1980 was a momentous year, starting with the eruption of Mount St. Helens, on to a series of deadly tornadoes in Grand Island, Nebraska, causing over $300 million in damage, killing 5 people, and injuring over 250, as well as a severe heat wave in the U.S. that claimed between 1,250 and 10,000 lives, followed by a massive drought, creating agricultural damage estimates nearing $44 billion.

John Lennon was assassinated by a crazed fan and Ronald Reagan was elected POTUS (President of the United States).

The video arcade game sensation Pac-Man was released, and the first 1 GB hard drive came out - it cost $40,000 and weighed over 500 pounds. Yikes!

Cable TV did not have commercials until this year, and iconic films such as The Empire Strikes Back, The Shining, Blue Lagoon, Caddyshack, Friday the 13th, Urban Cowboy, Coal Miner's Daughter, Private Benjamin, 9 to 5, and Xanadu were released.

Music changed as well this year, moving away from the disco of the 70's and onto new sounds such as Pat Benatar, Gary Numan, and Devo.

Here are just a few of the songs from this year, taken from Billboard's Hot 100, in no particular order :

1.) Blondie - Call Me

2.) Devo - Whip It

3.) Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall

4.) Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Piña Colada Song)

5.) Gary Numan - Cars

6.) Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love

7.) Styx - Babe

8.) Little River Band - Cool Change

9.) Pete Townshend - Let My Love Open the Door

10.) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Don't Do Me Like That

11.) Air Supply - All Out of Love

12.) Billy Joel - You May Be Right

13.) Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker

14.) Eagles - Heartache Tonight

15.) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Against the Wind

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A/N : I hope you enjoyed it! 😁

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Info on 1980 events, movies, and songs credited to:

http://www.liketotally80s.com/2007/08/80s-capsules-1980/

http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1980s.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1980

Now on to 1981...