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August 17, 1980

August 17, 1980, was a Sunday. It was 43 years, 7 months, and 12 days ago. The zodiac sign for this date is Leo.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on August 17, 1980:

  • 9-week-old Azaria Chamberlain is taken from her tent by a dingo in Uluru, Australia.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 17, 1980:

  • United States: "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John
  • United Kingdom: "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA

The Billboard Hot 100 on August 17, 1980

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Magic - Olivia Newton-John
  • Sailing - Christopher Cross
  • Take Your Time (Do It Right) Part 1 - The S.O.S. Band
  • Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones
  • Upside Down - Diana Ross
Play the top singles from 1980
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1980. Take a trip back to the days of Kool & The Gang, ABBA, Air Supply, Blondie and Queen.
Dressed to Kill

Top movie

The movie "Dressed to Kill" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 15,930 days ago. Approximately 531 months have passed. It was the 230th day of 1980, in week 33. The decade was the eighties. People who were born on August 17, 1980, are now 43 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. 1980 was a leap year, which means that it had an extra day in February. We have gone through approximately 177 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to August 17, 1980

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is August 17, 1980, and it's a Sunday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Leo. People are currently enjoying their weekend. However, because it's a Sunday, some are dreading the week ahead.

The summer of 1980 is in full swing. The weather is warm, and the evenings are brighter than usual. Most schools and colleges are now finished until August or September. In America, the song "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John is at the top of the singles charts, while "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie Dressed to Kill is at the top of the box office.

Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Charlie's Angels", "Hart to Hart", "Trapper John, M.D.", and "Archie Bunker's Place". Because it's 1980, the radio stations are being dominated by artists such as Pink Floyd, Barbra Streisand, John Lennon, Lipps Inc, Diana Ross, Blondie and Kenny Rogers.

In fashion, women are wearing jelly shoes, turtleneck sweaters, loose high-waist pants, crop tops, and puffer jackets lined with fur. Meanwhile, men have been ditching the disco look of the 1970s in favor of athletic clothing such as tracksuits and sports jerseys. The "preppy" look has also been making a comeback. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Steve McQueen, John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Terry Fox would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Breakout", "Galaxian", "Pac-Man", and "Missile Command".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Mork & Mindy", "Diff'rent Strokes", "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon", and "Cockleshell Bay". Children are playing with toys such as Star Wars action figures, the Atari 2600, Simon (memory game), and the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on August 17, 1980.

  • The USA is witnessing a heat wave.

    The USA is witnessing a heat wave

    The United States suffered a heat wave during the summer of 1980. The heat wave, which affected the Midwest and the Southern Plains, claimed the lives of over 1,700 people.
  • 1980 in music.

    1980 in music

    Popular music artists in 1980 included Blondie, Pink Floyd, Billy Joel, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Jackson, Captain & Tennille, Queen, Paul McCartney and Lipps Inc.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1980?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1980?

    The best NBA players in 1980 were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, George Gervin and Paul Westphal.
  • Early 1980s fashion.

    Early 1980s fashion

    The early 1980s saw a minimalist approach to fashion, with some trends carrying over from the late 1970s. Sweaters, fur-lined puffer jackets, tunics, ripped jeans, leotards, velour tracksuits, tube tops, knee-length skirts, high-waisted pants, and embroidered jeans were all popular. The colors during the early 1980s were subdued, quiet, and basic. Varying shades of brown, tan, and orange were in fashion.
  • 1980 in movies.

    1980 in movies

    Movies released in 1980 included The Empire Strikes Back, 9 to 5, Friday the 13th, Stir Crazy, Airplane!, Any Which Way You Can, Caddyshack, Private Benjamin, Coal Miner's Daughter, Smokey and the Bandit II, The Blue Lagoon, The Blues Brothers, The Shining and The Fog.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1980, the best soccer players were Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bernd Schuster, Michel Platini, Wilfried Van Moer, Jan Ceulemans, Horst Hrubesch, Herbert Prohaska, Hansi Müller, Liam Brady, Manfred Kaltz and Erwin Vandenbergh.
  • Ordinary People.

    Ordinary People

    The film "Ordinary People" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1980.
  • Ronald Reagan.

    Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan was named the Time Person of the Year in 1980 after he defeated incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 United States presidential election.
  • Christopher Cross - "Sailing"

    Christopher Cross - "Sailing"

    The song "Sailing" by Christopher Cross won a Grammy for 1980's Song of the Year.
  • Computers are replacing typewriters.

    Computers are replacing typewriters

    Desktop computers were beginning to replace typewriters in offices.
  • TV remotes.

    TV remotes

    Although TV remotes existed, many homes didn't have one. Infrared technology was still relatively new.
  • The Atari 2600.

    The Atari 2600

    The Atari 2600 was the dominant video game system.
  • The Iran hostage crisis.

    The Iran hostage crisis

    The Iran hostage crisis was ongoing. Between November 4th, 1979, and January 20th, 1981, 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage in Iran. The hostages were taken into captivity after a group of Iranian college students stormed the US embassy in Tehran.
  • The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981.

    The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981

    During this time, the Atlanta murders of 1979–1981 were taking place. At least 28 children and young adults were murdered before Wayne Williams was eventually arrested and convicted.
  • The Walkman.

    The Walkman

    In the late 1970s and 1980s, portable cassette players such as the "Sony Walkman" were becoming more common.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on August 17, 1980.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around August 17, 1980.

  • July 21, 1980: The body of unidentified murder victim "Eklutna Annie" is discovered in Eklutna, Anchorage.
  • July 25, 1980:
    • The comedy movie Caddyshack (1980) is released.
    • The album Back in Black is released by AC/DC.
  • August 1, 1980: 18 people die after a train crashes at Buttevant Railway Station in Cork, Ireland.
  • August 2, 1980: 85 people are killed when terrorists detonate bombs at a railway station in Bologna, Italy.
  • August 14, 1980: Canadian Playboy model Dorothy Stratten is murdered by her husband.
  • August 16, 1980: 37 people are killed after an arsonist sets fire to a bar in Denmark Place, London.
  • This date: August 17, 1980
  • August 19, 1980: 301 people are killed after Saudia Flight 163 catches fire.
  • August 29, 1980: UB40 release their debut album "Signing Off".
  • September 12, 1980: A military coup occurs in Turkey.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on August 17, 1980, will have the star sign Leo.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1980 was the year of the Monkey (Yang Water).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 7.
  • Native American Zodiac: August 17, 1980 falls under the Salmon.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of August will have the birthstone Peridot.
  • Birth flower (August): The Gladiolus and the Poppy.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

TV series on August 17, 1980

People in August 1980 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from August 1980.

Knots Landing
Knots Landing
Archie Bunker's Place
Archie Bunker's Place
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
Taxi
Taxi
Dallas
Dallas
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Chips
Chips
Soap
Soap
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough
Three's Company
Three's Company
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
Happy Days
Happy Days
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
The Waltons
The Waltons
The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
Columbo
Columbo

Cars in 1980

1980 saw the introduction of cars such as the Audi Coupé, the Dodge Mirada, the North American variant of the Ford Escort, the Fiat Panda, the Nissan Leopard, and the Lincoln Town Car.

Cars in 1980.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in August 1980

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

Cockleshell Bay
Cockleshell Bay
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
Casper and the Angels
Casper and the Angels

Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
Mork & Mindy
Mork & Mindy
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
The All New Popeye Hour
The All New Popeye Hour
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Toys

Toys in 1980

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Rubik's Cube
Rubik's Cube
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
Intellivision (games console)
Intellivision (games console)
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Screwball Scramble
Screwball Scramble
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids
Speak & Spell
Speak & Spell
Simon (memory game)
Simon (memory game)
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Water Ring Toss
Water Ring Toss
The Atari 2600
The Atari 2600
Star Wars action figures
Star Wars action figures
Lego Technic
Lego Technic
Micronauts
Micronauts
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite
Operation
Operation
The Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in August 1980.

Missile Command 1980
Missile Command
Pac-Man 1980
Pac-Man
Galaxian 1980
Galaxian
Asteroids 1979
Asteroids
Lunar Lander 1979
Lunar Lander
Space Invaders 1978
Space Invaders
Breakout 1976
Breakout

Were you born on August 17, 1980?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1980.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out August 17, 1986, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on August 17.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Actor
Born on August 17, 1943
He turned 37 on this day in 1980.

David Koresh

David Koresh

Cult leader Deceased
Born on August 17, 1959
He turned 21 on this day in 1980.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn

Actor
Born on August 17, 1960
He turned 20 on this day in 1980.

Scott Halberstadt

Scott Halberstadt

Actor
Born on August 17, 1976
He turned 4 on this day in 1980.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry

French soccer player
Born on August 17, 1977
He turned 3 on this day in 1980.

James Tindale

James Tindale

Geordie Shore
Born on August 17, 1990
He was born exactly 10 years after this date.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler

Actor
Born on August 17, 1991
He was born exactly 11 years after this date.

Paige

Paige

Wrestler
Born on August 17, 1992
She was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Lil Pump

Lil Pump

Rapper
Born on August 17, 2000
He was born exactly 20 years after this date.

The Kid Laroi

The Kid Laroi

Australian singer
Born on August 17, 2003
He was born exactly 23 years after this date.

USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on August 17, 1980.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Charles Haughey was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on August 17, 1980 was most likely conceived around November 25, 1979.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on August 17, 1980 is close to May 10, 1981.

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Stats for August 17, 1980

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about August 17, 1980:

  • 15,930 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,275 weeks have passed.
  • 1,376,355,600 seconds have passed since August 17, 1980.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,605,748,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 710,199,489,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 229,392,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 118,366,582 steps. That's roughly 52,607 miles!
  • Since this date, 16,516,267 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1980?

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