Your place in the Universe on 1980
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Get your map!The Highlights of 1980: A Year That Shaped the Future
1980 (MCMLXXX in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1980th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.
Is 1980 a year special to you? Discover what 1980 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1980, 1980 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1980, how old is someone born in 1980 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1980.
On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1980 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.
Table of contents
- What was 1980 known for ?
- Key World Leaders of 1980
- Who was the U.S. President in 1980?
- Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1980?
- Who was the Pope in 1980?
- 1980: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
- What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1980?
- What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1980?
- What was the most popular movie in 1980?
- What was the best selling book in 1980?
- How old is someone born in 1980?
- What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1980?
What was 1980 known for ?
- Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebook sold for over $5 million in 1980. In this year that saw the rise of heavy metal. The publishing of the first UK Indie chart was in 1980 as well. Bon Scott the lead singer of the heavy metal band AC/DC died in London. ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ became the highest grossing film of the year at the box office.
- It was a tough year for two of ex-Beatles members, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney who with his band Wings returned to Japan since 1966 the last time the Beatles were there. Possession of narcotics led to his arrest at the airport. His incarceration ended on January 25. On December 8, the world was shocked to hear that John Lennon was dead. Mark David Chapman shot the iconic Beatles singer twice in the back just outside his New York apartment. Thousands of people held vigils in New York’s Central Park and other cities in the world to mourn his death.
- On June 1, Time Warner Company launched CNN, the world’s first ever 24-hour international news television channel. At 6 p.m. EST, CNN began its broadcast with a story about the assassination attempt of Vernon Jordan a civil rights leader and activist, from their headquarters in Atlanta Georgia. Today, CNN is accessible to more than 160 million households and business across the world.
- In 1980, the cold war was creating tension across the world, and the two main sides were the USA and Russia. Coincidentally, Moscow was the host of the 1980 Olympics. Due to the supremacy wars between the two countries, the then USA President, Jimmy Carter announced that USA athletes would not participate in the 1980 Olympics. This declaration was after Russia refused to honor Jimmy Carter's order for them to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan.
- The year 1980 marked the beginning of an era of fashion freedoms and it saw the rise of designer’s clothes with vivid and bright colors. Also, the year set off the phenomenon of hippies.
- The world population in 1980 was 4,458,003,514 people according to data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This figure includes both urban and rural populations. The urban population at that time accounted for 39.0% of the total population, which is roughly 1.7 billion individuals.The annual population change in 1980 was an increase of +77.5 million people, representing a percentage increase of +1.77% over the previous year.The average population density in 1980 was 19 persons per square mile (or 30 persons per square kilometer).
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Key World Leaders of 1980
Who was the U.S. President in 1980?
In 1980, Jimmy Carter (Democrat) was the President of the United States. His term spanned from January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981. His administration brokered the Camp David Accords, achieving a historic peace between Egypt and Israel.
Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1980?
In 1980 the UK Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher (Conservative). During her premiership, she pursued free-market reforms, privatization, and was known for her firm leadership during the Falklands War.
Who was the Pope in 1980?
The leader of the Catholic Church in 1980 was Pope St John Paul II who had held the papacy since 1978. During his long pontificate, he played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, expanded interfaith dialogue, and was a strong advocate for human rights.
1980: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
Ronald Reagan
In 1980, Ronald Reagan was named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year. Reagan was elected President of the United States in 1980, defeating incumbent President Jimmy Carter.
What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1980?
The number 1 song in the USA in 1980, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1980?
The number 1 song in the UK in 1980, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Super Trouper by Abba
What was the most popular movie in 1980?
The most popular movie and box office hit was Inferno by Ron Howard
What was the best selling book in 1980?
How old is someone born in 1980?
Someone born in 1980 is 45 years old this year.
Try out our age, time and generation calculators:
What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1980?
According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1980 was the Year of the Monkey.
Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Monkey sign.