1979 Newspapers

Historic Newspapers has the largest collection of historic newspapers in the world, featuring over 4 million originals from the nation’s most renowned news outlets.

The 1970s in Britain was a time of social change, political confusion, and violent conflicts. News from the decade will tell stories of the IRA, who were linked to over 40 bombings and a number of fatal incidents which culminated in the death of Lord Mountbatten in the year 1979. People were disenchanted with the political and economic situation of Britain, a disenchantment which manifested itself in anti-establishment groups such as Punk. This fascinating decade is chronicled with our collection of authentic 1979 newspapers, from sources such as The Guardian and The Daily Mail.

FROM £39.99
Original 1979 Newspapers

1979 Newspaper Headlines

If you’re curious about this year in particular, then 1979 newspaper articles are a great way to gain a deeper insight into the events that took place, within the context that they were happening. Important 1979 headlines include the collapse of the horrific Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, the assassination of Lord Mountbatten by the IRA, and the eradication of the Smallpox virus. It was also the year that Margaret Thatcher became the British Prime Minister, beginning over a decade long term in power and changing the trajectory of British politics forever. An authentic 1979 newspaper is a wonderful way to celebrate the highs and lows of this year in history.

7th January 1979
Vietnam and supporting Cambodian insurgents announce the fall of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and the collapse of the Pol Pot regime. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge retreat west to an area along the Thai border.

18th February 1979
The Sahara Desert experiences snow for thirty minutes.

30th March 1979
Airey Neave, a World War II veteran and Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman, is killed by an Irish National Liberation Army bomb in the House of Commons car park.

4th May 1979
The Conservatives win the general election and Margaret Thatcher becomes the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

30th May 1979
Nottingham Forest wins the European Cup, beating Malmo 1-0 in the final in Munich.

2nd June 1979
Pope John Paul II visits his native Poland, becoming the first Pope to visit a Communist country.

11th June 1979
John Wayne, American actor (b. 1907) dies from stomach cancer.

16th July 1979
Iraqi President Hasan al-Bakr resigns and Vice President Saddam Hussein replaces him.

9th August 1979
The first British nudist beach is established in Brighton.

27th August 1979
Lord Mountbatten and three other people are assassinated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. He was a British admiral, statesman and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. On the same day, the Warrenpoint ambush occurs: Provisional Irish Republican Army members attack a British convoy at Narrow Water, County Down, killing eighteen British soldiers.

1st September 1979
The U.S. ‘Pioneer 11’ becomes the first spacecraft to visit Saturn, when it passes the planet at a distance of 21,000 km.

4th November 1979
3,000 Iranian radicals, mostly students, invade the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and take ninety hostages; 53 of whom are American. The radicals demand that the United States send the former Shah of Iran back to stand trial.

23rd November 1979
In Dublin, Provisional Irish Republican Army member Thomas McMahon is sentenced to life in prison for the assassination of Lord Mountbatten.

9th December 1979
The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified. Smallpox is therefore the first human disease to be driven to extinction.

24th December 1979
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan.

More from this Decade

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Jo Gale March 18 2024

I am very impressed with the authenticity of the gift beautifully presented

Kumar March 18 2024

Product was in fantastic condition. I have no hesitation in ordering again.

Natalie Pitfield March 15 2024

The condition of the paper was excellent.

K Lindley March 12 2024

Great value.

Mr P Ford March 9 2024

Great condition and very informative

Shirley McCausland Drury March 9 2024

Quick delivery, authentication certificate included, original paper

Richard Horne March 7 2024

Loved it, so interesting to read what was in the daily times in 1974 and the cost for the paper was only 4p. Well packaged and presented in a lovely box.

Geoff Mann March 6 2024

Quick service and a well packed product. Very satisfactory as always.

Petronila Krstuloviu0107 March 5 2024

Great gift idea.