February 17, 1979 – March 16, 1979★★★★★
Sino-Vietnamese War
China attacks Vietnam's northern border provinces and withdraws after about a month; both sides claim victory.
War· Vietnam, China
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Events this year
July 19, 1979★★★★★
Sandinista revolution triumphs in Nicaragua
The Sandinista National Liberation Front enters Managua after dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle flees, ending the Somoza family's rule.
Revolution· Nicaragua
Ongoing
c. 1975 – c. 1995★★★★★
Vietnamese boat people
Hundreds of thousands of people flee Vietnam by sea after 1975; many die at sea and others are resettled, mostly in Western countries.
Politics· Vietnam, United States, Australia, Canada, France, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
April 13, 1975 – 1990★★★★★
Lebanese Civil War
A multi-sided civil war devastates Lebanon for fifteen years, with intervention by Syria, Israel and other foreign forces.
War· Lebanon
April 17, 1975 – January 7, 1979★★★★★
Khmer Rouge take Phnom Penh; Cambodian genocide begins
The Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh and forcibly empty the cities; Pol Pot's regime causes the deaths of an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people.
RevolutionPolitics· Cambodia
1978 – February 11, 1979★★★★★
Iranian Revolution
Mass protests topple Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi; Ayatollah Khomeini returns and Iran becomes an Islamic Republic.
RevolutionReligionPolitics· Iran
December 25, 1978 – 1989★★★★★
Cambodian–Vietnamese War
Following Khmer Rouge border attacks, Vietnam invades Cambodia, takes Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979 and overthrows the Khmer Rouge; Vietnamese troops remain until 1989.
War· Vietnam, Cambodia