12 December 2056 Earth distance is 3 AU (450,000,000 km; 280,000,000 mi) with a 3-sigma uncertainty of ±13 billion km. NEODyS lists the nominal 12 December 2056 Earth distance as 3.6 AU (540,000,000 km; 330,000,000 mi).


1979 XV FIBA International Christmas Tournament
The 1979 XV FIBA International Christmas Tournament "Trofeo Raimundo Saporta" was the 15th edition of the FIBA International Christmas Tournament. It took place at Sports City of Real Madrid Pavilion, Madrid, Spain, on 24, 25 and 26 December 1979 with the participations of Real Madrid (champions of the 1978–79 Liga Española de Baloncesto), Soviet Union (champions of the Eurobasket 1979), Athletes in Action and Joventut Freixenet.


1979 Yale Bulldogs football team
The 1979 Yale Bulldogs football team represented Yale University in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Bulldogs were led by 15th-year head coach Carmen Cozza, played their home games at the Yale Bowl and finished in first place in the Ivy League with a 6–1 record, 8–1 overall.


1979 Yugoslavian motorcycle Grand Prix
The 1981 Yugoslavian motorcycle Grand Prix was the sixth round of the 1979 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of 15–17 June 1979 at the Automotodrom Rijeka.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election
General elections were held in Zimbabwe Rhodesia in April 1979. The elections were held following the Internal Settlement negotiated by the Rhodesian Front government of Ian Smith and were intended to provide a peaceful transition to majority rule on terms not harmful to Rhodesians of white descent. The internal settlement was not approved internationally but the incoming government under Bishop Abel Muzorewa did decide to participate in the Lancaster House talks which led to the end of the dispute and the creation of Zimbabwe.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Electoral system
Under the agreement of 1978, the new Zimbabwe Rhodesia House of Assembly was to consist of 100 members. 20 were to be elected on the old roll with property, income and education qualifications, which most black citizens did not meet, and which was previously used to elect the majority of the Rhodesia House of Assembly. 72 seats were elected by the "Common Roll" which every adult in the country had a vote. Owing to the lack of an electoral roll, voters were instead marked with ink on their fingers to stop multiple voting. Once the 92 members had been elected, they assembled to vote for eight White non-constituency members. All the candidates for these posts were members of the Rhodesian Front.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Electoral system
The 20 White Roll members were elected from new constituencies made up of combinations of the previous constituencies. The Common Roll members were elected by province using a closed list system. It was intended to set up a full electoral register and institute single-member constituencies for future elections.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Campaign
The main question in the election campaign was how many Africans would vote in the common roll election. The Patriotic Front parties, Zimbabwe African National Union and Zimbabwe African People's Union, pledged to disrupt the election and called for a boycott. By 1979, all of Rhodesia apart from the central area between Salisbury and Bulawayo was under a form of martial law due to attacks by the Patriotic Front's armies, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA).


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Campaign
In the event the turnout was quite respectable in Mashonaland, although somewhat depressed in Manicaland and Victoria. In Matabeleland South, where ZIPRA was strongest, the turnout was lowest.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Results, Common roll, Candidates and elected members
* – Subsequently, formed the Zimbabwe Democratic Party (see below)


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Results, Common roll, Candidates and elected members
** – These candidates had resigned from the United National Federal Party and joined the Zimbabwe United Peoples' Organisation after nominations had closed. It was ruled that their candidatures stood.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Results, White non-constituency members
Polling day was 7 May 1979. Eight seats were up for election.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
John Moses Chirimbani (UANC, Manicaland) was elected as the Speaker of the House of Assembly on 8 May 1979, and therefore an ex officio member. On 25 May, John Zwenhamo Ruredzo was appointed to replace him.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
Robert Siyoka (UNFP, Matabeleland South) resigned, and was replaced by Sami Thomani Siyoka on 28 June 1979.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
On 25 June 1979 James Chikerema led a group of eight elected UANC members in resigning from the party, and on 29 June seven of the eight formed the Zimbabwe Democratic Party. Actor Mupinyuri (UANC, Mashonaland Central) rejoined the UANC shortly after resigning from it. The seven who joined are denoted by asterisks in the lists above. A questionable wording in the electoral law led to the UANC taking legal action to disqualify the seven on the grounds that they had to keep their membership of the party to remain members of the Assembly, but Chikerema was successful in defending the right to break away.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
Hilary Gwyn Squires resigned in June 1979, moving to South Africa to take up a legal career. David Colville Smith was returned unopposed as Rhodesian Front candidate for Borrowdale constituency on 24 July 1979.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
Terrence Mashambanhaka (UANC, Mashonaland Central) was murdered on 16 September 1979 after being lured to an ambush at 'peace talks' with ZANLA forces. Abel Muringazuwa Madombwe was appointed to the Assembly to replace him on 27 November 1979.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, Changes during the Assembly
Theunis de Klerk (RF, Lundi) was killed in a rocket attack on his home on 20 September 1979. Donald Galbraith Goddard was returned unopposed to follow him on 30 November 1979.


1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia general election, United Nations reaction
The United Nations Security Council passed several resolutions against the "illegal" election, including Resolution 445 and Resolution 448, both of which argued that the election was not representative of the Zimbabwean people and was designed to entrench white minority rule. In these resolutions, the UN declared the results of the election null and void.


1979 in Afghanistan
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Afghanistan.


1979 in Afghanistan, 10-20 March 1979
A mutiny in the Herat garrison by Afghan army officers is crushed.


1979 in Afghanistan, 27 March 1979
In a cabinet reshuffle, Taraki inducts Foreign Minister Amin as prime minister and himself takes over chairmanship of the Supreme Defense Council.


1979 in Afghanistan, Early September 1979
A rebel force is routed near Kabul in a major battle, and later an offensive is mounted to destroy guerrillas in districts bordering Pakistan.


1979 in Afghanistan, Early September 1979
Taraki leaves for Havana, Cuba, to represent Afghanistan at the sixth summit conference of nonaligned nations, leaving the government in the hands of Amin. Returning via Moscow, Taraki is advised by Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev to get rid of Amin, whose anti-Islamic policy is considered dangerous. Taraki, however, fails in this as Amin is tipped off about the plot and manages to turn the tide of events to his own favour.


1979 in Afghanistan, 16 September 1979
Taraki is overthrown in a coup, and Amin becomes president of the Revolutionary Council, which is nominally in charge of running the government, together with the Central Committee of the Khalq party and the Council of Ministers. Contradictory reports suggest that Taraki is killed during the takeover, although his death is only announced on 9 October and stated to be the result of "a severe and prolonged illness." On 17 September Amin announces that his rule marks the beginning of a "better Socialist order."


1979 in Afghanistan, 19 September 1979
A general amnesty is declared in an ineffective effort to placate the Muslims. This is followed by an administrative purge and a further attempt at reconciliation with Islam. Radio Kabul accuses Pakistan and Iran of sending armed infiltrators to undermine the government. Pakistan is also charged with arming the Afghan refugees and tribal rebels in the border areas with the help of Saudi Arabia, China, and the U.S. Afghan refugees in Pakistan are at one time estimated to number 140,000.


1979 in Afghanistan, 27 December 1979
Amin is overthrown and killed in a coup backed by Soviet troops. Viktor Karpukhin carries out the taking of the presidential palace, in which two Soviet soldiers are killed. Ex-deputy prime minister Karmal, who has been in exile in Czechoslovakia, is picked as Amin's successor. The Soviets have begun a massive military airlift into Kabul, and at least two motorized divisions have crossed the Soviet-Afghan border. Babrak Karmal, whose Parcham party spearheaded the coup against Daud but later lost power to the faction led by Taraki and Amin, is considered more pro-Soviet than Amin had been.


1979 in Afghanistan, 27 December 1979
In one of his first speeches, he denounces Amin as an agent of U.S. imperialism. At year's end reports from Kabul indicate that some 40,000 Soviet troops are fanning out through the country in an apparent attempt to crush the Muslim rebels. On 31 December U.S. Pres. Jimmy Carter declares it is imperative that world leaders immediately make it clear to the Soviet Union that its actions will have "severe political consequences."


1979 in American television
This is a list of American television-related events of 1979.


1979 in Australia
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Australia.


1979 in Australian literature
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1979.


1979 in Australian literature, Births
A list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1979 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.


1979 in Australian literature, Deaths
A list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1979 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.


1979 in Australian soccer
The 1979 season was the tenth season of competitive association football in Australia.


1979 in Australian television
This article is a summary of 1979 in Australian television.


1979 in Bangladesh
1979 (MCMLXXIX) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1979th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 979th  year of the 2nd millennium, the 79th  year of the 20th century, and the  10th  and last year of the 1970s decade.


1979 in Bangladesh
The year 1979 was the 8th year after the independence of Bangladesh. It was also the third year of the Government of Ziaur Rahman. This year martial law is lifted following elections, which Zia's Bangladesh National Party (BNP) wins.


1979 in Bangladesh, Economy
Note: For the year 1979 average official exchange rate for BDT was 15.55 per US$.


1979 in Belgian television
This is a list of Belgian television related events from 1979.


1979 in Brazilian football
The following article presents a summary of the 1979 football (soccer) season in Brazil, which was the 78th season of competitive football in the country.


1979 in Brazilian football, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
Internacional declared as the Campeonato Brasileiro champions by aggregate score of 4-1.


1979 in Brazilian football, State championship champions
(1)In 1979, two editions of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship were played because Guanabara State's and Rio de Janeiro State's football federations merged in 1978. The Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation organized both competitions, which were won by Flamengo.


1979 in Brazilian football, Brazil national team
The following table lists all the games played by the Brazil national football team in official competitions and friendly matches during 1979.


1979 in Brazilian television
This is a list of Brazilian television related events from 1979.


1979 in British music
This is a summary of 1979 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year. 1979 saw the beginning of several trends in British music. Electropop reached number one in both the singles and albums charts in the form of Gary Numan and Tubeway Army, and synthesiser bands began to gather momentum which would come to dominate music in the early 1980s. The first rap hit in the UK came from the Sugar Hill Gang. The 2 Tone movement also emerged, with early work from bands such as The Specials and Madness. Disco music was still the most popular music of the year, although it showed signs of dying out in the year's later months. 1979 remains the year when physical-format singles hit their sales peak in the UK.


1979 in British music, Year-end charts
1979 appears to be the only year since 1977 for which "full year" year-end charts do not exist. The British Market Research Bureau (BMRB), which compiled the official UK charts from 1969 to 1982, used a cut-off date for the collection of sales data sometime in early December each year, in order for the "end of year" chart to be published in the year's final issue of Music Week and to be broadcast on BBC Radio 1. However, from 1977 to 1982 BMRB produced updated charts a few months later which included the missing final weeks' sales for each year.


1979 in British music, Year-end charts
No updated chart appears to exist for 1979, so the tables below include only sales between 1 January and 8 December 1979. The two singles most affected by the lack of a full year chart are the records that were at number one and number two for the final three weeks of the year, "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" by Pink Floyd and "I Have a Dream" by ABBA: neither of these records appear in the end of year list for 1979.


1979 in British radio
This is a list of events in British radio during 1979.


1979 in British television
This is a list of British television related events from 1979.


1979 in Cambodia
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Cambodia.


1979 in Canadian television
The following is a list of events affecting Canadian television in 1979. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches.


1979 in Cape Verde
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Cape Verde.


1979 in Chile
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Chile.


1979 in China
Events in the year 1979 in the People's Republic of China.


1979 in Croatian television
This is a list of Croatian television related events from 1979.


1979 in Danish television
This is a list of Danish television related events from 1979.


1979 in Dutch television
This is a list of Dutch television related events from 1979.


1979 in El Salvador
The following lists events that happened in 1979 in El Salvador.


1979 in Estonia
This article lists events that occurred during 1979 in Estonia.


1979 in Estonian television
This is a list of Estonian television related events from 1979.


1979 in Finland
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Finland.


1979 in German television
This is a list of German television related events from 1979.


1979 in German television, Deaths
This German television-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .


1979 in Iceland
The following lists events that happened in 1979 in Iceland.


1979 in India
Events in the year 1979 in the Republic of India.


1979 in Irish television
The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 1979.


1979 in Israel, Events, Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The most prominent events related to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict which occurred during 1979 include:


1979 in Israel, Events, Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The most prominent terror attacks committed against Israelis during 1979 include:


1979 in Israel, Events, Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The most prominent Israeli military counter-terrorism operations (military campaigns and military operations) carried out against Palestinian militants during 1979 include:


1979 in Italian television
This is a list of Italian television related events from 1979.


1979 in Italian television, Events, RAI
Rete 3 is, in the intents, focused on the local realities, with programs and news realized by the RAI regional offices; however, for years it will be a “ghost channel”, lacking of means and ignored by the public.


1979 in Italian television, Events, Private channels
In 1979, the  Italian private televisions have a breakthrough: the most active buy massively films and American telefilms, hire RAI stars as Mike Bongiorno and Pippo Baudo and begin to broadcast in National scope (the rule forcing them to operate only locally is bypassed, airing on several local stations  the same show, prerecorded on videotape). Particularly  dynamic is the Silvio Berlusconi’s  Telemilano 58.


1979 in Italian television, Television shows, Miniseries
Among the foreign productions, the hit of the year is the American Holocaust.


1979 in Japan
Events in the year 1979 in Japan. It corresponds to Shōwa 54 (昭和54年) in the Japanese calendar.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Arts and entertainment
In film, Vengeance Is Mine by Shōhei Imamura won the Best film award at the Japan Academy Prize, at the Blue Ribbon Awards and at the Mainichi Film Award, Taiyō o Nusunda Otoko by Kazuhiko Hasegawa won Best film at the Yokohama Film Festival and at the Hochi Film Awards. For a list of Japanese films released in 1979 see Japanese films of 1979.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Arts and entertainment
In manga,  the winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award were Doza no Ippon Tsuri by Yusuke Aoyagi (general) and Toward the Terra and Kaze to Ki no Uta by Keiko Takemiya (shōnen or shōjo). Tonda Couple by Kimio Yanagisawa (shōnen) and The Star of Cottonland by Yumiko Ōshima (shōjo) won the Kodansha Manga Award. For a list of manga released in 1979 see Category:1979 manga.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Arts and entertainment
In music, the 30th Kōhaku Uta Gassen was won by the Red Team (women). Hideki Saijo won the FNS Music Festival and Judy Ongg won the 21st Japan Record Award.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Arts and entertainment
Japan hosted the Miss International 1979 beauty pageant, won by Filipina Melanie Marquez.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Sports
In athletics (track and field) Japan hosted the Asian Championships and was first in the medal table with 20 gold medals and a total of 59 medals.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Sports
In basketball Japan hosted the ABC Championship and won the second place behind China.


1979 in Japan, Popular culture, Sports
In football (soccer) Japan hosted the FIFA World Youth Championship, won by Argentina. Fujita Engineering won the Japan Soccer League. For the champions of the regional leagues see: 1979 Japanese Regional Leagues. For more see: 1979 in Japanese football.


1979 in LGBT rights
This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 1979.


1979 in Laos
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Laos.


1979 in Libya
The following lists events that happened in 1979 in Libya.


1979 in Luxembourg
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.


1979 in Malaysia
This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1979, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians and Malaysia-related figures.


1979 in Michigan
The Associated Press (AP) selected the top Michigan news stories of 1979 as follows:


1979 in Michigan, Population
In the 1970 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 8,875,083 persons, ranking as the seventh most populous state in the country. By 1980, the state's population had grown 4.4% to 9,262,078 persons.


1979 in Michigan, Population, Cities
The following is a list of cities in Michigan with a population of at least 70,000 based on 1970 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1960 and 1980 is included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Cities that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.


1979 in Michigan, Population, Counties
The following is a list of counties in Michigan with populations of at least 120,000 based on 1970 U.S. Census data. Historic census data from 1960 and 1980 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases. Counties that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.


1979 in Michigan, Music
Albums and singles by Michigan artists or centered on Michigan topics that were released or became hits in 1979 include the following:


1979 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in New Zealand.


1979 in New Zealand, Arts and literature, Radio and television
See : 1979 in New Zealand television, 1979 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:Television in New Zealand, Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand


1979 in New Zealand, Arts and literature, Film
See : Category:1979 film awards, 1979 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1979 films


1979 in Norwegian music
The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1979 in Norwegian music.


1979 in Philippine television
The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 1979. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.


1979 in Portugal, Culture
Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with Manuela Bravo and the song "Sobe, sobe, balão sobe".


1979 in Portugal, Sports
In association football, for the first-tier league seasons, see 1978–79 Primeira Divisão and 1979–80 Primeira Divisão.


1979 in Scottish television
This is a list of events in Scottish television from 1979.


1979 in Singapore
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Singapore.


1979 in South Africa
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in South Africa.


1979 in Sri Lanka
The following lists notable events that occurred during 1979 in Sri Lanka.


1979 in Swedish football
The 1979 season in Swedish football, starting April 1979 and ending November 1979.


1979 in Taiwan
Events from the year 1979 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 68 according to the official Republic of China calendar.


1979 in Thailand
The year 1979 was the 198th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It was the 34th year in the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), and is reckoned as year 2522 in the Buddhist Era.


1979 in Thailand, Incumbents
This Thailand-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .


1979 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1979 to Wales and its people.


1979 in Zaire
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Zaire.


1979 in Zaire, Sources
This year in Africa article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .


1979 in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia
The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.


1979 in architecture
The year 1979 in architecture involved some significant architectural events and new buildings.


1979 in association football
The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1979 throughout the world.


1979 in baseball
The following are the baseball events of the year 1979  throughout the world.


1979 in comics
Notable events of 1979 in comics. See also List of years in comics.


1979 in country music
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1979.


1979 in film, Highest-grossing films (U.S.)
The top ten 1979 released films by North American gross are as follows:


1979 in fine arts of the Soviet Union
The year 1979 was marked by many events that left an imprint on the history of Soviet and Russian Fine Arts.


1979 in games
This page lists board and card games, wargames, miniatures games, and tabletop role-playing games published in 1979. For video games, see 1979 in video gaming.


1979 in heavy metal music
This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1979.


1979 in hip hop music
This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 1979.


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, March, Fatback Band – King Tim III (Personality Jock)
On March 25, 1979, the Fatback Band released the single King Tim III (Personality Jock) which is often cited as the first recorded hip hop song.


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, September, The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper's Delight
On September 16, 1979, The Sugarhill Gang released the single Rapper's Delight which became the first commercially successful hip hop song. It is often mistaken as the first recorded hip hop song. In 2011, the song was preserved into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress stating that  the infectious dance number might have launched an entire genre.


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, December, Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin'
Russell Simmons decided that he wanted to create a rap record with Kurtis Blow. He realized that the best way of earning money was by creating a Christmas record as it would be played every year. After playing the song for 22 labels, they finally got it released on Mercury Records. The record was eventually sold over 500,000 times.


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Dr. Superman / Lady Sweet – Can You Do It (Superman) / Back to Metropolis


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Funky Four Plus One – Rappin' and Rocking the House


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Lady D / MC Tee – Lady D / Nu Sounds


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Ron Hunt / Ronnie G. & The S.M. Crew – Spiderap / A Corona Jam


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Paulett and Tanya Winley / Ann Winley – Rhymin' and Rappin' / Watch Dog


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Steve Gordon & The Kosher Five – Take My Rap... Please


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Xanadu & Sweet Lady – Rappers Delight / Rockers Choice


1979 in hip hop music, Releases, Unknown month
Younger Generation (early name of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five) – We Rap More Mellow


1979 in home video, Film releases
The following films were released on video on the following dates:


1979 in jazz
This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1979.


1979 in literature
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1979.


1979 in motoring
1979 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred in 1979, listed by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.


1979 in motoring, United Kingdom
The Ford Cortina MK4 was facelifted and became the MK5, with its three-year-old design receiving a major makeover.


1979 in motoring, United Kingdom
British Leyland updated the Austin Allegro, with the intention of keeping it in production until the launch of an all-new model to replace the Allegro and Maxi around 1982.


1979 in motoring, United Kingdom
Sales began in November of the Opel Kadett, which would also be sold as the Vauxhall Astra from early 1980 - as General Motors entered the growing front-wheel drive hatchback market, replacing the long-running Viva nameplate.


1979 in motoring, France
Peugeot launched a new large family saloon - the 505 - that would eventually replace the long-running and popular 504. It was a more modern-looking car than its predecessor, though it inherited the boxy styling with which Peugeots had been associated for the last decade. 504 production would continue in Europe until 1983 but would last much longer in Egypt.


1979 in motoring, France
Financially troubled American car giant Chrysler sold its European operations to Peugeot, with British Chrysler and French Simcas now wearing Talbot badges.


1979 in motoring, France
Renault launched an estate version of its R18 saloon as well as a 5-door version of the R5.


1979 in motoring, Italy
Lancia withdrew its Montecarlo sporting coupe from production following criticism of its sub-standard braking system. But the big news of the year was the launch of its Delta family hatchback, which was voted European Car of the Year ahead of the Opel Kadett and Peugeot 505.


1979 in motoring, Sweden
Saab bolstered its range with the launch of the 900, a medium-sized range of three- and five-door hatchbacks which were of a similar size to the Ford Cortina, but offered more in the way of style and refinement. There was also a turbocharged version of the car which was aimed at enthusiasts.


1979 in motoring, West Germany
Opel launched its new front-wheel drive Kadett in the autumn, in hatchback and estate form. It is also launched a new rear-wheel drive flagship saloon, the Senator.


1979 in motorsport
The following is an overview of the events of 1979 in motorsport including the major racing events, motorsport venues that were opened and closed during a year, championships and non-championship events that were established and disestablished in a year, and births and deaths of racing drivers and other motorsport people.


1979 in motorsport, Annual events
The calendar includes only annual major non-championship events or annual events that had significance separate from the championship. For the dates of the championship events see related season articles.


1979 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.


1979 in music, Biggest hit singles
The following songs achieved the highest in the charts of 1979.


1979 in paleontology
Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1979.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Non Avian Dinosaurs
The announcement of Maiasaura attracted renewed scientific interest to the Two Medicine Formation and many new kinds of dinosaurs have been discovered as a result of the increased research.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Accipitridae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Anatidae, transferred to the genus Callonetta Delacour, 1936 by Agnolin, 2006.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A giant Ardeidae, not formally described but a photo is published which keeps it from being a Nomen Nudum.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Dromornithidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Strigidae, transferred to the genus Asio Brisson, 1760 by Mlíkovský, 1998.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Corvidae, possibly a synonym of Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Spheniscidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Rallidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described in the Phasianidae, but transferred by Mlíkovský, 2002. to Aves Incertae Sedis, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described as an Accipitridae, known omly from a damaged distal end of a right tarsometatarsus, making it not possible to identify it, better treated as Aves Incertae Sedis, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Glareolidae, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Otididae, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Accipitridae, transferred to the genus Buteogallus Lesson, 1830 by Suárez et Olson, 2009, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Anatidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Scolopacidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described in the Catharthidae, but the holotype is too fragmentary for identification so best treated as Aves Incertae Sedis.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described as a Cathartidae, Houde 1988 placed it in the Lithornithiformes, Houde, 1988, Lithornithidae Houde, 1988, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Anatidae, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described as a Phasianidae, transferred to the genus Talantatos Reichenbach, 1852 and placed in the Cariamidae door Mlíkovský, 2002.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
An Ardeidae, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
Described as an Eleutherornithidae, based on a fragment of a cervical vertebra, best treated as Aves Incertae Sedis, it is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Cathartidae, not certain to be a Sarcoramphus Duméril, 1806.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
The holotype is a heavily eroded proximal part of a left humerus, best placed in Passeriformes Incertae Sedis.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Phalacrocoracidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in paleontology, Scientific advances, Vertebrate paleozoology, Avian Dinosaurs (birds)
A Charadriidae, this is the type species of the new genus.


1979 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature (for instance, Irish or France).


1979 in poetry, Works published in English
Listed by nation where the work was first published and again by the poet's native land, if different; substantially revised works listed separately:


1979 in poetry, Works published in other languages
Listed by language and often by nation where the work was first published and again by the poet's native land, if different; substantially revised works listed separately:


1979 in poetry, Deaths
Birth years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:


1979 in professional wrestling
1979 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling.


1979 in radio
The year 1979 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history.


1979 in rail transport
This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1979.


1979 in science
The year 1979 in science and technology involved some significant events, listed below.


1979 in sports
1979 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.


1979 in the Philippines
1979 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1979.


1979 in the United Arab Emirates
Events from the year 1979 in the United Arab Emirates.


1979 in the environment
This is a list of notable events relating to the environment in 1979. They relate to environmental law, conservation, environmentalism and environmental issues.


1979 in the sport of athletics
This article contains an overview of the year 1979 in athletics.


1979 in video games
1979 has seen many sequels and prequels in video games and several new titles such as Galaxian, Warrior, Asteroids, Football and Head On.


1979 in video games, Highest-grossing arcade games
Space Invaders was the top-grossing video game worldwide in 1979, having become the arcade game industry's all-time best-seller by 1979. The following table lists the year's top-grossing arcade game in Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, and worldwide.


1979 in video games, Highest-grossing arcade games, Japan
In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1979, according to the annual Game Machine chart. Taito's Space Invaders was the highest-grossing arcade game for a second year in a row.


1979 in video games, Highest-grossing arcade games, United States
The following titles were the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1979 in the United States, according to Cash Box, Play Meter and RePlay magazines.


1979 in video games, Major awards
Electronic Games magazine hosted the first Arkie Awards in 1980, for games in 1979.


1979 oil crisis
The 1979 Oil Crisis, also known as the 1979 Oil Shock or Second Oil Crisis, was an energy crisis caused by a drop in oil production in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. Although the global oil supply only decreased by approximately four percent, the oil markets' reaction raised the price of crude oil drastically over the next 12 months, more than doubling it to $39.50 per barrel. The spike in price caused fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations similar to the 1973 oil crisis.


1979 oil crisis
In 1980, following the onset of the Iran–Iraq War, oil production in Iran fell drastically. Iraq's oil production also dropped significantly, triggering economic recessions worldwide. Oil prices did not return to pre-crisis levels until the mid-1980s.


1979 oil crisis
Oil prices after 1980 began a steady decline over the next 20 years, except for a brief uptick during the Gulf War, which then reached a 60% fall-off in the 1990s. Mexico, Nigeria, and Venezuela's major oil exporters expanded their production during this time. The Soviet Union became the largest oil producer in the world, and oil from the North Sea and Alaska flooded the market.


1979 oil crisis, Iran
In November 1978, a strike consisting of 37,000 workers at Iran's nationalized oil refineries reduced production from 6 million barrels (950,000 m3) per day to about 1.5 million barrels (240,000 m3). Foreign workers left the country.


1979 oil crisis, Iran
On January 16, 1979, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and his wife, Farah Pahlavi, left Iran at the behest of Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar, who sought to calm the situation. After the departure of the Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini became the new leader of Iran.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Other OPEC members
The rise in oil prices benefited a few members of the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC), which made record profits. Under the new Iranian government, oil exports later resumed but production was inconsistent and at a lower volume, further raising prices. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations, under the presidency of Mana Al Otaiba, increased production to offset most of the decline, and by early 1979 the overall loss in worldwide production was roughly four percent.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Other OPEC members
The war between Iran and Iraq in 1980 caused a further 7 percent drop in worldwide production and OPEC production was surpassed by other exporters such as the United States as its member nations were divided amongst themselves. Saudi Arabia, a "swing producer", tried to gain back the market share after 1985, increasing production and causing downward pressure on prices, making high-cost oil production facilities less profitable.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
The oil crisis had a mixed impact on the United States. Some regions of the country are oil-producing regions, and other regions are oil-consuming. Richard Nixon imposed price controls on domestic oil. Gasoline controls were repealed, but controls on domestic US oil remained.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
The Jimmy Carter administration began a phased deregulation of oil prices on April 5, 1979, when the average price of crude oil was US$15.85 per barrel (42 US gallons (160 L)). Starting with the Iranian revolution, the price of crude oil rose to $39.50 per barrel over the next 12 months (its all-time highest real price until March 3, 2008). Deregulating domestic oil price controls allowed U.S. oil output to rise sharply from the large Prudhoe Bay fields, while oil imports fell sharply.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
Although not directly related, the near-disaster at Three Mile Island on March 28, 1979, also increased anxiety about energy policy and availability. Due to memories of the oil shortage in 1973, motorists soon began panic buying, and long lines appeared at gas stations, as they had six years earlier. The average vehicle of the time consumed between two and three liters (about 0.5–0.8 gallons) of gasoline an hour while idling, and it was estimated that Americans wasted up to 150,000 barrels (24,000 m3) of oil per day idling their engines in the lines at gas stations.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
The amount of oil sold in the United States in 1979 was only 3.5 percent less than the record set for oil sold the previous year. A telephone poll of 1,600 American adults conducted by the Associated Press and NBC News and released in early May 1979 found that only 37 percent of Americans thought the energy shortages were real, nine percent were not sure, and 54 percent thought the energy shortages were a hoax.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
Many politicians proposed gas rationing. One such proponent was Harry Hughes, Governor of Maryland, who proposed odd-even rationing (only people with an odd-numbered license plate could purchase gas on an odd-numbered day), as was used during the 1973 Oil Crisis. Several states implemented odd-even gas rationing, including California, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, and Texas. Coupons for gasoline rationing were printed but were never actually used during the 1979 crisis.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
On July 15, 1979, President Carter outlined his plans to reduce oil imports and improve energy efficiency in his "Crisis of Confidence" speech (sometimes known as the "malaise" speech). In the speech, Carter encouraged citizens to do what they could to reduce their use of energy. He had already installed water tank heating solar panels on the roof of the White House and a wood-burning stove in the living quarters. However, the panels were removed in 1986, reportedly for roof maintenance, during the administration of his successor, Ronald Reagan.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
Carter's speech argued the oil crisis was "the moral equivalent of war". In November 1979, Iranian revolutionaries seized the American Embassy, and Carter imposed an embargo on Iranian oil. In January 1980, he issued the Carter Doctrine, declaring: "An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States." Additionally, as part of his administration's efforts at deregulation, Carter proposed removing price controls that had been imposed by the Richard Nixon administration before the 1973 crisis. Carter agreed to remove price controls in phases. They were finally dismantled in 1981 under Reagan. Carter also said he would impose a windfall profit tax on oil companies. While the regulated price of domestic oil was kept to $6 a barrel, the world market price was $30.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
In 1980, the U.S. Government established the Synthetic Fuels Corporation to produce an alternative to imported fossil fuels.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
When the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil increased 250 percent between 1978 and 1980, the oil-producing areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska began experiencing an economic boom and population inflows.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, United States
According to one study, individuals who were between the ages of 15 and 18 during the 1979 oil crisis were substantially less likely to use cars once they were in their mid-30s.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Other oil-consuming nations
In response to the high oil prices of the 1970s, industrial nations took steps to reduce their dependence on the Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil. Electric utilities worldwide switched from oil to coal, natural gas, or nuclear power. National governments initiated multibillion-dollar research programs to develop alternatives to oil and commercial exploration developed major non-OPEC oilfields in Siberia, Alaska, North Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. By 1986, daily worldwide demand for oil dropped by 5 million barrels but, non-OPEC production rose by an even-larger amount. Consequently, OPEC's market share reduced from 50 percent in 1979 to 29 percent in 1985.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Automobile fuel economy
At the time, Detroit's "Big Three" automakers (Ford, Chrysler, GM) were marketing downsized full-sized automobiles like the Chevrolet Caprice, the Ford LTD Crown Victoria and the Dodge St. Regis which met the CAFE fuel economy mandates passed in 1978. Detroit's response to the growing popularity of imported compacts like the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Rabbit was the Chevrolet Citation and the Ford Fairmont.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Automobile fuel economy
Ford replaced the Ford Pinto with the Ford Escort and Chrysler, on the verge of bankruptcy, introduced the Dodge Aries K. GM was having unfavorable market reactions to the Citation and introduced the Chevrolet Corsica and Chevrolet Beretta in 1987 which did sell better. GM also replaced the Chevrolet Monza, introducing the 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier which was better received. Ford experienced a similar market rejection of the Fairmont and introduced the front-wheel-drive Ford Tempo in 1984.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Automobile fuel economy
Detroit was not well prepared for the sudden rise in fuel prices, and imported brands (primarily the Asian models, which were mass-marketed and had a lower manufacturing cost as opposed to British and West German brands. Moreover, the rising value of the Deutsche mark and British pound resulted in the transition to the rise of Japanese manufacturers as they were able to export their product from Japan at a lower cost, resulting in profitable gains (despite accusations of price dumping), and were now more widely available in North America and developing a loyal customer base.


1979 oil crisis, Effects, Automobile fuel economy
A year after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Japanese manufacturers surpassed Detroit's production totals, becoming first in the world. Japanese exports would later displace the automotive market once dominated by lower-tier European manufacturers (Renault, Fiat, Opel, Peugeot, MG, Triumph, Citroen). Some would declare bankruptcy (e.g. Triumph, Simca) or withdraw from the U.S. market, especially in the wake of grey market automobiles or the inability of the vehicle to meet DOT requirements (from emission requirements to automotive lighting). Many imported brands utilized fuel-saving technologies such as fuel injection and multi-valve engines over the common use of carburetors. Nonetheless, overall fuel economy increased, which was one factor leading to the subsequent 1980s oil glut.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry
A vote of no confidence in the British Labour government of James Callaghan occurred on 28 March 1979. The vote was brought by opposition leader Margaret Thatcher and was lost by the Labour government by one vote (311 votes to 310), which was announced at 10:19 pm. The result mandated a general election which was won by Thatcher's Conservative Party. The last time an election had been forced by the House of Commons was in 1924, when Ramsay MacDonald, the first Labour Prime Minister, lost a vote of confidence. Labour politician Roy Hattersley later remarked that the vote marked "the last rites" of 'old Labour'. Labour did not return to government for another 18 years. The BBC has referred to the vote as "one of the most dramatic nights in Westminster history".


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
The general election at the end of February 1974 resulted in a hung parliament where Labour had slightly more seats than any other party but no overall majority. The Conservatives tried to negotiate a coalition with the Liberal Party but failed and Edward Heath's government resigned. Labour came to power in March 1974, its leader Harold Wilson having accepted the royal invitation to form a minority government. Wilson called a second election for October 1974, which gave Labour a wafer-thin majority of three MPs.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
The Labour government implemented pay restraint to control global inflation, coupled with stagnation and unemployment at record post-war levels. Wilson resigned in 1976 in poor health, on turning 60, and James Callaghan became leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister. By-elections and defections whittled away Labour's majority, which technically was non-existent by April 1976 in the House of Commons after a by-election defeat, the defection of two Labour MPs to form the Scottish Labour Party and the defection of backbencher John Stonehouse.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
In 1977 the Labour government and the Liberal Party agreed to the Lib–Lab pact by which the Liberals agreed to support the government in return for pre-legislative consultation. The pact lasted for a year before lapsing in July 1978; at which point the Liberal Party declared that they supported a general election as soon as possible and would therefore support any no confidence motions. Callaghan was widely expected to call an election in September 1978 but decided against this, hoping he would fare better in a year's time once the economy had improved.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
However the winter saw a prolonged period of industrial unrest known as the Winter of Discontent which severely reduced Labour's popularity. The government survived a motion of no confidence in December 1978 by ten votes after negotiating the support of the Ulster Unionists. (Draft legislation was before the House to give Northern Ireland more parliamentary seats; it cleared the House of Commons on 17 January 1979.)


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
On 1 March 1979 a referendum on the Scotland Act saw a majority vote for devolution, but a threshold imposed by anti-devolution MPs requiring 40% of the electorate to be in favour was not reached due to low turnout. When the government decided not to implement the Act, the Scottish National Party MPs put down a motion of no confidence.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Background
After consulting with the Liberal Party to confirm that they were still supporting motions of no confidence, on Monday, 26 March, the Leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher put down an early day motion "[t]hat this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government.". The government arranged for this motion to be debated on Wednesday 28 March as an opposition motion in government time.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Motion and debate
The motion moved by Margaret Thatcher was: "Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, 'That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government.'"


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Motion and debate
During the debate Callaghan criticised the Scottish National Party, committed to independence for Scotland, for voting with the Conservative Party who opposed devolution. The Scottish National Party would subsequently lose all but two of their seats in the election following the no confidence vote:


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Motion and debate
We can truly say that once the Leader of the Opposition discovered what the Liberals and the SNP would do, she found the courage of their convictions. So, tonight, the Conservative Party, which wants the Act repealed and opposes even devolution, will march through the Lobby with the SNP, which wants independence for Scotland, and with the Liberals, who want to keep the Act. What a massive display of unsullied principle! The minority parties have walked into a trap. If they win, there will be a general election. I am told that the current joke going around the House is that it is the first time in recorded history that turkeys have been known to vote for an early Christmas.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Motion and debate
As leader of the House of Commons, Michael Foot closed the debate. During his speech he made a widely quoted put-down of Liberal leader David Steel, describing him as having "passed from rising hope to elder statesman without any intervening period whatsoever".


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote
The government lost by one vote. James Hamilton, Labour's Scottish whip reportedly thought for a moment the support of two Ulster Unionist MPs would allow the Government a narrow victory. Margaret Thatcher initially believed she had lost the vote after a rough calculation as to the vote's outcome had been made without counting the two Conservative tellers who had counted the votes. Due to the closeness of the vote there is some debate as to whether deals could have been made which would have kept the Government in power.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote
Had the vote been tied, the Speaker of the House of Commons, George Thomas, would probably have followed Speaker Denison's rule and used his casting vote in favour of the status quo and thus against the motion. Following the vote Conservative backbenchers cheered and Labour left-wingers, led by Neil Kinnock, sang "The Red Flag".


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Enoch Powell and Ulster Unionists
Before the vote there were some discussions between Labour, the Ulster Unionists and Enoch Powell regarding a deal over a pipeline which would provide cheap energy to Northern Ireland. Callaghan was unwilling to support the proposal due to unhappiness with minority government. There were also discussions about a separate inflation index for Northern Ireland.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Sir Alfred Broughton
One crucial vote was lost by Labour backbencher Sir Alfred Broughton who was unable to attend the vote due to ill health. Broughton (professionally a doctor) was mortally ill and died a few days after the vote but was determined to come to Westminster if it meant saving the government, although his own doctor was strongly opposed. Parliamentary procedure would have allowed his vote to be counted even if he remained within an ambulance at Speaker's Court. However, after a debate over what would happen if Broughton died en route, Callaghan finally decided that he would not risk Broughton's health by asking him to travel, a decision which was to bring down the government. Broughton died on 2 April 1979.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Walter Harrison and Bernard Weatherill
In the BBC documentary "A Parliamentary Coup" it was revealed that Bernard Weatherill played a critical role in the defeat of the government in the vote of confidence. As the vote loomed, Labour's deputy chief whip, Walter Harrison, approached Weatherill to enforce the pairing convention that if a sick MP from the government could not vote, an MP from the opposition would abstain to compensate.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Walter Harrison and Bernard Weatherill
Weatherill said that pairing had never been intended for votes on matters of confidence that meant the life or death of the government and it would be impossible to find a Conservative MP who would agree to abstain. However, after a moment's reflection, he offered that he himself would abstain, because he felt it would be dishonourable to break his word with Harrison. Harrison was so impressed by Weatherill's offer – which would have effectively ended his political career – that he released Weatherill from his obligation and so the government fell by one vote on the agreement of gentlemen.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Clement Freud
During the last year of the Callaghan government it proposed reinventing the one year Lib-Lab pact which lapsed in July 1978, to include introducing a Freedom of Information Act, long proposed by the Liberals, although Callaghan himself was opposed to this kind of legislation. When the vote of no confidence came about, Liberal MP Clement Freud, a long-time campaigner for freedom of information, was expected to follow his party and vote with the opposition.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Clement Freud
Freud, in Liverpool on the day of the vote, received a phone call from the Prime Minister's office at 3:00 pm asking for him to miss his train back to London for the 10:00 pm vote of no-confidence. In exchange, a "looser" version of his proposed Freedom of Information Act would be enacted. He declined the offer and voted with his party.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Welsh Nationalists
Plaid Cymru supported the Labour government after extracting concessions from them.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Irish Nationalists
Without Broughton, Labour needed the support of Northern Irish MPs to tie the vote. Gerry Fitt, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, was sympathetic to the Labour Party and Frank Maguire, an independent republican MP, had supported the government on previous knife-edge votes but were unhappy with proposals that would increase the number of constituencies in Northern Ireland and therefore increase Unionist representation. Fitt eventually decided not to support Labour but that he would campaign for them to be re-elected if they lost. He urged Frank Maguire to do the same.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Vote, Irish Nationalists
Although not an abstentionist Member of Parliament, Maguire rarely attended the House of Commons. He told a journalist in London before the vote, "I have come over here to abstain in person". The BBC documentary "A Parliamentary Coup" states that Frank Maguire's wife was, unknown to Fitt, sitting in the public gallery of the House of Commons and urged her husband not to vote after hearing Fitt.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Aftermath
When a vote of no confidence is passed, the government must either resign or request a dissolution of Parliament from the monarch. Callaghan called a general election, stating, "We shall take our case to the country." Parliament was not dissolved immediately after the vote: a couple of days' wash-up period was allowed for the completion of uncontroversial business, with 25 bills receiving royal assent on 2 April, including a stopgap Finance Act. The resulting election was won by the Conservative Party and led to 18 years of Conservative rule. After losing, Callaghan remained Labour leader for another year before the succession of Michael Foot.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, Aftermath
The Scottish National Party also suffered in the 1979 general election, with its group reduced from 11 members to just two. The incoming Conservative government repealed the Scotland Act and devolution was not enacted until the 1997 referendum.


1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry, In popular culture
The 2012 play This House by James Graham depicted the work of the whips from both the government and opposition sides during the period of minuscule and no Labour majorities. It culminated with the vote of no confidence itself.


1979 Ålandic legislative election
Legislative elections were held in the Åland Islands on 20 October 1979 to elect members of the Landstinget. The 30 members were elected for a four-year term by proportional representation.


1979 Ålandic legislative election
The 1979 elections saw the first participation of the Åland Centre, which had formed from a loose electoral organisation known as Landsbygdens och skärgårdens valförbund (LOS); the Liberals for Åland, which had been formed by a merger of LOS-Liberalerna (itself a break-away organisation from LOS) and Mittenliberalerna; and the Ålandic Left.


1979 Úrvalsdeild, Overview
It was contested by 10 teams, and ÍBV won the championship. Víkingur's Sigurlás Þorleifsson was the top scorer with 10 goals.


1979–1980 Massachusetts legislature
The 171st Massachusetts General Court, consisting of the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives, met in 1979 and 1980 during the governorship of Edward J. King. William Bulger served as president of the Senate and Thomas W. McGee served as speaker of the House. In 1980, the General Court voted to establish the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education with the authority to consolidate resources for public higher education in the state.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq
The 1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, also known as the First Sadr Uprising, took place as a followup to the Iranian Revolution (1978–1979) in neighbouring Iran, as the Shia Iraqi clerics vowed to overthrow Ba'athist Iraq, dominated by (secular) Sunni Muslims - specifically the Saddam Hussein family. Saddam and his deputies believed that the riots had been inspired by the Iranian Revolution and instigated by Iran's government. The riots erupted in May 1979 and escalated in June - leading to thousands tortured and killed in Najaf. The uprising subsided with the April 1980 arrest of the leader of Shia Iraqis Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and his subsequent execution.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, History
Al-Sadr's works attracted the ire of the Baath Party leading to repeated imprisonment where he was often tortured. Despite this, he continued his work after being released. When the Baathists arrested Ayatollah Al-Sadr in 1977, his sister Amina Sadr bint al-Huda made a speech in the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf inviting the people to demonstrate. Many demonstrations were held, forcing the Baathists to release Al-Sadr who was placed under house arrest.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, History
In 1979–1980, anti-Ba'ath riots arose in the Iraq's Shia areas by groups, who were working toward an Islamic revolution in their country. Saddam and his deputies believed that the riots had been inspired by the Iranian Revolution and instigated by Iran's government. In the aftermath of Iran’s revolution, Iraq’s Shiite community called on Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr to be their “Iraqi Ayatollah Khomeini”, leading a revolt against the Ba'ath regime. Community leaders, tribal heads, and hundreds of ordinary members of the public paid their allegiance to al-Sadr.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, History
Protests then erupted in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite provinces of the south in May 1979. For nine days, protests against the regime unfolded, but were suppressed by the regime. The cleric’s imprisonment led to another wave of protests in June after a seminal, powerful appeal from al-Sadr’s sister, Bint al-Huda. Further clashes unfolded between the security forces and protestors. Najaf was put under siege and thousands were tortured and executed.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, History
Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr was finally arrested on 5 April 1980 with his sister, Sayedah Bint al-Huda. They had formed a powerful militant movement in opposition to Saddam Hussein's regime.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, History
On 9 April 1980, Al-Sadr and his sister were killed after being severely tortured by their Baathist captors. Signs of torture could be seen on the bodies. The Baathists raped Bint Houda in front of her brother. An iron nail was hammered into Al-Sadr's head and he was then set on fire in Najaf. It has been reported that Saddam himself killed them. The Baathists delivered the bodies of Baqir Al-Sadr and Bintul Huda to their cousin Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr. They were buried in the Wadi-us-Salaam graveyard in the holy city of Najaf the same night. His execution raised no criticism from Western countries because Al-Sadr had openly supported Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran.


1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq, Aftermath
The 1999 Shia uprising in Iraq (or Second Sadr Uprising) took place in Iraq in early 1999 following the killing of Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr by the then Ba'athist government of Iraq. The protests and ensuing violence were strongest in the heavily Shia neighborhoods of Baghdad, as well as southern majority Shiite cities such as Karbala, Nasiriyah, Kufa, Najaf, and Basra.


1979–1983 Eastern Australian drought
Between 1979 and 1983 almost all of eastern Australia was affected by a major drought.


1979–1983 Eastern Australian drought
Although in some places such as the South Coast the drought was almost continuous, in most of the affected region the major years of drought were 1980 and 1982.


1979–1983 Eastern Australian drought, Background
The 1970s had been an exceptionally wet decade over eastern Australia, despite short-term droughts from April to August 1976 and June to December 1977. 1978 was especially wet in the southern coast districts of New South Wales and East Gippsland because southern low pressure systems consistently redeveloped over the east coast. Orbost's 1978 rainfall of 1,559 millimetres (61.4 in) is as much as 256 mm (10 inches) above its previous record from 1935. In the winter, unseasonal rains struck normally bone-dry areas of northern Australia, and the wet season arrived early in the north in October. Though the Wet was not abnormally powerful in November and December, southeastern Australia remained exceptionally wet.