What Happened on August 24, 1979

Historical Events

  • 36th Venice Film Festival opens

Rock 'n' Roll High School

Musical film "Rock 'n' Roll High School" directed by Allan Arkush and featuring the Ramones, premieres in NYC (released throughout the US 20 days later)

  • NFL fans (60,916) choose old Patriots logo over new
  • Rock band "The Cars" play concert at the Wollman Rink in NYC's Central Park
  • UN's Vienna office begins issuing postage stamps
1979 History

Famous Birthdays

  • (Katherine) "Kaki" King, American guitarist, lap steel guitar player and composer, born in Atlanta, Georgia
  • Elva Hsiao, Taiwanese mandopop and dance music singer, born in Zhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • Michael Redd, American basketball player, born in Columbus, Ohio
  • Orlando Engelaar, Dutch international footballer, born in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Born in 1979

Famous Deaths

  • Hanna Reitsch, German aviator and test pilot, dies at 67
  • Sampson Sievers, Russian Orthodox Christian monk, priest and wonder-worker, dies at 79
1979 Highlights

About August 24, 1979

Day of the Week: Friday
How Long Ago? 44 years, 7 months and 4 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Virgo

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: My Sharona - The Knack
  • UK #1 Song: We Don't Talk Anymore - Cliff Richard