Major Events of September 1980: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from September 1980 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1980: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1980 Terry Fox Ends Marathon of Hope: Terry Fox, a courageous Canadian athlete and cancer activist, was forced to terminate his cross-country Marathon of Hope in Thunder Bay, Ontario, due to the recurrence of his cancer. Fox, who had previously lost a leg to cancer, was running across Canada to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Despite being unable to complete his full journey, his incredible determination and spirit inspired millions of Canadians and people worldwide.
02 Sep 1980 Zimbabwe Severs Diplomatic Ties with South Africa: Zimbabwe officially broke diplomatic and consular relations with South Africa, closing its missions in Pretoria and Cape Town. This action likely reflected the ongoing tensions surrounding apartheid and regional political dynamics.
03 Sep 1980 Jastrzębie Agreement Signed in Poland: The Polish Communist government signed the Jastrzębie agreement in the coal mining town of Jastrzębie-Zdrój, representing a major concession to labor unions. The agreement included wage increases, permission for miners to organize their own union, and the elimination of weekend work shifts, signaling a significant moment in Poland's labor movement during the Cold War era.
04 Sep 1980 Poland's Communist Government Signs Jastrzębie Agreement: In a significant moment of labor negotiations, Poland's Communist government signed the Jastrzębie agreement in the coal mining town of Jastrzębie-Zdrój, marking the third major concession to end a labor strike and signaling growing tensions in the Eastern Bloc.
05 Sep 1980 Edward Gierek Resigns from Polish Communist Party: Edward Gierek, the long-standing leader of the Polish United Workers' Party, resigns from his position amid growing political and economic challenges in Poland. This resignation marks a significant moment in Poland's late communist era political landscape.
06 Sep 1980 Emmy Creative Arts Award: The Emmy Creative Arts Award presentation takes place, recognizing outstanding achievements in television production and creative arts.
07 Sep 1980 US-China Commercial Aviation Agreement: The United States and China signed a historic agreement to establish regular commercial airline flights between the two nations, marking the first such connection since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. This diplomatic milestone signaled improving relations between the two countries.
08 Sep 1980 Lady Elgin Maritime Tragedy on Lake Michigan: The steamship Lady Elgin sank in Lake Michigan, resulting in a catastrophic loss of approximately 300 lives. This maritime disaster is considered one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the Great Lakes' history, underscoring the treacherous conditions and navigation challenges of 19th-century maritime travel.
09 Sep 1980 Sinking of MV Derbyshire in Typhoon Orchid: The British freighter MV Derbyshire tragically sank during Typhoon Orchid, resulting in the loss of all 44 crew members. The vessel was overwhelmed by massive waves generated by the powerful typhoon, which reached heights of up to 30 meters (98 ft). The extreme weather conditions caused catastrophic damage to the ship's structure, including the destruction of hatch covers that allowed water to flood the vessel.
10 Sep 1980 Bill Gullickson Sets Rookie Strikeout Record: Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Gullickson achieved a remarkable milestone by striking out 18 batters in a single game, setting a new rookie record in Major League Baseball. This extraordinary performance highlighted Gullickson's exceptional pitching talent early in his professional career.
11 Sep 1980 Jastrzębie Agreement Signed in Poland: The third of three major concessions by Poland's Communist government was made to end a labor strike, with the Jastrzębie agreement signed in the coal mining town of Jastrzębie-Zdrój, marking a significant moment in Poland's labor movement and political transition.
12 Sep 1980 Turkish Military Coup of 1980: On September 12, 1980, General Kenan Evren led a significant military coup in Turkey, overthrowing the government and establishing military control. The National Security Council (MGK) dissolved the Parliament, suspended the Constitution, and imposed martial law. This event resulted in widespread political repression, with over 650,000 people detained and 230,000 put on trial, marking a dark period in Turkish democratic history.
13 Sep 1980 United Negro College Fund Establishment: The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was officially established, marking a significant milestone in supporting higher education for African American students. This organization would become crucial in providing scholarships and financial assistance to minority students.
14 Sep 1980 Dwight Clark NFL Reception Streak Begins: NFL player Dwight Clark initiated an impressive streak of 105 consecutive game receptions, showcasing his remarkable consistency and skill.
15 Sep 1980 Paul McCartney Releases 'Temporary Secretary': Paul McCartney released his innovative electronic-influenced single 'Temporary Secretary' on September 15, 1980, as part of his experimental post-Beatles solo career. The track, featuring quirky synthesizer sounds and unconventional lyrics, was ahead of its time and showcased McCartney's willingness to explore new musical territories.
16 Sep 1980 Death of Jean Piaget, Pioneering Developmental Psychologist: Jean Piaget, the renowned Swiss psychologist who revolutionized our understanding of child cognitive development, passed away on September 16, 1980. His groundbreaking theories about how children learn and construct knowledge have profoundly influenced educational psychology, developmental theory, and our understanding of human cognitive growth.
17 Sep 1980 Solidarity Labor Union Formation: The Solidarity labor union was established in Poland, marking a pivotal moment in the country's resistance against communist rule and sparking a movement that would eventually lead to the fall of the Iron Curtain.
18 Sep 1980 Les Misérables Musical Premiere in Paris: The iconic musical Les Misérables opens at the Palais des Sports in Paris, marking an important moment in musical theater history.
19 Sep 1980 Titan II Missile Explosion in Damascus, Arkansas: A catastrophic accident occurred at a US Air Force missile complex near Damascus, Arkansas, when a Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile exploded in its underground silo. The incident resulted in one fatality and over 20 injuries, highlighting the potential dangers of nuclear missile infrastructure.
20 Sep 1980 Ozzy Osbourne Releases 'Blizzard of Ozz': Ozzy Osbourne, former lead singer of Black Sabbath, released his groundbreaking debut solo album 'Blizzard of Ozz' in the United Kingdom, marking a significant moment in heavy metal and rock music history.
21 Sep 1980 Iran-Iraq War Begins: The Iraqi command council orders its military to launch attacks on Iranian military targets, marking the official start of the devastating Iran-Iraq War.
22 Sep 1980 Iran-Iraq War Begins: The command council of Iraq orders its army to launch a military offensive against Iranian military targets, marking the start of the devastating Iran-Iraq War. Iraqi troops seize part of Iranian territory in a significant border dispute.
23 Sep 1980 Bob Marley's Final Concert: Reggae icon Bob Marley performed his last concert, a poignant moment in music history. This performance took place during a period when Marley was battling cancer, symbolizing his enduring spirit and commitment to his art despite personal challenges.
24 Sep 1980 Iraq-Iran War Begins: Iraqi Invasion of Iran: Iraqi troops cross Iran's border and encircle the strategic city of Abadan, marking the official start of the Iran-Iraq War. This military action initiates a prolonged and devastating conflict between the two neighboring countries that would last until 1988.
25 Sep 1980 Mariel Boatlift Continues: The Mariel boatlift, a significant migration event allowing Cuban citizens to leave for the United States, continued on this date, representing a complex period of Cuban-American relations.
26 Sep 1980 Oktoberfest Terror Attack in Munich: A devastating far-right terrorist bombing occurred at the Oktoberfest festival in Munich, West Germany. A bomb exploded near the main entrance, resulting in 13 fatalities (including the perpetrator) and 213 injuries. This attack was a shocking act of right-wing extremist violence that traumatized the community and highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism in post-war Germany.
27 Sep 1980 Marvin Hagler Wins Middleweight Championship Amid Riot: Marvin Hagler defeated Alan Minter to claim boxing's world Middleweight championship in London. The intense match resulted in a significant crowd disturbance, requiring police intervention to escort the boxers to safety.
28 Sep 1980 Carl Sagan's Cosmos Television Series Debuts: Carl Sagan's groundbreaking 13-episode science documentary series 'Cosmos: A Personal Voyage' premiered on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The series, presented by renowned astronomer Carl Sagan and written by Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter, would go on to become one of the most widely watched science programs in television history, inspiring millions of viewers to explore and understand the universe.
29 Sep 1980 Washington Post Publishes Fabricated Story: The Washington Post published a controversial story by Janet Cooke about Jimmy, an alleged 8-year-old heroin addict. The story was later proven to be entirely fabricated, causing significant journalistic scandal and leading to Cooke's dismissal.
30 Sep 1980 Ethernet Specification Publication: Xerox, in collaboration with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation, published the comprehensive Ethernet specifications, marking a pivotal moment in computer networking technology.