Pop Culture Quiz: What Happened In 1979?

79 Trivia Questions For 1979 History

1. Where did America’s most serious nuclear power plant accident happen?

2. A movie with a similar theme was released about the same time as the Three Mile Island accident. Name that film.

3. Name the song from The Muppet Movie that peaked at #25 on the Billboard Charts in 1979.

4. This film follows the commercial space tug Nostromo crew, who come across a mysterious derelict spaceship—Name that film.

5. Who is Scooby-Doo’s nephew?

6. Name the film that was part of a McDonald’s first Happy Meal tie-in.

7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1979?

8. This company received $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees, the most extensive rescue package ever granted by the U.S. government to an American corporation. Name that company.

9. McDonalds introduced a child-sized food combo in 1979. What is it called?

10. This R-rated film was Steve Martin’s first big-screen starring role. Name that comedy.

11. What is the State of Georgia’s State Song?

12. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1979:
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kourtney Kardashian, Olivia Munn, or Michelle Williams

13. ESPN began broadcasting on September 7, 1979. What does “ESPN” stand for?

14. In 1979, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?

15. Who was the biggest Musical Artist of the 1979?

16. Who was the biggest Musical Artist of the 1970s?

17. Name film written, produced, and directed by Blake Edwards, starring Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, Robert Webber, and Bo Derek

18. Name the tune by French composer Maurice Ravel most related to the film, 10.

19. Over 300 1969 Dodge Chargers were wrecked in making this CBS TV show during seven seasons. What show?

20. President Jimmy Carter claimed he had to shoo away an enraged animal that began swimming toward his fishing boat in 1979. Name that animal.

21. $589.50 was the price at the end of 1980 for what precious metal?

22. What are ‘Anne Harkness,’ ‘David Thompson,” Henry Hudson,” Jens Munk,’ ‘John Franklin’ and ‘The Countryman’?

23. This ensemble was awarded a “Best New Artist” Grammy in 1979, for their #1 hit Boogie Oogie Oogie. They had one more Top 40 hit in 1981. Name that group.

24. Name the first spacecraft to be re-used after its first flight when it launched on STS-2 on November 12, 1981.

25. True or False? Many, if not most, public toilets in the US were “Pay Toilets” until 1980.

26. Who replaced Charlie’s Angel, Sabrina Duncan (Kate Jackson), in 1979?

27. This program, ending after 205 episodes, was noted to “genuinely reckon with the cultural upheaval of the 1960s in America.” Name that program

28. This flashlight is constructed principally of anodized 6061 aluminum and has a variable-focus beam. Name the flashlight brand.
HINT: They are generally colored black

29. What did The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China do on January 1, 1979?

30. This CBS Program ran from 1974 to 1979 and starred John Amos and Esther Rolle. Name that show.

31. Name the fictional team of Canadian superheroes who first appeared in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters premiered in The Uncanny X-Men #120.

32. In 1979, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) changed how tropical storms and hurricanes were named. What did they do?

33. Which was NOT a Top Ten Baby Girl name in 1979?

34. Name the world-famous musician who created Handmade Films to finance the making of Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

35. Name The Muppet Show regular who first appeared in a Purina Dog Chow commercial in 1962.

36. Tell us the name of Bill Murray’s first big-screen starring film.

37. This song (and movie) earned Bette Midler a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance. Name that tune.

38. The horror film starred Frank Langella in the title role, also featuring Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasence. Name the film.

39. Who gave a “crisis of confidence” speech, nicknamed “the malaise speech”?

40. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979?

41. Good Times was a spin-off from what program?

42. This Bond villain appeared in Moonraker (1979) and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Name him.

43. Who became the first female prime minister of the UK in 1979?

44. Who became the first female mayor of Chicago in 1979?

45. Max described his job for this jet-setting, crime-solving couple as “ain’t easy; cause when they met, it was murder.” Name that show.

46. Name Michael Jackson’s 1979 breakthrough album.

47. NASA’s first orbiting space station fell to Earth after being in orbit for 6 years and 2 months. Name that spacecraft.

48. This is a spin-off of Dallas. It is set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centers on four married couples living on a cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle. Name that show.

49. Maude was a spin-off of what CBS hit show?

50. Who was the first major pop artist to perform in the Soviet Union?

51. Herb Alpert had one number-one hit in the 1970s, and it won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. It was #1 for two weeks in 1979—name that tune.

52. On September 2, 1979, “the Vela Incident ” happened. What was it?

53. The Hatfield and McCoy families of the famous Hatfield-McCoy Feud faced off again in 1979 on what game show?

54. Disney released its first PG-rated live-action film in 1979. Name that film…

55. This award-winning actress had her first starring role in a horror/sci-adventure in 1979. Name actress and her character

56. There were only seven people in Alien. You get one point for each performer you can name.

57. How many people lived in the World in 1979?

58. How many people lived in the United States in 1979?

59. China instituted a policy to help control its ever-increasing population. What is the common name for that policy?

60. Name the highest-grossing film of 1979.

61. Who was Charlie’s voice in Charlie’s Angels?

62. Name the composer who provided the scores for many films, including Logan’s Run, Planet of the Apes, and Tora! Tora! Tora!, Patton, Papillon, Chinatown, Alien, The Secret of NIMH, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

63. Where did Lavern and Shirly live for the first five seasons?

64. Name the group that performed Rapper’s Delight, the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

65. Who was the Vice-President of the United States in 1979?

66. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1979?

67. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1978/1979 season?

68. The Theme From M*A*S*H had a name. What was it?

69. Who won Super Bowl XIII?

70. Luke. Daisy and Bo appeared in what TV show from 1979-1985?

71. Jennifer Walters is the cousin of Bruce Banner. She is also a superhero. Who is that super-powered woman?

72. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1979?

73. Name the two world leaders who signed the SALT II agreement in Vienna on June 18, 1979.

74. Averaged over the contiguous United States, which was the coldest month since at least 1880?

75. Who won the 1979 World Series?

76. Released in 1979, name the 11th James Bond Film.

77. Who starred as MI6 Agent, James Bond?

78. Who did NOT appear as a “Bond Girl” in any 007 film?
Martine Beswick, Ursula Andress, Raquel Welch, Jane Seymore, or Tanya Roberts?

79. The Aliens in Alien have a species name. What is it?

Trivia Team Bonus Questions:

1. Name the fictional ginger American Shorthair cat from the Alien film franchise.

2. Name the television show that was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children.

3. Who was the Pope in 1979?

4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1979?

5. This cartoon character is used in greeting cards published by American Greetings.
HINT: The name is also a dessert

6. Name the tough but also very smart and sensitive who drove to his detective assignments around the streets of Las Vegas in a flashy red 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible through the 1979 to 1981 TV seasons.

7. One point for each – can you name Lavern and Shirley’s last names?

8. After WordStar and before Microsoft Word, this was the top word processing program. Name it.

9. On what television show did “Johnny Fever” and “Venus Flytrap” appear?

10. Name Steve Martin’s character in The Jerk.

The Answers:

79 Trivia Answers For 1979 History

1. Where did America’s most serious nuclear power plant accident happen?
Three Mile Island (in Londonderry Township, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

2. A movie with a similar theme was released about the same time as the Three Mile Island accident. Name that film.
The China Syndrome

3. Name the song from The Muppet Movie that peaked at #25 on the Billboard Charts in 1979.
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit

4. This film follows the commercial space tug Nostromo crew, who come across a mysterious derelict spaceship—Name that film.
Alien

5. Who is Scooby-Doo’s nephew?
Scrappy-Doo

6. Name the film that was part of a McDonald’s first Happy Meal tie-in.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture

7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1979?
My Sharona – The Knack

8. This company received $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees, the largest rescue package ever granted by the U.S. government to an American corporation. Name that company.
Chrysler

9. McDonalds introduced a child-sized food combo in 1979. What is it called?
Happy Meal

10. This R-rated film was Steve Martin’s first big-screen starring role. Name that comedy.
The Jerk

11. What is the State of Georgia’s State Song?
Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles

12. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1979:
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kourtney Kardashian, Olivia Munn, or Michelle Williams
Olivia Munn (born July 3, 1980)

13. ESPN began broadcasting on September 7, 1979. What does “ESPN” stand for?
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

14. In 1979, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 70 years, Women – 77.7 years

15. Who was the biggest Musical Artist of the 1979?
Donna Summer

16. Who was the biggest Musical Artist of the 1970s?
Elton John

17. Name film written, produced, and directed by Blake Edwards, starring Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, Robert Webber, and Bo Derek.
10

18. Name the tune by French composer Maurice Ravel most related to the film, 10.
Bolero

19. Over 300 1969 Dodge Chargers were wrecked in making this CBS TV show during seven seasons. What show?
The Dukes of Hazzard

20. President Jimmy Carter claimed he had to shoo away an enraged animal that began swimming toward his fishing boat in 1979. Name that animal.
Rabbit

21. $589.50 was the price at the end of 1980 for what precious metal?
Gold

22. What are ‘Anne Harkness,’ ‘David Thompson,” Henry Hudson,” Jens Munk,’ ‘John Franklin’ and ‘The Countryman’?
New Rose flowers that were introduced in 1979.

23. This ensemble was awarded a “Best New Artist” Grammy in 1979 for their #1 hit Boogie Oogie Oogie. They had one more Top 40 hit in 1981. Name that group.
A Taste of Honey

24. Name the first spacecraft to be re-used after its first flight when it launched on STS-2 on November 12, 1981.
Space Shuttle Columbia (The Enterprise never went into space)

25. True or False? Many, if not most, public toilets in the US were “Pay Toilets” until 1980.
True

26. Who replaced Charlie’s Angel, Sabrina Duncan (Kate Jackson), in 1979?
Tiffany Wells (played by Shelley Hack)

27. This program, ending after 205 episodes, was noted to “genuinely reckon with the cultural upheaval of the 1960s in America.” Name that program
All In The Family

28. This flashlight is constructed principally of anodized 6061 aluminum and has a variable-focus beam. Name the flashlight brand.
HINT: They are generally colored black
Maglite flashlight

29. What did The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China do on January 1, 1979?
They agreed to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations.

30. This CBS Program ran from 1974 to 1979 and starred John Amos and Esther Rolle. Name that show.
Good Times

31. Name the fictional team of Canadian superheroes who first appeared in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters premiered in The Uncanny X-Men #120.
Alpha Flight

32. In 1979, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) changed how tropical storms and hurricanes were named. What did they do?
They started to add boys’ names as well (they were always girl names before 1979)

33. Which was NOT a Top Ten Baby Girl name in 1979?
Jennifer, Kendra, Melissa, Amanda or Jessica
Kendra

34. Name the world-famous musician who created Handmade Films to finance the making of Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
George Harrison, “Because I want to go see it.”

35. Name The Muppet Show regular who first appeared in a Purina Dog Chow commercial in 1962.
Rowlf The Dog

36. Tell us the name of Bill Murray’s first big-screen starring film.
Meatballs

37. This song (and movie) earned Bette Midler a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance. Name that tune.
The Rose

38. The horror film starred Frank Langella in the title role, featuring Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasence. Name the film.
Dracula

39. Who gave a “crisis of confidence” speech, nicknamed “the malaise speech”?
Jimmy Carter

40. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979?
Mother Teresa

41. Good Times was a spin-off from what program?
Maude

42. This Bond villain appeared in Moonraker (1979) and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Name him.
Jaws (played by Richard Kiel)

43. Who became the first female prime minister of the UK in 1979?
Margaret Thatcher

44. Who became the first female mayor of Chicago in 1979?
Jane Byrne

45. Max described his job for this jet-setting, crime-solving couple as “ain’t easy ’cause when they met, it was murder.” Name that show.
Hart to Hart (starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart)

46. Name Michael Jackson’s 1979 breakthrough album.
Off The Wall

47. NASA’s first orbiting space station fell to Earth after being in orbit for 6 years and 2 months. Name that spacecraft.
Skylab

48. This is a spin-off of Dallas. It is set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centers on four married couples living on a cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle. Name that show.
Knots Landing.

49. Maude was a spin-off of what CBS hit show?
All in the Family

50. Who was the first major pop artist to perform in the Soviet Union?
Elton John

51. Herb Alpert had one number-one hit in the 1970s, and it won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. It was #1 for two weeks in 1979—name that tune.
Rise

52. On September 2, 1979, “the Vela Incident ” happened. What was it?
An unidentified nuclear explosion in the Indian Ocean.

53. The Hatfield and McCoy families of the famous Hatfield-McCoy Feud faced off again in 1979 on what game show?
Family Feud

54. Disney released its first PG-rated live-action film in 1979. Name that film.
The Black Hole

55. This award-winning actress had her first starring role in a horror/sci-adventure in 1979. Name actress and her character
Sigourney Weaver as (Ellen) Ripley in Alien.

56. There were only seven people in Alien. You get one point for each performer you can name.
Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto.

57. How many people lived in the World in 1979?
4,365,582,871

58. How many people lived in the United States in 1979?
225,055,487

59. China instituted a policy to help control its ever-increasing population. What is the common name for that policy?
“the one child per family rule”

60. Name the highest-grossing film of 1979.
Superman

61. Who was Charlie’s voice in Charlie’s Angels?
John Forsythe

63. Where did Lavern and Shirly live for the first five seasons?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

64. Name the group that performed Rapper’s Delight, the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Sugarhill Gang

65. Who was the Vice-President of the United States in 1979?
Walter Mondale (January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981)

66. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1979?
Montreal Canadiens

67. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1978/1979 season?
Laverne & Shirley

68. The Theme From M*A*S*H had a name. What was it?
Suicide is Painless

69. Who won Super Bowl XIII?
Pittsburgh Steelers

70. Luke. Daisy and Bo appeared in what TV show from 1979-1985?
The Dukes of Hazzard

71. Jennifer Walters is the cousin of Bruce Banner. She is also a superhero. Who is that super-powered woman?
She-Hulk

72. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1979?
The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum

73. Name the two world leaders who signed the SALT II agreement in Vienna on June 18, 1979.
Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev

74. Averaged over the contiguous United States, which was the coldest month since at least 1880?
January, 1979

75. Who won the 1979 World Series?
Pittsburgh Pirates

76. Released in 1979, name the 11th James Bond Film.
Moonraker

77. Who starred as MI6 Agent, James Bond?
Roger Moore

78. Who did NOT appear as a “Bond Girl” in any 007 film?
Martine Beswick, Ursula Andress, Raquel Welch, Jane Seymore, or Tanya Roberts?
Raquel Welch

79. The Aliens in Alien have a species name. What is it?
xenomorph (or Internecivus raptus)

Trivia Team Bonus Answers:

1. Name the fictional ginger American Shorthair cat from the Alien film franchise.
Jones (or Jonesy)

2. Name the television show that was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children.
Eight Is Enough

3. Who was the Pope in 1979?
John Paul II (October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005)

4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1979?
Spectacular Bid

5. This cartoon character is used in greeting cards published by American Greetings.
HINT: The name is also a dessert
Strawberry Shortcake

7. One point for each – can you name Lavern and Shirley’s last names?
Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney

8. After WordStar and before Microsoft Word, this was the top word processing program. Name it.
WordPerfect

9. On what television show did “Johnny Fever” and “Venus Flytrap” appear?
WKRP in Cincinnati

10. Name Steve Martin’s character in The Jerk.
Navin Johnson