Major Events of May 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 May 1979 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

01 May 1979 Greenland achieves limited autonomy from Denmark: On May 1, 1979, Greenland was granted home rule, allowing it to govern its internal affairs while Denmark retained control over foreign policy and defense. This marked a significant step towards self-determination for the Greenlandic people, enabling them to manage local resources and cultural matters more effectively. The home rule agreement was a pivotal moment in Greenland's political history, leading to further discussions about independence in subsequent years. source: britannica.com
02 May 1979 Quadrophenia film premieres in London: The British drama film 'Quadrophenia', directed by Franc Roddam and based on The Who's 1973 rock opera, premiered in London on May 2, 1979. The film, set in 1964, follows the life of a young mod named Jimmy Cooper, portrayed by Phil Daniels, and features a soundtrack by The Who. It was released to the public on August 16, 1979. source: brainyhistory.com
03 May 1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes first female British Prime Minister: On May 3, 1979, Margaret Thatcher was elected as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Leading the Conservative Party, she won a decisive victory in the general election, marking a significant moment in British political history. Thatcher's leadership would last until 1990, during which she implemented numerous economic and social reforms. source: bbc.com
04 May 1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes UK Prime Minister: Margaret Thatcher was elected as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on May 4, 1979, after her Conservative Party won a decisive victory in the general election. She became the first woman to hold the office and served until 1990, implementing significant economic and social reforms during her tenure. Her leadership style and policies, often referred to as 'Thatcherism,' had a lasting impact on British politics. source: bbc.com
05 May 1979 Voyager 1 completes flyby of Jupiter: On May 5, 1979, Voyager 1 successfully completed its flyby of Jupiter, providing unprecedented images and data about the planet and its moons. This historic event marked a significant milestone in space exploration, revealing details about Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, and its largest moon, Ganymede. The mission greatly enhanced our understanding of the outer solar system. source: nasa.gov
06 May 1979 Nancy Lopez wins Women's International Golf Tournament: On May 6, 1979, Nancy Lopez secured her 12th LPGA Tour victory at the Women's International Golf Tournament in South Carolina, finishing three strokes ahead of runner-up Donna White with a score of 282 (−6). source: en.wikipedia.org
07 May 1979 5th UNCTAD Conference Opens in Manila: The Fifth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD V) commenced on May 7, 1979, in Manila, Philippines. The conference, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, continued until June 3, 1979, focusing on global trade and development issues. source: unctad.org
08 May 1979 El Salvador Cathedral Massacre: Police Open Fire on Demonstrators: On May 8, 1979, Salvadoran police opened fire on anti-government protesters outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador, resulting in at least 18 deaths and numerous injuries. The protest, organized by the left-wing Popular Revolutionary Bloc, was demanding the release of five leaders imprisoned by the military government. Eyewitnesses reported that the police fired automatic rifles into the crowd without warning, causing panic as demonstrators sought refuge inside the cathedral. The incident intensified the political unrest in El Salvador, leading to further violence and contributing to the escalation of the Salvadoran Civil War. source: news.bbc.co.uk
09 May 1979 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
10 May 1979 Gasoline prices exceed $1 per gallon in Boston: On May 10, 1979, a Gulf station in Boston's Beacon Hill area became the first in the U.S. to raise its premium unleaded gasoline price above $1 per gallon, increasing it from 98.9 cents to $1.009. source: washingtonpost.com
12 May 1979 Tracy Austin ends Chris Evert's 125-match clay court winning streak: On May 12, 1979, 16-year-old Tracy Austin defeated Chris Evert 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in the semifinals of the Italian Open, ending Evert's 125-match winning streak on clay courts that had begun in August 1973. source: tennismajors.com
13 May 1979 Cuban asylum seekers breach Venezuelan embassy in Havana: On May 13, 1979, twelve Cubans attempted to seek asylum by crashing a bus through the fence of the Venezuelan embassy in Havana. The Cuban Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that three of the individuals were wounded by gunfire from Cuban guards after the driver refused to halt, and three others were injured in the crash. The exact number of individuals who successfully entered the embassy was not specified. source: washingtonpost.com
14 May 1979 Jean Rhys dies at 88 in Exeter, England: Jean Rhys, the acclaimed British novelist known for works like "Wide Sargasso Sea," passed away on May 14, 1979, in Exeter, Devon, England, at the age of 88. source: britannica.com
15 May 1979 Margaret Thatcher becomes first female UK Prime Minister: On May 15, 1979, Margaret Thatcher was elected as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Leading the Conservative Party, she served until 1990 and was known for her strong conservative policies and leadership style, which earned her the nickname 'The Iron Lady.' Her tenure marked significant changes in British politics and economics. source: bbc.com
16 May 1979 Kampatimar Shankariya executed in Jaipur, India: Kampatimar Shankariya, an Indian serial killer, was executed by hanging in Jaipur on May 16, 1979. He was convicted of murdering at least 70 people between 1977 and 1978, using a hammer to strike his victims on the neck below the ears. His last words were: "I have murdered in vain. Nobody should become like me." source: corriere.it
17 May 1979 6th Daytime Emmy Awards held at Vivian Beaumont Theatre: The 6th Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony took place on May 17, 1979, at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in New York City. Hosted by Bob Barker and televised on CBS, the event honored excellence in American daytime programming from 1978. Notably, this ceremony introduced the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, marking a first in the awards show's history. source: en.wikipedia.org
18 May 1979 President Carter's unusual rabbit encounter during fishing trip: On May 18, 1979, President Jimmy Carter had a notable encounter with a rabbit while fishing in a canoe on a pond in Plains, Georgia. The rabbit reportedly swam toward the canoe, prompting Carter to splash water in an attempt to scare it away. This incident became a quirky moment in presidential history, often referenced in discussions about Carter's presidency. source: history.com
19 May 1979 Spectacular Bid wins 104th Preakness Stakes: On May 19, 1979, Spectacular Bid, ridden by 19-year-old jockey Ronnie Franklin, secured victory in the 104th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race was run on a track listed as good, and Spectacular Bid completed the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:54-1/5, winning by 5½ lengths over runner-up Golden Act. This performance solidified his reputation as a leading contender for the Triple Crown. source: washingtonpost.com
20 May 1979 Elton John's historic USSR tour: Elton John arrived in Moscow on May 20, 1979, to begin his eight-concert tour of the Soviet Union, marking a significant cultural exchange during the Cold War. The tour included performances in Leningrad and Moscow, with the final concert on May 28, 1979, broadcast live on BBC Radio 1. This event was pivotal in introducing Western pop music to the Soviet audience and led to the official release of John's album "A Single Man" in the USSR. source: eltonjohn.com
21 May 1979 White Night Riots in San Francisco: On May 21, 1979, following the conviction of Dan White for the voluntary manslaughter of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, thousands of protesters, primarily from San Francisco's gay community, gathered at City Hall. The demonstration escalated into riots, resulting in property damage, injuries to both police officers and protesters, and a retaliatory police raid on a gay bar in the Castro District. source: en.wikipedia.org
22 May 1979 1979 Canadian federal election results in Conservative victory: On May 22, 1979, the Progressive Conservative Party, led by Joe Clark, won 136 seats in the Canadian federal election, forming a minority government. Despite the Liberal Party securing 40.11% of the popular vote, the Conservatives achieved a plurality in seats. This election marked the end of 16 years of Liberal governance under Pierre Trudeau. source: en.wikipedia.org
23 May 1979 Karl Carstens elected President of West Germany: On May 23, 1979, Karl Carstens was elected as the fifth President of the Federal Republic of Germany, defeating Social Democratic candidate Annemarie Renger in the first ballot. Carstens, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), served as President from July 1, 1979, to June 30, 1984. source: washingtonpost.com
24 May 1979 Thorpe Park opens in Surrey: Thorpe Park, a theme park located in Chertsey and Staines, Surrey, England, opened to the public on 24 May 1979. The park was officially opened by Lord Louis Mountbatten, marking his final public appearance before his assassination in 1979. Initially, the park featured a replica Stone Age cave, Celtic farm, Norman castle, and Viking camp, along with ancient water vehicles and aircraft. source: en.wikipedia.org
25 May 1979 First post-moratorium execution in Florida: John Arthur Spenkelink was executed by electric chair on May 25, 1979, marking Florida's first execution after the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. He was convicted of the 1973 murder of Joseph J. Szymankiewicz in Tallahassee. Spenkelink's execution was the first in the United States since 1967, following Gary Gilmore's execution in Utah in 1977. source: washingtonpost.com
26 May 1979 USS Nautilus concludes historic nuclear submarine service: The USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, completed its final voyage on May 26, 1979, arriving at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California. It was decommissioned on March 3, 1980, after 25 years of service and over half a million miles steamed. source: history.navy.mil
27 May 1979 Rick Mears wins the Indianapolis 500 for the first time: On May 27, 1979, Rick Mears won the Indianapolis 500, marking his first victory at this prestigious auto race. Mears drove a car for the Penske Racing team and completed the race in a time of 3 hours, 50 minutes, and 32 seconds. This win was significant in establishing Mears as one of the top drivers in IndyCar history, eventually leading to a total of four Indianapolis 500 victories. source: indycar.com
28 May 1979 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
29 May 1979 Bishop Abel Muzorewa becomes Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia: On May 29, 1979, Bishop Abel Muzorewa was sworn in as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, following the April 1979 elections. Despite the election, the international community, including the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity, did not recognize the new government, considering it a continuation of white minority rule. This led to ongoing conflict until the Lancaster House Agreement in December 1979, which paved the way for internationally recognized independence in 1980. source: stepbystep.com
30 May 1979 Nottingham Forest wins European Cup final against Malmö FF: On May 30, 1979, Nottingham Forest secured their first European Cup title by defeating Malmö FF 1–0 in the final held at Munich's Olympiastadion. Trevor Francis scored the decisive goal, marking his European debut. This victory was notable as it was the first time an English club had won the European Cup since Liverpool's back-to-back wins in 1977 and 1978. source: theguardian.com
31 May 1979 Blondie's 'Sunday Girl' tops UK music charts: Blondie's 'Sunday Girl' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on May 26, 1979, and held the top position for three consecutive weeks. The song was released as the fourth single from their album 'Parallel Lines' and became one of the band's most iconic tracks. source: officialcharts.com