What happened in June 1979?
The top front-page story of each day in June 1979, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jun 1✈️ Chicago Air Disaster – The death toll from the Chicago air disaster has risen to 274, with 17 victims positively identified by medical examiners.
- Jun 2🌌 Milky Way Gas Cloud – Astronomers report a cloud of very hot gas surrounding the Milky Way Galaxy, enhancing our understanding of cosmic structures.
- Jun 3🌍 Greece Joins EEC – Greece was officially admitted to the European Economic Community, marking a significant step in its integration with Europe.
- Jun 4🏛️ Pope's Historic Visit – Soviet TV broadcasts Pope John Paul II's visit to Poland, marking a significant moment in religious and political history.
- Jun 5🌌 Voyager 1's Discoveries – Voyager 1 reveals stunning variety on Jupiter's moons, showcasing distinct worlds and surprises in the solar system.
- Jun 6🔬 Quasar Image Split – Astronomers detected a quasar whose image appears split by the gravity of a massive object between it and Earth.
- Jun 7🏇 200th English Derby – Queen Elizabeth's colt Milford is overtaken by Troy, winning the 200th English Derby by seven lengths.
- Jun 8🔬 Liquid Water on Mars – Scientists identified two locations on Mars where liquid water may exist just below the surface, suggesting potential for life.
- Jun 9🌍 Soviet Space Docking – The unmanned Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 34 has successfully docked with the Salyut 6 space station, which is manned by two astronauts.
- Jun 10📚 Didion's California Insights – Joan Didion's book, "The White Album," reflects on the deep connections people have with places, highlighting iconic American authors.
- Jun 11🚀 U.S. Launches Satellite – An Air Force Titan-3C rocket launched from Cape Canaveral to position a satellite over the Equator for monitoring space activities.
- Jun 12🛰️ Skylab Nears Plunge – The Skylab space station is slowly descending towards Earth, coming closer to re-entry with each orbit.
- Jun 13✈️ Man-Powered Flight – An American successfully crossed the English Channel in a man-powered plane, marking a significant achievement in aviation history.
- Jun 14💰 IMF Loans to Philippines – The International Monetary Fund announced a $133 million loan and $56 million credit to the Philippines for economic development and export shortfalls.
- Jun 15🛰 Skylab Control Planned – NASA plans to maneuver Skylab to control its fall to Earth, aiming to minimize risks from falling debris.
- Jun 16🚀 Soviet Launches Satellite – The Soviet Union successfully launched Cosmos 1107, a satellite designed for ongoing space exploration.
- Jun 17🛩️ Man-Powered Flight – Bryan Allen flew the Gossamer Albatross, a man-powered aircraft, across the English Channel, marking a significant achievement in aviation history.
- Jun 18🏆 Irwin Wins U.S. Open – Hale Irwin claimed his second U.S. Open title, finishing with a score of even par 284 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
- Jun 19📰 Carter-Brezhnev Treaty – President Carter and Soviet leader Brezhnev sign a strategic arms treaty in Vienna, marking a significant step in U.S.-Soviet relations.
- Jun 20🚀 Space Shuttle Plans – NASA considers a suborbital flight for the space shuttle's maiden voyage instead of a full two-day orbit.
- Jun 21🌞 Carter Welcomes Solar Power – President Carter dedicated a solar heating system on the White House roof, announcing a new solar energy plan to promote renewable energy.
- Jun 22🌌 Skylab Re-Entry Date – New data suggests Skylab may re-enter Earth's atmosphere on July 12, four days earlier than previously expected.
- Jun 23🌍 Soviet Buys U.S. Grain – The Soviet Union purchased over 1 million metric tons of corn and wheat from the U.S., signaling significant agricultural trade.
- Jun 24🌍 Flood Disaster Declared – President Carter declared a major disaster in New Mexico due to flooding from storms and melting snow, enabling federal aid for victims.
- Jun 25🎭 Ballet: Mirror Dance – The Danish ballet 'Mirror Dance' from 'La Ventana' by August Bournonville is highlighted, showcasing its significance in ballet history.
- Jun 26🌊 Bering Sea Mystery Solved – A joint U.S.-Soviet expedition has uncovered why the Bering Sea produces an abundance of fish, enhancing scientific understanding of marine ecosystems.
- Jun 27🎾 Navratilova Wins Wimbledon – Martina Navratilova, the defending champion, won her first-round match at Wimbledon, marking a strong start in the 1979 championships.
- Jun 28🎭 Panov's ‘Idiot’ Success – Valery Panov, a Leningrad ballet star, received acclaim for his new ballet 'The Idiot' in West Berlin, based on Dostoyevsky's novel.
- Jun 29🌍 UN Appeals for Refugees – Religious leaders urge global action to rescue Indochinese refugees facing death, calling it a major humanitarian crisis.
- Jun 30🏆 Borg Wins Wimbledon – Bjorn Borg defends his Wimbledon title, winning easily despite injury concerns about a pulled hamstring muscle.
Happy Birthday! 1979 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1979 in real headlines. See the 1979 book →