50 Pics of What the World Looked Like in 1980

Carly Tennes Published 10/01/2024 in wow

Though the '80s would come to be defined by big hair, bold colors and bolder politics, 1980 wasn't all neon colors and trips to the mall. Still riding high off the '70s, the year was a time of transition, one filled with highs — like the "Miracle on Ice" at the Lake Placid Olympics — and lows — like the eruption of Mount Saint Helens.

From high school students hitting their cigarettes to Stevie Nicks hitting the splits, here are 51 pictures of what the world looked like in 1980.

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1.
John Lennon in 1980. The Beatles legend was shot and killed months later outside of his New York City apartment.
2.
“1980: In New Delhi, Indira Gandhi addresses supporters after her victory in January. The Congress won 353 out of 542 seats.”
3.
The United States Olympic Hockey Team celebrates after beating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”
4.
President Jimmy Carter speaks to Olympians. That same day, he announced the United States would be boycotting that coming summer’s Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.
5.
Rosie Ruiz moments after “winning” the 1980 Boston Marathon. She was ultimately stripped of her victory after officials discovered she had cheated, starting the race just one mile ahead of the finish line.
6.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson flashes a smile after his team won the 1980 NBA championship. Johnson hit the court after teammate, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, suffered an ankle injury.
7.
Paul McCartney shortly after he was arrested in Tokyo, Japan. He was detained after flying into Narita International Airport with roughly a half-pound of marijuana. He spent nine days in the Tokyo Narcotics Detention Center before leaving Japan.
8.
A still from CNN’s first broadcast on June 1, 1980.
9.
“AC/DC & Nantucket backstage on the Back in Black tour (1980).”
10.
Larry Hagman as JR in the now-iconic ‘Dallas’ episode "A House Divided.” The legendary cliffhanger first hit airwaves on March 21, 1980.
11.
Chuck Norris shows David Letterman his fighting techniques.
12.
A couple takes a ride on the New York City subway.
13.
“High school 1980 something. We were all normal kids.”
14.
“Shoppers at Northpark Mall in Dallas Texas. Dated 1980.”
15.
“My dad took this photo of these 3 boys in 1980, in South Dallas -- thought it would fit in here. Currently in the process of trying to track them down...fingers crossed!”
16.
“Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1980.”
17.
Sinead O’Connor on her way to school in Dublin, Ireland.
18.
“Stevie Nicks, 1980.”
19.
“My mom & dad in 1980.”
20.
“Lady Diana Spencer, 1980.”
21.
“Young John Candy, 1980.”
22.
“Young Barack Obama during college in 1980.”
23.
“Jane Seymour in 1980.”
24.
“Christopher Atkins with Brooke Shields when they were filming ‘The Blue Lagoon’ (1980).”
25.
“1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens as viewed by climbers on nearby Mt. Adams.”
26.
“Jack Nicholson 1980.”
27.
“My parents back in 1980.”
28.
“This is Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov, the Soviet ethnographer who deciphered the Mayan writing system, 1980.”
29.
Debbie Harry performs “Call Me” on “The Muppet Show."
30.
“Parent's engagement photo in Tempe, AZ 1980.”
31.
“My parents in 1980.”
32.
Aretha Franklin in “The Blues Brothers”
33.
“Shelley Duvall 1980.”
34.
“Billy Joel, 1980.”
35.
“Samuel L. Jackson and bride LaTanya in 1980. They are still married.”
36.
“The B-52's, 1980.
37.
“My mom in 1980 - she was 24 years old here.”
38.
“John Lennon signing an autograph for Mark David Chapman, the man who would kill him five hours later, NYC, 1980.”
39.
“Delegation members from the People’s Republic of China at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA, 1980.”
40.
“My dad. 1980’s Brooklyn, NYC.”
41.
“In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican.”
42.
“Mister Rogers visiting the set of the TV show 'The Incredible Hulk', February 1980.”
43.
“Three former directors of the Global Smallpox Eradication Program read the news that Smallpox had been globally eradicated, 1980.”
44.
“1980 Moscow summer Olympics.”
45.
“Las Vegas Strip, 1980.”
46.
“Kentucky Fried Chicken/KFC founder Colonel Sanders lays in state at Southern Seminary's Alumni Memorial Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders was buried in his signature white suit and black western string tie. An estimated 1,000 mourners attended his funeral. December 20, 1980.”
47.
“The National Space Invaders Championship held by Atari in 1980.”
48.
“A Soviet Mi-8 helicopter flying past one of the two Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan 1980.”
49.
“A man recording a concert in Poland 1980’s.”
50.
“Two ‘Guardian Angels’ on the NYC Subway, 1980.”
51.
“The members of the Dutch girl band Babe visiting Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1980.”
52.
“Belfast, 1980.”

1.
John Lennon in 1980. The Beatles legend was shot and killed months later outside of his New York City apartment.
2.
“1980: In New Delhi, Indira Gandhi addresses supporters after her victory in January. The Congress won 353 out of 542 seats.”
3.
The United States Olympic Hockey Team celebrates after beating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”
4.
President Jimmy Carter speaks to Olympians. That same day, he announced the United States would be boycotting that coming summer’s Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.
5.
Rosie Ruiz moments after “winning” the 1980 Boston Marathon. She was ultimately stripped of her victory after officials discovered she had cheated, starting the race just one mile ahead of the finish line.
6.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson flashes a smile after his team won the 1980 NBA championship. Johnson hit the court after teammate, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, suffered an ankle injury.
7.
Paul McCartney shortly after he was arrested in Tokyo, Japan. He was detained after flying into Narita International Airport with roughly a half-pound of marijuana. He spent nine days in the Tokyo Narcotics Detention Center before leaving Japan.
8.
A still from CNN’s first broadcast on June 1, 1980.
9.
“AC/DC & Nantucket backstage on the Back in Black tour (1980).”
10.
Larry Hagman as JR in the now-iconic ‘Dallas’ episode "A House Divided.” The legendary cliffhanger first hit airwaves on March 21, 1980.
11.
Chuck Norris shows David Letterman his fighting techniques.
12.
A couple takes a ride on the New York City subway.
13.
“High school 1980 something. We were all normal kids.”
14.
“Shoppers at Northpark Mall in Dallas Texas. Dated 1980.”
15.
“My dad took this photo of these 3 boys in 1980, in South Dallas -- thought it would fit in here. Currently in the process of trying to track them down...fingers crossed!”
16.
“Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1980.”
17.
Sinead O’Connor on her way to school in Dublin, Ireland.
18.
“Stevie Nicks, 1980.”
19.
“My mom & dad in 1980.”
20.
“Lady Diana Spencer, 1980.”
21.
“Young John Candy, 1980.”
22.
“Young Barack Obama during college in 1980.”
23.
“Jane Seymour in 1980.”
24.
“Christopher Atkins with Brooke Shields when they were filming ‘The Blue Lagoon’ (1980).”
25.
“1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens as viewed by climbers on nearby Mt. Adams.”
26.
“Jack Nicholson 1980.”
27.
“My parents back in 1980.”
28.
“This is Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov, the Soviet ethnographer who deciphered the Mayan writing system, 1980.”
29.
Debbie Harry performs “Call Me” on “The Muppet Show."
30.
“Parent's engagement photo in Tempe, AZ 1980.”
31.
“My parents in 1980.”
32.
Aretha Franklin in “The Blues Brothers”
33.
“Shelley Duvall 1980.”
34.
“Billy Joel, 1980.”
35.
“Samuel L. Jackson and bride LaTanya in 1980. They are still married.”
36.
“The B-52's, 1980.
37.
“My mom in 1980 - she was 24 years old here.”
38.
“John Lennon signing an autograph for Mark David Chapman, the man who would kill him five hours later, NYC, 1980.”
39.
“Delegation members from the People’s Republic of China at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA, 1980.”
40.
“My dad. 1980’s Brooklyn, NYC.”
41.
“In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican.”
42.
“Mister Rogers visiting the set of the TV show 'The Incredible Hulk', February 1980.”
43.
“Three former directors of the Global Smallpox Eradication Program read the news that Smallpox had been globally eradicated, 1980.”
44.
“1980 Moscow summer Olympics.”
45.
“Las Vegas Strip, 1980.”
46.
“Kentucky Fried Chicken/KFC founder Colonel Sanders lays in state at Southern Seminary's Alumni Memorial Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders was buried in his signature white suit and black western string tie. An estimated 1,000 mourners attended his funeral. December 20, 1980.”
47.
“The National Space Invaders Championship held by Atari in 1980.”
48.
“A Soviet Mi-8 helicopter flying past one of the two Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan 1980.”
49.
“A man recording a concert in Poland 1980’s.”
50.
“Two ‘Guardian Angels’ on the NYC Subway, 1980.”
51.
“The members of the Dutch girl band Babe visiting Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1980.”
52.
“Belfast, 1980.”

John Lennon in 1980. The Beatles legend was shot and killed months later outside of his New York City apartment.

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NEXT GALLERY The 43 Funniest Tweets From the Last 24 hours

1. John Lennon in 1980. The Beatles legend was shot and killed months later outside of his New York City apartment.

2. “1980: In New Delhi, Indira Gandhi addresses supporters after her victory in January. The Congress won 353 out of 542 seats.”

3. The United States Olympic Hockey Team celebrates after beating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”

4. President Jimmy Carter speaks to Olympians. That same day, he announced the United States would be boycotting that coming summer’s Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.

5. Rosie Ruiz moments after “winning” the 1980 Boston Marathon. She was ultimately stripped of her victory after officials discovered she had cheated, starting the race just one mile ahead of the finish line.

6. Los Angeles Lakers rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson flashes a smile after his team won the 1980 NBA championship. Johnson hit the court after teammate, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, suffered an ankle injury.

7. Paul McCartney shortly after he was arrested in Tokyo, Japan. He was detained after flying into Narita International Airport with roughly a half-pound of marijuana. He spent nine days in the Tokyo Narcotics Detention Center before leaving Japan.

8. A still from CNN’s first broadcast on June 1, 1980.

9. “AC/DC & Nantucket backstage on the Back in Black tour (1980).”

10. Larry Hagman as JR in the now-iconic ‘Dallas’ episode "A House Divided.” The legendary cliffhanger first hit airwaves on March 21, 1980.

11. Chuck Norris shows David Letterman his fighting techniques.

12. A couple takes a ride on the New York City subway.

13. “High school 1980 something. We were all normal kids.”

14. “Shoppers at Northpark Mall in Dallas Texas. Dated 1980.”

15. “My dad took this photo of these 3 boys in 1980, in South Dallas -- thought it would fit in here. Currently in the process of trying to track them down...fingers crossed!”

16. “Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1980.”

17. Sinead O’Connor on her way to school in Dublin, Ireland.

18. “Stevie Nicks, 1980.”

19. “My mom & dad in 1980.”

20. “Lady Diana Spencer, 1980.”

21. “Young John Candy, 1980.”

22. “Young Barack Obama during college in 1980.”

23. “Jane Seymour in 1980.”

24. “Christopher Atkins with Brooke Shields when they were filming ‘The Blue Lagoon’ (1980).”

25. “1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens as viewed by climbers on nearby Mt. Adams.”

26. “Jack Nicholson 1980.”

27. “My parents back in 1980.”

28. “This is Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov, the Soviet ethnographer who deciphered the Mayan writing system, 1980.”

29. Debbie Harry performs “Call Me” on “The Muppet Show."

30. “Parent's engagement photo in Tempe, AZ 1980.”

31. “My parents in 1980.”

32. Aretha Franklin in “The Blues Brothers”

33. “Shelley Duvall 1980.”

34. “Billy Joel, 1980.”

35. “Samuel L. Jackson and bride LaTanya in 1980. They are still married.”

36. “The B-52's, 1980.

37. “My mom in 1980 - she was 24 years old here.”

38. “John Lennon signing an autograph for Mark David Chapman, the man who would kill him five hours later, NYC, 1980.”

39. “Delegation members from the People’s Republic of China at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA, 1980.”

40. “My dad. 1980’s Brooklyn, NYC.”

41. “In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican.”

42. “Mister Rogers visiting the set of the TV show 'The Incredible Hulk', February 1980.”

43. “Three former directors of the Global Smallpox Eradication Program read the news that Smallpox had been globally eradicated, 1980.”

44. “1980 Moscow summer Olympics.”

45. “Las Vegas Strip, 1980.”

46. “Kentucky Fried Chicken/KFC founder Colonel Sanders lays in state at Southern Seminary's Alumni Memorial Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders was buried in his signature white suit and black western string tie. An estimated 1,000 mourners attended his funeral. December 20, 1980.”

47. “The National Space Invaders Championship held by Atari in 1980.”

48. “A Soviet Mi-8 helicopter flying past one of the two Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan 1980.”

49. “A man recording a concert in Poland 1980’s.”

50. “Two ‘Guardian Angels’ on the NYC Subway, 1980.”

51. “The members of the Dutch girl band Babe visiting Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1980.”

52. “Belfast, 1980.”

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1.
John Lennon in 1980. The Beatles legend was shot and killed months later outside of his New York City apartment.

2.
“1980: In New Delhi, Indira Gandhi addresses supporters after her victory in January. The Congress won 353 out of 542 seats.”

3.
The United States Olympic Hockey Team celebrates after beating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”

4.
President Jimmy Carter speaks to Olympians. That same day, he announced the United States would be boycotting that coming summer’s Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.

5.
Rosie Ruiz moments after “winning” the 1980 Boston Marathon. She was ultimately stripped of her victory after officials discovered she had cheated, starting the race just one mile ahead of the finish line.

6.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson flashes a smile after his team won the 1980 NBA championship. Johnson hit the court after teammate, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, suffered an ankle injury.

7.
Paul McCartney shortly after he was arrested in Tokyo, Japan. He was detained after flying into Narita International Airport with roughly a half-pound of marijuana. He spent nine days in the Tokyo Narcotics Detention Center before leaving Japan.

8.
A still from CNN’s first broadcast on June 1, 1980.

9.
“AC/DC & Nantucket backstage on the Back in Black tour (1980).”

10.
Larry Hagman as JR in the now-iconic ‘Dallas’ episode "A House Divided.” The legendary cliffhanger first hit airwaves on March 21, 1980.

11.
Chuck Norris shows David Letterman his fighting techniques.

12.
A couple takes a ride on the New York City subway.

13.
“High school 1980 something. We were all normal kids.”

14.
“Shoppers at Northpark Mall in Dallas Texas. Dated 1980.”

15.
“My dad took this photo of these 3 boys in 1980, in South Dallas -- thought it would fit in here. Currently in the process of trying to track them down...fingers crossed!”

16.
“Mom and Dad on their wedding day in 1980.”

17.
Sinead O’Connor on her way to school in Dublin, Ireland.

18.
“Stevie Nicks, 1980.”

19.
“My mom & dad in 1980.”

20.
“Lady Diana Spencer, 1980.”

21.
“Young John Candy, 1980.”

22.
“Young Barack Obama during college in 1980.”

23.
“Jane Seymour in 1980.”

24.
“Christopher Atkins with Brooke Shields when they were filming ‘The Blue Lagoon’ (1980).”

25.
“1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens as viewed by climbers on nearby Mt. Adams.”

26.
“Jack Nicholson 1980.”

27.
“My parents back in 1980.”

28.
“This is Yuri Valentinovich Knorozov, the Soviet ethnographer who deciphered the Mayan writing system, 1980.”

29.
Debbie Harry performs “Call Me” on “The Muppet Show."

30.
“Parent's engagement photo in Tempe, AZ 1980.”

31.
“My parents in 1980.”

32.
Aretha Franklin in “The Blues Brothers”

33.
“Shelley Duvall 1980.”

34.
“Billy Joel, 1980.”

35.
“Samuel L. Jackson and bride LaTanya in 1980. They are still married.”

36.
“The B-52's, 1980.

37.
“My mom in 1980 - she was 24 years old here.”

38.
“John Lennon signing an autograph for Mark David Chapman, the man who would kill him five hours later, NYC, 1980.”

39.
“Delegation members from the People’s Republic of China at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA, 1980.”

40.
“My dad. 1980’s Brooklyn, NYC.”

41.
“In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican.”

42.
“Mister Rogers visiting the set of the TV show 'The Incredible Hulk', February 1980.”

43.
“Three former directors of the Global Smallpox Eradication Program read the news that Smallpox had been globally eradicated, 1980.”

44.
“1980 Moscow summer Olympics.”

45.
“Las Vegas Strip, 1980.”

46.
“Kentucky Fried Chicken/KFC founder Colonel Sanders lays in state at Southern Seminary's Alumni Memorial Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanders was buried in his signature white suit and black western string tie. An estimated 1,000 mourners attended his funeral. December 20, 1980.”

47.
“The National Space Invaders Championship held by Atari in 1980.”

48.
“A Soviet Mi-8 helicopter flying past one of the two Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan 1980.”

49.
“A man recording a concert in Poland 1980’s.”

50.
“Two ‘Guardian Angels’ on the NYC Subway, 1980.”

51.
“The members of the Dutch girl band Babe visiting Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1980.”

52.
“Belfast, 1980.”