Henkels & McCoy's TCI Iran project, slated for several years, ends in
February of this year when the Shah of Iran (left) is deposed by radical Islamic
fundamentalists, headed by Ayatollah Khomeni (right). Kenneth Rose and Paul M.
Henkels travel to Teheran in a vain attempt restart the program. All of our
crews are safely out of the country by mid-year... In 1979, Henkels &
McCoy has 10 Division offices and over 41 area offices within the 48
contiguous United States... Due to expanding business volume in the western
states, three new Division offices are opened in Kansas City, Dallas, and
Denver... H&M's Industrial Division helps to complete construction of the
new Seaview Petroleum Company in West Deptford, N.J. ... With casino
gambling and hotel development in full swing in Atlantic City, Henkels &
McCoy is involved in upgrading and expanding area electrical systems to meet
growing demand... H&M acquires The Borresen Company, specializing in heavy
rigging, millwrighting, industrial piping, steel erection and sheet metal
work related to installation of machinery and equipment.
January 1
US establishes diplomatic ties with mainland China for the first time
since Communist takeover in 1949.
January 21
In Super Bowl XIII the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Dallas Cowboys in a
close 35-31 match.February 1
After serving 22 months of a seven-year sentence, Patty Hearst is released
from prison.
February 19
Live TV coverage of the US House of Representatives begins.
February 26
The northwestern part of the United States sees the last total solar eclipse
of the century.
March 5
Jupiter is discovered to have a faint ring system by the Voyager I.
March 28
Three Mile Island, outside Harrisburg, Pa. is considered the most serious
nuclear accident in US history.
May 4
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of Britain when
her Conservative party wins the general election.
May 25
In Chicago, 272 people are killed in the worst aviation accident in US
history. An American Airliner DC-10 crashes after takeoff when an engine
falls off. In June the FAA will ground all 138 US based DC-10s, pending
investigations on how engine mounts are assembled.
May 28
Greece is inducted into the European Common Market as the 10th
member state.
June 1
The African state of Zimbabwe is born from the former Rhodesia.
June 11
Actor John "Duke" Wayne dies after a long struggle with lung cancer, at age
72. Duke Wayne, whether in hjs many roles as tough guy soldier, sailor, or
cowboy, or in tender roles as in John Ford's The Quiet Man, is rarely
photographed without a cigarette in his mouth. In his final film, The
Shootist, with James Stewart and Lauren Bacall (1976), Wayne plays an
aged gunfighter who is dying from 'a cancer' and is seeking a dignified
death.
July 11
Upon reentry into the atmosphere Skylab breaks up and is scattered across
the Indian Ocean and Australia.
July 18
The price of gold reaches $300 per ounce in world markets.
July 31
Having suffered a $207 million loss in the previous quarter, Chrysler
Chairman John Riccardo asks Congress for $1 billion in cash.
August 9
Thurmon Munson, New York Yankees catcher, is killed as his plane goes
down a few feet short of the runway in Ohio.
September 1
First pictures of Saturn are taken by Pioneer 11.
November 4
Sixty-two Americans are held hostage by Muslim "students" in the US Embassy
in Tehran. Thirteen will be released for medical or other compassionate
reasons by November 22. Most will remain with in blindfolded, chained
captivity for the remainder of the Carter administration as Iran's religious
leaders refuse to deal with "The Great Satan."
December 3
Eleven young people are trampled to death before a rock concert by The Who,
in Cincinnati when impatient fans rush the doors.
December 26
Surpassing the July 18 spike, the price of gold reaches an impressive $500
per ounce.
December 29
Soviet troops invade Afghanistan. In an act with far reaching consequences,
the US will later arm the leadership of the mujahideen (holy warriors)
resistance fighters with shoulder fired Stinger missiles and small arms.
Among these warriors will be Osama bin Ladin.
ALSO IN 1979:
The ill-fated Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is introduced.
The Internet begins hosting News groups. CompuServe goes online.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Mother Theresa for her selfless work
among the world's poorest and most wretched people, in Calcutta.
The Digital Videodisc comes from Holland.
The international Global Positioning System is now functional.
Rap music busts out of the angry streets of New York, yo.
At the Movies
You'll believe a man can fly! Superman soars to number one at the box office with
Every Which Way But Loose coming in second... Kramer vs. Kramer
gets top honors as Best Picture at the Oscars for the previous year.
What's on TV
Three’s Company and That’s Incredible are one and two in the
nation... ESPN begins its all-sports all-the-time format... The Dukes of
Hazzard roars its way to Number Nine. At the top of the 1979's list is 60
Minutes. Tick tick tick tick....
In Sports
Willie Mays is inducted into the Hall of Fame with 409 out of 432 votes...
Sugar Ray Leonard wins his first Welterweight World Title. He knocks out
Wilfredo Benitez in 15 rounds...
Pair Champions in Figure Skating are Tia Babilonia and Randy Gardner of the
United States...
Nancy Lopez is the leader of the LPGA with $189,213 in winnings.
1979 CHART ACTION
1 LE FREAK - Chic (Atlantic)
2 MY SHARONA - The Knack (Capitol)
3 DA YA THINK I'M SEXY? - Rod Stewart (Warner Bros.)
4 Y.M.C.A. - The Village People (Casablanca)
5 HOT STUFF - Donna Summer (Casablanca)
6 BAD GIRLS - Donna Summer (Casablanca)
7 I WILL SURVIVE - Gloria Gaynor (Polydor)
8 SAD EYES - Robert John (EMI America)
9 PLEASE DON'T GO - KC & The Sunshine Band (T.K.)
10 TOO MUCH HEAVEN - The Bee Gees (RSO)
11 REUNITED - Peaches & Herb (Polydor/MVP)
12 RING MY BELL - Anita Ward (Juana)
13 ESCAPE (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes (Infinity)
14 POP MUZIK - M (Sire)
15 RISE - Herb Alpert (A&M)
16 WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES - The Doobie Brothers (Warner Bros.)
17 BABE - Styx (A&M)
18 GOOD TIMES - Chic (Atlantic)
19 FIRE - The Pointer Sisters (Planet)
20 A LITTLE MORE LOVE - Olivia Newton-John (MCA)
