1979 marked a pivotal turning point for the United Kingdom, defined by economic strife and political sea changes. As the tumultuous 1970s ended, Britain stood at the cusp of a new era. This was the year when Margaret Thatcher rose to become the UK’s first female Prime Minister, unseating James Callaghan’s faltering Labour government. It was also a year of continuing industrial unrest, with major strikes crippling essential services throughout the winter. Yet amidst the uncertainty, Britain’s cultural life flourished, with groundbreaking music, film and television reflecting the mood of society. Let’s revisit some key events in politics, culture, sports and entertainment that defined this historic year.
On the political stage, the country went to the polls in the general election of May 1979. In a major power shift, Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party unseated James Callaghan’s Labour government following the 1978-79 “Winter of Discontent”. Widespread strikes had left Britain’s essential services in chaos and reinforced perceptions of a weak and ineffectual Labour leadership. Thatcher capitalised on this mood for change with a disciplined campaign focused on controlling inflation, reducing taxes and limiting union power. The Conservatives won a 43 seat majority, making Thatcher Britain’s first female Prime Minister. It ushered in the era that came to bear her name – Thatcherism.
Meanwhile in popular culture, music and entertainment continued to reflect the social upheavals of the time. Punk rock was still going strong with bands like The Clash topping the charts. Iconic albums released in 1979 included The Clash’s London Calling, Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures and Pink Floyd’s rock opera The Wall. On television, the beloved comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus came to an end after four groundbreaking seasons. At cinemas, the year’s hits included classic British comedies like Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Sports also offered a respite from hardship, with an FA Cup Final victory for Arsenal over Manchester United capping a dramatic season. As the 1970s faded into memory, Britain’s rich cultural landscape provided both comfort and challenges during this unsettled chapter.
1979 proved a complex inflection point, as Britain oscillated between past and future. The political old guard was fading, but the forces shaping a new modern Britain had not yet coalesced. As headlines chronicled industrial strikes and electoral drama, pop culture and the arts provided a window into the hopes and struggles of ordinary Britons. It was the end of one era, and the beginning of a new zeitgeist that would define the 1980s. Against this turbulent backdrop, the United Kingdom edged tentatively into a new decade filled with uncertainty and opportunity alike.
Music
The Clash Release London Calling
In December 1979, the seminal punk rock band The Clash released what would become their defining masterpiece – the epic double album London Calling. This ambitious record catapulted The Clash from punk provocateurs to full-fledged rock icons, expanding their sound into bold new territory. London Calling received massive critical acclaim and commercial success, cementing The Clash’s reputation as “the only band that matters.”
By 1979, punk rage was evolving into a more nuanced musical revolt reflecting society’s dysfunctions. With London Calling, The Clash channelled this cultural disillusionment into their most complete statement yet. The 19-track album expanded far beyond punk’s three-chord formulas, fusing rock, ska, funk, and reggae influences. The band’s musical growth matched their increasingly thoughtful lyrics tackling unemployment, drug abuse, racism, police brutality and other social ills.
Yet despite its weighty themes, London Calling pulsated with youthful spirit and adventure. Gritty rockers like “The Guns of Brixton” and “Death or Glory” harnessed punk energy. Title track “London Calling” painted an apocalyptic vision of a sinking city in crisis. Songs like “Lost in the Supermarket” lyrically captured urban alienation. This revelatory songwriting cemented frontman Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones as one of rock’s great duos.
With its eclectic sounds and resistance spirit, London Calling earned comparisons to epochal albums like The Beatles’ White Album. Production by Guy Stevens encapsulated the band’s live energy and spontaneity in the studio. Splashy horns, jazz piano, and layers of guitar forged a rich musical world.
The album’s title also evoked Britain’s dark mood in 1979, with economic breakdown threatening social order. Yet The Clash responded not with despair, but with hope and solidarity. London Calling stood as a rallying cry expressing the fears and frustrations of British youth.
Upon release in December 1979, London Calling received rapturous reviews hailing it as a punk rock masterstroke. It topped the UK charts and broke into the US Top 30 – a major feat for a double LP. Retrospective acclaim has been even greater, with London Calling now ranking high on lists of all-time greatest albums.
In just two years, The Clash had evolved from rabble-rousing punks into visionary artists capturing the zeitgeist. Their own musical London Calling woke the rock establishment up to punk’s potency and talent. The album proved punk could produce art as powerful and lasting as the best of rock’s old guard.
For The Clash, commercial popularity never compromised their outsider spirit or social conscience. If anything, success gave them a greater platform to promote change. With London Calling, The Clash created the definitive document of 1970s youth revolt – one that still resonates in its truth and fury to this day. Its iconic cover painting of Paul Simonon smashing his bass on stage visually symbolised punk’s defiant ethos.
Few albums before or since have so embodied the spirit of their time. The eclectic meltdown of London Calling perfectly mirrored Britain’s uncertain mood on the cusp of the 1980s. Now hailed as one of the greatest rock albums ever made, it secures The Clash’s place in history as one of music’s most impactful bands. They presaged punk’s evolution into a cultural force that would shake society to its core.
Pink Floyd Release The Wall
In November 1979, Pink Floyd released their 11th studio album The Wall – a groundbreaking concept rock opera exploring isolation and neurosis. This ambitious double album became their best-selling ever, dominating charts worldwide and generating the classic song “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2.”
By 1979, Pink Floyd reigned among rock’s elite after prior classics like Dark Side of the Moon. For their next project, chief songwriter Roger Waters devised a semi-autobiographical story about fictional rockstar “Pink” barricading himself behind emotional walls. This high-concept story required an operatic musical scope tailor-made for Pink Floyd’s prog rock mastery.
The Wall spans 23 tracks of immersive drama and psychology. Segmented into chapters, it delves into Pink’s troubled background, rise to fame, and mental breakdown. Waters explicitly critiques the dehumanising nature of rock stardom and institutions like school and marriage. His lyrics balance naked emotion with theatrical grandeur.
Musically, Pink Floyd expands their sound palette dramatically to convey Pink’s unraveling psyche. Grim themes like drug abuse, war, and suicide haunt the hallucinatory soundscapes. Moments of fragile beauty mesh with harsh guitars and production effects. Standout tracks like “Comfortably Numb” and “Run Like Hell” became instant Floyd classics.
The album’s centrepiece track “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” provided The Wall’s pop breakthrough. Its disco-influenced beat and schoolyard choir made it a surprise #1 smash in both the UK and US. The memorable refrain “We don’t need no education” struck a chord with alienated youth.
Critical reaction upon The Wall’s release was mixed. Some found its session musicians and tighter structure lacking Pink Floyd’s usual improvisational spark. But audiences worldwide embraced the album’s ambition. It topped charts for 15 weeks in the US, soon going 23x platinum. The Wall still ranks among the top three best-selling albums ever.
The record had an enduring influence on rock operas and concept albums. Waters’ lyrics spoke profoundly to feelings of disconnection resonating with mainstream rock fans. Visually, the iconic cover art and striking live shows amplified the totalitarian themes.
A film version of The Wall followed in 1982 using music from the album. The movie further popularised the work, allowing Pink Floyd to bring their vision to the big screen. However, its production exacerbated growing tensions between Waters and the rest of the band.
Within Pink Floyd’s storied career, The Wall remains a milestone for its scope and artistic risks. They moved well past psychedelic atmospherics into narrative introspection and searing social critiques. Audiences embraced the album as both spectacle and emotional catharsis. To this day, The Wall stands among the great double albums in rock history – the pinnacle of 1970s prog. And its core theme of alienation continues striking a chord across generations.
In many ways, The Wall captured society’s uncertainties at 1979’s end. As Britain underwent political and social changes, this powerful work provided a fitting soundtrack to close out the decade. Uneasy yet compelling, Pink Floyd’s rock opus channeled the turbulence of an era into a definitive conceptual artwork.
Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” Tops Charts
In 1979, American disco diva Gloria Gaynor soared to the top of the UK charts with her smash hit “I Will Survive.” This Grammy-winning dancefloor anthem became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring listeners worldwide with its themes of resilience and independence.
Originally released in 1978, “I Will Survive” took over a year to catch fire in Britain. But once it did, this propulsive breakup ballad topped the UK Singles Chart for an impressive four weeks from October to November 1979. Gaynor’s vocals combine ache and ecstasy as she defiantly declares her ability to overcome romantic heartbreak.
The song struck an immediate chord with audiences. Its pulsating bass line and string arrangements made it irresistible on dance floors. Lyrically, “I Will Survive” provided a rousing anthem of strength for the ages. Gaynor belts empowering lines like “I learned how to get along…now I’m saving all my loving for someone who’s loving me.”
Behind the scenes, the song had humble beginnings. Production duo Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris cobbled together an early version as a B-side filler. But when label execs heard Gaynor’s soaring vocal performance, they knew it was gold. Her mastery of the disco ballad style helped “I Will Survive” cross from genres to become a mainstream cultural phenomenon.
The UK’s embrace of disco aligned perfectly with the song’s rise. “I Will Survive” topped the charts just as iconic film Saturday Night Fever brought disco fever to Britain. Gaynor’s smash hit led the craze, proving disco had mass appeal beyond dance floors. Even punk rockers like Sid Vicious covered the song, reflecting its broad influence.
“I Will Survive” soon earned accolades to back up its commercial success. It won the 1979 Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording. Covers by artists like Diana Ross and Chantay Savage helped cement its standard status. In the US, Gaynor’s original version was inducted into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry honouring historic recordings.
Most remarkably, the popularity and impact of “I Will Survive” has only grown with time. Its themes of empowerment made it an anthem for various social movements, from women’s rights to LGBTQ pride. Political leaders like Hillary Clinton adopted it as an unofficial campaign song. In the 21st century, new generations continue singing along to Gaynor’s bellwether lyrics.
From RuPaul drag shows to TV talent competitions, the song remains ubiquitous in pop culture today. Multiple polls have voted “I Will Survive” among the most inspiring songs of all time. When VH1 compiled its list of 100 Greatest Dance Songs in 2000, Gaynor’s smash hit topped even classics like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
Like so few pop songs, “I Will Survive” articulated strength and resilience that touched a universal chord. Much credit goes to Gaynor’s transcendent vocal delivery that made simple lyrics feel heroic. Whether belted out proudly on dance floors or karaoke bars, the song retains its cathartic power.
In 1979, Britain found its own fortitude through the uplift of Gloria Gaynor’s disco masterstroke. For decades now, “I Will Survive” has provided solace, motivation, and release for listeners worldwide. Anytime spirits need lifting, it offers the promise of brighter days ahead. Few songs in pop history can match its status as an eternal anthem of perseverance.
Entertainment
Fawlty Towers Concludes After 12 Episodes
In October 1979, the iconic sitcom Fawlty Towers aired its final episode after just 12 brilliant instalments. In that brief run, the series cemented itself as one of the greatest British comedies of all time. Starring Monty Python’s John Cleese as bumbling hotel owner Basil Fawlty, its legendary humour and absurdity set the standard for character-driven comedy.
Fawlty Towers debuted in 1975 with six episodes written by Cleese and his then-wife Connie Booth, who co-starred as hotel maid Polly. Despite middling reviews, the first season built a cult following for its cringe comedy. The 1975 finale “The Germans” soon came to be regarded as one of the funniest sitcom episodes ever produced.
It took four years for Cleese and Booth to write a second season, given their perfectionist approach. These final six episodes aired in 1979, garnering huge viewership. Highlights included “Communication Problems” featuring the iconic “fire” confusion scene. The series concluded with the uproarious “Basil the Rat” in October 1979.
At just 12 total episodes, Fawlty Towers became the shortest-running series to ever top Britain’s “Best Sitcom” list. Through both seasons, the show honed a formula of Basil’s increasingly frantic lies to cover up chaos at the hotel. Much humour derived from Basil’s exaggerated frustration with his incompetent staff and eccentric guests.
Cleese was already famous for Monty Python, but his tour-de-force performance as Basil Fawlty cemented his legend. His gift for physical comedy and explosive rants crafted a character who remained sympathetic despite his awful behaviour. Supporting players like Prunella Scales as Basil’s wife Sybil provided perfect foils.
The show’s tight scripts brimmed with timeless farce, slapstick and dry British wit. Fawlty Towers blended highbrow and lowbrow humour that appealed to mass audiences. The absurd situations Basil becomes entangled in still feel fresh today. Cleese and Booth’s use of misunderstandings and coincidences to drive plots set the standard for situational comedy.
Though short-lived, Fawlty Towers’ influence on British comedy remains monumental. Its tightly constructed scripts and nuanced characters served as a new model. The series helped establish BBC as a sitcom powerhouse. Remakes in multiple languages attest to the show’s international appeal.
Nearly every list of history’s best sitcoms ranks Fawlty Towers near the top. The British Film Institute named it the best ever British TV show. A 2000 poll of comedians by British Comedy Guide voted it as their #1 comedy of all time. Its enduring popularity led to the 2019 documentary We Need to Talk About Fawlty Towers examining the show’s legacy.
Forty years later, Fawlty Towers remains the gold standard for cringe comedy done right. In an age with infinite viewing options, few series can prompt the ardent devotion garnered by Cleese and Booth’s masterpiece. While 1970s Britain faced no shortage of follies, none exemplified farcical chaos better than the timeless comedic riches found at Fawlty Towers.
Alien Terrifies Moviegoers
In 1979, director Ridley Scott unleashed the sci-fi horror classic Alien, featuring one of the most fearsome and original monsters in movie history – the predatory Xenomorph. With its75 relentlessly tense atmosphere and pioneering visual effects, Alien became a box office hit that terrified audiences like few films before it.
Set in the depths of space, Alien follows the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo as they respond to a cryptic distress call on a remote planet. There they discover a chamber filled with strange egg-like objects, one of which unleashes a parasitic creature that attaches itself to a crew member’s face. It soon grows into a terrifying adult Xenomorph that stalks and kills the crew one by one.
Up until Alien, movie monsters tended to have a humanoid or familiar form like vampires or werewolves. The explicitly inhuman, biomechanical design of H.R. Giger’s Xenomorph was unseen – an entirely original yet utterly believable life form. Its black, skeletal frame and metallic exoskeleton made the creature both elegant and revolting. Details like its second mouth launching out to attack prey added to the primal horror.
While slimy and aggressive, the Xenomorph also displayed eerily intelligent hunting abilities that inspired constant dread. Scott’s masterful direction teased its appearances, shrouding it in darkness and smoke. Riddled with sexual and Freudian overtones, this mysterious killing machine worked as both science fiction and social commentary.
Actress Sigourney Weaver became a star as warrant officer Ripley, the fierce female protagonist fighting back against the Alien threat. Audiences were gripped as she desperately combats the unrelenting creature that easily dispatches the rest of the crew. Ripley emerged as one of cinema’s most formidable heroines.
Backed by an esteemed supporting cast and moody Jerry Goldsmith score, Alien emphasised slow-burning tension over cheap thrills. Critics praised the film as both visually groundbreaking and emotionally exhausting. It earned an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, acknowledging the otherworldly H.R. Giger design work.
Alien became the year’s seventh highest grossing film at the worldwide box office. Most profoundly, it established sci-fi horror as a major genre by blending futuristic fantasy with visceral scares. Dozens of sequels, prequels and spin-offs followed in coming decades attesting to the Xenomorph’s enduring pop culture impact.
In 1979, British moviegoers craved escapism from domestic woes. Alien satiated desires for spectacle while speaking to more primal fears. Today, Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece is enshrined as one of the most suspenseful and influential horror films ever made. The Xenomorph remains one of the most chilling monsters to ever stalk the silver screen – a testament to Alien’s eternal ability to thrill, provoke, and terrify.
The Muppet Movie charms audiences
One of the most endearing family films of all time hopped across the pond when The Muppet Movie arrived in British cinemas. This magical musical comedy marked the big-screen debut of puppet favourites Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the rest of Jim Henson’s Muppet gang. With its vaudevillian humour, catchy tunes, and meta showbiz satire, The Muppet Movie became an instant perennial classic.
The Muppet Movie chronicles the humble origins of the Muppets, as Kermit dreams of becoming a Hollywood star after being discovered by agent Dom DeLuise. He embarks on a road trip to Los Angeles, meeting fellow future Muppets who join his zany journey of self-discovery. Along the way, villain Doc Hopper tries to convince Kermit to become the spokesman for his French fried frog legs restaurant – exploited fame Kermit nobly rejects.
As both a comedy and a loving ode to Hollywood musicals, The Muppet Movie cleverly blended puppets with live actors and cameo appearances by stars like Orson Welles. The script bubbled with vaudeville-style humour and slapstick ridiculousness to delight all ages. Timeless songs like “Rainbow Connection” and “Movin’ Right Along” became instant Muppet standards.
Since bursting onto British TV screens in 1976, the Muppets had already won U.K. hearts with their anarchic antics and lovable personalities. But the big-budget spectacle of The Muppet Movie took Henson’s artistry mainstream. Enthusiastic reviews praised the film’s charm, wit and technical mastery.
Audiences flocked to cinemas, making The Muppet Movie a box office smash. It ranked among the highest grossing films of 1979 in the U.K. and worldwide. The success cemented Jim Henson as an entertainment visionary capable of enthralling adults and children alike.
The legacy of The Muppet Movie lives on today through endless home video circulation and several high-profile follow-ups. Its humour, music and innocence endure as embodiments of the Muppets’ spirit. The Library of Congress recognised the film’s impact by selecting it for preservation in America’s National Film Registry.
In many ways, the journey of Kermit and his pals symbolised Britain’s own quest for renewal as the 1970s closed. Like the Muppets, the country looked ahead to sunnier days with characteristic humour and pluck. Down-on-their-luck characters were determined to put on the best show they could despite the odds.
The Muppet Movie gave British families a joyous respite from trying times, becoming one of the most cherished family films ever made. Looking back, its uplifting message stands eternal: dreams and friends are all you need to find the rainbow connection in life. More than four decades later, Kermit’s iconic banjo strums still touch hearts of all ages.
Culture
Margaret Thatcher Becomes Prime Minister
On May 3, 1979, the United Kingdom underwent a seismic political shift as the Conservative Party won the general election, unseating James Callaghan’s Labour government. Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher made history by becoming Britain’s first female Prime Minister. Her resounding victory ushered in an era defined by her forceful personality and policies – Thatcherism.
By 1979, “The Winter of Discontent” had eroded public trust in Callaghan’s struggling Labour leadership. Widespread strikes had crippled essential services, while high inflation and unemployment plagued the British economy. Thatcher seized the moment, running an audacious campaign that branded her Conservatives as the party of change after Labour’s discordant tenure.
Thatcher proved a discipline campaigner, hammering home core messages about controlling government spending, reducing taxes, and limiting union power. Her bold free market rhetoric, forged by advisors like Keith Joseph, resonated with an electorate eager for strong leadership and economic reform. Critically, Thatcher also succeeded in broadening the Conservative’s appeal beyond their upper-class base into the middle class.
As a driven woman in a male world, Thatcher consciously adopted an uncompromising, authoritative persona. The press dubbed her “Iron Lady” after a 1976 speech condemning Soviet aggression. Thatcher wore the epithet as a badge of honour, cultivating an image of strength and conviction rare for female politicians of the era. Her husband Denis and public relations experts helped mould her public image.
When the election resulted delivered a 43 seat Conservative majority, the enormity of Thatcher’s achievement as the UK’s first female Prime Minister was undeniable. Supporters saw it as a triumph over sexism and proof that barricades could fall when determination met opportunity. However, Thatcher herself resisted being defined by gender, insisting she had won on merit not feminism.
Right out the gates, Prime Minister Thatcher acted forcefully to reshape government in line with Conservative ideology. Her monetarist approach aimed to control inflation by limiting the money supply and reducing public borrowing. Thatcher cut taxes for businesses and high income earners, while also slashing public expenditures and privatising state-owned enterprises.
Abroad, Thatcher cemented her “Iron Lady” persona by taking a hardline against trade unions and organisations like the IRA. Domestically, she provoked strong reactions for her confrontational leadership style and divisive social policies. Supporters saw her as revitalizing British prestige and economy after years of decline. Critics deemed her an autocratic class warrior widening inequality.
Thatcher’s early tenure saw some economic gains, but her fiscal policies also caused a sharp rise in unemployment. By 1981, rioting erupted across Britain protesting her reforms. Thatcher remained defiant and refused to alter course, declaring “the lady’s not for turning” in a defining speech. This obstinance would characterise her entire uncompromising premiership.
The initial unpopularity of Thatcherism fuelled tensions within the Conservative Party itself. In 1981, former cabinet minister Michael Heseltine challenged her for the leadership, garnering enough support to seriously threaten her rule. Thatcher rallied support from loyalists to decisively turn back the insurrection and cement her control.
Thatcher went on to lead the Conservatives to a second straight electoral victory in 1983, bolstered by the British victory over Argentina in the Falklands War the year prior. By leveraging patriotic sentiment, she outmanoeuvred the opposition Labour Party, whose own move to the left cost it votes. Thatcher dominated the 1980s landscape in Britain, becoming the longest-continuously serving Prime Minister since Lord Liverpool in the early 1800s.
Margaret Thatcher’s rise to power was thus no less than the dawn of a whole new era in British politics. She became a defining global figure – both an icon and a lightning rod. The radical transformation she drove in government and the economy permanently altered Britain’s political landscape. Four decades later, the mere name “Thatcher” still stirs strong emotions across the spectrum – a testament to her enormous and controversial legacy. For better or worse, her tenure was an indelible turning point that ushered the United Kingdom into a new modern world.
Cornwall Tin Mine Closes, Ending Centuries of History
In March 1979, South Crofty mine near Redruth in Cornwall ceased tin production after centuries of continuous operation. This marked the end of an era for Cornish mining, as South Crofty was the last tin mine left in a region once defined by mineral extraction. Its closure severed a way of life stretching back millennia.
Evidence of tin mining in Cornwall dates back to the Bronze Age. For generations, Cornishmen toiled underground in perilous conditions harvesting tin and copper ores that fuelled Britain’s industrial growth. At its 19th-century peak, Cornwall’s mines employed over 50,000 workers and produced two-thirds of the world’s tin.
South Crofty typified both the prosperity and pains of this hardscrabble industry. First opened in 1592, it survived multiple closures over the centuries before its 20th century heyday. In 1979, depleted reserves and foreign competition finally rendered South Crofty unviable. Falling tin prices the prior decade had already extinguished Cornwall’s other mines.
When the last shift of 131 workers departed South Crofty’s depths, they knew a way of Cornish life was ending. Mining had shaped the county’s culture and communities for as long as anyone could remember. At its height, Cornwall had over 400 working mines supporting entire towns.
But increasingly machines replaced Cornishman underground from the early 1900s onward. Tin and copper prices plunged mid-century as resources dwindled. By the 1970s, maintaining centuries-old mines facing depleted reserves grew impossible. Even intense local efforts to save South Crofty proved fruitless once global economic factors doomed it.
South Crofty’s closure brought an outpouring of efforts to preserve Cornwall’s mining heritage. Old engine houses were preserved as monuments, along with museums like the popular Poldark Mine. Mining culture became a strong component of Cornish identity, celebrated in folk songs, poetry and literature.
But economically, the loss of mining devastated the region. Over a century ago, Cornwall was one of Britain’s most prosperous areas thanks to mining. But by the late 1900s, it became one of the poorest and least developed. Unemployment soared as thousands lost mining jobs. Depopulation worsened as younger generations moved away for work.
Though mining culture lived on, the actual skills faded away with elder generations. The centuries-old tradition of sons following fathers into the pits ended. By 2000, only a few hundred Cornishmen remained with deep mining experience.
Some maintain hopes that South Crofty may one day reopen if tin prices recover sufficiently. But most accept that an era stretching from Cornwall’s ancient past into modern times has ended for good. When South Crofty closed, the original backbone of Cornwall’s economy and folklore finally expired too.
Yet the resilience and spirit of Cornish mining culture persists. South Crofty marked the conclusion of one economic chapter, but also the proud preservation of a cultural heritage alive through monuments, music, language, and lasting community bonds formed underground. What was lost in livelihood was gained in legacy.
Politics
Devolution Referendums Fail in Scotland and Wales
In March 1979, referendums on potential devolution of powers to newly created Scottish and Welsh assemblies ended in defeat. The results denied hopes for greater self-governance in both Celtic nations after decades of organised efforts by Scottish and Welsh nationalists. However, the close margins sowed seeds for devolution’s eventual achievement in later decades.
The referendums followed years of rising nationalism in Scotland and Wales since the 1960s, fuelled by North Sea oil discoveries, cultural pride movements, and frustration with centralised UK governance. By the mid-1970s, both the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru had gained influence advocating autonomy.
The Labour government, seeking to blunt these nationalist sentiments, passed the Scotland and Wales Acts in 1978 legislating the proposed devolved bodies. This triggered referendums in each country on whether to form the representative assemblies. Turnout was high on March 1, 1979, reflecting the importance placed on this moment of decision.
In Scotland, though a narrow majority of 52% voted Yes, this fell short of the amendment’s requirement for 40% support of the total electorate. Despite most voting in favour, low voter registration resulted in only 32.9% of the electorate endorsing devolution. Thus the Scottish referendum was deemed to have failed.
A similar outcome occurred in Wales, where 79.7% voted Yes but only narrowly missed the 40% total electoral threshold at 35.6%. This debacle came down to poor voter rolls rather than divided opinion, as Welsh support for devolution was overwhelming. Nonetheless, their near-miss remained nullified.
Reactions ranged from disappointment to outrage. Advocates of greater autonomy saw a blatant democratic failure where public will was denied on a technicality. But Unionists also feared legislation passing so narrowly could sow future discord when consensus was needed. The results settled nothing.
Although the referendums failed, they transformed the political landscape. Devolution was now only a matter of time given the clear appetite in both Scotland and Wales. The SNP and Plaid Cymru gained credibility and momentum as nationalist causes entered mainstream politics.
Labour had intended the referendums as a pressure release to abate Scottish and Welsh demands. Instead, their close outcomes had the opposite effect of intensifying calls for self-rule. By the 1990s, Labour itself came to formally back devolution.
In 1997, another referendum delivered a resounding 74% vote for Scottish devolution. The subsequent 1998 Scotland Act created the Scottish Parliament with extensive powers. Wales followed suit with the Government of Wales Act in 1998 after a devolution referendum.
So while the 1979 referendums were frustrating defeats, they proved vital preliminaries paving the way to future success. The Welsh and Scottish devolution movements emerged emboldened to eventually achieve long-awaited goals of self-governance. After generations of activism, the UK’s political evolution reached an irreversible turning point.
Lord Mountbatten Killed by IRA
On August 27, 1979, the IRA shocked the world by assassinating Lord Louis Mountbatten off the coast of County Sligo. The bombing killed the 79-year-old British statesman along with three others, including his 14-year-old grandson. The brazen attack targeted one of Britain’s most famous figures in an escalation of violence that brought intense scrutiny to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Mountbatten’s assassination occurred on his fishing boat in Donegal Bay, just across the Northern Ireland border. A radio-controlled bomb containing 50 pounds of explosives ripped through the vessel as Mountbatten and others boarded. Apart from Mountbatten, the blast killed his grandson Nicholas Knatchbull along with the 83-year-old Dowager Lady Brabourne and her 15-year-old grandson.
The ruthless targeting of both civilians and the famous royal figure marked a severe departure for the IRA, provoking accusations of terrorism worldwide. As a beloved World War II commander and cousin of Queen Elizabeth, Mountbatten held great symbolic importance to the British public. His murder in cold blood shocked both the UK and Ireland.
The IRA quickly claimed responsibility, justifying the bombing as an act of war given Mountbatten’s military background and role as honorary commander of British forces in Northern Ireland. But most saw it as a barbaric escalation. While Mountbatten was a prestigious target, taking the lives of innocents including two children crossed a line.
The repercussions were immense. Public opinion swung sharply against the IRA’s militant wing and its ruthless methods. Politically, the Mountbatten bombing convinced many in Britain that compromise with Republicans was futile. It fuelled calls for even harsher measures against the IRA and its sympathisers.
However, others highlighted that Britain’s harsh crackdowns in Northern Ireland provoked the IRA and caused a vicious circle of violence. Mountbatten’s death brought more nuanced scrutiny to the Troubles’ deep roots. Some saw it as the result of generations of complex sectarian tensions rather than one-sided extremism.
Mountbatten himself had been a target due to his involvement in British policies in Northern Ireland. As a member of the Royal family, the IRA viewed him as a powerful symbolic figure to attack. The bombing aimed to demonstrate the IRA’s reach and capabilities while undermining British morale.
In the wake of the assassination, both the British government and IRA leadership recognised the counterproductive futility of escalating violence. By the 1990s, steps by all parties toward ceasefires and political reconciliation helped end the bitter 25 year conflict.
The tragic murder of one of Britain’s most distinguished elders and his young kinsmen proved an ugly milestone in the painful journey toward Northern Irish peace. Lord Mountbatten’s life embodied duty; his unjust end came to symbolise the urgent need for compromise. Four decades later, the reverberations of that fateful day remain felt as societies reflect on the sacrifices of history.
UK Signs Third Cod War Truce with Iceland
In November 1979, the United Kingdom and Iceland signed a third and final agreement ending the bitterly disputed Cod Wars. The pact delimited a 200 nautical mile Icelandic exclusive fishery zone, ending decades of clashes over fishing grounds in the North Atlantic. Britain reluctantly conceded victory to Iceland over rights to these lucrative waters.
The Cod Wars comprised three separate disputes between 1958 and 1976 over Icelandic demands for control over fishing territories near its coasts. As an island nation, fish like cod were vital to Iceland’s economy. But British trawlers had fished the abundantly stocked Icelandic waters for centuries.
As international law evolved allowing expansion of national fishery limits, Iceland unilaterally extended its fishing zone from 4 to 12 miles in 1958, provoking the first Cod War with the UK. Further Icelandic extensions to 50 then 200 miles sparked the second (1972-73) and third (1975-76) Cod Wars.
The dispute hinged on the UK’s refusal to recognise Iceland’s claims over the enlarged zones. Royal Navy warships were deployed to protect British trawlers, resulting in the deliberate ramming of ships on both sides. Diplomatic tensions grew as Iceland threatened to leave NATO.
By 1976, Britain conceded to a 200 mile Icelandic zone under intense economic and political pressure. But deep British resentment led to continued illegal fishing under the protection of the Royal Navy. This necessitated yet another agreement in 1979 formally closing the contested waters.
Under the 1979 pact, Britain agreed to immediately withdraw from all areas within 200 miles of Iceland, with limited access granted only to certain warmer eastern fishing grounds. Additionally, quotas were imposed in the newly shared “Herring Box” beyond 200 miles.
The settlement ended centuries of tradition for British fishermen. But economically the rich fishing areas near Iceland were untenable to defend. Iceland also threatened closure of vital NATO bases, forcing Britain to reluctantly abandon disputed claims despite anger from fishing communities.
For Iceland, it completed a hard-fought triumph of a small nation against imperial interests. The Cod Wars became a proud moment when tiny Iceland forced the once mighty British Empire to submit on a matter of national rights and economic survival.
In Britain, there was humiliation at withdrawing from waters fished by Britons since the 1400s. The conclusion highlighted the UK’s fading naval power and negotiation leverage. It reinforced a sense of declining national prestige amidst ongoing domestic strife.
Yet there was also recognition that Iceland’s demands stemmed from a legitimate need to develop its own marine resources. Avoiding protracted conflict ultimately served all parties’ interests best.
The 1979 agreement ushered in a new cooperative era defined by mutual access and conservation. As neighbors looking to the future, Britain and Iceland learned to move beyond the turbulent legacy of the Cod Wars.
Sports
Coe Sets Mile World Record Again
On August 17, 1979, British runner Sebastian Coe cemented his legacy in athletics history by breaking his own world record in the mile run at a meet in Oslo, Norway. Coe finished in a jaw-dropping time of 3 minutes, 48.95 seconds, becoming the first athlete ever under the 3:49 barrier for the four-lap race. His unprecedented milestone demonstrated total middle distance dominance.
Only 22 years old in 1979, Coe had already gained fame the prior year by breaking the long-standing mile record of 3:51.1 set by Steve Ovett. But Coe shocked the track world again by chopping off two more seconds in Oslo to take the record to a once-unfathomable sub-3:49.
From the gun, Coe dashed ahead of the paced rabbit and never relinquished the lead. His seamless running style and leg speed propelled him round the four laps as the crowd sensed history in the making. Flashing unrivaled closing speed, Coe crossed the line with his arms aloft having stolen the show in Oslo.
Coe’s mile record was all the more astonishing coming just six weeks after he had broken the 800m world record as well. In the span of 42 days, he set new global marks at both the middle distances – a feat showcasing his versatile talent and competitive zeal. 1979 marked the arrival of Coe as more than just a British star, but an athletic phenomenon.
The press heaped endless praise and predictions of more glory to come. Coe had already won 800m bronze at age 19 in the 1976 Olympics. Now with Moscow 1980 upcoming, analysts pegged him as a favorite for gold at both 800m and 1500m. The possibilities seemed limitless for the young protege.
Beyond records and medals, Coe’s 2-lap speed electrified crowds and inspired awe in fellow runners. His unprecedented mile time proved human limits could be stretched further with belief and work ethic. For aspiring athletes worldwide, Coe set an inspirational standard of excellence to pursue.
Coe remained in control of the mile record for the next 8 years until surpassed by Morocco’s Saïd Aouita in 1987. But his 1979 Oslo performance represented a high-water mark unlikely to ever be topped in terms of shattering expectations. Even decades later, the sub-3:49 mile remains an astonishing feat replicable by few.
By redefining middle distance running, Sebastian Coe put exclamation marks on his legacy with his twin world records in 1979. With Moscow 1980 on the horizon, he stood poised to conquer the Olympic stage as Britain’s brightest athletic light in generations. The Oslo mile record wrote another brilliant chapter in what proved one of athletics’ most decorated careers.
1979 World Snooker Championship Launches Sport into British Spotlight
In April 1979, the World Snooker Championship was televised live for the first time on BBC, helping catapult the niche cue sport to mainstream popularity in Britain. The expanded TV coverage introduced snooker to millions and fuelled an explosion of interest that became known as “Snookermania.”
Organised by the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association since 1927, the World Championship had a limited following mostly confined to billiards halls. But when BBC aired 8 days of live first-round coverage from the 1979 tournament, it brought snooker straight into British living rooms.
Nearly 18 million viewers tuned in for cliffhanger matches like defending champion Ray Reardon’s first round tie against Perrie Mans. Other established names like John Spencer and Eddie Charlton introduced themselves to the casual viewer. Coverage was extended as the tournament progressed, culminating in over 15 million watching the final.
The nationwide exposure made household names of once-obscure snooker professionals. It established stalwart commentator Ted Lowe’s catchphrases like “for those just tuning in” into popular lexicon. Fans delighted in learning the nuances of snooker, and were awed seeing top players’ skill up close in tense matches.
Perhaps most significantly, young people across Britain became entranced by the chess-like snooker showcased on their televisions. Inspired youth flooded snooker halls nationwide hoping to emulate newfound heroes like six-time champion Ray Reardon.
The 1979 championship marked a turning point for snooker transitioning from background diversion to primetime spectacle. As Reardon defeated John Spencer to claim his last world title, BBC recognised snooker’s crossover potential after the ratings success. The corporation committed to expanding coverage in 1980 and beyond.
Other major tournaments soon followed the World Championship onto BBC airwaves, extending snooker’s reach even further. By the mid 1980s, snooker vied with football as Britain’s most watched sport. Top players became household names on par with rock stars.
The “golden age” of British snooker launched in 1979 might never have happened without BBC’s visionary gamble on upstart sport. Sustained TV exposure sent popularity soaring and minted new superstars like Steve Davis who inspired more growth.
While darts and other pub pastimes also gained TV footings, none matched snooker’s cultural saturation thanks to the boost first given in 1979. It spawned books, video games, hit singles, and greater prize purses, changing snooker’s status forever. Britain had caught full-blown Snookermania by the decade’s end.
The year 1979 was one of tremendous upheaval and transition for the United Kingdom, as the economic, political, social, and cultural landscapes all underwent seismic shifts that pushed the nation into a new era.
After the economic tumult of the “Winter of Discontent” and ongoing IRA bombings, the May 1979 general election brought Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher to power as Britain’s first female Prime Minister. Her victory marked a sharp turn towards privatization, deregulation, and confronting Britain’s dire economic straits head-on. Thatcher’s ascent initiated 11 controversial years of transformative leadership that redefined the political ethos of the nation.
Just six months after Thatcher took office, her resolve was tested when the SAS stormed the Iranian embassy in London to end a terrorist siege. The operation exemplified Britain’s might and earned the elite unit global fame. However, the IRA assassination of Lord Mountbatten in the same year demonstrated continued instability.
Beyond politics, the arts in Britain bid farewell to the bleakness of the 1970s with exciting new creative energy. Punk rock icons like The Clash and The Police produced landmark albums that stood alongside emerging 2-Tone ska bands who mixed musical cultures. British cinema celebrated its own rebirth withAlien’s revolutionary sci-fi horror and the Muppets’ big-screen debut.
Athletically, a bright young generation shone as Seb Coe repeatedly smashed middle-distance records and even snooker joined football as a British sporting obsession thanks to increased BBC coverage.
Across every facet of society, 1979 marked a transitional point of tension between fading and emerging eras. The nationalism that defeated devolution referendums indicated existing social divisions, while South Crofty tin mine’s closure severed Britain’s industrial past.
Yet from the rubble of the “Winter of Discontent’s” strikes rose Thatcher’s determined leadership. As the UK sailed forth into the 80s, its position in the world remained unclear. But the winds of change in 1979 made one certainty evident – that Britain stood on the cusp of a disruptive new age, for better or worse. The old order had ended and a new uncertain chapter had begun.
