In 1979, "My Sharona" topped the charts, Kramer vs. Kramer packed theaters, a stamp cost 15¢, the average home went for about $71,800.
🎵 Top songs of 1979
"My Sharona" — The Knack
"Bad Girls" — Donna Summer
"Le Freak" — Chic
🎬 In theaters
Kramer vs. Kramer
Alien
Apocalypse Now
What things cost in 1979
$0.86
Gallon of gas
15¢
Postage stamp
$2.51
Movie ticket
$1.84
Gallon of milk
$71,800
Average home
$6,850
New car
$16,461
Household income
A $0.86 gallon of gas in 1979 has the buying power of roughly $3.85 in 2024 dollars (a sharp jump from 1978 due to the oil crisis). A 15¢ stamp is around 67¢ today, and a $2.51 movie ticket is about $11.25.
The biggest moments of 1979
The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4 when revolutionaries seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident on March 28 was the worst U.S. commercial nuclear plant accident.
The Sony Walkman was introduced in Japan on July 1, revolutionizing personal music.
The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4 when revolutionaries seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran; 52 Americans were held for 444 days.
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident on March 28 was the worst commercial nuclear plant accident in U.S. history.
The Sony Walkman was introduced in Japan on July 1, revolutionizing how people listened to music.
Toys, TV & trends of 1979
McDonald's introduced the Happy Meal in June, with a toy in every box.
"Disco Demolition Night" at Chicago's Comiskey Park on July 12 marked the cultural pivot away from disco.
ESPN launched on September 7 as the first 24-hour all-sports cable channel.
"The Dukes of Hazzard" debuted on CBS in January and ran for seven seasons.
Mood rings, troll dolls, and the new Pet Rock fad held on into the year.
Pink Floyd released "The Wall" on November 30, including the radio hit "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2."
The music scene
1979 was the year disco hit its commercial peak and began to collapse. Donna Summer dominated; Chic's "Le Freak" was the biggest dance hit; "Disco Demolition Night" on July 12 at Comiskey Park marked the cultural turning point. New wave broke through with The Knack's "My Sharona."
At the movies
Kramer vs. Kramer swept the 1979 Oscars — Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman. Alien redefined sci-fi horror. Apocalypse Now made cinematic history with its Vietnam War vision. Rocky II made boxing movies a franchise institution.
Cartoons kids loved
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (debuted September)
The Pink Panther Show
Super Friends
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo debuted on September 22, adding the polarizing Scrappy character to the Mystery Machine crew. The Pink Panther Show continued in heavy syndication. ESPN's September launch began chipping into Saturday-morning programming.
The world in 1979
World population: about 4.4 billion
U.S. President: Jimmy Carter
Margaret Thatcher became UK's first female Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female Prime Minister on May 4.
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 24, beginning a nine-year war.
Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the poor in Calcutta.
1979 birthday questions
How old is someone born in 1979?
Someone born in 1979 turns 47 in 2026 (46 if their birthday has not come round yet).
What was the number one song in 1979?
"My Sharona" by The Knack was among the biggest hits of 1979.
What movie came out in 1979?
Kramer vs. Kramer was one of the films packing theaters in 1979.
How much did gas cost in 1979?
A gallon of gas ran about $0.86 in 1979, and a postage stamp cost 15¢.
How much did a house cost in 1979?
The average home went for roughly $71,800 in 1979, against a typical household income of about $16,461.