Major Events of December 1979: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1979 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of December 1979: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Dec 1979 World Series Cricket Players Return to Test Cricket: In a significant moment for Australian cricket, former World Series Cricket players Bruce Laird, Greg Chappell, and David Hookes returned to Test cricket during the first Test match against West Indies in Brisbane. On the first day, they contributed substantially to Australia's score of 229/5, with Laird scoring 92, Chappell 74, and Hookes remaining unbeaten at 33.
02 Dec 1979 Iran's Constitutional Referendum: Iranian electors overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new constitution that granted absolute power to Ayatollah Khomeini, solidifying the Islamic Revolution's political structure.
03 Dec 1979 Iranian Revolution: Khomeini Becomes Supreme Leader: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini assumes the role of the first Supreme Leader of Iran, marking a pivotal moment in the Iranian Revolution and fundamentally transforming the country's political and religious landscape.
04 Dec 1979 The Hastie Fire Tragedy in Hull: A devastating fire in Hull resulted in the tragic death of three schoolboys. The incident would later become significant as it led to the arrest of Bruce George Peter Lee, connecting the fire to a broader criminal investigation.
05 Dec 1979 Sonia Johnson Excommunicated by Mormon Church: Sonia Johnson was formally excommunicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her vocal criticism of the church's stance against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. Her excommunication highlighted the tensions between religious institutions and emerging feminist movements in the late 1970s.
06 Dec 1979 Carter's Diplomatic Statement on Iran: President Jimmy Carter publicly addressed the political situation in Iran, making a nuanced statement about U.S. support for the Shah. His remarks reflected the complex diplomatic tensions of the time, acknowledging the internal dynamics of Iranian politics while maintaining a delicate diplomatic stance.
07 Dec 1979 Murder of Iranian Royal Family Member in Paris: Prince Chahryar Shafik, nephew of the recently deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was assassinated in Paris, France. This event occurred during a tumultuous period following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, when many members of the former royal family were facing potential threats both inside and outside Iran. The murder highlighted the ongoing political tensions and potential retaliatory actions against the Shah's family and associates after the revolution.
08 Dec 1979 Assassination of John Lennon: On a tragic evening outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City, legendary Beatles musician John Lennon was fatally shot by Mark David Chapman. The shooting occurred as Lennon was returning home with his wife Yoko Ono, shocking the music world and global fans. Chapman, an obsessed fan, waited outside the building and shot Lennon multiple times, effectively ending the life of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
09 Dec 1979 Global Smallpox Eradication Certified by WHO: The World Health Organization officially certified the complete eradication of the smallpox virus, marking a monumental achievement in human medical history. This landmark event represents the first time a human disease has been completely eliminated through systematic global vaccination efforts, saving millions of lives and preventing immense human suffering.
10 Dec 1979 Mother Teresa Receives Nobel Peace Prize: Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her extraordinary humanitarian work with the poor and destitute in India. Her selfless service and dedication to helping the most marginalized populations brought global attention to issues of poverty and compassion.
11 Dec 1979 Zimbabwe Gains Independence from Great Britain: On December 11, 1979, Great Britain officially granted independence to Zimbabwe, marking the end of colonial rule and a significant milestone in the country's political history. This event followed years of struggle and negotiations, transitioning the nation from being known as Rhodesia to the sovereign state of Zimbabwe.
12 Dec 1979 South Korean Military Coup: A significant military coup occurred in South Korea, led by Major General Chun Doo-hwan, which dramatically altered the country's political landscape and military leadership.
13 Dec 1979 Canadian Government Falls: The government of Prime Minister Joe Clark was defeated in the House of Commons, triggering a significant political event that would lead to the 1980 Canadian federal election and potential shifts in the country's political leadership.
14 Dec 1979 The Clash Releases Iconic Album 'London Calling': The legendary punk rock band The Clash released their groundbreaking third studio album 'London Calling', which would become one of the most influential rock albums of the late 20th century. The album blended punk, reggae, ska, and rockabilly, marking a significant evolution in the band's musical style.
15 Dec 1979 Bill of Rights Becomes Constitutional Law: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified and became law, establishing fundamental civil liberties and protections for American citizens.
16 Dec 1979 OPEC Oil Price Increase: Libya joined four other OPEC nations in raising crude oil prices, triggering an immediate and significant economic impact on the United States and global energy markets.
17 Dec 1979 Terry Fox Begins Marathon of Hope Training: Terry Fox, a courageous amputee who lost his leg to bone cancer, commenced training for his inspirational Marathon of Hope. His ambitious goal was to run over 5,300 kilometers (3,300 miles) across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, becoming a national hero and symbol of resilience.
18 Dec 1979 First Land Speed Record Breaking Sonic Speed: Stanley Barrett achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first person to exceed the speed of sound on land, driving a specially designed vehicle and reaching an incredible speed of 739.666 miles per hour. This groundbreaking achievement represented a significant moment in automotive and speed engineering history.
19 Dec 1979 Iran Adopts New Constitution: Following the Iranian Revolution earlier in 1979, Iran formally accepted its new constitution on December 19, establishing the framework for an Islamic Republic governed by revolutionary principles. This constitution fundamentally transformed Iran's political system, replacing the monarchical regime with a theocratic structure that emphasized Islamic law and governance.
20 Dec 1979 Comin' Uptown Musical Premieres in New York City: A musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic 'A Christmas Carol' opened at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City. The production, created by Garry Sherman and Peter Udell, featured the talented Gregory Hines in a leading role. Despite its innovative approach to the beloved holiday story, the musical had a relatively short run of 45 performances, indicating mixed audience reception.
21 Dec 1979 Lancaster House Agreement Signed: A pivotal independence agreement for Rhodesia (soon to become Zimbabwe) is signed in London by key political figures including Lord Carrington, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, and others, marking a critical moment in the decolonization of Southern Africa.
22 Dec 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis Begins: On December 22, 1979, a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations occurred when Iranian students seized the American embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. This event marked a significant escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran, lasting 444 days and profoundly impacting international diplomacy.
23 Dec 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: On December 23, 1979, Soviet forces occupied Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, marking a critical moment in the Soviet-Afghan War. Soviet troops entered the country to support the communist government and replace President Hafizullah Amin with Babrak Karmal, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia.
24 Dec 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The Soviet Union launched a military intervention in Afghanistan, deploying troops under the pretext of supporting the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. This invasion marked the beginning of a prolonged and complex conflict that would significantly impact global geopolitics during the Cold War era.
25 Dec 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The USSR airlifts an invasionary army into Afghanistan, marking the beginning of a complex and prolonged military intervention that would significantly impact global geopolitics.
26 Dec 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Begins: Soviet Special forces troops take over the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, marking the start of a significant military intervention that would dramatically reshape geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia.
27 Dec 1979 Soviet-Backed Regime Change in Afghanistan: Babrak Karmal, a prominent leader of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), is installed as the new head of government following a Soviet-orchestrated political transition.
28 Dec 1979 Uneventful Day in Global History: On December 28, 1979, no major historical events were recorded in the primary sources. This day appears to have been relatively quiet on the global stage, with no significant political, social, or cultural developments of note.
29 Dec 1979 Iran Accepts Constitution: Iran formally accepted its constitution, a significant political milestone in the country's governance structure following the Iranian Revolution earlier in 1979.
30 Dec 1979 Togo Adopts New Constitution: The West African nation of Togo formally adopts a new constitution, signaling a potential shift in its political governance and institutional framework. This constitutional change represents an important moment in Togo's post-colonial political development and potential democratic reforms.
31 Dec 1979 Shanghai New Year's Eve Stampede Tragedy: On December 31, 1979, a devastating New Year's Eve celebration in Shanghai resulted in a fatal crowd stampede that claimed the lives of at least 36 people and injured 49 others. This tragic incident highlighted significant crowd management and public safety challenges during large public gatherings.