1980
News
- Ronald Reagan became American President for the first time.
- Prince Charles’ girlfriend, Lady Diana Spencer, attracted the attention of the world’s press.
- British Airways was privatised.
- The Queen became the first British monarch to visit the Vatican.
- A national steel strike was called.
Entertainment
- Play Your Cards Right, Bergerac, Juliet Bravo, Willo The Wisp and Take the High Road made their debuts on TV.
- Dallas was the most popular TV series in the world.
- The ‘Who Shot JR?’ frenzy hit.
- The pirate radio ship Radio Caroline sunk in a storm.
Music
- John Lennon was shot dead outside his apartment in New York.
- Joy Division singer Ian Curtis committed suicide.
- U2 released their first album, ‘Boy’.
- Johnny Logan from Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘What’s Another Year?’
- AC/DC released their ‘Back In Black’ album.
Number #1 Hits of 1980
| Artist | Title |
| The Pretenders | Brass In Pocket |
| The Specials | The Special AKA Live! (EP) |
| Kenny Rogers | Coward Of The Country |
| Blondie | Atomic |
| Fern Kinney | Together We Are Beautiful |
| The Jam | Going Underground/Dreams Of Children |
| The Detroit Spinners | Working My Way Back To You |
| Blondie | Call Me |
| Dexy’s Midnight Runners | Geno |
| Johnny Logan | What’s Another Year |
| Mash | Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) |
| Don McLean | Crying |
| Olivia Newton-John & The Electric Light Orchestra | Xanadu |
| Odyssey | Use It Up And Wear It Out |
| Abba | The Winner Takes It All |
| David Bowie | Ashes To Ashes |
| The Jam | Start |
| Kelly Marie | Feels Like I’m In Love |
| The Police | Don’t Stand So Close To Me |
| Barbara Streisand | Woman In Love |
| Blondie | The Tide Is High |
| Abba | Super Trouper |
| John Lennon | (Just Like) Starting Over |
| St. Winnifred’s School Choir | There’s No-one Quite Like Grandma |
Sport
- Tottenham Hotspur won the FA Cup.
- John McEnroe and Chris Evert won Wimbledon.
- Steve Davis beat Doug Mountjoy in the World Snooker Championships.
- The Springbok rugby tour caused major controversy and riots in New Zealand.
