What happened in August 1979?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1979, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🌊 Bangladesh Villages Flooded – Monsoon floods have destroyed six villages in Bangladesh, leaving at least 100,000 people homeless in the Rangpur district.
- Aug 2🌍 Merchant Ships Aid Refugees – Merchant ships in the South China Sea are now more willing to assist Vietnamese refugees amid improved acceptance from Western nations.
- Aug 3🌍 Pope's Upcoming Visit – Pope John Paul II will visit the Philippines in December after his fall trip to the United States, church leaders announced.
- Aug 4✈️ Munson Crash Investigation – Investigator cites engine failure as the cause of Thurman Munson's private jet crash, resulting in his death and injuries to two passengers.
- Aug 5🦖 Largest Dinosaur Discovered – Dr. James A. Jensen announces the discovery of what may be the largest dinosaur ever, a 50-60 feet tall brachiosaurus species.
- Aug 6🔬 Cocoons Shield Tumors – Research suggests that cocoons may provide a protective shield for tumors, allowing them to evade the immune system.
- Aug 7🎶 Schuller’s Concert Debut – The 1979 Festival of Contemporary Music opened with Gunther Schuller's acclaimed work 'Deal' at Tanglewood, showcasing innovative compositions.
- Aug 8🛥️ U.S. Yachts Dominate Race – Americans finished first and second in the fourth race of the Admiral's Cup, a prestigious ocean racing event.
- Aug 9🔬 Nobel Laureate Dies – Feodor Lynen, Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine, passed away at 68 after a long illness in Munich, West Germany.
- Aug 10🎉 National Polka Festival – Hunter Mountain, N.Y., hosts the National Polka Festival, celebrating the lively dance for the next 10 days.
- Aug 11🌍 Nicaragua Issues Decrees – Nicaragua's government announced control over food exports to restore normalcy amid ongoing political changes.
- Aug 12☀️ Sun's Energy Costs – Islip townhouses will utilize solar energy, promising to lower costs as demand for sustainable housing increases.
- Aug 13🎭 Bolshoi Ballet Returns – The Bolshoi Ballet's performances at the Metropolitan Opera House showcased the dancers' fervor, despite mixed reviews on the repertory.
- Aug 14🏗️ Stadium Roof Collapse – Five workmen died and 15 were injured when the roof of a stadium under construction near O'Hare collapsed after a jetliner flew overhead.
- Aug 15⛵ Yacht Race Tragedy – At least 10 yachtsmen drowned in the Fastnet race as stormy seas and gale-force winds struck over 300 boats in the English Channel.
- Aug 16🚀 Soviet Astronauts Excursion – Two Soviet astronauts made an 83-minute spacewalk from the Salyut 6 space station, marking a significant achievement in their record 171-day mission.
- Aug 17🌍 Nicaraguans Jubilant – La Prensa, Nicaragua's leading independent newspaper, returned to the streets after a 10-week absence, with copies quickly snatched up.
- Aug 18🏛️ Native Artisans Exhibit – The Museum of the American Indian showcases traditional crafts and performances at the U.S. Custom House, celebrating Native culture.
- Aug 19🌍 Landslides Kill 15 – Landslides caused by monsoon rains in northern India resulted in at least 15 fatalities, highlighting the dangers of seasonal weather.
- Aug 20🚀 Soviet Astronauts Return – Two Soviet astronauts returned safely to Earth after orbiting for a record 175 days in a space station.
- Aug 21🏊 Nyad Swims to Florida – Diana Nyad triumphantly completes a 60-mile swim from the Bahamas to Florida, overcoming strong currents and jellyfish.
- Aug 22🌍 Natural Gas Pipeline Agreement – A deal was announced for a 350-mile pipeline to import Canadian natural gas into New England, costing $420 million.
- Aug 23🌪️ Typhoon Lashes Japan – Typhoon Judy caused thunderstorms and heavy rain in Japan, resulting in one death and several missing persons.
- Aug 24🔭 First Double Quasar Found – Astronomers report the discovery of the first double quasar, a significant finding in the study of distant celestial objects.
- Aug 25✈️ U.S. Halts Soviet Airliner – U.S. officials delayed a Soviet airliner to confirm if dancer Aleksandr Godunov's wife was returning to Moscow willingly.
- Aug 26🛩️ Boeing 727 Dive Averted – A Boeing 727 nearly crashed near Detroit, but disaster was averted at the last moment, as recounted by passenger Chell Roberts.
- Aug 27⛰️ Pope Blesses Statue – Pope John Paul II blessed a statue of the Madonna at the peak of Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomite Alps, during a ceremony.
- Aug 28🔬 Dinosaur Eggs Discovered – Paleontologists found the first whole dinosaur eggs ever unearthed in North America, just before seismic blasts were set to begin.
- Aug 29🔬 Physicists Discover Gluon – An international team of physicists found strong evidence of a new particle, called a gluon, that binds atomic nuclei together.
- Aug 30🚀 Spacecraft Observes Iapetus – Pioneer 11 spacecraft glimpses Saturn's moon Iapetus, revealing its unusual brightness difference, though observations were limited.
- Aug 31🌪️ Hurricane David Strikes – Hurricane David, one of the most powerful storms in the Western Hemisphere, hit several Caribbean islands, killing 10 and causing widespread destruction.
Happy Birthday! 1979 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1979 in real headlines. See the 1979 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: