What Happened on October 17, 1979

Historical Events

  • "Beatlemania" closes at Winter Garden Theater NYC after 920 performances

World Series

Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates beat Baltimore Orioles, 4-1 at Memorial Stadium for 4 games to 3 series win; MVP: Pirates 1B Willie Stargell

  • D Bautista of Mexico completes 20,000 m walk in record 1:20:06.8

Nobel Peace Prize

Mother Teresa of Calcutta awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Event of Interest

US President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating Department of Education


1979 History

Famous Birthdays

  • Angel Bat Dawid, American composer, clarinetist, pianist, and vocalist (The Oracle: Requiem for Jazz), born in Atlanta, Georgia

Kimi Räikkönen (44 years old)

Finnish auto racer (F1 World Champion 2007), born in Espoo, Finland

  • Kostas Tsartsaris, Greek basketball player
  • Marcela Bovio, Mexican heavy metal singer and violinist (Stream of Passion; MaYans), born in Monterrey, Mexico
Born in 1979

Famous Deaths

  • John Stuart, Scottish actor (Kittie, Superman, Number Seventeen), dies at 81
  • Karel Reiner, Czech pianist, composer, and Theresienstadt concentration camp survivor, dies at 69
  • S J Perelman, American author, humorist and screenwriter (The New Yorker, Around the World in 80 Days), dies at 75
1979 Highlights

About October 17, 1979

Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 44 years, 5 months and 11 days
Leap Year: No

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

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Rise - Herb Alpert
  • UK #1 Song: Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles