1979 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1979 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 09 May Unabomber injures Northwestern University graduate student with bomb: On May 9, 1979, a bomb concealed inside a cigar box was left on a table in the Technological Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Graduate student John Harris opened the box, triggering an explosion that caused minor cuts and burns. This incident was the second bombing attributed to the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, following a similar attack at the same university in 1978. source: bbc.com
- 12 Jul Hotel Corona de Aragón fire in Zaragoza, Spain: On July 12, 1979, a devastating fire broke out in the five-star Hotel Corona de Aragón in Zaragoza, Spain, resulting in at least 80 fatalities. The fire began in the ground-floor café and rapidly spread, causing significant loss of life. Despite extensive investigations, the exact cause remains uncertain, with some speculating about potential terrorist involvement. The incident led to the enactment of stricter fire safety regulations in Spain. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Aug IRA bombing in Brussels injures 18: On August 28, 1979, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a bomb under an open-air stage in Brussels' Grand-Place, targeting a British Army band. The explosion injured seven bandsmen and eleven civilians, causing extensive damage. The IRA claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid a series of assaults by the group in Europe during that period. source: washingtonpost.com
- 02 Nov Assata Shakur escapes from Clinton Correctional Facility for Women: On November 2, 1979, Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army, escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey. During a visit, three BLA members posing as visitors drew concealed firearms, seized two guards as hostages, and commandeered a prison van. The escape was successful, and Shakur eventually sought asylum in Cuba. source: washingtonpost.com
- 04 Nov Ted Koppel becomes anchor of ABC's 'America Held Hostage': In November 1979, during the Iran hostage crisis, Ted Koppel began anchoring ABC's nightly special reports titled 'America Held Hostage,' which later evolved into the program 'Nightline' in March 1980. source: pbs.org
- 08 Nov ABC News broadcasts 'The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage': On November 8, 1979, ABC News aired a special report titled 'The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage,' hosted by Frank Reynolds. This program provided in-depth coverage of the unfolding events following the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian students on November 4, 1979, who took 66 Americans hostage. The broadcast featured reports from various ABC correspondents and included interviews with key figures involved in the crisis. source: archive.org
- 12 Nov President Carter halts Iranian oil imports in response to embassy hostage crisis: On November 12, 1979, President Jimmy Carter announced the cessation of U.S. oil imports from Iran, following the seizure of 66 Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4. This decision aimed to eliminate any suggestion that economic pressures could influence the U.S. stance on the hostages' release. The U.S. had been importing approximately 700,000 barrels of Iranian oil daily, nearly 10% of its total imports at the time. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 Nov Carter freezes Iranian assets 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. This action aimed to prevent Iran from withdrawing approximately $12 billion from U.S. banks, following the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the taking of American hostages. The freeze affected deposits in U.S. banks and their foreign branches, totaling less than $6 billion in liquid assets. source: presidency.ucsb.edu
- 15 Nov Unabomber's first mail bomb incident: On November 15, 1979, Theodore Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, placed a bomb aboard American Airlines Flight 444, traveling from Chicago to Washington, D.C. The device partially detonated in the cargo hold, releasing smoke and causing an emergency landing. Twelve passengers were treated for smoke inhalation, but no fatalities occurred. This incident marked the first time the FBI investigated Kaczynski's bombings, leading to the case name "UNABOM" (UNiversity and Airline BOMbing). source: fbi.gov
- 17 Nov Ayatollah Khomeini orders release of female and African-American hostages during Iran Hostage Crisis: On November 17, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the release of five female and eight African-American hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The hostages were released on November 19 and 20, 1979, bringing the total number of U.S. hostages to 53. The release was attributed to Khomeini's respect for women in Islam and his view that African-Americans had been oppressed in American society. source: archives.gov
- 19 Nov Iran Hostage Crisis: Partial Hostage Release: On November 19, 1979, during the Iran Hostage Crisis, three hostages—two African American U.S. Marines and a female secretary—were released from captivity in Tehran. This release was part of a broader decision by Ayatollah Khomeini to free 13 hostages, including all women and African Americans, citing their oppression in American society. The remaining hostages were held until January 20, 1981. source: archives.gov
- 20 Nov Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca: On November 20, 1979, hundreds of militants led by Juhayman al-Otaybi seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during dawn prayers. They declared al-Otaybi's brother-in-law, Muhammad al-Qahtani, as the Mahdi, a messianic figure in Islam. The Saudi government responded with a two-week siege, involving national forces and foreign assistance, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, including militants, hostages, and military personnel. The incident led to significant political and social changes in Saudi Arabia. source: britannica.com
- 26 Nov Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740 crash: On November 26, 1979, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740, a Boeing 707-340C, crashed shortly after takeoff from Jeddah International Airport, Saudi Arabia, en route from Kano, Nigeria, to Karachi, Pakistan. The aircraft, carrying 156 people, including 145 passengers and 11 crew members, was a Hajj pilgrimage flight. The crash resulted in the deaths of all on board. The cause was determined to be an in-flight fire of unknown origin, which incapacitated the crew and led to the loss of control. The fire's origin was not conclusively determined, but possibilities included a gas leak or kerosene from one of the pilgrims' stoves. Terrorism was ruled out as there was no evidence of incendiary devices. source: en.wikipedia.org
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