🇬🇧United Kingdom · 70s
The Iron Lady
Thatcher walked into Downing Street, punk burned out, and Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA.
5 milestones of 1979
Margaret Thatcher led the Conservatives to victory, becoming Britain's first female Prime Minister. On the steps of Number 10, she quoted St Francis of Assisi: 'Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.' She brought revolution instead.
Politically divisive figure — present factually, acknowledge polarizing legacy
The IRA killed Lord Mountbatten with a bomb on his fishing boat in County Sligo, Ireland. Three others died, including his 14-year-old grandson. On the same day, 18 soldiers were killed at Warrenpoint. The bloodiest day of the Troubles.
Assassination and military deaths — honour all victims with equal respect
Public sector strikes paralyzed Britain. 1.5 million workers walked out on January 22 — the biggest stoppage since 1926. Callaghan returned from a Caribbean summit and seemed out of touch. 'Crisis? What crisis?'
Sid Vicious, bass player of the Sex Pistols, died of a heroin overdose in New York. He was 21. Already charged with murdering his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. Punk's most infamous casualty.
Drug death — factual, avoid glamorizing
America's worst nuclear accident at Three Mile Island shook confidence in nuclear power worldwide. In Britain, where nuclear stations dotted the coast, anti-nuclear protests intensified.
70% local · 30% international
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Terry Jones — 'He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!' Banned, protested, brilliant.
Alien
Ridley Scott — British director, British studio (Shepperton). 'In space no one can hear you scream.'
Quadrophenia
Franc Roddam — The Who's album becomes a film. Mods in Brighton. Phil Daniels and Sting.
Moonraker
Lewis Gilbert — Bond goes to space. Roger Moore's most ridiculous outing.
The Warriors
Walter Hill — 'Warriors, come out to play!' Gang film that crossed the Atlantic.
Thatcher's Election Night
May 1979 — Britain's first female PM walked into Downing Street. Television history.
Not the Nine O'Clock News
1979-1982 — Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones. Alternative comedy arrived.
Antiques Roadshow
1979-present — Arthur Negus valued grandmother's vase. Still going.
Sapphire & Steel
1979-1982 — Joanna Lumley and David McCallum. Surreal, unsettling sci-fi.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
1979 — Alec Guinness as George Smiley. BBC's finest le Carré adaptation.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 13.4%
Inflation back in double digits. North Sea oil revenues beginning. Thatcher promised monetarism and hard choices.
Inflation-adjusted values
Sony Walkman
Launched in Japan — personal portable music was about to change everything.
Microcomputers
Home computers becoming affordable — the ZX80 was months away.
Compact discs (development)
Philips and Sony developing the CD format — would launch 1982.
Nuclear power debate
Three Mile Island intensified anti-nuclear sentiment worldwide.
North Sea oil
Oil revenues increasing — Britain becoming self-sufficient in energy.
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