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

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

01 Nov 1979 Burmah Agate oil spill: On November 1, 1979, the oil tanker Burmah Agate collided with the freighter Mimosa near Galveston, Texas, resulting in explosions and a significant oil spill. The collision caused a fire that burned for over two months, leading to the deaths of 31 crew members and environmental damage along the Texas coast. An estimated 2.6 million gallons of oil were released into the environment, with another 7.8 million gallons consumed by the fire. source: washingtonpost.com
02 Nov 1979 Death of notorious French criminal Jacques Mesrine: Jacques Mesrine, a notorious French criminal known for his bank robberies and violent escapades, was killed by police in Paris on November 2, 1979. His life and criminal activities made him a controversial figure in France, often referred to as 'Public Enemy No. 1.' Mesrine's death marked the end of a tumultuous career that had captivated and horrified the French public. source: britannica.com
03 Nov 1979 Greensboro Massacre: On November 3, 1979, in Greensboro, North Carolina, members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party opened fire on participants of a "Death to the Klan" march organized by the Communist Workers Party. Five marchers were killed, and several others were injured. The incident, captured on film, became known as the Greensboro Massacre. In subsequent trials, the defendants were acquitted on self-defense grounds, leading to civil suits and a 1985 jury finding some police officers and Klan members liable for wrongful death. source: history.com
04 Nov 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis begins with the seizure of the U.S. Embassy: On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. This event marked the beginning of a 444-day crisis that significantly impacted U.S.-Iran relations and led to widespread protests in the United States. The hostages were held until their release on January 20, 1981, coinciding with Ronald Reagan's inauguration. source: archives.gov
05 Nov 1979 Khomeini denounces U.S. embassy as "center of espionage and plotting": On November 5, 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini condemned the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, which had been seized by Iranian students, as a "center of espionage and plotting." He warned the United States of "another course of action" if the deposed Shah was not extradited to Iran for trial. source: upi.com
06 Nov 1979 Mehdi Bazargan's government resigns in Iran: On November 6, 1979, Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan and his entire cabinet resigned from the Interim Government of Iran. This decision followed the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian militants on November 4, 1979, and was a response to the government's inability to resolve the hostage crisis. The resignation marked the end of the Interim Government and led to the establishment of the Council of the Islamic Revolution as the de facto governing body. source: washingtonpost.com
07 Nov 1979 Ted Kennedy announces challenge to President Carter for Democratic nomination: On November 7, 1979, Senator Ted Kennedy formally declared his candidacy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination, challenging incumbent President Jimmy Carter. Kennedy's campaign focused on addressing economic issues and criticized Carter's policies, marking a significant moment in Democratic Party politics. source: washingtonpost.com
08 Nov 1979 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
09 Nov 1979 Four men convicted of Carl Bridgewater's murder in 1979: In November 1979, four men—James Robinson, cousins Vincent and Michael Hickey, and Patrick Molloy—were convicted for the murder of 13-year-old paperboy Carl Bridgewater, who was shot while delivering newspapers in Stourbridge, England. The convictions were overturned in 1997 after the Court of Appeal found the trial had been unfair due to fabricated evidence by police officers. source: news.bbc.co.uk
10 Nov 1979 Mississauga train derailment: On November 10, 1979, a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in Mississauga, Ontario. The incident led to explosions and fires, resulting in the evacuation of over 200,000 residents, marking it as the largest peacetime evacuation in North America at that time. Remarkably, there were no fatalities or serious injuries. source: peelregion.ca
11 Nov 1979 Courtenay Semel's birth date: Courtenay Semel was born on November 11, 1979, in Beverly Hills, California. She is an American actress and television personality, best known for her appearance on "Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive." Semel is also recognized for her advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community.
12 Nov 1979 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
13 Nov 1979 The Times newspaper resumes publication after year-long dispute: On November 13, 1979, The Times newspaper resumed publication after an 11-month suspension due to a dispute between management and unions over staffing levels and the introduction of new technology. The suspension had begun in November 1978, marking the first break in the newspaper's production since its founding in 1788. The resolution of the dispute allowed The Times and its sister publication, The Sunday Times, to return to print. source: news.bbc.co.uk
14 Nov 1979 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 1979 Sir Anthony Blunt exposed as Soviet spy: On November 15, 1979, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher publicly revealed that Sir Anthony Blunt, a distinguished art historian and former Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, had been a Soviet spy during World War II. Blunt had confessed to his espionage activities in 1964 but had been granted immunity from prosecution. Following the public disclosure, he was stripped of his knighthood and died in 1983. source: washingtonpost.com
16 Nov 1979 Joy Division releases 'Transmission' single: On November 16, 1979, Joy Division released 'Transmission' as their debut single on Factory Records. The track was recorded in July and August 1979 and was later re-released as a 12-inch single in December 1980. The song gained significant attention after the band's performance on the BBC's 'Something Else' program in September 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
17 Nov 1979 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 1979 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 1979 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
21 Nov 1979 US Embassy in Islamabad attacked and burned by mob: On November 21, 1979, a large mob of Pakistani citizens stormed the US Embassy in Islamabad, setting it ablaze. The rioters, primarily students from Quaid-i-Azam University and members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, were incited by false Iranian radio reports accusing the US of orchestrating the Grand Mosque seizure in Mecca. The attack resulted in the deaths of four embassy personnel and two protesters, with over 70 others injured. The Pakistani Army intervened to rescue the trapped embassy staff and restore order. source: news.bbc.co.uk
23 Nov 1979 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 1979 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
26 Nov 1979 China readmitted to International Olympic Committee: On November 26, 1979, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally approved the People's Republic of China's (PRC) return to the Olympic Games, ending a 28-year absence since the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. This decision allowed Chinese athletes to compete under their national flag and anthem, marking a significant moment in Olympic history. source: washingtonpost.com
27 Nov 1979 Shin Hye-sung's birth date: Shin Hye-sung, born Jung Pil-kyo, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and member of the boy group Shinhwa. He was born on November 27, 1979, in Seoul, South Korea. source: en.wikipedia.org
28 Nov 1979 Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 on board: On November 28, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901, a sightseeing flight to Antarctica, crashed into Mount Erebus, resulting in the deaths of all 237 passengers and 20 crew members. The disaster remains New Zealand's worst civil accident. source: britannica.com
29 Nov 1979 British Embassy in Tehran reduces staff amid crisis: On November 29, 1979, the British Embassy in Tehran announced a reduction in staff due to escalating tensions following the Iranian Revolution. This decision was part of broader measures taken by foreign embassies in response to the volatile political climate and the hostage crisis involving American diplomats. The situation in Iran was increasingly precarious, prompting many nations to reassess their diplomatic presence. source: bbc.com
30 Nov 1979 Pink Floyd releases 'The Wall': On November 30, 1979, Pink Floyd released their eleventh studio album, 'The Wall', a rock opera exploring themes of isolation and alienation. The album topped the US Billboard 200 chart for 15 weeks and reached number three in the UK. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 19 million copies sold in the US between 1979 and 1990. source: en.wikipedia.org