What happened in April 1979?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1979, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🌍 Three Mile Island Crisis – The Three Mile Island nuclear plant experienced a major accident, leading to concerns over radiation exposure among workers and the public.
- Apr 2🗳️ Khomeini Declares Victory – Ayatollah Khomeini announced an overwhelming victory in Iran's referendum for an Islamic republic, marking a new government era.
- Apr 3🔬 Nuclear Crisis Eases – The Federal Government reported that hazards from the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor are decreasing, but radiation levels remain a concern.
- Apr 4⚛️ Three Mile Island Incident – The Three Mile Island nuclear reactor continues to cool down, but concerns grow over potential long-term contamination and shutdown.
- Apr 5⚡ Power Restored in Boston – Electricity was restored in Boston's Back Bay after a three-day blackout affecting 30,000 residents.
- Apr 6🔬 Nuclear Reactor Mishap – President Carter establishes a commission to investigate the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident and recommend safety improvements.
- Apr 7🏗️ Recreation Center Planned – An abandoned asphalt plant in New York will be transformed into a gymnasium, theater, and arts studio, promoting renewable energy studies.
- Apr 8🌍 Hoveida Executed in Iran – Amir Abbas Hoveida, Iran's Prime Minister for 13 years, was executed by firing squad in Tehran after a closed trial.
- Apr 9💰 Europe's Money Pact – The European Monetary System marks a calm start four weeks after its launch, indicating stability in currency linkage.
- Apr 10🔬 Inexpensive Solar Heater – An innovative solar heater using burned-out fluorescent tubes has been developed to pasteurize water for safe drinking in tropical regions.
- Apr 11🚀 International Space Visit – A Bulgarian astronaut is en route to the Soviet space station Salyut 6, joining astronauts from Czechoslovakia, Poland, and East Germany.
- Apr 12🏛️ New Regime in Uganda – Tanzanian soldiers and Ugandan exiles captured Kampala, Uganda's capital, marking a significant regime change as residents celebrated the event.
- Apr 13🏛️ Afghan Grave Discovery – An ancient royal burial ground in Afghanistan has yielded treasures that may rival those of King Tutankhamun.
- Apr 14🌍 Uganda Regime Assumes Office – Yusufu K. Lule's provisional government took office in Uganda, promising rule of law after the fall of Idi Amin.
- Apr 15🌋 East Germans Push Atom Power – East Germany continues its nuclear energy development plans despite public concerns following the Pennsylvania nuclear accident.
- Apr 16🌍 Yugoslavia Earthquake – A powerful earthquake struck southern Yugoslavia, leveling villages and resulting in hundreds of casualties.
- Apr 17🚀 Salyut May Yield Station – A Soviet spaceship continues to orbit Earth, representing significant progress in long-term space habitation and research.
- Apr 18🔬 Supreme Court Ruling – The Supreme Court ruled that blanket fees for TV music licenses do not constitute illegal price fixing, resolving a long-standing legal issue.
- Apr 19🌍 Chinese Freighter Docks – The Liu Lin Hai, first Chinese merchant ship in 30 years, docks in Seattle, marking a historic moment in U.S.-China relations.
- Apr 20🏛️ Pompeii Exhibition Opens – The 'Pompeii A.D. 79' exhibition opens at the American Museum of Natural History, showcasing historical artifacts from the ancient city.
- Apr 21🏭 Reactor Fluid No Longer Boiling – Temperatures in the Three Mile Island reactor dropped below boiling for the first time since the nuclear accident on March 28.
- Apr 22🩰 Ballet: ‘Giselle’ Premieres – American Ballet Theater presents its first 'Giselle' of the season at the Metropolitan Opera House with Marianna Tcherkassky in the title role.
- Apr 23🏛️ Pompeii Exhibit Opens – The Museum of Natural History opens 'Pompeii A.D. 79,' showcasing 350 Roman artifacts from the ancient city preserved by volcanic ash.
- Apr 24🌧️ Orange Rain in Crimea – Orange rain fell in Yalta, Crimea, due to dust from Turkey, leaving a rust-colored layer on surfaces.
- Apr 25🖨️ Intelligent Printer Emerges – A new high-speed 'intelligent' printer is being introduced, linking to computers and automated office equipment, shaping the future of office technology.
- Apr 26🧪 New Discoveries at Ft. Niagara – An archeological team has discovered remains of a barracks and 18th-century artifacts at Fort Niagara, enhancing historical knowledge.
- Apr 27🌊 Red River Floods – The swollen Red River flooded parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada, prompting evacuation orders for thousands in Manitoba.
- Apr 28🌊 Red River Flooding – Hundreds of rural residents were marooned along a 100-mile stretch of the upper Red River Valley due to severe flooding.
- Apr 29🌍 International Year of the Child – The UN and global nations celebrate the International Year of the Child with a major stamp issue to promote children's welfare.
- Apr 30🛰️ Satellite Photograph – A satellite image captured weather patterns across the United States, showcasing significant meteorological changes.
Happy Birthday! 1979 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1979 in real headlines. See the 1979 book →