Historical Events
Event of Interest
John McEnroe wins his first of 3 season-ending ATP Masters Grand Prix tennis titles 6–7, 6–3, 7–5 against fellow American Arthur Ashe at Madison Square Garden, NYC

John McEnroe

Arthur Ashe
- Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benitez beats WBC welterweight champion Carlos Palomino of Mexico in a 15-round split decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico; becomes two-division champion at the age of 20
Event of Interest
US President Jimmy Carter proposes Martin Luther King's birthday be a holiday

Jimmy Carter

Martin Luther King Jr.
Famous Birthdays
- Angela Lindvall, American supermodel, born in Midwest City, Oklahoma
- John Reuben, American hip hop artist, born in Columbus, Ohio
- Karen Elson, British supermodel, born in Oldham, United Kingdom
Famous Deaths
- Thomas DeSimone, gangster associate of the Lucchese crime family (b. 1950)
1979 Highlights
About January 14, 1979
Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 42 years and 13 days
Leap Year: No
Holidays: Makar Sankranti / Pongal (India)
Generation Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Capricorn