At A Glance

5 August 1979 at a glance

Day of the week
5 August 1979 was a Sunday.
Kent Music Report No. 1
The Kent Music Report No. 1 was “Some Girls” by Racey.
Top Film of 1979
The highest-grossing film worldwide released in 1979 was Moonraker.
Best-Selling Vehicle of 1979
Australia's top-selling new vehicle in 1979 was the Holden Commodore.
Star sign
The star sign for 5 August is Leo.
Chinese zodiac
In the Chinese zodiac, 5 August 1979 fell in the Year of the Goat.
Birthstone
The birthstone for August is Peridot.
Moon phase
The moon phase on 5 August 1979 was Waxing Gibbous.

On this day: 5 August

  • 1971 The first Pacific Islands Forum (then known as the "South Pacific Forum") is held in Wellington, New Zealand, with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1973 Mars 6 is launched from the USSR.
  • 1974 Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon, under orders of the US Supreme Court, releases the "Smoking Gun" tape, recorded on June 23, 1972, clearly revealing his actions in covering up and interfering investigations into the break-in. His political support vanishes completely.
  • 1979 In Afghanistan, Maoists undertake the Bala Hissar uprising against the Leninist government.
  • 1981 President Ronald Reagan fires 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work.

Famous people born on 5 August

  • James Gunn, American filmmaker (born 1966)
  • Wendell Berry, American novelist, short story writer, poet, and essayist (1934–2026)
  • Angry Anderson, Australian singer and actor (1947–2026)
  • Neil Armstrong, American pilot, engineer, and astronaut, first man to walk on the Moon (1930–2012)

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Events of 1979 in Australia

A selection from Wikipedia's '1979 in Australia'. Not a complete list.

  • 9 January – Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony signs a pact to allow uranium mining to begin at the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory.
  • 9 February – Associated Securities Limited, Australia's fourth-largest finance company, is placed into receivership.
  • 9 March – The Arbitration Commission awards Australian women the right to six weeks' compulsory unpaid maternity leave with the option of extending the leave to one year.

Life in Australia in 1979

Prime Minister

Malcolm Fraser

Monarch

Queen Elizabeth II

Petrol (per litre)

$0.13

Loaf of Bread

$0.54

Average House

$40,000

Weekly Wage

$200.00

Or

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Famous Faces Born in the 1970s

Well-known people born in the same decade as you, not on your birthday.

Sources: Wikidata and Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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