What happened in January 1979?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1979, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🕊️ Israel Continues Talks – Israel decides to continue peace treaty talks with Egypt, with Prime Minister Begin suggesting negotiations could resume soon.
- Jan 2🌏 U.S.-China Relations Normalized – The U.S. and China celebrated the resumption of formal diplomatic relations after nearly three decades of estrangement.
- Jan 3⚓ Galleon Treasure Found – A treasure galleon that sank in 1641, the Concepcion, was discovered by Burt B. Webber Jr. off the Dominican Republic, holding vast riches.
- Jan 4🌍 China's U.N. Celebration – China's delegate to the U.N., Chen Chu, hosted a buffet for hundreds to celebrate renewed diplomatic ties with the United States.
- Jan 5🏨 Blenheim Hotel Demolished – The iconic Blenheim Hotel in Atlantic City was demolished using 400 pounds of dynamite in a planned explosion.
- Jan 6🌋 Southern Japan Volcano Erupts – A volcano on Sakura-jima erupted twice, sending smoke nearly two miles into the air. No casualties reported.
- Jan 7🌍 Global Weather Study – An international scientific project to enhance weather prediction and climate understanding is set to begin this week.
- Jan 8⚓ U.S.-Philippines Agreement – The U.S. and Philippines signed a treaty ensuring U.S. military access to air and naval bases until 1983 after three years of negotiations.
- Jan 9🌌 Gravity Waves Detected – A landmark experiment has intensified global efforts to detect gravity waves directly in laboratories worldwide.
- Jan 10🌍 Cambodia Case at UN – Prince Norodom Sihanouk arrived in New York to plead for UN assistance for the fallen Cambodian government.
- Jan 11🌍 Cambodia Crisis Meeting – The UN Security Council convened to discuss the ongoing crisis in Cambodia, reflecting global concerns over the situation.
- Jan 12🌳 China's Green Wall – China plans to create a vast forestry belt, a 'great green wall' of trees, to combat desertification and protect farmland by 1985.
- Jan 13🚁 Russians Rescued from Ice – Soviet helicopters and a ship rescued 2,890 fishermen from a drifting ice floe before it broke apart in the open sea.
- Jan 14🌌 Cosmic Discoveries – Astronomers studying galaxies find unexpected activity that may answer key questions about the universe's size, age, and expansion rate.
- Jan 15🌍 U.S. Proposes Taiwan Institute – The U.S. drafts legislation for a new relationship with Taiwan after severing diplomatic ties, establishing an institute to manage affairs.
- Jan 16❄️ Chicago Blizzard Recovery – Chicago workers dig out from a blizzard that dropped over 20 inches of snow, paralyzing transportation and closing O'Hare Airport.
- Jan 17🏛️ Shah Leaves Iran – Shah Mohammed Riza Pahlevi fled Iran amid a popular uprising, ending his 37-year rule and marking a significant political shift.
- Jan 18🌍 Census Begun in USSR – The Soviet Union has commenced its sixth census since the 1917 revolution, deploying 600,000 census takers across the country.
- Jan 19🔬 New Human Ancestor Found – A previously unknown human ancestor, with a small-brained head and erect body, was discovered in Africa, challenging views on human evolution.
- Jan 20🕌 Khomeini Declares Victory – Ayatollah Khomeini claims the Shah of Iran has been dethroned, vowing to take power through popular demonstrations.
- Jan 21🌌 Voyager 1 Studies Jupiter – Voyager 1 returns detailed photographs of Jupiter, aiding scientists in identifying regions for closer examination in March.
- Jan 22🏈 Pittsburgh Wins Super Bowl – Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-31, marking their third Super Bowl victory and setting records for Terry Bradshaw.
- Jan 23🐋 Whale Freed from Net – A U.S. lifeguard crew rescued a giant pilot whale trapped in a fishing net off Los Angeles, cutting it free to return to its herd.
- Jan 24📰 Khomeini Prepares Return – Ayatollah Khomeini is reportedly working on forming an alternative government as he plans to return to Iran.
- Jan 25🌍 Khomeini Defiant – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini reaffirmed his intention to return to Iran and lead supporters in establishing an Islamic republic despite airport closures.
- Jan 26🌍 Pope Visits Santo Domingo – Pope John Paul II arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to open a conference of Latin American bishops, marking a significant moment in his papacy.
- Jan 27✝️ Pope's Historic Visit – Pope John Paul II received a warm welcome from over a million Mexicans in Mexico City, marking his first trip abroad as Pope.
- Jan 28🌍 Teng Visits U.S – China's Deputy Prime Minister Teng Hsiaoping arrives in the U.S. for a historic nine-day visit, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.
- Jan 29🌏 Teng Visits U.S – Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Teng Hsiao-ping arrives in the U.S. for an official visit, marking a significant step in U.S.-China relations.
- Jan 30🛩️ Khomeini's Return Set – Iran announces reopening of airports, paving the way for Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile in France.
- Jan 31🏨 New Hotel Construction – Construction of a $42 million hotel begins today on the former site of Central Commercial High School in New York.
Happy Birthday! 1979 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1979 in real headlines. See the 1979 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: