1979

Events

History of the Doctor Who Universe

• The Mona Lisa is stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris by Count Scarlioni. Around this time, the Fourth Doctor and Romana arrive in Paris for a visit; the Doctor describes 1979 as "A table wine year". (DW: City of Death)

• Dr. Lavinia Smith moves from South Croydon to Moreton Harwood (K-9 & Company: A Girl's Best Friend).

• John Benton leaves the army and UNIT and takes a job selling second-hand cars (DW: Mawdryn Undead).

October

• Skagra goes to Earth in search of Salyavin. (DW: Shada)

• The first The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book is published, launching the franchise into the mainstream media on Earth. The Doctor was a fan. (DW: Ghost Light and The Christmas Invasion)

November

• 21 - Ian Dury and the Blockheads perform in concert at Sheffield, England. The Doctor attempts to take Rose to this concert when they instead end up in 1879 Scotland. Although a previous incarnation described 1979 as a "table wine year", it appears to have aged well as the Doctor now calls 1979 "a hell of a year". (DW: Tooth and Claw)

Unknown Date

• The Doctor Dropped Rose Tyler off at Wembley to watch ABBA while he chased the Graske.

January

• 06 - The Power of Kroll Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 13 - The Power of Kroll Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 16 - Peter Butterworth, who played the Meddling Monk, dies from an apparent heart attack in Coventry.

• 20 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 1 First Broadcast

• 27 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 2 First Broadcast

February

• 03 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 10 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 17 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 5 First Broadcast

• 24 - The Armageddon Factor Episode 6 First Broadcast

Summer

• Filming for City of Death takes place in Paris, marking the first time Doctor Who has been filmed outside the United Kingdom.

September

• 01 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 1 First Broadcast

• 08 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 2 First Broadcast

• 15 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 22 - Destiny of the Daleks Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 29 - City of Death Episode 1 First Broadcast

October

• First issue of Doctor Who Weekly (later named Doctor Who Monthly and Doctor Who Magazine) released (cover date 17 October); the long-running DWM comic strip also makes its debut.

• 06 - City of Death Episode 2 First Broadcast

• 13 - City of Death Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 17 - John Stuart, who had an uncredited role as a Didonian in "The Rescue," dies in London.

• 20 - City of Death Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 27 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 1 First Broadcast

• 30 - Graham Ashley, who played the Overseer in "The Underwater Menace," dies.

November

• 03 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 2 First Broadcast

• 10 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 17 - The Creature from the Pit Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 24 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 1 First Broadcast

December

• 01 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 2 First Broadcast

• 08 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 15 - Nightmare of Eden Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 22 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 1 First Broadcast

• 29 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 2 First Broadcast

Unknown date

Labour action forces production to be halted on the six-episode serial, Shada. Ultimately, it is decided to abandon the serial, which signalled a premature end for the 1979-80 season with The Horns of Nimon.

1978

20th Century 1970s

1980