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This page refers to the year 1979. For the Smashing Pumpkins song, see 1979 (song).
1979 (MCMLXXIX) was a common year starting on Monday. It was proclaimed International Year of the Child by the United Nations.
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Events
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January
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February
February 3 - Khomeini creates the Council of the Islamic Revolution.
February 7 - Supporters of Khomeini take over the Iranian law enforcement, courts and government administration.
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March
March 1 - Scotland votes narrowly for home rule, which is not implemented, and Wales votes against it.
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April
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May
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June
June 1 - The first black-led government of Rhodesia in 90 years takes power, in succession to Ian Smith and under his power-sharing deal.
June 3 - A blowout at the Ixtoc I oil well in the southern Gulf of Mexico causes at least 600,000 tons (176,400,000 gallons) of oil to be spilled into the waters, the worst oil spill to date. Some estimate the spill to be 428 million gallons, making it the largest unintentional oil spill ever.
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July
July 3 - U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul.
July 11 - NASA's first orbiting space station Skylab begins its return to Earth, after being in orbit for 6 years and 2 months.
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August
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September
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October
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November
November 20 - A group of around 200 militant Sunni Muslims occupy Mecca's Grand Mosque. They are driven out by French commandos (allowed into the city under these special circumstances despite their being non-Muslims) after bloody fighting that leaves 250 people dead and 600 wounded.
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December
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Unknown dates
UNICEF declares 1979 the "International Year of the Child".
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Births
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January-March
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April-May
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June-August
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September-November
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December
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Deaths
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January-March
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April-June
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July-August
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September-December
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Fictional
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Nobel prizes
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Templeton Prize
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