Fun Facts about the Year 1979 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Afghanistan

The USSR sent tanks and other heavy artillery into Kabul to support the pro-Soviet Afghan regime. Fundamentalist Islamic warrior groups called "Mujahideen" were supported by guns and money from many anti-Soviet nations, including the US, France and Britain.

The rebels proved to be a difficult opponent and the Soviets were unable to quell the insurrection quickly. Intense fighting led to a long stalemate that was very reminiscent of the US difficulties in Vietnam a decade earlier. After ten years and tens of thousands of dead or wounded on both sides the Soviets withdrew in disgrace.

The Soviet failure in Afghanistan hastened the political and economic demise of the USSR and spurred the creation of such Islamic extremist groups as the Taliban and Al-Quaeda.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

Mrs. Thatcher was a staunch Conservative who became the first woman to assume the Premiership of the UK. She got on well with the equally conservative American President Ronald Reagan. She served three terms and was PM until 1990. Ms. William was a founding member of the Social Democratic Party and was one of the "Gang of Four" MP's that split the Labour party in 1981. Ms Abbot was the first African MP and Lady Donaldson the first woman Lord Mayor of London.

Answer: The Who

The policy of open "first come" seating created legendary stampedes as concert-goers fought for choice seats in an understaffed venue. Unaware of the commotion The Who played the concert and did not learn of the 11 deaths and 36 injured fans until the next day. Andy Williams, a fine singer, was born in Cincinatti but had never faced a stampede like the one on December 3rd. Led Zeppelin's 1977 concert in Riverfront Stadium caused a near riot that led to 60 arrests and tens of injuries, while dangerous fireworks were tossed into the unruly crowd during a 1976 Yes concert.

Answer: Idi Amin

Amin was a thuggish despot who brought ethnic and civil war to his already poor country. Outside of Uganda Amin was perceived as barbaric and unstable. As an example of the instability Amin frequently proclaimed that he was the "uncrowned rightful King of Scotland." Amin's attempt to annex part of Tanzania backfired, as a coalition of disgruntled Ugandans and the Tanzanian regular army defeated Amin's army.

As the rebel force entered the capital of Kampala Amin escaped by helicopter and fled to Libya. Amin died in exile in Saudi Arabia 2003.

In 1979 Gaddafi was firmly entrenched as the dictator of Libya, while Sadat was a groundbreaking President of Eqypt. King Bokassa I of the Central African Empire, who was as vile as Idi Amin, was deposed in September 1979.

Answer: It snowed for 30 minutes

Not quite a literal example of "hell freezing over", but a freakish cold front did bring 30 minutes of observed snow in various cities and areas of southern Algeria. News reports interviewed residents who claim it was the first snow in living history.

The highest recorded temperature in the Sahara was 136.5 degrees. While an interesting thought, the making of glass requires heat in excess of 2000F degrees.

Answer: his legs

The Albatross was powered using only bicycle like foot pedals that were attached to a large two-bladed propeller. Allen pedalled and on June 12 1979, amateur cyclist Bryan Allen completed the 22 mile (35.8 km) crossing in 2 hours and 49 minutes. Mr Allen reached a top speed of 18 mph (29 k/h). Amazingly, the craft flew the Channel at an average altitude of less than 2 metres (6 ft 6inches). Luc Bleriot, in 1909, was the first man to fly across the English Channel in a motor powered aircraft. The Greek myth of Icarus and his father Daedalus described the dangers of wax wings. To my knowledge there are no viable animal powered airplane engines capable of carrying a man across the English Channel.

Answer: Trivial Pursuit

The game was created in 1979 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by Chris Haney, a photo editor for Montreal's "The Gazette" and Scott Abbott, a sports editor for "The Canadian". Bored one night, they decided to create their own game. While the game has spawned a myriad of specialized sets of questions, the orginal version was a test of science, history, geography and art, both modern and classical. "Jeopardy" was created by talk show host Merv Griffin and first appeared as a TV gameshow in 1964. "Scattergories" is a word idea association game introduced in 1988, while "You Must be an Idiot" is a newer game that combines trivia with deception and name calling.

Answer: Earvin Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, was the 1979 MVP carrying his Spartan team to victory as a sophmore. Later he was drafted the 1st overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA draft. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird (drafted by the Boston Celtics) renewed their rivalry in the NBA. During the 1980s either Magic's Lakers or Bird's Celtics competed in every NBA finals.

By the end of the decade, the Lakers had won 5 Championships and the Celtics 3. Michael Jordan played for the University of North Carolina winning the NCAA Championship in 1982, while Griffin a fine player was the MVP of the 1980 NCAA Championship from the Louisville Cardinals. Barkley, known as the "Round Mound of Rebound", attended Auburn University and was a fine college and NBA player.

Answer: The Executioner's Song

"The Executioner's Song" was the 1980 Pultizer Prize winner for fiction. The book tells the fictionalized but real story of Gary Gilmore, a felon convicted of multiple crimes. His last crimes were the murders of two convenience store clerks. Gilmore was the first person to be sentenced to death after a period in the 1970's when capital punishment was ruled illegal under the US Constitution. Gilmore sought to waive appeals and accelerate his death. Mailer's book traces the steps and mindset of the defendant, his lawyers, the prosecutors and the special interest groups that tried to take control of the case. "Dead Man Walking" was a contemparary book written from a different political view expressing a staunch anti death penalty polemic.

Answer: John Wayne

Born Marion Mitchell Morrison, John Wayne was synonymous with the hard driven ethical cowboy of the American West. Wayne won the 1969 Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of a cranky US Marshall in "True Grit". Each of the others also died in 1979. Ms. Oberon was a famed actress noted for her beauty; while Mr. Munson was an all-star catcher for the New York Yankee baseball team. Vice President under Gerald Ford, Mr Rockefeller also served 4 terms as Governor of New York. I recall John Wayne's death more clearly as it occurred the week I graduated from High School.