Here are some notable events and developments from 1980:

• The US Olympic Hockey team won the gold medal in the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, defeating the heavily favored Soviet team.
• The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state erupted, causing significant damage and loss of life.
• The United States launches the Space Shuttle program with the successful launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
• The Iran-Iraq War began, lasting until 1988 and causing significant loss of life and damage to both countries.
• The late legendary musician John Lennon was assassinated in New York City.
• The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, won the general election in the United Kingdom, starting a period of Conservative rule that lasted until 1997.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented new regulations aimed at reducing air pollution from automobiles.
• The Miracle on Ice occurred when the US Olympic Hockey team defeated the Soviet team.
• The popular video game "Pac-Man" was released, becoming one of the best-selling video games of all time.
• The U.S. government officially recognized the holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the first time.