October 1979 - Pope Visit, Department of Education

Can't Get Enough of October 1979!

A number one hit on the Cash Box Top 100 list in October 1979 was 'Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough' by Michael Jackson.

October 1 – Dorothy Arzner, film director, dies. (b. 1897)

October 1 - Skatetown, U.S.A. movie premieres.

October 1–6 – Pope John Paul II visits the United States.

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October 5 - Starting Over and 10 movies premiere.

October 6 – Elizabeth Bishop, poet, dies. (b. 1911)

October 14 — The National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, the largest gay rights march to date, takes place in Washington, D.C., with about 100,000 people in attendance.

October 15 – Jacob L. Devers, army general, dies. (b. 1887)

October 15 – The 6.4 Mw Imperial Valley earthquake affected Southern California and northern Baja California with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), causing 91 injuries and $30 million in damage.

October 17 - President Jimmy Carter signs a law establishing the Department of Education.

October 17 - 1979 World Series: The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 3, to win their 5th World Series Title.

October 17 - The Black Stallion movie premieres.

October 19 - Jesus and Meteor movies premiere.

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October 26 - When a Stranger Calls movie premieres.

October 26 - Shirley tv series debuts on NBC.

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October 29 - Freedom Road debuts on NBC.  This mini-series about an ex-slave stars Muhammad Ali and Kris Kristofferson and is based on the 1944 novel by Howard Fast.

1979 Volkswagen Rabbit:

Mork doll (released 1979):

Wonder Woman comic for October:

Hubba Bubba gum was a new product introduced in 1979.

Playboy playmate of the month, Ursula Buchfellner, and Playgirl man for October, Peter Speach:

Albums released in October (album / artist):
Return to Base / Slade
Reggatta de Blanc / The Police
I'm the Man / Joe Jackson
Partners in Crime / Rupert Holmes
Tusk / Fleetwood Mac
Victim of Love / Elton John
Eat to the Beat / Blondie
Fire It Up / Rick James
The Message Is Love / Barry White
Cornerstone / Styx
Damn the Torpedoes / Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Prince / Prince
Prisoner / Cher
Bomber / Motörhead

Nielsen top shows for the week ending October 21st:  1 World Series Game VII ABC; 2 World Series Game Vl ABC; 3 M*A*S*H CBS; 4 WKRP In Cincinnati CBS; 5 Little House on the Prairie NBC; 6 Sixty Minutes CBS; 7 One Day At A Time CBS; 8 The Jefferson CBS; 9 Alice CBS; 10 Dallas CBS; 11 World Series Pregame VII ABC; 12 World Series Pregame VI ABC; 13 Lou Grant CBS; 14 Trapper John, M.D. CBS; 15 Dukes of Hazzard CBS.

Ladies Home Journal for October:

MAD magazine for October:

Ms. magazine for October:

'The Dead Zone' by Stephen King is at the top of the New York Times Fiction Best Seller list.

Peanuts comic strip from October 8, 1979:

For detailed news/info on what happened each day in October 1979, check out this really good site:  ultimate70s.com