1979 in Norway

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1979
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Norway

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Centuries:

Decades:

Incumbents

Monarch – Olav V.^[1]
Prime Minister – Odvar Nordli (Labour Party)

Events

Municipal and county elections are held throughout the country.
Bryggen and the Urnes stave church are designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
The death penalty is abolished for all crimes.^[2]
18 September – A fire in Vålerenga Church, which was later made into a song that became the club hymn for Vålerenga.
The Alta Controversy continues lead by the indigenous Sámi people, many Norwegians protest the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Alta River in Northern Norway. The protests included hunger strikes, an occupation of the parliament lawn, and other forms of civil disobedience.^[3]
The Troll gas field was proven, containing 1,300 billion cubic metres of gas,^[4] making it one of Norway's most significant energy discoveries.
The Statfjord A platform began production in 1979.^[5] At the time of its discovery in 1974, Statfjord was the largest oil discovery in the North Sea.
Labour removed Brundtland from the Government after the party's weak local elections in 1979, as it was considered necessary to let party leader Reiulf Steen join Nordli's Government.^[6] She then began serving in the Storting (parliament) on finance and foreign affairs committees.

Popular culture

Sports

Music

Film

March – the planet Hoth scenes from the Hollywood film "The Empire Strikes Back" were filmed in the Hardangerjøkulen glacier.

Television

1 December – During an episode of Jul i Skomakergata on NRK, Sandmännchen premieres on Norwegian television for the first time.

Literature

Åge Rønning, writer and journalist, is awarded the Riksmål Society Literature Prize.
Nils Johan Rud, novelist, short story writer and magazine editor, is awarded the Dobloug Prize for Swedish and Norwegian fiction.
Bjørg Vik, writer, playwright and journalist, is awarded the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature for the short stories En håndfull lengsel.

Notable births

January

1 January – Anders Danielsen Lie, actor
4 January – Audun Ellingsen, jazz musician
5 January – Håvard Klemetsen, Nordic combined skier
7 January – Andreas Hauger, footballer
8 January – John Anders Bjørkøy, footballer
11 January – Kari Mette Johansen, handball player.^[7]
12 January – Åsa Elvik, politician
13 January – Einar Kalsæg, footballer
16 January – Espen Isaksen, footballer
20 January – Marte Reenaas, ski orienteering competitor
21 January – Thomas Berling, footballer
22 January – Ailo Gaup, motocross rider
22 January – Svein Oddvar Moen, footballer
23 January – Jarl Espen Ygranes, ice hockey player
24 January – Anita Auglend, singer

February

2 February – Olav Råstad, footballer
10 February – Johan Harstad, author
11 February – Joachim Sørum, footballer
13 February – Anders Behring Breivik, far-right domestic terrorist

March

1 March – Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen, chess player.^[8]
6 March – Aksel Magdahl, sailor
11 March
- Roger Hjelmstadstuen, snowboarder
- Morten Tandberg, football manager
13 March
- Børge Lund, handball player.^[9]
- Espen Olsen, footballer
15 March – Ola Berger, ski mountaineer anc cross-country skier
17 March – Tuva Moflag, politician.^[10]
20 March – Liv Kjersti Bergman, biathlete
23 March – Jostein Hasselgård, singer

April

2 April – Stian Westerhus, guitarist
5 April – Jørgen Tengesdal, footballer
8 April – Rune Stordal, speed skater
9 April – André Jørgensen, handball player
10 April – Kai Risholt, footballer
10 April – Roger Risholt, footballer
12 April – Thomas Dybdahl, musician
12 April – Lars Granaas, footballer
17 April – Hanne Hukkelberg, singer-songwriter
20 April – Stian Barsnes-Simonsen, actor
20 April – Kenneth Kapstad, musician
23 April – Saera Khan, politician.^[11]
24 April – Tor Henning Hamre, footballer
25 April – Nils-Torolv Simonsen, rower
25 April – Martin Sjølie, pianist, songwriter and record producer

May

1 May – Lars Berger, biathlete.^[12]
2 May – Oddrun Brakstad Orset, ski mountaineer
4 May – Morten Kolseth, footballer
6 May – Jan Erik Mikalsen, composer
7 May – Henrik Bjørnstad, golf player
8 May
- Marius Erlandsen, auto racing driver
- Alf Wilhelm Lundberg, jazz musician
- Ole Johan Singsdal, footballer
- Ole Morten Vågan, jazz musician
10 May – Isabel Blanco, handball player.^[13]
14 May – Bård Nesteng, archer.^[14]
16 May – Hermund Nygård, jazz musician
20 May – Torgeir Micaelsen, politician.^[15]
21 May – Svein-Erik Edvartsen, footballer
22 May – Christer-André Cederberg, music producer
23 May – Øyulf Hjertenes, journalist, newspaper editor and media executive.^[16]
26 May – Joachim Hansen, mixed martial artist
29 May – Ella Gjømle Berg, cross-country skier.^[17]

June

8 June – Jacob Norenberg, sprint canoer.^[18]
13 June – Nila Håkedal, beach volleyball player.^[19]
21 June – Henning Braaten, skateboarder
23 June – Susanna Wallumrød, singer
25 June – Haddy N'jie, singer, songwriter, writer and journalist
26 June – Mathias Eick, jazz musician

July

3 July – Erik Lund, rugby union footballer
4 July – Lene Westgaard, political scientist
17 July – Lars Rørbakken, strongman
21 July – Ingrid Tørlen, beach volleyball player.^[20]
24 July – Heidi Skjerve, jazz musician
26 July – Bodil Ryste, ski mountaineer and cross-country skier

August

3 August – Maria Haukaas Mittet, singer
4 August –
- Torgeir Ruud Ramsli, footballer
- Mona Solheim, taekwondo practitioner.^[21]
- Nina Solheim, taekwondo practitioner
8 August – Ellinor Jåma, politician
9 August – Tore Ruud Hofstad, cross-country skier
10 August – Ove Alexander Billington, jazz pianist and composer
11 August – Christer George, footballer
22 August – Henriette Løvar, curler
24 August – Katja Nyberg, handball player
27 August – Erik Watndal, sport shooter.^[22]
31 August – Camilla Huse, footballer

September

3 September – Stian Eckhoff, biathlete.^[23]
5 September – Kjersti Beck, handball goalkeeper
5 September – John Carew, footballer
11 September – Kenneth Høie, footballer
13 September – Linda Grubben, biathlete
15 September
- Mahmoud Farahmand, politician.^[24]
- Atle Gulbrandsen, racing driver and television announcer
22 September – Alex Valencia, footballer
23 September – Lisa Loven Kongsli, actress
24 September – Stine Hofgaard Nilsen, alpine skier

October

2 October – Kjetil Strand, handball player
5 October – Lisa Wiik, snowboarder
8 October – Wilhelm Brenna, ski jumper
9 October – Veronika Flåt, actress
10 October – Espen Søgård, footballer
14 October – Marcus Paus, composer
19 October
- Ingunn Ringvold, roots singer, musician and songwriter
- Magne Sturød, footballer
24 October – Lise Birgitte Fredriksen, sailor
27 October – Tom Hugo, musician

November

1 November – Tommy Knarvik, footballer
2 November – Nina Ellen Ødegård, actress
8 November – Erling Sande, politician
10 November – Ragnvald Soma, footballer
30 November – Ellen Blom, ski mountaineer

December

3 December – Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold, writer
6 December – Tommy Wirkola, film director, producer and screenwriter
10 December – Tora Augestad, musician
14 December – Øystein Runde, comics writer and comics artist
18 December – Øyvind Storflor, footballer
20 December
- Espen Johnsen, footballer
- Benedikte Shetelig Kruse, singer and actor
27 December – Hanne Sørvaag, musician
28 December – Daniel Forfang, ski jumper

Full date missing

Dolk (artist), graffiti artist
Morten Morland, cartoonist
Robert Post, singer-songwriter
Einar Selvik, musician
Stein Urheim, jazz musician

Notable deaths

7 January – Thoralf Hagen, rower and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1887)
28 January – Elling Enger, composer, organist, and choir conductor (b.1905)
4 February – Hans Martin Gulbrandsen, canoeist (b.1914)
15 February – Karl Henry Karlsen, politician (b.1893)
7 March – Klaus Egge, composer and music critic (b.1906)
3 April – Dagfinn Zwilgmeyer, psalmist (b. 1900).^[25]
6 April – Finn Øen, politician (b.1902)
17 April – Trygve Olsen, politician (b.1921)
26 April – Trygve Stokstad, boxer (b.1902)
7 May – Øivind Bolstad, playwright and novelist (born 1905).^[26]
7 May – Erik Brofoss, economist, politician and Minister (b.1908)
8 June – Magnar Isaksen, international soccer player and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1910).^[27]
5 July – Rolf Holmberg, soccer player and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1914)
10 July – Harald Færstad, gymnast and Olympic silver medallist (b.1889)
15 July – Haakon Sløgedal, politician (b.1901)
28 July – Steffen Ingebriktsen Toppe, politician (b.1902)
6 August – Olav Hordvik, politician (b.1901)
24 August – Bernt Evensen, speed skater, Olympic gold medallist and racing cyclist (b.1905)
22 September – Tore Segelcke, actress (b.1901)
30 September – Johan Johannesen, track and field athlete (b.1898)
16 October – Johan Borgen, author, journalist and critic (b.1902)
16 October – Olav Svalastog, politician (b.1896)
14 December – Otto Monsen, track and field athlete (b.1887)

Full date unknown

Emil Boyson, poet, author, and translator (b.1897)
Anders Frihagen, politician and Minister (b.1892)
Gunnar Emil Garfors, poet (b.1900)
Jørgen Holmboe, meteorologist (b.1902)
Rolf Østbye, businessperson (b.1898)
Rolf Ingvar Semmingsen, civil servant (b.1908)
Ole Siem, naval officer, businessman, and politician (born 1882).^[28]^[29]
Nils Thomas, sailor and Olympic silver medallist (b.1889)

References

Rem, Tore. "Olav 5.". In Bolstad, Erik (ed.). Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
"Countries That Have Abolished the Death Penalty Since 1976". Death Penalty Information Center. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
Lawrence, William (30 January 2011). "Saami and Norwegians protest construction of Alta Dam, Norway, 1979-1981". Global Nonviolent Action Database. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
"Oil History". Offshore Norge. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
"Statfjord". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
"Gro Harlem Brundtland". Government of Norway. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kari Mette Johansen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
"Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen". sjakknytt.no. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Børge Lund". eurohandball.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
"Moflag, Tuva". stortinget.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 5 August 2019.
"Khan, Saera (1979–)". Stortinget. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Lars Berger". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
"Isabel Blanco". eurohandball.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
"Bård Nesteng". Olympedia. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Micaelsen, Torgeir (1979–)". Stortinget. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
Garvik, Olav. "Øyulf Hjertenes". In Bolstad, Erik (ed.). Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ella Gjømle". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jacob Norenberg". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Nila Håkedal". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ingrid Tørlen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
"Solheim, Mona". taekwondodata.com. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Erik Watndal". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Stian Eckhoff". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
"Farahmand, Mahmoud (1979-)". stortinget.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
Elstad, Hallgeir. "Dagfinn Zwilgmeyer". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
Bolstad, Erik (ed.). "Øivind Bolstad". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
"Magnar Isaksen". SR/Olympic Sports. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
Steenstrup, Bjørn, ed. (1973). "Siem, Ole". Hvem er hvem? (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug. p. 501. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
Hoemsnes, Ole M. "Martin Siem". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 27 September 2024.

Incumbents

Events

Popular culture

Sports

Music

Film

Television

Literature

Notable births

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Full date missing

Notable deaths

Full date unknown

See also

References

External links