What happened in February 1980?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1980, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1👑 Dutch Throne Transition – Queen Juliana of the Netherlands abdicates, passing the throne to Princess Beatrix, marking a significant royal change.
- Feb 2🏅 China Joins Olympic Boycott – China announces its support for the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics, joining 17 other nations in protest.
- Feb 3📬 Banneker Stamp Issued – The latest in the Black Heritage series of stamps honors Benjamin Banneker, celebrating his contributions to science and society.
- Feb 4🏅 Lake Placid Olympics Ready – Lake Placid prepares for the Winter Olympics despite facing several logistical challenges ahead of the games.
- Feb 5🎭 Budget Cuts in Arts – Planned budget cuts for the arts in New York City raise concerns among leaders, affecting funding for major cultural events.
- Feb 6📈 U.S. Rates Peak – U.S. Treasury notes yield reaches 11.98%, with strong demand expected, marking significant financial market shifts.
- Feb 7🎥 Documentary on Nuns – Diane Letourneau's film 'The Handmaidens of God' explores the lives of nuns serving priests, highlighting their dedication and unique mission.
- Feb 8🏛️ Iran Expands President's Powers – Iran's council grants President Bani-Sadr authority to address militant groups, enhancing his control amid ongoing tensions.
- Feb 9🏅 Olympic Torch Arrives – The Olympic torch arrives as the U.S. Olympic Chief claims the Soviet Union broke the contract for the games.
- Feb 10🏅 Mary Decker Wins Meet – Mary Decker sets records at the Millrose Games, showcasing her talent ahead of the upcoming Olympics.
- Feb 11🏅 Lake Placid Olympics Begin – Lake Placid prepares for the Winter Olympics with excitement and anticipation as events are set to commence.
- Feb 12🏛️ Ayatollah Speaks on Ties – Ayatollah Khomeini discusses future U.S. relations while criticizing superpowers on the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.
- Feb 13🏅 Olympic Opening Ceremony – The Olympic Games in Moscow commence with a grand opening ceremony featuring pageantry and speeches.
- Feb 14🏅 Winter Games Open – The Winter Games formally opened with vibrant pageantry, showcasing athletes and traditions, including the iconic Olympic flag.
- Feb 15☀️ Spaceship Launched for Sun – NASA launches a 5,100-pound spacecraft to study sun flares, the first capable of in-flight repairs by astronauts.
- Feb 16⛸️ U.S. Skating Pair Injured – Top U.S. figure skating pair withdraws from competition due to injury, allowing Soviet teams to dominate.
- Feb 17🌌 Stellar Explosions Key – New research indicates stellar explosions played a crucial role in the formation of the universe, reshaping our understanding of cosmic evolution.
- Feb 18🏅 Mrs. Moser Wins Gold – Mrs. Moser captures the gold medal in the downhill event at the Winter Olympics, showcasing exceptional skill and determination.
- Feb 19🌌 Pluto's Mystery Unveiled – Pluto reveals new insights as scientists confirm it is shedding its icy mystery with new images and data.
- Feb 20🏅 Heiden Wins Third Gold – Eric Heiden secures his third Olympic gold medal by winning the 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Winter Games.
- Feb 21🏅 U.S. Sextet Defeats Germany – The U.S. ice hockey team defeats West Germany 4-2, advancing to the final round of the Winter Olympics.
- Feb 22🏅 Heiden Wins 4th Gold – Eric Heiden wins his fourth Olympic gold medal, tying a record, showcasing his dominance in speed skating at the Winter Olympics.
- Feb 23🏅 Decker Sets 880 Record – Miss Decker sets a new world record in the 880 meters with a time of 1:59.7 at a major athletic event.
- Feb 24🏅 Heiden Wins 5th Gold – Eric Heiden secures his fifth gold medal in speed skating, setting a new 10,000-meter mark at the Winter Olympics.
- Feb 25🏒 U.S. Hockey Gold Medal – The U.S. Hockey Team wins gold by defeating Finland, marking a significant Olympic achievement celebrated nationwide.
- Feb 26🏅 Olympians Meet Carter – Olympians, welcomed by President Carter, present a petition opposing a boycott of the upcoming Summer Olympics.
- Feb 27🌍 Egypt-Israel Diplomacy – Egyptian and Israeli ambassadors officially take up their duties, marking a significant step in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
- Feb 28🗳️ Rhodesia Votes Calmly – Million Rhodesian Blacks crowd polling stations on the first day of voting, with results expected Tuesday amid a calm atmosphere.
- Feb 29🚗 Cars Fail Safety Tests – Most 1979 cars fail U.S. safety tests at 5 mph above required rate, raising concerns over vehicle safety standards.
Happy Birthday! 1980 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1980 in real headlines. See the 1980 book →