Why 1979 Was One of the Greatest Years to Be a Kid

Saturday morning cartoons, Star Wars toys, unforgettable TV shows, and movies that still make us smile—1979 was a pretty special time to be a kid.

It was the final year of the 1970s, a decade filled with unforgettable television shows, toys, movies, music, and childhood memories. As the decade drew to a close, Saturday morning cartoons, Star Wars action figures, disco music, and exciting electronic games were all part of the fun.

Let's turn back the clock 47 years and revisit some of the television shows, toys, movies, music, and commercials that made childhood in 1979 so memorable.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Remember waking up early on Saturday mornings, grabbing a bowl of cereal, and settling in front of the television? Some of our favorite cartoon characters were waiting for us!

The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show

What's up, Doc? Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, and Wile E. Coyote were still making Saturday mornings hilarious in 1979. How many times did that poor coyote try to catch the Road Runner?

The World's Greatest Super Friends

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the rest of the Super Friends were saving the world every Saturday morning. And that dramatic opening theme made every adventure feel larger than life!

Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo

Ruh-roh! Scooby had a new nephew in 1979, and little Scrappy wasn't afraid of anything. Remember hearing "Puppy Power!" on Saturday mornings?

More Television Favorites of 1979

Saturday morning cartoons weren't the only shows worth remembering. Live-action adventures brought some unforgettable characters into our living rooms, too.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Before the blockbuster movies, Nicholas Hammond played Peter Parker in the live-action CBS series The Amazing Spider-Man, which continued into 1979. Watching Spider-Man climb buildings and swing into action was exciting stuff!

The Dukes of Hazzard

Yee-haw! In January 1979, Bo and Luke Duke came racing onto television screens in their bright orange Dodge Charger, the General Lee. With Daisy Duke, Uncle Jesse, Boss Hogg, and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, there was never a dull moment in Hazzard County!

And who could forget those spectacular car jumps and Waylon Jennings singing the theme song?

The Toys We Couldn't Wait to Get

Remember walking through the toy store and spotting something you absolutely had to have? In 1979, electronic games and Star Wars toys were giving children plenty to dream about.

Star Wars Action Figures and Playsets

A long time ago, in a toy store not so far away...

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and their miniature adventures were taking over bedrooms across America. And if you were lucky enough to own the Death Star playset, you had your own little galaxy to explore!

Star Wars Electronic Battle Command

Even electronic games were joining the Star Wars craze. Remember imagining that you were commanding your very own space battle?

Simon

Four colored buttons. Flashing lights. Musical tones. And one very frustrated kid when the sequence got too long!

Simon arrived in 1978 and became one of the memorable electronic games of the era. How far could you get before making a mistake?

At the Movies in 1979

Movie theaters were another wonderful part of childhood in 1979. From singing Muppets to unforgettable animal adventures and laugh-out-loud Disney comedies, there was plenty for families to enjoy.

The Muppet Movie

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the gang made their big-screen debut in 1979! Filled with music, laughter, and memorable characters, The Muppet Movie gave us one of the most beloved songs of the decade, "Rainbow Connection."

And who could forget Kermit singing "Rainbow Connection"?

The Black Stallion

What an adventure! A young boy and a magnificent black horse find themselves stranded together on a deserted island. The Black Stallion brought an unforgettable story of friendship, courage, and adventure to movie theaters in 1979.

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

Tim Conway and Don Knotts were back, and so was the trouble! These two bumbling outlaws couldn't seem to do anything right, which made their Wild West adventures all the funnier. Remember this Disney comedy from the summer of 1979?

Music and New Gadgets

The Sony Walkman

Imagine carrying your favorite music wherever you went!

In July 1979, Sony introduced the original Walkman in Japan, giving music lovers a new way to enjoy cassette tapes on the move.

Here's a look at an original Japanese television advertisement from 1979.

Video Games Were Coming Home

Atari Video Computer System

Forget the arcade for a moment. Now you could play video games right on your television!

The Atari Video Computer System, later called the Atari 2600, was bringing electronic entertainment into American living rooms. Grab a joystick and get ready to play!

What Do You Remember Most About 1979?

Maybe it was a favorite cartoon, a toy you begged your parents to buy, a song playing on the radio, or a Saturday morning spent in front of the television.

Sometimes all it takes is hearing an old theme song or watching a familiar commercial to bring back memories you haven't thought about in years.

What was your favorite television show, toy, movie, or song in 1979?

We'd love to hear what you remember!