
It was the 50th solar eclipse of Solar Saros 130. February 16 – A total solar eclipse is seen in North Africa and West Asia.February 15 – In Vanuatu, followers of John Frum's cargo cult on the island of Tanna declare secession as the nation of Tafea.February 13 – The 1980 Winter Olympics open in Lake Placid, New York.February 4 – Abolhassan Banisadr is sworn in as the first President of Iran after winning the January 25 presidential election.February 2 – 3 – The New Mexico State Penitentiary riot takes place 33 inmates are killed and more than 100 inmates injured.February 2 – Abscam: FBI personnel target members of the Congress of the United States in a sting operation.In the United States, it is dubbed "Spain's own Tehran". January 31 – Burning of the Spanish Embassy in Guatemala: The Spanish Embassy in Guatemala is invaded and set on fire, killing 36 people.January 29 – The Rubik's Cube makes its international debut at The British Toy and Hobby Fair, Earl's Court, London.Coast Guard cutter USCGC Blackthorn capsizes after colliding with the oil tanker SS Capricorn and sinks, drowning 23 of its crew of 50. January 27 – Canadian Caper: Six United States diplomats, posing as Canadians, manage to escape from Tehran, Iran, as they board a flight to Zürich, Switzerland, on Swissair.January 26 – Israel and Egypt establish diplomatic relations.



January 9 – In Saudi Arabia, 63 Islamist insurgents are beheaded for their part in the siege of the Great Mosque in Mecca in November, 1979.President Jimmy Carter authorizes legislation giving $1.5 billion in loans to bail out the Chrysler Corporation. January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1980.ġ980 ( MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1980th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 980th year of the 2nd millennium, the 80th year of the 20th century, and the 1st year of the 1980s decade. Establishments and disestablishments categoriesġ980 in various calendars Gregorian calendar
