Year 1980 in History

Chrysler Europe is renamed Talbot

Chrysler Europe was the American automotive company Chrysler's operations in Europe from 1967 through 1978.

Real Records releases "Pretenders" in the UK, the debut album by The Pretenders

Pretenders is the debut studio album by British-American band the Pretenders, released in January 1980. A combination of rock and roll, punk and new wave music, it was an immediate success.

Pink Floyd's double album "The Wall" hits #1

The Wall is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 30 November 1979 by Harvest CBS Records. It is the last album to include all four post-Barrett-era band members.

US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afgh

US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Cypriot-American model Angie Bowie (30) divorces British singer David Bowie (33) after just under 10 years of marriage

American "LA Law" and "The Partridge Family" actress Susan Dey (27) weds American television producer Bernard Sofronski

Future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Gordie Howe scores in the 3rd period to become first NHL player to score 800 caree

Future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Gordie Howe scores in the 3rd period to become first NHL player to score 800 career goals as Hartford Whalers beat St. Louis Blues, 3-0 at Springfield Civic Center

Australian cricketer Allan Border becomes the first and only batsman to reach 150 in each innings of a test, in the 3rd

Australian cricketer Allan Border becomes the first and only batsman to reach 150 in each innings of a test, in the 3rd test vs Pakistan in Lahore

US Olympic Committee endorses a boycott of the Moscow summer Olympics

The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; French: Jeux olympiques) are the world's preeminent international sporting events.

Climax of the Berber Spring in Algeria sees hundreds of Berber political activists arrested

Siege at Iranian Embassy in London ends when the SAS and police storm the building

The Iranian Embassy siege took place from 30 April to 5 May 1980, after a group of six armed men stormed the Iranian embassy on Prince's Gate in South Kensington, London. The gunmen, Iranian Arabs…

World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated

Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by Variola virus (often called Smallpox virus), which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state triggers the largest landslide in history, killing 57 people and causin

Eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state triggers the largest landslide in history, killing 57 people and causing over $1 billion in damage

Horror film "The Shining" is released, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, based

Horror film "The Shining" is released, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, based on the book by Stephen King

First transmission of the Cable News Network or CNN

The Cable News Network (CNN), is an American basic cable and satellite television channel owned by the CNN Worldwide division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

US Open Men's Golf, Baltusrol GC: Jack Nicklaus sets new tournament scoring record 272 (-8) to win his 4th Open title, 2

US Open Men's Golf, Baltusrol GC: Jack Nicklaus sets new tournament scoring record 272 (-8) to win his 4th Open title, 2 strokes ahead of Isao Aoki of Japan

Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" album tops US charts, featuring "It's Still Rock 'n' Roll to Me"

Karolyn Englehardt divorces baseball player Pete Rose (39) after 16 years of marriage

17,000 workers strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, beginning the Solidarity movement

American lawyer Kathleen St. Johns divorces American best-selling author Michael Crichton (37) after nearly 2 years of m

American lawyer Kathleen St. Johns divorces American best-selling author Michael Crichton (37) after nearly 2 years of marriage

32nd Emmy Awards, notable for proceeding despite 51 of the 52 nominated performers boycotting the event due to a strike

32nd Emmy Awards, notable for proceeding despite 51 of the 52 nominated performers boycotting the event due to a strike by members of the Screen Actors Guild: "Taxi," "Lou Grant," Ed Asner, and Barbara Bel Geddes win

Iraq invades Iran in an attempt to control the Shatt al-Arab waterway

The Shatt al-Arab is a river about 200 kilometres (120 mi) in length that is formed at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the town of al-Qurnah in the Basra Governorate of southern...

Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox in collaboration with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation [1]

Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC ), using the trademark Digital, was a major American company in the computer industry from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman (43) divorces actress Anne Byrne (37) after 11 years of marriage

Princess Caroline of Monaco divorces Philippe Junot

Princess Caroline of Monaco is Princess of Hanover by marriage to Prince Ernst August.

Phillies win their first World Championship in their 98-year history

The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declares a holy war against Iran

Saddam Hussein (28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was an Iraqi politician and revolutionary who served as the president of Iraq from 1979 until his overthrow in 2003 during the United States-led...

US spacecraft Voyager 1 sends back first close-up pictures of Saturn during its fly-by

British playwright Harold Pinter (50) marries 2nd wife British writer and historian Antonia Frazer (48)

Over 100,000 British Steel workers go on a national strike in support of a 20% pay increase [1]

Babrak Karmal defends the Soviet-backed coup in first public appearance since taking power as President of Afghanistan

Minnesota North Stars end Philadelphia Flyers' NHL record 35 game unbeaten streak with a 7-1 win at the Met Center in Bl

Minnesota North Stars end Philadelphia Flyers' NHL record 35 game unbeaten streak with a 7-1 win at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota

Islander Glenn Resch's 20th shut-out opponent-Canucks 3-0

63 beheaded in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (13 February 1913 – 13 June 1982) was King and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 25 March 1975 until his death in 1982.

Last broadcast of "The Rockford Files" on NBC

The Rockford Files is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner, aired on NBC from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980.

Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz begins NBA free throw streak of 57 games during a 107-96 loss at the Golden State Warrior

Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz begins NBA free throw streak of 57 games during a 107-96 loss at the Golden State Warriors

Head of narcotic brigade arrested for drug smuggling in Belgium

Pam Gems' "Piaf!" premieres in London

Paul McCartney is arrested at Tokyo International Airport for possession of marijuana; he is sent to jail for nine days

Paul McCartney is arrested at Tokyo International Airport for possession of marijuana; he is sent to jail for nine days before being deported

NASA launches Fltsatcom-3

FLTSATCOM-3 or (FSC-3) was the third vehicle in the Navy's FLTSATCOM communications satellite constellation, which were used by the United States Navy for communications between aircraft, ships,...

Super Bowl XIV, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California: Pittsburgh Steelers beat Los Angeles Rams, 31-19; MVP: Terry Bradshaw,

Super Bowl XIV, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California: Pittsburgh Steelers beat Los Angeles Rams, 31-19; MVP: Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh, QB

Les Henson, Virginia Tech, makes 89' 3" basketball field goal

Bani Sadr elected president of Iran

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran, with 52 of...

6 Iranian-held US hostages escape with help of Canadians [1]

New York coach Red Holzman wins his 600th NBA game, only the second (after Red Auerbach) coach at the time to reach the

New York coach Red Holzman wins his 600th NBA game, only the second (after Red Auerbach) coach at the time to reach the plateau, as the Knicks beat Golden State, 107-103

NBA Cleveland Cavaliers beat Los Angeles Lakers 154-153 in quadruple OT

Edward Albee's play "Lady from Dubuque" premieres in NYC

Police storm occupied Spanish embassy in Guatemala City, killing 41

Human settlement on the present site of Guatemala City began with the Maya who built a city at Kaminaljuyu. The Spanish colonists established a small town, which was made a capital city in 1775.

Sears Radio Theater moves from CBS to Mutual Broadcasting System

Sears Radio Theater was a radio drama anthology series which ran weeknights on CBS Radio in 1979, sponsored by the Sears chain.

FBI releases details of Abscam, a sting operation that targeted 31 elected & public officials for bribes for political f

FBI releases details of Abscam, a sting operation that targeted 31 elected & public officials for bribes for political favors

Bani Sadr sworn in as premier of Iran

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran, with 52 of...

Apollo Computer Inc incorporated

Apollo Computer Inc. was an American technology corporation headquartered and founded in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1980 by William Poduska (a founder of Prime Computer) and others.

Soviet 2-time world champion team Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov win the Olympic ice dance gold medal at Lake P

Soviet 2-time world champion team Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov win the Olympic ice dance gold medal at Lake Placid by just 0.96 from Krisztina Regőczy & András Sallay of Hungary

Rangers score 5 power-play goals against Islanders

The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York.

British political comedy "Yes Minister" written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, starring Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorn

British political comedy "Yes Minister" written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, starring Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds premieres on BBC Two

Egypt & Israel exchange ambassadors for 1st time

"The Well-Tuned Piano" by La Monte Young premieres (takes 4 h 12 m)

Commonwealth Trade Union Council established

The Commonwealth Trade Union Group (abbreviated CTUG) was a London-based international alliance of trade union in the Commonwealth countries.

Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz ends NBA free throw streak of 57 games with a miss in the Suns' 123-115 home win over the

Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz ends NBA free throw streak of 57 games with a miss in the Suns' 123-115 home win over the LA Lakers

1st nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus is decommissioned

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear-powered boat, nuclear-powered submarine, and the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole on 3 August 1958.

Earth satellites record gamma rays from remnants of supernova N-49

A supernova (pl.: supernovae) is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star. A supernova occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star, or when a white dwarf is triggered into runaway...

French Academy, founded in 1635, elects it 1st woman novelist (Marguerita Youcenar)

Flemish and Walloon battle in Belgium, 40 injured

The Flemish Movement is an umbrella term which encompasses various political groups in the Belgian region of Flanders and, less commonly, in French Flanders.

Willard Scott becomes the weather forcaster on the Today Show

Ice Dance Championship at Dortmund West Germany won by Regoczy & Sallay

Vostok rocket explodes on the launch pad while being refueled, killing 50

The Mi Amigo ship containing England's pirate radio Caroline sinks

AIAW Women's Basketball Tournament, Old Dominion beat Tennessee 68-53 at Mount Pleasant

"Nightline with Ted Koppel" premieres on ABC

Nightline (or ABC News Nightline) is ABC News' late-night television news program broadcast on ABC in the United States with a franchised formula to other networks and stations elsewhere in the...

Bombay gets its 1st rock concert in 10 years (The Police)

Elevator in Vaal Reefs gold mine, South Africa plunges more than 1900m killing all 23 miners aboard

Mark Medoff's "Children of a Lesser God" premieres in NYC

Failed assassination attempt on Iraqi vice-premier Tariq Aziz

France performs nuclear test

Nuclear weapons tests are experiments carried out to determine the performance of nuclear weapons and the effects of their explosion.

USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan

US President Jimmy Carter breaks relations with Iran during hostage crisis

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran, with 52 of...

Islander Potvin's 2 shorthanded goals tie NHL record vs Kings & set NHL rec of 2 shorthanded playoff goals in 1 period

Belgium's Marten's government resigns

The Martens I Government was the national government of Belgium from 3 April 1979 to 23 January 1980.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulates sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a type of harassment based on gender or sex. It encompasses a spectrum of behavior including sexual coercion, unwanted sexual attention, and sexist acts.

BCMA, Black Consciousness Movement of Azania, forms

The Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) was a grassroots anti-apartheid activist movement that emerged in South Africa in the mid-1960s out of the political vacuum created by the jailing and banning...

US and its allies boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow in protest against Russia's invasion of Afghanistan

The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Summer Olympics or the Games of the Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years.

1st Cubans of the Mariel boatlift sail to Florida

Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) declares independence from the United Kingdom

Rhodesia, officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised country in Southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979.

Howard Stern begins broadcasting on WWWW Detroit, Michigan

Howard Allan Stern is an American broadcaster, comedian, and media personality. He is best known for his radio show, The Howard Stern Show, which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated...

US military operation to rescue 52 hostages in Iran fails, 8 die

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans, including diplomats and other civilian personnel, were taken hostage at the Embassy of the United States in Tehran, with 52 of...

Announcement of US hostage rescue bungle in Iran

Gerard Nijboer runs Dutch record marathon (2:09:01)

The Amsterdam Marathon is a road race of 42.195 km (26 mi 385 yd) across the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, contested by men and women annually since 1975.

Cyrus Vance, Carter's US Secretary of State, resigns

Corazones Unidos Siempre Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. is founded

Chi Upsilon Sigma (ΧΥΣ) ("Women of Wisdom")—official name is Corazones Unidos Siempre Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.

Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands, abdicates; Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (42) becomes Queen Beatrix

Amer Book Award: William Styron (Sophie Choice)/T Wolfe (Right Stuff)

Joseph Doherty and 3 other IRA men are arrested for murder

Dodgers bat out of order against Phillies in 1st inning

Konstantinos Karamanlis is elected for the first time President of Greece

The president of Greece, officially the president of the Hellenic Republic, commonly referred to in Greek as the president of the Republic, is the head of state of Greece.

Paul Geidel Jr, American murderer, and longest-serving prison inmate in the United States, paroled after 68 years, 296 d

Paul Geidel Jr, American murderer, and longest-serving prison inmate in the United States, paroled after 68 years, 296 days, at the age of 86.

1st non-stop trans-North American balloon flight departs Fort Baker, California. Maxie Anderson and son Kristian pilot t

1st non-stop trans-North American balloon flight departs Fort Baker, California. Maxie Anderson and son Kristian pilot the Kitty Hawk for five days.

35 motorists die when roadway collapses after Liberian freighter 'Summit Venture' rams Sunshine Skyway Bridge, during a

35 motorists die when roadway collapses after Liberian freighter 'Summit Venture' rams Sunshine Skyway Bridge, during a squall (Tampa Bay, Florida)

1st non-stop trans-North American balloon flight lands at Sainte-Félicité, Quebec. Maxie Anderson and son Kristian pilot

1st non-stop trans-North American balloon flight lands at Sainte-Félicité, Quebec. Maxie Anderson and son Kristian piloted the Kitty Hawk for five days.

Cincinnati Red Ray Knight hits 2 HRs in 5th inning vs NY Mets

Bucky Dent hits an inside park HR, Royals walk 14 Yanks including 5 with bases loaded, Yanks win 16-3

Flyers score 8 goals against Islanders in playoffs

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern...

Major race riot in Miami, Florida - 16 killed, 300 injured

Belgium 3rd government of Martens forms

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north,...

Ringo & Barbara Bach are involved in a car crash

families in Love Canal area of Niagara Falls, New York are evacuated due to linger effects of prior use as chemical wast

families in Love Canal area of Niagara Falls, New York are evacuated due to linger effects of prior use as chemical waste disposal site [1]

Jacek Wszoka of Poland sets high jump record (7'8")

Dietmar Mogenburg of West Germany ties high jump record at 7'8"

South Korean police ends people's uprising; 2,000 killed

The Gwangju Democratization Movement, also known in South Korea as May 18 Democratization Movement, was a series of student-led demonstrations that took place in Gwangju, South Korea, in May 1980,...

2 Oakland A's steal home in 1st inning

53rd National Spelling Bee: Jacques Bailly wins spelling elucubrate

The 53rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1980, sponsored by the E.W.

1st papal visit to France since 1814

Police & youthful rebels battle in Zurich

ANC sets fire to Sasol oil installations in South Africa

Soyuz T-2 carries 2 cosmonauts to Salyut 6 space station

Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...

South African anti-nuclear activist Renfrew Christie is sentenced to 10 years in prison under the country's Terrorism Ac

South African anti-nuclear activist Renfrew Christie is sentenced to 10 years in prison under the country's Terrorism Act [1]

"Cars" by Gary Numan hits #9

The following is a comprehensive discography of Gary Numan, a British singer and musician. Numan released his first record in 1978 as part of the outfit Tubeway Army.

34th Tony Awards: "Children of a Lesser God" (play) & "Evita" (musical) win

The 34th Annual Tony Awards was broadcast by CBS television on June 8, 1980, from the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The hosts were Mary Tyler Moore and Jason Robards.

Eight Provisional Irish Republican Army prisoners escape from Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast using handguns smuggled into

Eight Provisional Irish Republican Army prisoners escape from Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast using handguns smuggled into the prison

K-Ingleside streetcar converts to METRO service (San Francisco)

Muni Metro is a light rail system serving San Francisco, California, United States.

Jorge Orta of Cleveland gets 6 hits in a baseball game

Jorge Orta Núñez is a Mexican former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder.

Dutch 2nd Chamber joins oil boycott of South Africa

Battle between police and demonstrators in Capetown, 34 killed

California Angels Freddie Patek, hits 3 HRs & double to beat Red Sox 20-2

Jim King begins riding the Miracle Strip Roller Coaster for 368 hours

Affirmed wins $500,000 Hollywood Cup, 1st horse to win $2 million

1st female state police graduates (NJ)

NYC transit fare rises from 50 cents to 60 cents

A 1980 transit strike in New York City halted service on the New York City Transit Authority (a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority) for the first time since 1966.

British sixpence demonetised after being in used since 1551 and 12 years after introduction of decimal currency

'O Canada' officially becomes the national anthem of Canada

"O Canada" is the national anthem of Canada. The song was originally commissioned by Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Théodore Robitaille for the 1880 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony; Calixa Lavallée...

Comedy film "Airplane!" written and directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker and starring Robert Hays an

Comedy film "Airplane!" written and directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker and starring Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty premieres

Biggest MLB crowd in 7 years, 73,096 watch Indians beat NY Yankees, 7-0 at Cleveland Stadium

France performs nuclear test

Alexandra Palace in London burnt down for a second time

Alexandra Palace is an entertainment and sports venue in north London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey.

American hostage Richard Queen freed by Iran militants due to illness

USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan

Polish railway workers block railway to Russia

Bolivian military coup; General Garcia Meza becomes president

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America.

USSR's Walter Polovchak is placed in US custody at 12 after his asylum application

Jean-Claude Droyer climbs Eiffel Tower in 2 hrs 18 mins

Palestinian throws a hand grenade at Jewish children in Antwerp, Belgium, killing one

Peru adopts a constitution, and Fernando Belaúnde Terry becomes president

The internal conflict in Peru is an armed conflict between the Government of Peru and the Maoist guerrilla group Shining Path.

American swimmers Mary T. Meagher (2.06.37) and Craig Beardsley (1.58.21) set 200 m butterfly world records at the US Na

American swimmers Mary T. Meagher (2.06.37) and Craig Beardsley (1.58.21) set 200 m butterfly world records at the US National Swimming Championships at Irvine, California

Crew of Soyuz 37 returns to Earth aboard Soyuz 36

Buttevant Rail Disaster kills 18 and injures dozens of train passengers in County Cork, Ireland

Cuban super-heavyweight Teofilo Stevenson becomes the first fighter to win three Olympic gold medals in the same divisio

Cuban super-heavyweight Teofilo Stevenson becomes the first fighter to win three Olympic gold medals in the same division, scoring a 4-1 points decision over Pyotr Zayev (Soviet Union) in Moscow

Al Kaline, Duke Snider, Chuck Klein, and Tom Yawkey are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1980 followed the system in place since 1978.

Hurricane Aline kills 272 people in Texas and the Caribbean

Montreal Expos manager Dick Williams wins his 1,000th career game in an 11-5 victory against the Mets, for whom Doug Fly

Montreal Expos manager Dick Williams wins his 1,000th career game in an 11-5 victory against the Mets, for whom Doug Flynn hits an MLB record-tying three triples

University administration declares five Pac-10 schools ineligible for conference titles and postseason play due to trans

University administration declares five Pac-10 schools ineligible for conference titles and postseason play due to transcript and curriculum abuses

Lake Buena Vista Conference Center and Club Lake Villas open

Belgian constitution is revised

A constitution, or supreme law, is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly...

Allen, the most powerful hurricane in the Caribbean, hits Brownsville, Texas

Hurricane Allen was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane by wind speed on record. The second tropical depression and first named storm of the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season, Allen was also the...

Angola revises its constitution

Since the Angolan War of Independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola has had three constitutions.

Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy

Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy from 50% to 12%

Surinamese President Johan Ferrier is ousted

British rock keyboardist Jools Holland quits band Squeeze to pursue a solo career

Azaria Chamberlain disappears, likely taken by a dingo, leading to one of the most publicized trials in Australian histo

Azaria Chamberlain disappears, likely taken by a dingo, leading to one of the most publicized trials in Australian history

George Brett goes 4-for-4, raising his batting average to .401

Cleveland Indians pitcher Dan Spillner, with a 5.45 ERA, is two outs from a no-hitter when Chicago White Sox rookie Leo

Cleveland Indians pitcher Dan Spillner, with a 5.45 ERA, is two outs from a no-hitter when Chicago White Sox rookie Leo Sutherland hits a single

British drummer and band co-founder Bill Ward quits Black Sabbath for the first time

Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1981 by producer, singer, and instrumentalist Al Jourgensen.

Charles O. Finley sells the Oakland A's MLB franchise for $12.7 million to Walter Haas Jr., owner and CEO of Levi Straus

Charles O. Finley sells the Oakland A's MLB franchise for $12.7 million to Walter Haas Jr., owner and CEO of Levi Strauss

Józef Pinkowski replaces Poland's Premier Babiuch

MLB Texas Rangers pitcher Ferguson Jenkins is arrested for possession of drugs

John Birges plants a bomb at Harvey's Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada

The Harvey's Resort Hotel bombing took place on August 26–27, 1980, when several men masquerading as photocopier deliverers planted an elaborately booby trapped bomb containing 1,200 pounds (540 kg)...

Chun Doo-hwan is elected president of South Korea

Chun Doo-hwan was a South Korean army general who served as the fifth president of South Korea from 1980 to 1988.

First use of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to scan the human body at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland

The history of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes the work of many researchers who contributed to the discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and described the underlying physics of...

Poland's Solidarity trade union federations forms and is officially recognised by the Polish government

Solidarity, full name Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity", is a Polish trade union founded in August 1980 at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland.

Jerry Lewis' 15th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $31,103,787

Progressive rock group Yes perform their last concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City

Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968. Comprising 20 full-time musicians over their career, their most notable members include lead singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris...

Edward Gierek resigns under pressure from his position as Poland's Communist Party leader

French runner Chantal Langlacé sets the women's 100 km world record in 7:27.22 in Amiens, France

Peter Comita replaces Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick

Chile adopts its constitution

The Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile of 1980 (Spanish: Constitución Política de la República de Chile) is the fundamental law in force in Chile.

1st United Negro College Fund

Dwight Clark begins NFL streak of 105 consecutive game receptions

Alain Boubil and Herbert Kretzner's musical "Les Misérables" premieres at Palais des Sports, Paris

"Ordinary People" film directed by Robert Redford and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch premi

"Ordinary People" film directed by Robert Redford and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch premieres (Academy Award - Best Picture, 1981)

Bronze plaque dedicated to the memory of catcher Thurman Munson is unveiled at Yankee Stadium; Munson had died in a plan

Bronze plaque dedicated to the memory of catcher Thurman Munson is unveiled at Yankee Stadium; Munson had died in a plane crash in 1979

MLB Kansas City Royals infielder George Brett goes 0-for-4 at the plate, dropping his season batting average below .400

MLB Kansas City Royals infielder George Brett goes 0-for-4 at the plate, dropping his season batting average below .400 for good

Kerry GAA beat Roscommon GAA in Croke Park during the All-Ireland Football Final by 1-9 to 1-6 thus winning the champion

Kerry GAA beat Roscommon GAA in Croke Park during the All-Ireland Football Final by 1-9 to 1-6 thus winning the championship and a three-in-a-row.

Braves join every NL team with 1,000,000+ attendance this season

Jerry Mumphrey joins Ozzie Smith and Gene Richards to steal 50 bases this year for MLB San Diego Padres

Bomb attack at Oktoberfest in Munich kills 12

Marvin Hagler defeats Alan Minter to claim boxing's world middleweight championship in London; they have to be escorted

Marvin Hagler defeats Alan Minter to claim boxing's world middleweight championship in London; they have to be escorted away by police after a riot forms

Australian Williams driver Alan Jones clinches his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship by winning the Canadian G

Australian Williams driver Alan Jones clinches his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship by winning the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Île Notre-Dame

1,754 turn out to see the Phillies play the NY Mets at Shea Stadium

MLB Oakland A's outfielder Rickey Henderson sets the AL stolen base record with his 97th in the A's 5-1 win over the Chi

MLB Oakland A's outfielder Rickey Henderson sets the AL stolen base record with his 97th in the A's 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, breaking Ty Cobb's record of 96 set in 1915

Cosmonauts Ryumin and Popov break the space endurance record of 176 days

Four die in an attack on a synagogue in Paris

On 3 October 1980, a bomb exploded outside the rue Copernic synagogue in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, France, during Shabbat services.

ABC premiere of Saturday futuristic fantasy cartoon "Thundarr the Barbarian"

Future Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt's 2-run homer off Stan Bahnsen in 11th inning gives Philadelphia

Future Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt's 2-run homer off Stan Bahnsen in 11th inning gives Philadelphia, 6-4 win v Montreal and NL East title; Schmidt's 48th of the season; breaks Eddie Mathews' single-season MLB record for 3rd basemen

Australian Williams driver Alan Jones wins the United States East Grand Prix to claim his first Formula 1 World Drivers'

Australian Williams driver Alan Jones wins the United States East Grand Prix to claim his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship, winning by 13 points over Nelson Piquet of Brazil

Guyana adopts a constitution

The Constitution of Guyana is the highest governing document in the Republic of Guyana.

Belgium's third government of Martens resigns

British Leyland starts selling the Mini Metro

British Leyland was a British automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in 1968 as British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd (BLMC), following the merger of Leyland Motors and British...

First consumer use of home banking by computer by United American Bank in Knoxville, Tennessee

4,500 die when a pair of earthquakes strike NW Algeria

Cosmonauts Popov and Ryumin set a space endurance record of 184 days

7 spectators stabbed in a fight at Blood, Sweat & Tears concert in Los Angeles, CaliforniA

Unprovoked slayings of 6 blacks in Buffalo, NY

Phils rally from 4-0 deficit to beat the Royals, 7-6 to take WS opener

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Lawrence Klein

Lawrence Robert Klein (September 14, 1920 – October 20, 2013) was an American economist.

China performs a nuclear test at Lop Nor, China

Detroit blocks 21 Atlanta shots, setting an NBA record (double OT)

Steve McPeak rides a 101 ft 9 in (31 m) tall unicycle

4th government of Martens forms in Belgium

Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

Barbra Streisand's "Guilty" album goes #1 for 3 weeks & her single "Woman In Love," goes #1 for 3 weeks

Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director.

St Louis Cardinals sack Baltimore Colt QBs an NFL record tying 12 times

American Dave Gryllis sets world bicycle speed record of 94.37 km/h

Honduras and El Salvador sign a peace treaty ending the "Football War"

Authoritarian General Tiburcio Carías Andino controlled Honduras during the Great Depression, until 1948.

Julian Nott sets a world hot air balloon altitude record of 16,806 m

USSR performs nuclear test

Nuclear weapons tests are experiments carried out to determine the performance of nuclear weapons and the effects of their explosion.

After acquiring MLB's Oakland A's for $12.7m, Walter Haas Jr. appoints himself CEO; leads team to 4 AL West Divisional t

After acquiring MLB's Oakland A's for $12.7m, Walter Haas Jr. appoints himself CEO; leads team to 4 AL West Divisional titles and 1989 World Series Championship

Islanders start 15 game undefeated streak (13-0-2)

The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York.

Voyager 1 space probe discovers 15th moon of Saturn

Anchorman Dan Rather alleges cabbie tried to kidnap him, refuses to pay his fare in dispute with cab driver

Crew of Soyuz 35 returns to Earth aboard Soyuz 37

NY Islanders' future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Mike Bossy scores 4 goals in 6-6 tie against visiting Minnesota Nort

NY Islanders' future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Mike Bossy scores 4 goals in 6-6 tie against visiting Minnesota North Stars

Baltimore's Steve Stone wins AL Cy Young Award

The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).

Guinea-Bissau Vice President João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira, overthrows President Luis Cabral in a military coup

Pope John Paul II begins a 5-day visit to West Germany

Pope John Paul II was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005.

NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneer QB Doug Williams throws for 486 yards in a 38-30 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings

Steve Ptacek in Solar Challenger makes the first solar-powered flight

"Hi Infidelity" 9th studio album by REO Speedwagon is released

Georgia tanker at Pilottown Louisiana, spills 1.3 million gallons of oil after an anchor chain causes a ship to leak

4,800 die in series of earthquakes that devastated southern Italy

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

Columbia mated to SRBs & external tank at Vehicle Assembly Building

Soyuz T-3 carries 3 cosmonauts to Salyut 6 space station, launched

Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...

Uruguay's new constitution is rejected by public referendum; however, some of its proposals are implemented anyway

46th Heisman Trophy Award: George Rogers, South Carolina running back

4 American Maryknoll nuns killed by death squads in El Salvador

Don Sutton, the winningest pitcher in Los Angeles Dodgers history, signs a 4-year contract with Houston; Astros career s

Don Sutton, the winningest pitcher in Los Angeles Dodgers history, signs a 4-year contract with Houston; Astros career shortened by a patellar fracture; returns to Dodgers in 1988 after stints with 3 other MLB clubs

Islanders end 15 game undefeated streak (13-0-2) (Col Rockies)

Bank of Canada's Canadian Currency Museum opens

The Bank of Canada (BoC; French: Banque du Canada) is a Crown corporation and Canada's central bank.

NASA launches Intelsat V satellite, no. 502

Intelsat V F-2, then named Intelsat 502, was a communications satellite operated by COMSAT. Launched in 1980, it was the first of fifteen Intelsat V satellites to be launched.

"Bravo" network premieres on cable TV

61°F in Boston at 1 AM

Boston () is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It serves as a cultural and financial center of New England, a region of the Northeastern United States.

Soyuz T-3 returns to Earth

Apple makes its initial public offering on the US stock market; 38 years later, it becomes the first US company valued a

Apple makes its initial public offering on the US stock market; 38 years later, it becomes the first US company valued at over $1 trillion, first over $2 trillion two years after that, and first over $3 trillion three years after that

Anders Kailur scores on 6th Islander penalty shot

President-elect Ronald Reagan announces Alexander Haig Jr. as 59th Secretary of State

Alexander Meigs Haig Jr. (2 December 1924 – 20 February 2010) was an American politician who served as United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and White House chief of staff...

Great Britain performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

Dutch 2nd Chamber accepts minister Van Agts abortion laws

Harold Carmichael ends NFL streak of 127 consecutive game receptions

MLB St. Louis Cardinals release outfielder Bobby Bonds

The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis.

Americans remember hostages held by Iran by shining lights for 417 seconds

Aeroflot's Ilyushin Il-86 enters into service

The Ilyushin Il-86 is a retired short- to medium-range wide-body jet airliner that served as the USSR's first wide-bodied aircraft.

Calvin Murphy (Rockets) begins longest NBA free throw streak of 78

Mexico terminated fishing agreements with US

Shuttle STS-1 moves from Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center (Florida) to Launch Complex 39A

"Wonderful World of Disney" last performance on NBC-TV

Ballon d'Or: Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is named best European football player; beats German internatio

Ballon d'Or: Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is named best European football player; beats German international teammate Bernd Schuster of FC Barcelona and Saint-Étienne midfielder Michel Platini

A Jewish owned hotel in Nairobi Kenya is bombed killing 18

Many terrorist attacks have occurred in Kenya during the 20th and 21st centuries. In 1980, the Jewish-owned Norfolk hotel was attacked by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Famous Births

Sergio García is born

Sergio García, Spanish athlete, known for spanish professional golfer, was born on 1980-01-09. Sergio García Fernández is a Spanish professional golfer.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is born

Lin-Manuel Miranda, American songwriter, actor, filmmaker and librettist, known for american songwriter, actor, filmmaker and librettist, was born on 1980-01-16.

Albert Pujols is born

Albert Pujols, American athlete, known for dominican-american baseball player, was born on 1980-01-16.

Zooey Deschanel is born

Zooey Deschanel, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1980-01-17. Zooey Claire Deschanel is an American actress and singer.

Xavi is born

Marat Safin is born

Marat Safin, Russian athlete, known for russian tennis player, was born on 1980-01-27. Marat Mubinovich Safin is a Russian former professional tennis player and current coach.

Brandy Norwood is born

Brandy Norwood, American singer, songwriter and actress, known for american singer, songwriter and actress, was born on 1980-02-11.

Valentino Rossi is born

Valentino Rossi, Italian athlete, known for italian motorcycle racer, was born on 1980-02-16.

Jennifer Love Hewitt is born

Jennifer Love Hewitt, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1980-02-21. Jennifer Love Hewitt is an American actress, singer, producer and director.

Oscar Isaac is born

Oscar Isaac, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1980-03-09. Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada is an American actor.

Norah Jones is born

Norah Jones, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter and musician, was born on 1980-03-30.

Natasha Lyonne is born

Natasha Lyonne, American actress, producer, writer, and director, known for american actress, producer, writer, and director, was born on 1980-04-04.

Claire Danes is born

Claire Danes, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1980-04-12. Claire Catherine Danes is an American actress.

Kate Hudson is born

Kate Hudson, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1980-04-19. Kate Garry Hudson is an American actress and singer-songwriter.

James McAvoy is born

James McAvoy, Scottish actor, known for scottish actor, was born on 1980-04-21. James McAvoy is a Scottish actor and director.

Daniel Johns is born

Daniel Johns, Australian musician, known for australian musician, was born on 1980-04-22.

Jonny Wilkinson is born

Chris Pratt is born

Chris Pratt, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1980-06-21. Christopher Michael Pratt is an American actor and film producer.

Joe Thornton is born

Joe Thornton, Canadian athlete, known for canadian ice hockey player, was born on 1980-07-02. Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre.

Amélie Mauresmo is born

Amélie Mauresmo, French athlete, known for french former tennis player, was born on 1980-07-05.

Kevin Hart is born

Kevin Hart, American comedian and actor, known for american comedian and actor, was born on 1980-07-06. Kevin Darnell Hart is an American comedian and actor.

Kim Rhode is born

Kim Rhode, American athlete, known for american sport shooter, was born on 1980-07-16. Kimberly Susan Rhode is an American double trap and skeet shooter.

Jason Momoa is born

Jason Momoa, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1980-08-01. Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa is an American actor and film producer.

Aaron Paul is born

Aaron Paul, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1980-08-27. Aaron Paul is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series Breaking Bad (2008–2013).

P!nk is born

P!nk, American musician, known for american singer and songwriter, was born on 1980-09-08.

Chris Gayle is born

Chris Gayle, Jamaican athlete, known for jamaican cricketer, was born on 1980-09-21.

Jason Koumas is born

Jason Koumas, Greek athlete, known for welsh footballer, was born on 1980-09-25. Jason Koumas is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Tranmere Rovers, Cardiff City,…

Kimi Räikkönen is born

Kimi Räikkönen, Finnish athlete, known for finnish racing driver, was born on 1980-10-17.

John Krasinski is born

John Krasinski, American actor and filmmaker, known for american actor and filmmaker, was born on 1980-10-20. John Burke Krasinski is an American actor and filmmaker.

Olga Kurylenko is born

Olga Kurylenko, French ukrainian-french actress and model, known for ukrainian-french actress and model, was born on 1980-11-14.

The Game [Jayceon Taylor] is born

The Game [Jayceon Taylor], American musician, known for american rapper, was born on 1980-11-29.

Holly Madison is born

Holly Madison, American television personality, known for american television personality, was born on 1980-12-23.

James Blake is born

James Blake, American athlete, known for american tennis player, was born on 1980-12-28. James Riley Blake is an American former professional tennis player.

Markus Persson is born

Markus Persson, Swedish video game programmer, known for swedish video game programmer, was born on 1980-06-01.

Notable Deaths

Joy Adamson dies

Joy Adamson naturalist, artist and author, known for naturalist, artist and author, died on 1980-01-03. Friederike Victoria "Joy" Adamson was a naturalist, artist and author.

Jimmy Durante dies

Jimmy Durante, American comedian, actor, singer, and pianist, known for american comedian, actor, singer, and pianist, died on 1980-01-29.

Jesse Owens dies

Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete, known for american track and field athlete, died on 1980-03-31.

Jean-Paul Sartre dies

Jean-Paul Sartre, French existentialist philosopher, known for french existentialist philosopher, died on 1980-04-15.

Alfred Hitchcock dies

Alfred Hitchcock, English filmmaker, known for english filmmaker, died on 1980-04-29. Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker.

Josip Broz Tito dies

Peter Sellers dies

Peter Sellers, English actor and comedian, known for english actor and comedian, died on 1980-07-24. Peter Sellers was an English actor and comedian.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi dies