What happened in November 1979?
The top front-page story of each day in November 1979, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Nov 1✈️ DC-10 Crash in Mexico – A Western Airlines DC-10 crashed in Mexico City, killing 71 of the 90 people on board and at least three on the ground.
- Nov 2🖼️ Lost Da Vinci Mural – Important clues found may lead to the discovery of a lost mural by Leonardo da Vinci in Florence after years of speculation.
- Nov 3🌍 U.N. Appeals for Aid – The United Nations Children's Fund and the Red Cross appealed for $251 million for a 12-month aid program for Cambodia.
- Nov 4🏛️ Thatcher Plans China Visit – Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has accepted an invitation to visit China next year, marking a historic diplomatic engagement.
- Nov 5🌊 200 Feared Dead – A cargo ship collided with a crowded river launch in Bangladesh, leading to fears of over 200 drownings during a celebration.
- Nov 6🚋 Cable Car Service Resumes – San Francisco's cable car service resumed, delighting tourists and locals with its iconic clang.
- Nov 7🌍 Hua Winds Up Trip – Chinese Prime Minister Hua Guofeng concluded a historic 23-day tour of Western Europe, marking the first visit by a Chinese head of government.
- Nov 8🏛️ Iran Demands Shah – Ayatollah Khomeini rebuffed U.S. attempts to negotiate the release of the American Embassy hostages in Tehran, indicating a possible mediation effort.
- Nov 9🏛️ Carter Trade Bill Passed – The House approved President Carter's trade reorganization plan by a voice vote, marking a significant legislative achievement.
- Nov 10🌍 Ozone Layer Crisis – Earth's ozone layer is depleting at twice the predicted rate, raising concerns about climate change and health risks, warns the National Academy of Sciences.
- Nov 11🦆 Duck Stamp Painting Wins – Richard W. Plasschaert earned an estimated $1 million for his painting of two ducks, winning the prestigious Duck Stamp contest.
- Nov 12🌍 Quake Hits Northwest Greece – A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook northwestern Greece, causing significant damage but no casualties reported.
- Nov 13🚂 Chlorine Gas Evacuations – A train derailment in Ontario forced the evacuation of 250,000 residents due to chlorine gas leaks, creating a ghost town.
- Nov 14🌍 Nuclear Blast Evidence – New Zealand scientists report evidence of a nuclear device detonation in the Southern Hemisphere within the last three months.
- Nov 15🌋 Volcano Erupts in Galápagos – A volcano on Isabela Island began erupting, forcing evacuations. No injuries reported; residents moved to Puerto Villamil.
- Nov 16🏛️ Dresden Orchestra Visits – The Dresden State Orchestra, the world's oldest, performs in New York for the first time, showcasing its rich musical heritage.
- Nov 17🌋 Kilauea Volcano Erupts – Kilauea volcano in Hawaii emitted small curtains of fire from Pauahi crater, indicating a localized eruption.
- Nov 18🌍 Nuclear Waste Concerns – EPA investigates radioactivity seepage from a federal research facility into the Snake River's water table, raising environmental alarms.
- Nov 19🦶 Oldest Footprints Found – Scientists discovered seven ancient footprints in Kenya, potentially the oldest made by a direct ancestor of modern humans.
- Nov 20⚾ Ryan's Record Contract – Nolan Ryan signed a $4.5 million contract with the Houston Astros, marking the richest deal in baseball history.
- Nov 21🌊 Venice Flooded Again – High tides flooded parts of central Venice for a sixth consecutive day, marking an unprecedented event in the city's history.
- Nov 22🏛️ First Haitian Concert Hall – Haiti's first concert hall and music school opens today, celebrating a 25-year effort by Sister Anne Marie Bickerstaff to establish a symphony orchestra.
- Nov 23✈️ Pilot Subdues Hijacker – A Japan Air Lines pilot overpowered a hijacker who forced a DC-10 to land at Narita, ensuring the safety of 345 passengers and crew.
- Nov 24🎶 Haitian Concert Hall Opens – Haiti's first philharmonic orchestra opened its concert hall, bringing classical music to the city amidst poverty.
- Nov 25🌍 Colombia Earthquake – A powerful earthquake in Colombia killed 44 people and injured 600, causing significant damage estimated at $20 million.
- Nov 26🌍 Saudi Mosque Retaken – Saudi National Guard regains control of the Grand Mosque in Mecca after a fierce gun battle, restoring order in a significant religious site.
- Nov 27✈️ Pakistani Plane Crash – A Pakistan International Airlines jetliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Jidda, killing all 156 aboard, mostly pilgrims returning from Mecca.
- Nov 28🔥 Fires Sweep Australia – Bush fires, mostly started by lightning, are out of control in central Australia, covering thousands of square miles, fire authorities reported.
- Nov 29✈️ DC-10 Crash in Antarctica – A New Zealand DC-10 sightseeing flight crashed into a mountain in Antarctica, killing all 257 aboard, including 20 Americans.
- Nov 30🌍 Pope Urges Unity – Pope John Paul II calls for collaboration between Christians and Muslims in Istanbul, highlighting shared moral values.
Happy Birthday! 1979 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1979 in real headlines. See the 1979 book →
Born in November? Pick the day
Every birthday in November has its own On This Day in Headlines book: