HomeThe Walkman Introduced
The Sony Walkman is released as the Walkman in Japan, the Soundabout in many other countries including the US, and the Stowaway in the UK
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Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station
Radiation is released at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station when a cooling plant malfunction releases radioactive steam and radiation near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, The authorities declare a general emergency but did not inform the public until five hours after the gas escaped.
A study in 2002 found that incidences of cancer in the area were not significantly higher than elsewhere.
This is still considered the worst nuclear incident in US history, but it should be remembered no deaths were attributed to the disaster.
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Coup In Grenada
A left wing opposition group in the Caribbean island of Grenada has toppled the country’s controversial Prime Minister, Sir Eric Gairy in a military style coup.
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Right To Buy Council Houses
Mrs Thatcher’s government will allow more than five million council house tenants in Britain the right to buy their home under new government proposals.
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China Invades Vietnam
As of the Vietnam War was not enough, the country of China had invaded Vietnam during this year, on this date. Tensions between these two countries had increased dramatically since the end of the Vietnam War. A major reason for the increased animosity between these two nations was because of the strengthening of the ties between Vietnam and the Soviet Union (China’s enemy at the time). The Invasion of Vietnam by China was in reaction to an invasion of Cambodia initiated by Vietnam. The worst and bloodiest of fighting occurred within the first nine days of this battle. However, these countries remained cold towards one another for ten years after this fierce battle. China invaded Vietnam with 90,000 troops supported by tanks, the invasion was short lived and China withdrew from Vietnam within 1 month.
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Rhodesia Independence
Following the agreement to grant Rhodesia independence British cabinet minister Lord Soames has been named transitional governor of Rhodesia to oversee its progress towards independence.
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British Stuntman Eddie Kidd
A British Stuntman Eddie Kidd accomplishes a "death-defying" motorcycle leap crossing an 80ft gap over a 50ft sheer drop above a viaduct at the River Blackwater at Maldon, Essex on a 400cc motorcycle.
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Who Concert
Eleven Who fans are killed and dozens are injured in a crush of people trying to get into the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio. when thousands of fans (with first-come, first-served festival seating tickets) rush towards the locked doors when they mistook the sound check for the concert having started.
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Anthrax Epidemic
The worlds first anthrax epidemic begins in Ekaterinburg, Russia by the time it was finished 62 people were dead. The epidemic was caused by a biological weapons plant in the plant only in 1992 was it confirmed as starting at the plant
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Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious had died on this day from a heroine overdose. His death occurred only one day after he was bailed out of jail. He was charged for the murder of his previous girlfriend (one the one he was with he had overdosed).
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Ayatollah Khomeini Returns To Iran
Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 14 years in exile, five million people turned out to welcome him in the nation’s capital, Tehran, over the next two weeks he built an army of revolutionary forces who took over power in the country forcing the army to step aside. Ayatollah Khomeini was the start of the Islamic Fundementalist regime that now controls Iran.
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Pakistan US Embassy Attacks
An attack on the American embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan by a mob who had been incited after listening to a radio report from the Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, saying Americans were behind the occupation of Islam’s holiest site, the Great Mosque in Mecca, leaves the Embassy burned to the ground killing a US marine.
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Carl Bridgewater
Four men are found guilty of killing 12-year-old paperboy Carl Bridgewater at Yew Tree Farm . 18 years later the convictions were quashed for the "Bridgewater Four" when the Court of Appeal ruled they did not have a fair trial because Staffordshire Police had fabricated evidence to persuade Mr Molloy to confess.
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Followers of Ayatollah Khomeini take 90 US hostages
Militant student followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran taking 90 hostages. The students were enraged that the deposed Shah had been allowed to enter the United States for medical treatment and they threatened to murder hostages if any rescue was attempted. No diplomatic solution could be found and President Carter ordered a rescue mission in which eight U.S. military personnel were killed and no hostages rescued. The hostages were held in captivity for 14 months and were eventually released when the US Government released $3 billion in frozen Iranian assets and promised $5 billion more in financial aid.
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Oil Price Raised To $24 a Barrel
Fuel prices increased as a result of Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries raising the price from $18 to $24 a barrel. OPEC was convening in Venezuela to discuss oil prices.
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Anti Nuclear Protestors
Over 65,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators marched on the capitol in protest against more nuclear power plants , the consumer advocate Ralph Nader describes nuclear power as "our countries technological Vietnam" . The group was formed after the accident at The Three Mile Island nuclear plant
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Anti Nuclear Protestors
Over 65,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators marched on the capitol in protest against more nuclear power plants , the consumer advocate Ralph Nader describes nuclear power as "our countries technological Vietnam" . The group was formed after the accident at The Three Mile Island nuclear plant