1.) is used to talk about single past actions and events
1.1) in the specific time
When did you meet your wife?
I met her in 1978.
He came to look for you half an hour ago.
We slept on the way home last night.
1.2) in unspecific time
I went to a fashion shop and bought a
necklace.
I bought this car in Tokyo.
The train was ten minutes late.