1979 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1979 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan US establishes diplomatic relations with China: On January 1, 1979, the United States and the People's Republic of China officially established diplomatic relations, recognizing each other as sovereign states. This marked the end of U.S. recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the termination of diplomatic ties with Taipei. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing was opened on March 1, 1979, with Leonard F. Woodcock appointed as the first ambassador. source: history.state.gov
- 28 Jan Deng Xiaoping's historic U.S. visit: On January 28, 1979, Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping arrived in Washington, D.C., marking the first official visit by a senior Chinese leader to the United States since the founding of the People's Republic of China. This visit was pivotal in normalizing Sino-U.S. relations, leading to the establishment of full diplomatic ties on January 1, 1979. During his nine-day stay, Deng engaged in extensive discussions with President Jimmy Carter and other officials, resulting in agreements on science and technology cooperation, education, commerce, space, and cultural exchanges. The visit also included cultural events, such as a performance at the Kennedy Center, featuring American artists like John Denver and the Joffrey Ballet, aimed at fostering mutual understanding between the two nations. source: history.com
- 29 Jan Deng Xiaoping visits Washington, D.C.: Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader, made a historic visit to Washington, D.C. on January 29, 1979. This visit marked a significant step in U.S.-China relations, following the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. During his stay, Deng met with President Jimmy Carter and discussed various issues, including trade and cooperation. source: state.gov
- 08 Feb Portugal and China establish diplomatic relations: On February 8, 1979, Portugal and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations, marking a significant step in bilateral ties. This move followed Portugal's decolonization efforts and China's recognition of Macau as a "Chinese territory under Portuguese administration." source: en.wikipedia.org
- 14 Feb Kidnapping and death of U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs in Kabul: On February 14, 1979, U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs was kidnapped in Kabul, Afghanistan, by four men, some of whom were reportedly wearing Afghan police uniforms. The kidnappers held him in the Kabul Hotel and demanded the release of certain prisoners. Despite U.S. requests for negotiation, Afghan police, advised by Soviet officials, stormed the hotel, leading to a gunfight in which Dubs was killed. The exact circumstances remain unclear, with various accounts suggesting different motives and identities for the kidnappers. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
- 22 Mar Israeli Parliament approves Egypt peace treaty: On March 22, 1979, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, approved a peace treaty with Egypt by a vote of 95 to 18, with two abstentions. This approval paved the way for the signing of the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979, marking the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 May SALT II Treaty signed by the US and USSR: The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II) treaty was signed on May 9, 1979, by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. This treaty aimed to limit the number of strategic nuclear weapons and was a continuation of the SALT I negotiations. Although it was signed, the treaty was never ratified by the U.S. Senate due to rising tensions between the two superpowers. source: archives.gov
- 28 May Greece signs Treaty of Accession to European Economic Community: On May 28, 1979, Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis signed the Treaty of Accession at the Zappeion Megaron in Athens, marking Greece's formal entry into the European Economic Community. The treaty, effective January 1, 1981, made Greece the tenth member state of the EEC. source: cvce.eu
- 25 Jul Sinai Peninsula handover to Egypt completed: On July 25, 1979, Israel officially handed over the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, marking a significant step in the peace process following the Camp David Accords. This agreement, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, aimed to establish peace between the two nations after decades of conflict. The handover was a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy and set a precedent for future negotiations in the region. source: britannica.com
- 05 Aug Mauritania signs peace treaty with Polisario Front, ending territorial claims over Western Sahara: On August 5, 1979, Mauritania and the Polisario Front signed a peace treaty in Algiers, where Mauritania renounced all territorial claims over Western Sahara and withdrew its forces from the region. This agreement marked the end of Mauritania's involvement in the Western Sahara conflict and recognized the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Morocco subsequently annexed the area vacated by Mauritania, leading to further tensions in the region. source: washingtonpost.com
- 24 Aug Ghana recognizes Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: On August 24, 1979, Ghana officially recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a government-in-exile proclaimed by the Polisario Front in 1976. This recognition was part of a broader international acknowledgment of the SADR during that period. However, in January 2025, Ghana suspended diplomatic relations with the SADR, aligning with Morocco's stance on the Western Sahara issue. source: pbs.org
- 31 Aug U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou reopens after 30 years: On August 31, 1979, the United States reopened its Consulate General in Guangzhou, China, nearly 30 years after its closure in 1949. Vice President Walter Mondale unveiled the consulate's seal on the 11th floor of the Dongfang Hotel, marking a significant step in the normalization of U.S.-China diplomatic relations. Richard L. Williams was appointed as the first Consul General since 1949. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Sep Mexico recognizes Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: On September 8, 1979, during the VI Conference of nations of the Non-Aligned Movement, Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda y Álvarez de la Rosa declared that Mexico recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a state within the international community. Diplomatic relations were established on October 24, 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Oct Moshe Dayan resigns from Israeli government over autonomy talks: On October 21, 1979, Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan resigned, citing disagreements with Prime Minister Menachem Begin's policies on Palestinian autonomy negotiations. Dayan felt sidelined in the talks and reduced to handling minor foreign policy matters. His resignation raised questions about the future of Middle East peace negotiations and Israel's foreign policy direction. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 Nov US imposes economic sanctions on Iran in response to embassy hostage crisis: On November 14, 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 12170, freezing all Iranian government assets in the United States, totaling approximately $8.1 billion. This action was a direct response to the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the taking of American diplomats hostage, marking the first use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by a U.S. president. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
- 23 Nov Carter convenes crisis meeting on Iran hostage situation: On November 23, 1979, President Jimmy Carter convened a crisis meeting to address the ongoing Iran hostage situation, where 52 American diplomats and citizens were held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The meeting aimed to formulate a response to the crisis, which had significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics. This event marked a pivotal moment in the Iran-U.S. relations during the late 20th century. source: archives.gov
- 25 Nov Israel returns Alma oil field to Egypt as part of peace agreement: On November 25, 1979, Israel transferred control of the Alma oil field in the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, fulfilling a commitment under the Egypt–Israel peace treaty signed earlier that year. This field had been producing over 20% of Israel's oil needs, and its return marked a significant step in the normalization of relations between the two nations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Dec NATO's Double-Track Decision on Missile Deployment: On December 12, 1979, NATO's Foreign and Defense Ministers convened in Brussels and adopted the "Dual-Track Decision." This strategy aimed to modernize NATO's long-range theater nuclear forces by deploying 108 Pershing II launchers and 464 Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCMs) in Europe. Concurrently, NATO sought to engage the Soviet Union in negotiations to mutually limit medium-range nuclear missiles, offering a path to disarmament if successful. source: germanhistorydocs.org
What happened in 1979?
Discover what the world looked like in 1979: