Events of 1980

February 22:Miracle on Ice

Mike Eruzione, on the U.S. hockey team scores the winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet team in the 1980 Winter Olympics.

March 21:U.S. boycotts Moscow Summer Olympics

The United States refuses to participate in 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow, because of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

April 24:Iran hostage crisis

A U.S. air raid fails to rescue the hostages when a rescue plane and a helicopter collide in the Iranian desert.

May 18:Mount St. Helens erupts

Long-dormant volcano erupts after a week of smaller volcanoes and earthquakes.

November 4:Ronald Reagan elected as 40th U.S. president

Ronald Reagan (R) defeats incumbent Jimmy Carter (D) in a landslide victory. Reagan wins 489 electoral votes, vs. Carter's 49 electoral votes.

November 20:Who Shot J.R.?

83 million viewers tune in to Dallas learn who shot J.R. Ewing. It's audience size is second only to the final episode of M*A*S*H. (By the way, Sue Ellen's sister, Kristin shot him)

December 8:John Lennon is assassinated

Lennon is shot to death outside his New York City apartment by deranged fan, Mark Chapman.