45 Photos of What the World Looked in 1979

Carly Tennes Published 09/29/2024 in wow

For a decade filled with politically and culturally defining moments, one that still resonates in 2024, 1979 was the perfect cap off to the '70s. The invention of the CD. Darryl Dawkins' first backboard shattered. Robin Williams yet again showing the world his comedic chops. A whole lot went down in 1979, and fortunately for us, a whole lot of savvy shooters were there to capture it all on camera.

From the remnants of the US's first space station raining down over western Australia to SportsCenter's inaugural episode, here are 45 photos of what the world looked like in 1979.

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1.
Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb perform together at the The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song in New York City.
2.
President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping sign diplomatic accords.
3.
Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd enjoy a slice of cake during their wedding.
4.
“President Jimmy Carter personally inspecting the Three Mile Island facility just days after the initial accident occured. April 1st, 1979.”
5.
Margaret Thatcher waves while attending the 1979 Conservative party conference.
6.
17-year-old Stan Thornton poses with pieces of the Skylab, the United States’ first space station that sent debris crashing down on Western Australia and the Indian Ocean. No one was injured when the space station, which hadn’t been manned in five years, fell back to Earth.  
7.
“It’s July 12, 1979, Steve Dahl was recently fired from a radio station that was changing to a disco format. Frustrated, he held a “disco demolition” after a baseball game, where disco records were destroyed. But most of the records weren’t disco, they were black records.”
8.
Francis Ford Coppola attends the Cannes Film Festival premiere of ‘Apocalypse Now’ with daughter Sofia Coppola, son Roman Coppola and father Carmine Coppola.
9.
Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane David.
10.
“Catherine Bach watching The Dukes of Hazzard on TV in 1979.”
11.
Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins moments after shattering his first backboard during a game against the Kansas City Kings.
12.
“Getting gas in the year 1979.”
13.
“Madonna, 1979.”
14.
“My dad circa 1979. We always compared this pic to Stephen Hyde/Danny Masterson of that 70s show (minus Mastersons's debacle, of course).”
15.
“Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder in 1979.”
16.
“My dad swears he was the coolest kid in school 1979.”
17.
“Original frontman of AC/DC Bon Scott in 1979.”
18.
“Window cleaners on the World Trade Center 1979.”
19.
“1979 General Electric Widescreen 1000 Television Ad!”
20.
“James Gandolfini in 1979.”
21.
“Rollerskaters at Venice Beach, California, 1979.”
22.
“The Specials, 1979.”
23.
“English Girls, 1979.”
24.
“Upon request, another great picture of my uncle, 1979.”
25.
“Fish for dinner. 1979.”
26.
“Fixing The Antenna On The World Trade Center, NYC, 1979.” 
27.
“Kate Bush. 1979.”
28.
“I was in Hermosa Beach, CA during the summer of 1979. Sometimes when I close my eyes I’m still there.”
29.
“My mom in 1979.”
30.
“August of 1979. My parents getting married at 19 &17 years old.”
31.
“Gene Simmons with then girlfriend Cher in 1979.”
32.
“Kate Bush, 1979 New Year’s Day.”
33.
“Margaret Trudeau, estranged wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, dances at New York City's Studio 54, May 23, 1979. A few hours earlier her husband conceded defeat.”
34.
“Robin Williams as a Denver Broncos cheerleader, 1979.”
35.
“Two young punks attending the Sid Vicious memorial march in London, 1979.”
36.
“Technician with a 250 MB hard drive in 1979.”
37.
“Sunset Strip, 1979.”
38.
“Steve Irwin, aged 17, playing for the local rugby league team. 1979.”
39.
“1979 - President Jimmy Carter, flanked by nervous Secret Service agents, climbed onto the roof of the presidential limousine during a 1979 visit to Bardstown, Kentucky.”
40.
“Holland, March 1979: In a collaboration with Sony, Joop Sinjou of Philips introduces the compact disc to the world.”
41.
“Roald Dahl in the garden shed where he wrote many of his books, including Charlie and the Chocolate factory. 1979. Great Missenden, Bucks.”
42.
"A test audience reacting to the chestburster scene in Alien, 1979.”
43.
“The first episode of SportsCenter, 1979.”
44.
“March Madness: Michigan State's Magic Johnson squares off against Indiana State's Larry Bird in the 1979 NCAA Title Game…”
45.
“Kids jump from a 2nd story window onto mattresses; Newcastle; 1979.”

1.
Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb perform together at the The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song in New York City.
2.
President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping sign diplomatic accords.
3.
Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd enjoy a slice of cake during their wedding.
4.
“President Jimmy Carter personally inspecting the Three Mile Island facility just days after the initial accident occured. April 1st, 1979.”
5.
Margaret Thatcher waves while attending the 1979 Conservative party conference.
6.
17-year-old Stan Thornton poses with pieces of the Skylab, the United States’ first space station that sent debris crashing down on Western Australia and the Indian Ocean. No one was injured when the space station, which hadn’t been manned in five years, fell back to Earth.  
7.
“It’s July 12, 1979, Steve Dahl was recently fired from a radio station that was changing to a disco format. Frustrated, he held a “disco demolition” after a baseball game, where disco records were destroyed. But most of the records weren’t disco, they were black records.”
8.
Francis Ford Coppola attends the Cannes Film Festival premiere of ‘Apocalypse Now’ with daughter Sofia Coppola, son Roman Coppola and father Carmine Coppola.
9.
Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane David.
10.
“Catherine Bach watching The Dukes of Hazzard on TV in 1979.”
11.
Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins moments after shattering his first backboard during a game against the Kansas City Kings.
12.
“Getting gas in the year 1979.”
13.
“Madonna, 1979.”
14.
“My dad circa 1979. We always compared this pic to Stephen Hyde/Danny Masterson of that 70s show (minus Mastersons's debacle, of course).”
15.
“Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder in 1979.”
16.
“My dad swears he was the coolest kid in school 1979.”
17.
“Original frontman of AC/DC Bon Scott in 1979.”
18.
“Window cleaners on the World Trade Center 1979.”
19.
“1979 General Electric Widescreen 1000 Television Ad!”
20.
“James Gandolfini in 1979.”
21.
“Rollerskaters at Venice Beach, California, 1979.”
22.
“The Specials, 1979.”
23.
“English Girls, 1979.”
24.
“Upon request, another great picture of my uncle, 1979.”
25.
“Fish for dinner. 1979.”
26.
“Fixing The Antenna On The World Trade Center, NYC, 1979.” 
27.
“Kate Bush. 1979.”
28.
“I was in Hermosa Beach, CA during the summer of 1979. Sometimes when I close my eyes I’m still there.”
29.
“My mom in 1979.”
30.
“August of 1979. My parents getting married at 19 &17 years old.”
31.
“Gene Simmons with then girlfriend Cher in 1979.”
32.
“Kate Bush, 1979 New Year’s Day.”
33.
“Margaret Trudeau, estranged wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, dances at New York City's Studio 54, May 23, 1979. A few hours earlier her husband conceded defeat.”
34.
“Robin Williams as a Denver Broncos cheerleader, 1979.”
35.
“Two young punks attending the Sid Vicious memorial march in London, 1979.”
36.
“Technician with a 250 MB hard drive in 1979.”
37.
“Sunset Strip, 1979.”
38.
“Steve Irwin, aged 17, playing for the local rugby league team. 1979.”
39.
“1979 - President Jimmy Carter, flanked by nervous Secret Service agents, climbed onto the roof of the presidential limousine during a 1979 visit to Bardstown, Kentucky.”
40.
“Holland, March 1979: In a collaboration with Sony, Joop Sinjou of Philips introduces the compact disc to the world.”
41.
“Roald Dahl in the garden shed where he wrote many of his books, including Charlie and the Chocolate factory. 1979. Great Missenden, Bucks.”
42.
"A test audience reacting to the chestburster scene in Alien, 1979.”
43.
“The first episode of SportsCenter, 1979.”
44.
“March Madness: Michigan State's Magic Johnson squares off against Indiana State's Larry Bird in the 1979 NCAA Title Game…”
45.
“Kids jump from a 2nd story window onto mattresses; Newcastle; 1979.”

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Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb perform together at the The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song in New York City.

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NEXT GALLERY 36 Fascinating Photos to Fill You With Wonder

1. Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb perform together at the The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song in New York City.

2. President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping sign diplomatic accords.

3. Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd enjoy a slice of cake during their wedding.

4. “President Jimmy Carter personally inspecting the Three Mile Island facility just days after the initial accident occured. April 1st, 1979.”

5. Margaret Thatcher waves while attending the 1979 Conservative party conference.

6. 17-year-old Stan Thornton poses with pieces of the Skylab, the United States’ first space station that sent debris crashing down on Western Australia and the Indian Ocean. No one was injured when the space station, which hadn’t been manned in five years, fell back to Earth.

7. “It’s July 12, 1979, Steve Dahl was recently fired from a radio station that was changing to a disco format. Frustrated, he held a “disco demolition” after a baseball game, where disco records were destroyed. But most of the records weren’t disco, they were black records.”

8. Francis Ford Coppola attends the Cannes Film Festival premiere of ‘Apocalypse Now’ with daughter Sofia Coppola, son Roman Coppola and father Carmine Coppola.

9. Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane David.

10. “Catherine Bach watching The Dukes of Hazzard on TV in 1979.”

11. Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins moments after shattering his first backboard during a game against the Kansas City Kings.

12. “Getting gas in the year 1979.”

13. “Madonna, 1979.”

14. “My dad circa 1979. We always compared this pic to Stephen Hyde/Danny Masterson of that 70s show (minus Mastersons's debacle, of course).”

15. “Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder in 1979.”

16. “My dad swears he was the coolest kid in school 1979.”

17. “Original frontman of AC/DC Bon Scott in 1979.”

18. “Window cleaners on the World Trade Center 1979.”

19. “1979 General Electric Widescreen 1000 Television Ad!”

20. “James Gandolfini in 1979.”

21. “Rollerskaters at Venice Beach, California, 1979.”

22. “The Specials, 1979.”

23. “English Girls, 1979.”

24. “Upon request, another great picture of my uncle, 1979.”

25. “Fish for dinner. 1979.”

26. “Fixing The Antenna On The World Trade Center, NYC, 1979.”

27. “Kate Bush. 1979.”

28. “I was in Hermosa Beach, CA during the summer of 1979. Sometimes when I close my eyes I’m still there.”

29. “My mom in 1979.”

30. “August of 1979. My parents getting married at 19 &17 years old.”

31. “Gene Simmons with then girlfriend Cher in 1979.”

32. “Kate Bush, 1979 New Year’s Day.”

33. “Margaret Trudeau, estranged wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, dances at New York City's Studio 54, May 23, 1979. A few hours earlier her husband conceded defeat.”

34. “Robin Williams as a Denver Broncos cheerleader, 1979.”

35. “Two young punks attending the Sid Vicious memorial march in London, 1979.”

36. “Technician with a 250 MB hard drive in 1979.”

37. “Sunset Strip, 1979.”

38. “Steve Irwin, aged 17, playing for the local rugby league team. 1979.”

39. “1979 - President Jimmy Carter, flanked by nervous Secret Service agents, climbed onto the roof of the presidential limousine during a 1979 visit to Bardstown, Kentucky.”

40. “Holland, March 1979: In a collaboration with Sony, Joop Sinjou of Philips introduces the compact disc to the world.”

41. “Roald Dahl in the garden shed where he wrote many of his books, including Charlie and the Chocolate factory. 1979. Great Missenden, Bucks.”

42. "A test audience reacting to the chestburster scene in Alien, 1979.”

43. “The first episode of SportsCenter, 1979.”

44. “March Madness: Michigan State's Magic Johnson squares off against Indiana State's Larry Bird in the 1979 NCAA Title Game…”

45. “Kids jump from a 2nd story window onto mattresses; Newcastle; 1979.”

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1.
Olivia Newton-John and Andy Gibb perform together at the The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song in New York City.

2.
President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping sign diplomatic accords.

3.
Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd enjoy a slice of cake during their wedding.

4.
“President Jimmy Carter personally inspecting the Three Mile Island facility just days after the initial accident occured. April 1st, 1979.”

5.
Margaret Thatcher waves while attending the 1979 Conservative party conference.

6.
17-year-old Stan Thornton poses with pieces of the Skylab, the United States’ first space station that sent debris crashing down on Western Australia and the Indian Ocean. No one was injured when the space station, which hadn’t been manned in five years, fell back to Earth.  

7.
“It’s July 12, 1979, Steve Dahl was recently fired from a radio station that was changing to a disco format. Frustrated, he held a “disco demolition” after a baseball game, where disco records were destroyed. But most of the records weren’t disco, they were black records.”

8.
Francis Ford Coppola attends the Cannes Film Festival premiere of ‘Apocalypse Now’ with daughter Sofia Coppola, son Roman Coppola and father Carmine Coppola.

9.
Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane David.

10.
“Catherine Bach watching The Dukes of Hazzard on TV in 1979.”

11.
Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins moments after shattering his first backboard during a game against the Kansas City Kings.

12.
“Getting gas in the year 1979.”

13.
“Madonna, 1979.”

14.
“My dad circa 1979. We always compared this pic to Stephen Hyde/Danny Masterson of that 70s show (minus Mastersons's debacle, of course).”

15.
“Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder in 1979.”

16.
“My dad swears he was the coolest kid in school 1979.”

17.
“Original frontman of AC/DC Bon Scott in 1979.”

18.
“Window cleaners on the World Trade Center 1979.”

19.
“1979 General Electric Widescreen 1000 Television Ad!”

20.
“James Gandolfini in 1979.”

21.
“Rollerskaters at Venice Beach, California, 1979.”

22.
“The Specials, 1979.”

23.
“English Girls, 1979.”

24.
“Upon request, another great picture of my uncle, 1979.”

25.
“Fish for dinner. 1979.”

26.
“Fixing The Antenna On The World Trade Center, NYC, 1979.” 

27.
“Kate Bush. 1979.”

28.
“I was in Hermosa Beach, CA during the summer of 1979. Sometimes when I close my eyes I’m still there.”

29.
“My mom in 1979.”

30.
“August of 1979. My parents getting married at 19 &17 years old.”

31.
“Gene Simmons with then girlfriend Cher in 1979.”

32.
“Kate Bush, 1979 New Year’s Day.”

33.
“Margaret Trudeau, estranged wife of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, dances at New York City's Studio 54, May 23, 1979. A few hours earlier her husband conceded defeat.”

34.
“Robin Williams as a Denver Broncos cheerleader, 1979.”

35.
“Two young punks attending the Sid Vicious memorial march in London, 1979.”

36.
“Technician with a 250 MB hard drive in 1979.”

37.
“Sunset Strip, 1979.”

38.
“Steve Irwin, aged 17, playing for the local rugby league team. 1979.”

39.
“1979 - President Jimmy Carter, flanked by nervous Secret Service agents, climbed onto the roof of the presidential limousine during a 1979 visit to Bardstown, Kentucky.”

40.
“Holland, March 1979: In a collaboration with Sony, Joop Sinjou of Philips introduces the compact disc to the world.”

41.
“Roald Dahl in the garden shed where he wrote many of his books, including Charlie and the Chocolate factory. 1979. Great Missenden, Bucks.”

42.
"A test audience reacting to the chestburster scene in Alien, 1979.”

43.
“The first episode of SportsCenter, 1979.”

44.
“March Madness: Michigan State's Magic Johnson squares off against Indiana State's Larry Bird in the 1979 NCAA Title Game…”

45.
“Kids jump from a 2nd story window onto mattresses; Newcastle; 1979.”