360What happened in 1980?
7 moments from 1980 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- History · 8 May 1980
The world declares smallpox eradicated
On 8 May 1980, the World Health Assembly declared that smallpox had been wiped out worldwide. The disease had killed hundreds of millions of people over the centuries. A global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization tracked down the last cases. Smallpox remains the only human disease ever eradicated.
- On this day · 8 May 1980
Smallpox is declared eradicated
On 8 May 1980, the World Health Assembly declared that smallpox had been wiped out worldwide, after a global vaccination campaign. The disease had killed hundreds of millions of people over the centuries. It remains the only human disease ever eradicated.
- On this day · 18 May 1980
Mount St Helens erupts
On 18 May 1980, the volcano Mount St Helens in Washington state, USA, erupted after an earthquake caused its north side to collapse in the largest landslide ever recorded. Ash spread across 11 states. The eruption taught scientists much about predicting volcanic eruptions.
- On this day · 22 May 1980
Pac-Man is released
On 22 May 1980, the video game Pac-Man went on sale in Japan, designed by Toru Iwatani of the company Namco. Players steer a yellow circle through a maze, eating dots and avoiding ghosts. It became one of the most famous video games ever made.
- On this day · 1 June 1980
CNN launches the first 24-hour news channel
On 1 June 1980, Ted Turner launched CNN, the Cable News Network, in Atlanta, the first television channel to broadcast news 24 hours a day. Rolling live coverage changed how the world followed events, and many other 24-hour news channels followed.
- 8 May 1980 · from The world declares smallpox eradicated
Eradication is declared
- 1980 · from Edward Jenner tests the first vaccine
Smallpox declared eradicated