What happened in August 1980?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1980, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🌍 Coal to Oil Project – Bonn and Tokyo join the U.S. in a $1.4 billion project to convert high-sulfur coal into clean oil in West Virginia.
- Aug 2🔬 Coe Wins 1,500 Gold – Sebastian Coe secures the gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the Olympic Games, marking a significant achievement in athletics.
- Aug 3🥇 Stevenson Wins Gold – Cuban boxer Stevenson secures his third Olympic gold medal, showcasing his dominance in the ring at the Moscow Games.
- Aug 4🏛️ Peking Opera Rehearsal – Peking Opera rehearses for its U.S. debut at the Met on August 12, showcasing a medieval epic with vibrant color coding.
- Aug 5🔬 Viking Mars Mission Ends – NASA's Viking spacecraft, after four years in Mars orbit, is running out of fuel, concluding its significant exploration mission.
- Aug 6🏛️ U.S. Releases Iranians – U.S. authorities release 191 Iranians jailed during protests, stating no reason remains for their detention.
- Aug 7🌪️ Hurricane Allen Strikes – Hurricane Allen leaves at least 68 dead, with significant damage reported in Haiti and preparations underway in Gulf Coast states.
- Aug 8🌋 Mount St. Helens Erupts – Mount St. Helens erupts for the fifth time, sending ash 44,000 feet into the air. Workers had been evacuated earlier in the day.
- Aug 9🌋 Mount St. Helens Erupts – Mount St. Helens emits steam and ash, raising concerns of a new lava dome. No injuries reported, but small fires monitored in the area.
- Aug 10🌪️ Hurricane-Force Winds Hit – Texas coast faces severe damage as hurricane-force winds whip through the region, causing fears of housing destruction.
- Aug 11🌪️ Hurricane Allen Spares Texas – Hurricane Allen misses urban areas in Texas, causing minimal damage despite high tides and one reported death.
- Aug 12🏛️ Democratic Convention Begins – The Democratic National Convention opens, with President Carter and Senator Kennedy's camps preparing for a contentious nomination battle.
- Aug 13🐼 Panda Born in Mexico – A panda was born in Mexico, marking the first birth of a panda outside China, highlighting conservation efforts.
- Aug 14🗳️ Carter Wins Nomination – Jimmy Carter secures Democratic nomination for a second term, receiving support from Ted Kennedy amidst calls for party unity.
- Aug 15🗳️ Carter's Renomination Speech – President Carter accepts his renomination, emphasizing arms control and defending Democratic policies amid election challenges.
- Aug 16🚢 Titanic Believed Found – The wreck of the Titanic is believed to have been discovered 12,000 feet under the sea, with signal beacons set up for further exploration.
- Aug 17🌪️ Hurricane Damage Report – Hurricane causes severe destruction in the Caribbean, killing at least 272 and leaving thousands without water and crops ruined.
- Aug 18🌊 River Rescue Efforts – Officials utilize rafts to save a white water river, emphasizing the need for wilderness therapy and environmental preservation.
- Aug 19⚾ Orioles Beat Yankees – Orioles defeat Yankees 6-5, narrowing the gap in the standings to two games in their last regular meeting.
- Aug 20✈️ Saudi Plane Disaster – 265 are feared dead as a Saudi plane burns during landing at Riyadh, marking a tragic aviation incident.
- Aug 21🔬 Canine Parvovirus Prevention – Canine parvovirus can be prevented with available vaccines, offering hope for pet owners and veterinarians.
- Aug 22🌍 U.N. Talks Begin – U.N. starts discussions on how to assist Third World countries amid economic challenges and OPEC price outlook.
- Aug 23🏛️ Ancient Palace Discovered – Archaeologists believe they have unearthed the palace of David or Solomon, revealing tunnels used for 700 years.
- Aug 24🔬 Acoustic Microscope Developed – A new acoustic microscope has been developed to study shallow depths of objects using very short wavelengths of light.
- Aug 25🌍 Mugabe Cheered in Harlem – Mugabe addresses a crowd in Harlem, emphasizing 'oneness' and equality for blacks during a televised appearance.
- Aug 26🌍 Cleanup of Mediterranean – Nations agree on a 'black list' of chemicals as cleanup progresses, addressing pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Aug 27🍽️ Traveling Chefs Discover – Chefs traveling abroad find new dishes, transforming basic recipes into unique culinary experiences.
- Aug 28🚢 First U.S. Supertanker Port – Louisiana's LOOP port is 70% built, marking a significant development in the U.S. oil industry.
- Aug 29🏭 G.M. Recalls Workers – General Motors announces recall of 18,700 workers, signaling a positive shift in the automotive industry.
- Aug 30🌊 Law of Sea Pact – After six years, negotiations for a new maritime law are nearing a mining agreement, with hopes for a pact by spring.
- Aug 31📈 Peking Congress Meets – Chinese Congress adopts economic changes and new leadership, marking a significant shift in governance and policy direction.
Happy Birthday! 1980 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1980 in real headlines. See the 1980 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: