May 1980 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in May 1980.
The US president was Jimmy Carter (Democrat), the UK Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher (Conservative), Pope St John Paul II was leading the Catholic Church.
But much more happened on May 1980: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of May 1980?
Events
- 01 May 1980 Day in Hollywood, A Night... opens at John Golden NYC for 588 performances
- 02 May 1980 Joseph Doherty and three other Irish Republican Army men arrested for murder.
- 03 May 1980 Giants 1st baseman Willie McCovey hits his 521st and final HR
- 04 May 1980 Dodgers bat out of order against Phillies in 1st inning
- 05 May 1980 Siege at Iranian Embassy in London ends; British commandos and police stormed the building.
- 07 May 1980 Josip Tito, Yugoslav President, buried
- 08 May 1980 World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated.
- 09 May 1980 35 motorists die as a Liberian freighter rams a Tampa Bay Bridge
- 10 May 1980 Happy New Year closes at Morosco Theater NYC after 17 performances
- 11 May 1980 Pam Higgins wins LPGA Lady Michelob Golf Tournament.
- 12 May 1980 1st nonstop crossing of US via balloon
- 13 May 1980 Cincinnati Reds' Ray Knight hits two homeruns in 5th inning versus New York Mets.
- 14 May 1980 Musical Chairs opens at Rialto Theater NYC for 15 performances
- 15 May 1980 1st trans-US balloon crossing
- 16 May 1980 Brian May of rock group Queen collapses on stage with hepatitis
- 17 May 1980 Kumar Anandan balanced on one foot for 33 hours
- 18 May 1980 China PR launch 1st intercontinental rocket
- 19 May 1980 Blackstone opens at Majestic Theater NYC for 104 performances
- 20 May 1980 Drummer Peter Criss quits Kiss
- 21 May 1980 Empire Strikes Back premieres
- 22 May 1980 Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue marry.
- 23 May 1980 ABC Masters Bowling Tournament won by Neil Burton.
- 24 May 1980 Iran rejects a call to World Court to release US hostages
- 25 May 1980 Musical Chairs closes at Rialto Theater NYC after 15 performances
- 26 May 1980 Phillie Steve Carlton is 1st NLer to record 6, 1-hitters
- 27 May 1980 The Gwangju Massacre: Airborne and army troops of South Korea retake the city of Gwangju from civil militias, killing at least 207 and possibly many more.
- 28 May 1980 Nottingham Forrest wins 25th Europe Cup 1 in Madrid, Spain.
- 29 May 1980 Billy Bishop Goes to War opens at Morosco Theater NYC for 12 performances
- 31 May 1980 Love Stinks by J Geils Band peaks at #38
- 08 May 1980 The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.
Famous Birthday
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Famous Deaths
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Music charts
Which were the top hits in May 1980?
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Top #5 songs in the USA
Top #5 songs in the UK
- The Detroit Spinners - Working My Way Back To You / Forgive Me Girl
- Johnny Logan - What's Another Year
- Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
- Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno
- Hot Chocolate - No Doubt About It
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in May 1980?