In the year 1879...
- The War of the Pacific breaks out between Chile and the Bolivia-Peru alliance over control of the resource-rich Atacama desert on the Pacific coast. The Chileans would ultimate triumph in 1883, leaving Boliva a land-locked country.
- February 14 - Chilean armed forces initiate the hostilities when they invade and occupy the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta.
- May 21 - In the Battle of Iquique, the Chilean Navy attempts to blockade the Peruvian port of Iquique, but is driven off.
- October 8 - In the Battle of Angamos, the Chilean Navy surrounds and captures the Peruvian ironclad Huáscar, eliminating the last major ship in the Peruvian navy.
These people were born in 1879:
These people died in 1879:
1878 - 1879 - 1880
19th century
This is a collaboratively edited writeup. You are encouraged to assimilate and supersede it.