This is what Gaggle says: in 1979. American consumers were told that the cause of the crisis was a decline in Iranian oil production from 5.8 million barrels a day (mmbd) in July 1978 to 445,000 barrels a day (mbd) in January 1979.

And John good point on how society has changed. I have no doubt if that were today there'd be obnoxious music blaring, fights, and overall mayhem.