On this day

January 29, 1979

Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from January 29, 1979

News Summary

By Unknown Author

As Shahpur Bakhtiar's peace overture toward Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini failed, violence broke out again in Teheran. Troops fired on demonstrators just west of Teheran University, where more than 20 people were killed Friday, and kept up a steady fusillade for five hours. By nightfall at least 28 people had been‐killed and hundreds wounded. “Bakhtiar's trip to Paris is out of the question for the time being,” an aide of the Prime Minister said after Ayatollah Khomen rejected the propozial for a meeting. “We have to try to work out another compromise formula” Page Al, Column 6.

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Teng in the U.S. To Meet Carter And Widen Ties

By Terence Smith Special to The New York Times

Deputy Prime Min Teng Hsiao-ping arrives, Washington, to begin 1st official visit to US by top Chinese Communist loader; is greeted by Vice Pres Mondale and Sec Vance, members of Cong and party of Chinese officials; Teng and wife are dinner guests at McLean, Va, home of Brzezinski; illus (M)

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Fanfare Planned for Senate Chamber

By Sheila Rule Special to The New York Times

Article on planned celebration of renovation of Sen chamber; renovation has returned chamber to gold and red of its original 19th century design by Henry Hobson Richardson; Richardson illus (M)

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Music on My Birthday

Billboard 200

The Top 50 albums for the chart week of January 24, 1979, covering January 29, 1979.

  1. 1
    Album cover for 52nd Street by Billy Joel

    52nd Street

    Billy Joel

    Last week
    2
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    14
  2. 2
    Album cover for Briefcase Full of Blues (Soundtrack) by Blues Brothers

    Briefcase Full of Blues (Soundtrack)

    Blues Brothers

    Last week
    3
    Peak
    2
    Weeks
    6
  3. 3
    Album cover for Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits; Volume 2 by Barbra Streisand

    Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits; Volume 2

    Barbra Streisand

    Last week
    1
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    9
  4. 4
    Album cover for You Don't Bring Me Flowers by Neil Diamond

    You Don't Bring Me Flowers

    Neil Diamond

    Last week
    6
    Peak
    4
    Weeks
    7
  5. 5
    Album cover for Blondes Have More Fun by Rod Stewart

    Blondes Have More Fun

    Rod Stewart

    Last week
    12
    Peak
    5
    Weeks
    6

Notable Births

Andrew Keegan

1979Andrew Keegan, American actor[†]

Andrew Keegan is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor, making his film debut with a supporting role in Camp Nowhere (1994). Keegan later received recognition for his main role as Jack Kelly on season 2 of the ABC sitcom Thunder Alley (1994–1995).

Christina Koch

1979Christina Koch, American engineer and astronaut[†]

Christina Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut of the class of 2013. She received Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics and a Master of Science in electrical engineering at North Carolina State University. She also did advanced study while working at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Just before becoming an astronaut, she served at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as station chief for American Samoa.

Notable Deaths

1979Sonny Payne, American jazz drummer (born 1926)[†]

Sonny Payne was an American jazz drummer, best known for his work with Count Basie and Harry James.

Historical Context for January 29, 1979

In 1979, the world population was approximately 4,368,539,528 people[†]