1979 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1979 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan International Year of the Child declared by the United Nations: The United Nations declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child to promote the rights and well-being of children worldwide. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about children's issues and encourage governments to prioritize children's needs in policy-making. The year was marked by various events and activities focused on improving the lives of children globally. source: un.org
- 14 Jan Carter supports MLK holiday, Jan. 14, 1979: On January 14, 1979, President Jimmy Carter called for legislation to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. Speaking at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, Carter emphasized the need to honor King's legacy and strengthen civil rights laws. This pivotal endorsement revitalized efforts that had been stalled for over a decade, leading to the eventual establishment of the holiday in 1983. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Mar International Women's Day protests in Tehran: On March 8, 1979, thousands of Iranian women marched in Tehran to protest the newly imposed mandatory hijab decree by Ayatollah Khomeini. The protests, which lasted six days, were met with violence from pro-Khomeini forces but led to a temporary retraction of the decree. The movement highlighted women's resistance to the Islamic Republic's policies on women's rights. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Mar MLB mandates equal access for female reporters: On March 9, 1979, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered all 26 MLB teams to grant equal access to reporters, regardless of sex. This directive followed a successful lawsuit by Sports Illustrated reporter Melissa Ludtke, who had been denied access to team clubhouses during the 1977 World Series. The court ruled that the exclusion violated Ludtke's 14th Amendment rights, leading to the policy change. source: history.com
- 11 Mar Actor Victor Kilian's tragic murder: Victor Kilian, an American actor known for his role as the 'Fernwood Flasher' on 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,' was found beaten to death in his Los Angeles apartment on March 11, 1979. The crime remains unsolved. source: findagrave.com
- 27 Mar Eric Clapton marries Pattie Boyd: On March 27, 1979, Eric Clapton married Pattie Boyd in Tucson, Arizona. Boyd was previously married to Clapton's close friend, George Harrison of The Beatles. Their relationship inspired several iconic songs, including Clapton's "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight." source: history.com
- 29 Mar Premiere of 'Cloud Nine' at Royal Court Theatre: Caryl Churchill's play 'Cloud Nine' premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London on March 29, 1979. The play explores themes of colonialism and sexual politics, set in both Victorian Africa and 1979 London. It was co-produced with the Joint Stock Theatre Group and has since been staged worldwide. source: royalcourttheatre.com
- 31 Mar Israel wins Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hallelujah': On March 31, 1979, Israel's entry 'Hallelujah' performed by Milk and Honey featuring Gali Atari won the Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem, securing 125 points and marking Israel's second consecutive victory. source: jta.org
- 01 May Angela Davis awarded Lenin Peace Prize in 1979: On May 1, 1979, American activist Angela Davis was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union. She visited Moscow later that month to accept the prize, where she praised "the glorious name" of Vladimir Lenin and the "great October Revolution." source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Jun Pope John Paul II visits communist Poland: Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Poland from June 2 to June 10, 1979. This visit was significant as it marked the first time a pope had visited a communist country, and it played a crucial role in inspiring the Solidarity movement and the eventual fall of communism in Eastern Europe. His message of hope and faith resonated deeply with the Polish people, strengthening their resolve against the oppressive regime. source: bbc.com
- 16 Jun Supertramp's 'The Logical Song' peaks at #6 on Billboard Hot 100: On June 16, 1979, Supertramp's 'The Logical Song' reached its peak position of #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, released in March 1979, became one of the band's most successful singles, also achieving a #7 position in the United Kingdom. It remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for several months during the summer of 1979. source: officialcharts.com
- 29 Jun San Diego Chicken's 'Grand Hatching' at Padres Game: On June 29, 1979, Ted Giannoulas, known as the San Diego Chicken, made a dramatic return to San Diego Padres games after a legal dispute over the mascot's rights. He emerged from a giant Styrofoam egg atop an armored truck, escorted by California Highway Patrol motorcycles, before a sold-out crowd at Jack Murphy Stadium. This event, dubbed the 'Grand Hatching,' marked a significant moment in sports mascot history. source: espn.com
- 30 Jun First LGBT Pride Parade in Berlin, Germany: On June 30, 1979, Berlin hosted its inaugural Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, marking Germany's first official Pride event. Organized by Homosexuelle Aktion Westberlin, the parade aimed to raise awareness for LGBTQ+ rights and commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Approximately 500 participants marched through West Berlin, advocating for equal rights and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. source: thelocal.de
- 09 Jul Release of the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin: The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was officially released by the United States Mint on July 9, 1979. This coin was notable for being the first to feature a woman, Susan B. Anthony, in a prominent role, commemorating her contributions to women's rights and suffrage. The coin was minted until 1981 and was later reintroduced in 1999. source: usmint.gov
- 14 Oct First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights: The First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place on October 14, 1979. It was a significant event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, drawing an estimated 100,000 participants advocating for equal rights and recognition. The march aimed to raise awareness about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including discrimination and the AIDS crisis. source: loc.gov
- 05 Dec Sonia Johnson excommunicated by Mormon Church: On December 5, 1979, Sonia Johnson, a fifth-generation Mormon and leader of Mormons for ERA, was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The charges included spreading false doctrine and working against the teachings of the Church and its leaders. Johnson had been actively campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment, which the Church opposed, leading to her excommunication. source: washingtonpost.com
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