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December 24, 1979 Christmas Eve

December 24, 1979, was a Monday. It was the 358th day of 1979. The decade was the seventies.

44 years, 2 months, and 26 days have passed since December 24, 1979.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on December 24, 1979:

  • The Soviet war in Afghanistan begins.
Song charts

Popular songs

On December 24, 1979, the following songs were at the top of the music charts in the USA and the UK:

  • United States: "Escape" by Rupert Holmes
  • United Kingdom: "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 24, 1979

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
  • Please Don't Go - KC And The Sunshine Band
  • Babe - Styx
  • Send One Your Love - Stevie Wonder
  • Still - Commodores
Play the top songs from 1979
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1979. Take a trip back to the days of Donna Summer, ABBA, Bob Seger and the Bee Gees.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Star Trek: The Motion Picture".

Facts

Christmas Eve 1979 was 16,157 days ago. Approximately 539 months have passed. It was the 358th day of 1979, in week 52. The decade was the seventies. The start of 1980 was just 7 days away. People born on this day are currently 44 years old and belong to the Generation X generation. 180 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to December 24, 1979

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Monday, December 24, 1979. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Capricorn. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

It's Christmas Eve of 1979. The big day is fast approaching and the excitement is building. Department stores are filed with people trying to do some last-minute shopping. In America, the song "Escape" by Rupert Holmes is at the top of the singles charts, while "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture is at the top of the box office.

Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In fashion, clothes have become baggier and pants have become less flared. Sports clothing and the "disco look" are both popular at the moment. Women are wearing sundresses, strapless tops with t-shirts, shoulder pads, cardigans, knee-length skirts and daisy dukes. Meanwhile, men are wearing tracksuits, flare jeans, low-top sneakers and untucked collared shirts. Because it's 1979, the music charts are being dominated by the likes of Blondie, Gloria Gaynor, M, Donna Summer, Patrick Hernandez, The Knack and Rod Stewart.

The movie "Kramer vs. Kramer" is being shown in movie theaters. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Alfred Hitchcock, Ian Curtis, Dorothy Stratten, and Steve McQueen would all still be alive. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Columbo", "Last of the Summer Wine", "The Jeffersons", and "Trapper John, M.D.".

Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Gun Fight", "Breakout", "Lunar Lander", and "Asteroids". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Sesame Street", "Bagpuss", "The All New Popeye Hour", and "Casper and the Angels". Popular toys at the moment include Operation, Battleship (game), Star Wars action figures, and the Atari 2600.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 24, 1979.

  • Christmas Eve 1979.

    Christmas Eve 1979

    Christmas Day of 1979 was just one day away. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were buying last-minute presents for their loved ones, and stores were packed with shoppers. By this stage, many people had arrived home for the holiday season.
  • The Atari 2600.

    The Atari 2600

    The Atari 2600 was the dominant video game system.
  • The Iran hostage crisis.

    The Iran hostage crisis

    The Iran hostage crisis was ongoing. Between November 4th, 1979, and January 20th, 1981, 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage in Iran. The hostages were taken into captivity after a group of Iranian college students stormed the US embassy in Tehran.
  • The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981.

    The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981

    During this time, the Atlanta murders of 1979–1981 were taking place. At least 28 children and young adults were murdered before Wayne Williams was eventually arrested and convicted.
  • 1979 in music.

    1979 in music

    Popular music artists in 1979 included The Knack, Donna Summer, Chic, Rod Stewart, Peaches & Herb, Gloria Gaynor, Village People, Anita Ward, Robert John and The Bee Gees.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1979?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1979?

    The best NBA players in 1979 were Moses Malone, Marques Johnson, Elvin Hayes, George Gervin and Paul Westphal.
  • 1979 in movies.

    1979 in movies

    Movies released in 1979 included Kramer vs. Kramer, The Amityville Horror, Rocky II, Apocalypse Now, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Alien, 10, The Jerk, Moonraker, The Muppet Movie, Monty Python's Life of Brian and The Warriors.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1979, the best soccer players were Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Ruud Krol, Manfred Kaltz, Michel Platini, Paolo Rossi, Trevor Francis, Liam Brady, Zbigniew Boniek, Zdenek Nehoda, Kenny Dalglish and Allan Simonsen.
  • The Walkman.

    The Walkman

    In the late 1970s and 1980s, portable cassette players such as the "Sony Walkman" were becoming more common.
  • Kramer vs. Kramer.

    Kramer vs. Kramer

    "Kramer vs. Kramer" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1979.
  • Ruhollah Khomeini.

    Ruhollah Khomeini

    The leader of the Iranian Revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, was named Time Person of the Year in 1979.
  • The Doobie Brothers - "What a Fool Believes"

    The Doobie Brothers - "What a Fool Believes"

    "What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers won a Grammy for 1979's Song of the Year.
  • Roller skates.

    Roller skates

    The popularity of roller skates exploded during the second half of the 1970s.
  • Disco music.

    Disco music

    Disco music became mainstream during the latter half of the 1970s. Nightclub-goers often wore extravagant outfits. Furthermore, dances such as the "Hustle", the "Bump" and the "Penguin" also became popular.
  • Hitchhiking is declining.

    Hitchhiking is declining

    Although hitchhiking is still pretty common, it is beginning to decline due to people's falling trust in strangers, lower air travel prices, an increase in highways, and more affordable cars.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 24, 1979.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to December 24, 1979.

  • November 28, 1979: 257 passengers lose their lives after Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes into Mount Erebus in Antarctica.
  • November 30, 1979: The Pink Floyd album "The Wall" is released.
  • December 3, 1979:
    • 11 fans are killed in a crush before a Who concert in Cincinnati.
    • Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini becomes the Supreme Leader of Iran.
  • December 5, 1979: Jack Lynch resigns as Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland.
  • December 7, 1979:
    • Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) is released in cinemas.
    • English rock band Led Zeppelin release their final single "Fool in the Rain".
    • The Clash releases their song "London Calling".
  • December 9, 1979: Smallpox is officially eradicated.
  • December 11, 1979: Charles Haughey becomes the new Taoiseach of Ireland.
  • December 14, 1979:
    • The Jerk (1979), starring Steve Martin, is released in cinemas.
    • The Clash release their album "London Calling".
  • December 16, 1979: O.J. Simpson plays his final NFL game.
  • December 19, 1979: The movie Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) is released in cinemas.
  • December 21, 1979: A black insurance salesman called Arthur McDuffie dies after being beaten by four police officers following a traffic stop in Miami.
  • December 23, 1979: Soviet forces occupy Kabul in Afghanistan.
  • This date: December 24, 1979
  • December 27, 1979: The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan.
  • January 3, 1980: Animal rights activist Joy Adamson is murdered in Kenya.
  • January 20, 1980: Super Bowl XIV: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Los Angeles Rams by 31-19 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
  • January 21, 1980: 128 people are killed when Iran Air Flight 291 crashes in the Alborz Mountains.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 24, 1979, will have the star sign Capricorn.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1979 was the year of the Goat (Yin Metal).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 8.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 24, 1979 falls under the Goose.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.

1970s fashion

Photographs of 1970s fashion and hairstyles.

1970s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1979

In December 1979, TV audiences were watching the following series:

TV shows from December 1979.

Archie Bunker's Place
Archie Bunker's Place
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
Taxi
Taxi
Dallas
Dallas
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Chips
Chips
Soap
Soap
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough
Three's Company
Three's Company
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
Happy Days
Happy Days
Barnaby Jones
Barnaby Jones
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
The Waltons
The Waltons
Soul Train
Soul Train

Cars in 1979

1979 saw the introduction of cars such as the Chevrolet Citation, the Volkswagen Jetta, the Honda Civic (second generation), the Datsun Bluebird (910), the Vauxhall Astra, and the Dodge St. Regis.

Cars in 1979.

Children TV shows

Kids TV shows on December 24, 1979

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1979:

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
Casper and the Angels
Casper and the Angels
Rickety Rocket
Rickety Rocket

Mork & Mindy
Mork & Mindy
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
The All New Popeye Hour
The All New Popeye Hour
Godzilla
Godzilla
The New Fantastic Four
The New Fantastic Four
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
The All-New Super Friends Hour
The All-New Super Friends Hour
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
Bagpuss
Bagpuss
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
The Pink Panther Show
The Pink Panther Show
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1979

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Screwball Scramble
Screwball Scramble
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids
Speak & Spell
Speak & Spell
Simon (memory game)
Simon (memory game)
Shogun Warriors
Shogun Warriors
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Water Ring Toss
Water Ring Toss
The Atari 2600
The Atari 2600
Star Wars action figures
Star Wars action figures
Mattel Electronic Football (handheld game)
Mattel Electronic Football (handheld game)
Lego Technic
Lego Technic
Stretch Armstrong
Stretch Armstrong
Micronauts
Micronauts
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Connect Four
Connect Four
Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
Battleship (game)
Battleship (game)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite
Twister mat
Twister mat
Operation
Operation
The Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven
Etch A Sketch
Etch A Sketch
Troll doll
Troll doll
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in December 1979.

Asteroids 1979
Asteroids
Lunar Lander 1979
Lunar Lander
Space Invaders 1978
Space Invaders
Breakout 1976
Breakout
Gun Fight 1975
Gun Fight

Were you born on December 24, 1979?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1979.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out December 24, 1985, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 24.

King John

King John

King of England Deceased
Born on December 24, 1167
He was not alive on this date.

Dean Corll

Dean Corll

Serial killer Deceased
Born on December 24, 1939
He was not alive on this date.

Anthony Fauci

Anthony Fauci

Physician-scientist and immunologist
Born on December 24, 1940
He turned 39 on this day in 1979.

Lemmy

Lemmy

English singer Deceased
Born on December 24, 1945
He turned 34 on this day in 1979.

Clarence Gilyard

Clarence Gilyard

Actor Deceased
Born on December 24, 1955
He turned 24 on this day in 1979.

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

American fashion designer Deceased
Born on December 24, 1962
She turned 17 on this day in 1979.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin

Singer
Born on December 24, 1971
He turned 8 on this day in 1979.

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest

Media personality
Born on December 24, 1974
He turned 5 on this day in 1979.

Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson

Singer
Born on December 24, 1991
He was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on December 24:

  • Christmas Eve
USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on December 24, 1979.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Charles Haughey was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on December 24, 1979 was most likely conceived around April 2, 1979.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 24, 1979 is close to September 15, 1980.

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Stats for December 24, 1979

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 24, 1979:

  • 16,157 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,308 weeks have passed.
  • 1,395,964,800 seconds have passed since December 24, 1979.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,628,625,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 720,317,836,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 232,660,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 120,052,973 steps. That's roughly 53,357 miles!
  • Since this date, 16,751,578 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1979?

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