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December 31, 1980 New Year's Eve

December 31, 1980, was a Wednesday. It was 43 years, 10 months, and 21 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

Song charts

Popular songs

On December 31, 1980, the following songs were at the top of the music charts in the USA and the UK:

  • United States: "Starting Over" by John Lennon
  • United Kingdom: "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir

The music charts on December 31, 1980

The following songs were dominating the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
  • More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer
  • Love On The Rocks - Neil Diamond
  • Lady - Kenny Rogers
  • Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
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.
Stir Crazy

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Stir Crazy".

Facts

New Year's Eve 1980 occurred 16,031 days ago. Approximately 534 months have passed. It was the 366th day of 1980, in week 01. The decade was the eighties. It was the last day of the year. People who were born on December 31, 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. 178 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to December 31, 1980

Let's go back to the eighties.

The date is December 31, 1980, and it's a Wednesday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Capricorn. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

It's New Year's Eve, and everyone is wondering what the year 1981 will bring. In America, the song "Starting Over" by John Lennon is at the top of the singles charts, while "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie Stir Crazy 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 "Happy Days", "Little House on the Prairie", "WKRP in Cincinnati", and "The Dukes of Hazzard". 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 Bob Marley, Terry Fox, Adam Walsh, and Bill Shankly would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Lunar Lander", "Galaxian", "Pac-Man", and "Missile Command".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", "Casper and the Angels", and "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon". Children are playing with toys such as VertiBird (toy helicopter), Dungeons & Dragons, the Big Wheel (tricycle), and Monchhichi / Chicaboo.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 31, 1980, will have the star sign Capricorn.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • 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: December 31, 1980 falls under the Goose.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 31, 1980.

  • Iran-Iraq War.

    Iran-Iraq War

    Between September 1980 and August 1988, an armed conflict was being fought between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iraqi Republic.
  • 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 1980.

  • December 2, 1980: Four American missionaries are raped and murdered by members of the El Salvador National Guard.
  • December 4, 1980: English rock band Led Zeppelin announce their break-up.
  • December 7, 1980: American punk singer Darby Crash commits suicide.
  • December 8, 1980:
    • Beatles legend John Lennon is shot and killed outside of his New York apartment.
    • The comic strip "Bloom County" is published for the first time.
  • December 12, 1980:
    • Stir Crazy (1980) is released in cinemas.
    • Technology company Apple makes its IPO on the US stock market at $22 per share.
  • December 16, 1980: KFC founder Colonel Sanders passes away at the age of 90 after a short battle with leukemia.
  • December 17, 1980: The comedy-action film Any Which Way You Can (1980), is released in cinemas.
  • December 18, 1980: The former Premier of the Soviet Union, Alexei Kosygin, passes away at the age of 76.
  • December 19, 1980: The film 9 to 5 (1980) is released in cinemas.
  • December 24, 1980: Britain's Roswell: Multiple witnesses report seeing strange lights near the RAF Woodbridge station in Suffolk, England.
  • This date: December 31, 1980
  • January 2, 1981: Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper) is arrested.
  • January 8, 1981: UFO case: An unidentified flying object leaves physical evidence in a field outside of Trans-en-Provence in France.
  • January 16, 1981: Irish civil rights leader Bernadette McAliskey is wounded after loyalist gunmen break into her home in Tyrone and shoot her.
  • January 19, 1981:
    • Iran hostage crisis: Iran and the United States reach a deal to release 52 American hostages after 14 months of captivity.
    • 22-year-old American photographer Francesca Woodman commits suicide.
    • Boxing legend Muhammad Ali talks a suicidal man down off a ledge in Los Angeles.
  • January 20, 1981:
    • Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States.
    • Iran releases 52 American hostages after 14 months of captivity.
  • January 21, 1981: The first production car of the DMC DeLorean is completed.
  • January 25, 1981: Super Bowl XV: The Oakland Raiders defeat the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in December 1980

In December 1980, TV audiences were watching the following series:

TV shows from December 1980.

Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
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

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 December 1980

If you were a kid on December 31, 1980, then you were probably watching the following cartoons and TV shows:

Thundarr the Barbarian
Thundarr the Barbarian
Cockleshell Bay
Cockleshell Bay
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon

Casper and the Angels
Casper and the Angels
Rickety Rocket
Rickety Rocket
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
Toys

Toys in 1980

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

Space Lego
Space Lego
Fischer Price cassette player
Fischer Price cassette player
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)
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in December 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 1986, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 31.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins

Actor
Born on December 31, 1937
He turned 43 on this day in 1980.

Alex Ferguson

Alex Ferguson

Soccer manager
Born on December 31, 1941
He turned 39 on this day in 1980.

John Denver

John Denver

American singer Deceased
Born on December 31, 1943
He turned 37 on this day in 1980.

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer

Actor
Born on December 31, 1959
He turned 21 on this day in 1980.

John Allen Muhammad

John Allen Muhammad

Convicted murderer Deceased
Born on December 31, 1960
He turned 20 on this day in 1980.

Psy

Psy

South Korean singer
Born on December 31, 1977
He turned 3 on this day in 1980.

Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Trump Jr.

American businessman
Born on December 31, 1977
He turned 3 on this day in 1980.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer

Actress
Born on December 31, 1998
She was born exactly 18 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on December 31:

USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on December 31, 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 December 31, 1980 was most likely conceived around April 9, 1980.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 31, 1980 is close to September 23, 1981.

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Stats for December 31, 1980

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 31, 1980:

  • 16,031 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,290 weeks have passed.
  • 1,385,078,400 seconds have passed since December 31, 1980.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,615,924,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 714,700,454,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 230,846,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 119,116,742 steps. That's roughly 52,941 miles.
  • 16,620,941 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1980?

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