1979 Newspapers

Historic Newspapers has the largest collection of historic newspapers in the world, featuring over 4 million originals from the nation’s most renowned news outlets.

The 1970s in America was a time of social change, political confusion, and violent conflicts. This fascinating decade is chronicled with our collection of authentic 1979 newspapers, from sources such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

FROM $39.99
1979 Newspapers

1979 Newspaper Headlines

If you’re curious about this year in particular, then 1979 newspaper articles are a great way to gain a deeper insight into the events that took place, within the context that they were happening. Important 1979 headlines include the collapse of the horrific Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, the assassination of Lord Mountbatten by the IRA, and the eradication of the Smallpox virus. An authentic 1979 newspaper is a wonderful way to celebrate the highs and lows of this year in history.

January 1, 1979 
The United States and the People’s Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations.

February 18, 1979
The Sahara Desert experiences snow for thirty minutes.

February 26, 1979 
A total solar eclipse occurs in North America.

March 29, 1979 
America’s most serious nuclear power plant accident occurs at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania.

April 22, 1979
The Albert Einstein Memorial is unveiled at The National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C.

May 25, 1979 
John Spenklelink is executed in Florida, in the first use of the electric chair in America after the death penalty was reintroduced in 1976.

May 25, 1979 
Etan Patz disappears in New York City at the age of 6, with the incident sparking the missing children’s movement.

June, 1979 
McDonald’s first introduces the Happy Meal.

June 2, 1979
Pope John Paul II visits his native Poland, becoming the first Pope to visit a Communist country.

June 11, 1979
John Wayne, American actor (b. 1907) dies from stomach cancer.

June 18, 1979 
President Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT II agreement in Vienna.

July 8, 1979 
Los Angeles passes its gay and lesbian civil rights bill.

July 16, 1979
Iraqi President Hasan al-Bakr resigns and Vice President Saddam Hussein replaces him.

August 10, 1979 
Michael Jackson releases his first breakthrough album Off The Wall. The album sells 7 million copies in the United States alone, making it a 7x platinum album.

September 1, 1979
The U.S. ‘Pioneer 11’ becomes the first spacecraft to visit Saturn, when it passes the planet at a distance of 21,000 km.

September 23, 1979 
The largest anti-nuclear demonstration to date is held in New York City, when almost 200,000 people attend.

October 14, 1979 
A major gay rights march in the United States takes place in Washington D.C., involving many tens of thousands of people.

October 15, 1979 
The 6.4 Mw Imperial Valley earthquake affected Southern California and northern Baja California with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), causing 91 injuries and $30 million in damage.

November 4, 1979
3,000 Iranian radicals, mostly students, invade the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and take ninety hostages; 53 of whom are American. The radicals demand that the United States send the former Shah of Iran back to stand trial.

November 7, 1979 
Senator Ted Kennedy announces that he will challenge President Jimmy Carter for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination.

November 14, 1979 
President Jimmy Carter issues Executive Order 12170, freezing all Iranian assets in the United States and U.S. banks in response to the hostage crisis.

December 6, 1979
The world premiere for Star Trek: The Motion Picture is held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

December 9, 1979
The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified. Smallpox is therefore the first human disease to be driven to extinction.

December 24, 1979
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan.

More from this Decade

ReviewsReviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5

based on 115 reviews

Alexandra Dean November 27 2023

Very great customer service

Gayle DiGangi Jacobs November 19 2023

One of the most original gift ideas given to a birthday boy celebrating his 80th birthday.

Jeff G November 17 2023

Crumbling and expensive. Paid $70 plus for a paper taped back together. Horrible customer serve. At no point do they advertise these papers maybe taped together. Probably because if they did you would not buy it. Deceitful.

  • Historic Newspapers Team November 18 2023

    Thank you for your review.

    We do apologize that you are not happy with the newspaper received.

    We can see that you did contact our Customer Service Team in regards to the item received. It was explained that as you have ordered a 1945 newspaper and therefore 78 years old, unfortunately it will not be received as if you had brought a newspaper today.

    Most of our archived papers are stored in large binders or are already folded, especially the larger broadsheets. As they are genuine originals from that time, they can be fragile therefore we use a special archive tape to reinforce the spine or areas which may deteriorate from excessive use. Some stock we have acquired is stitched into the binders from previous use in places like libraries, universities, private sales etc. Where this is the case, we would have to carefully cut the papers out so we use the tape which is clear and designed so that you can read the paper freely.

    Please accept our apologies for any inconvenienced caused.

    Kindest Regards
    The Historic Newspapers Team

Volha Chuvakin November 11 2023

Bought it for my husband birthday and can't wait to give it. It is beautifully packaged and paper is in amazing condition.

Kirsten Becker October 20 2023

The perfect thoughtful gift!

Evelyn Hart October 18 2023

Product was amazing!! Absolutely treasured experience. Each page was an adventure back in time.

Paula G September 19 2023

Very unique, interesting to see what happens 70 years ago.

Deeanna Franklin Campbell September 19 2023

It was an 80th birthday gift for my dad. He loved it. Wonderful trip down memory lane. The paper is very fragile and turning the dry pages takes great care, but that just helped with the authenticity and magic of the look into the past. Thanks!

Benjamin W August 17 2023

This is a great product and is the perfect gift for a loved one

Kenneth Robinson August 11 2023

For a newspaper that’s 80+ years old and almost perfect, can’t go wrong.