1980 Protests & Revolutions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1980 Protests & Revolutions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 03 Jan Resignation of civilian members from El Salvador's Revolutionary Government Junta: On January 3, 1980, the three civilian members of El Salvador's Revolutionary Government Junta resigned, along with 10 of the 11 cabinet ministers. This mass resignation was due to disagreements over the implementation of promised reforms and the junta's inability to address human rights abuses effectively. The crisis led to the formation of a new junta on January 9, 1980, with José Napoleón Duarte joining as a civilian member. source: cidh.oas.org
- 15 Jan Iran orders expulsion of all American journalists: On January 14, 1980, Iran's Revolutionary Council ordered all American journalists to leave the country, accusing them of biased reporting and focusing excessively on the U.S. embassy hostages. The expulsion applied to all American news organizations and individual journalists, with a deadline for departure set for January 18. This move intensified tensions between Iran and the United States during the hostage crisis. source: washingtonpost.com
- 25 Jan Abolhassan Banisadr elected as Iran's first president: On January 25, 1980, Abolhassan Banisadr was elected as the first president of Iran following the 1979 revolution, receiving approximately 75% of the vote. He was inaugurated on February 5, 1980, and served until his impeachment in June 1981. source: theguardian.com
- 02 Feb New Mexico State Penitentiary riot: On February 2, 1980, inmates at the Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe initiated a violent uprising, taking control of the facility for 36 hours. The riot resulted in the deaths of 33 inmates and injuries to over 200 individuals. Twelve prison officers were taken hostage, with seven sustaining serious injuries. The incident led to significant reforms in New Mexico's prison system. source: washingtonpost.com
- 22 Feb Afghanistan declares martial law in Kabul amid anti-Soviet protests: On February 22, 1980, the Soviet-backed Afghan government declared martial law in Kabul following large-scale anti-Soviet demonstrations and violence. The government imposed a curfew, ordered residents to surrender unauthorized weapons, and restricted gatherings to curb the unrest. Soviet military forces were deployed to assist in maintaining order. The protests were believed to be the first major public demonstrations since the communist takeover in April 1978. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Mar Belgium bans meetings after Flemish-Walloon clashes: On March 9, 1980, violent clashes erupted between Flemish and French-speaking demonstrators in the Fourons district of Belgium, resulting in over 20 injuries. In response, the Belgian government imposed a ban on meetings and demonstrations in the area to restore order. source: washingtonpost.com
- 07 Apr US severs diplomatic relations with Iran: On April 7, 1980, the United States officially severed diplomatic relations with Iran. This action was a response to the Iranian hostage crisis, where 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days. The severance marked a significant deterioration in US-Iran relations, which had been strained since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. source: history.state.gov
- 20 Apr Algerian authorities violently suppress Berber Spring protests in Kabylie region: On April 20, 1980, Algerian security forces launched a violent crackdown on Berber activists in the Kabylie region, particularly in Tizi Ouzou, in response to widespread protests demanding recognition of the Berber language and culture. The protests had been escalating since March 10, 1980, when the government banned a lecture by Mouloud Mammeri on ancient Berber poetry at Tizi Ouzou University. The crackdown resulted in numerous deaths and injuries among protesters. source: washingtonpost.com
- 30 Apr Iranian Embassy siege begins in London: On April 30, 1980, six armed members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA) stormed the Iranian Embassy in South Kensington, London, taking 26 hostages. The gunmen, Iranian Arabs campaigning for the sovereignty of Khuzestan Province, demanded the release of 91 Arab prisoners held in Iran. The siege lasted six days, ending with a Special Air Service (SAS) assault that resulted in the deaths of five gunmen and the rescue of the hostages. source: bbc.co.uk
- 05 May SAS rescue ends Iranian embassy siege in London: On May 5, 1980, British Special Air Service (SAS) commandos stormed the Iranian embassy in London, ending a six-day hostage situation. The gunmen, members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan, had taken 26 hostages, including embassy staff and visitors. The assault resulted in the deaths of five gunmen and one hostage, with 19 hostages rescued. The operation was broadcast live, bringing the SAS to international prominence. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 18 May Gwangju Uprising: South Korean Pro-Democracy Protests Violently Suppressed: In May 1980, South Korean citizens in Gwangju city initiated pro-democracy protests against the military government led by Chun Doo-hwan. The military responded with a violent crackdown, deploying paratroopers who beat and fired upon protesters. The uprising was suppressed by May 27, 1980, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. This event is considered a pivotal moment in South Korea's struggle for democracy. source: britannica.com
- 25 May John Frum Movement protests in Vanuatu: In May 1980, the John Frum Movement in Vanuatu opposed the impending independence of the nation, fearing it would lead to the dominance of Western values and Christianity over their traditional customs. Movement supporters and allies attacked government offices at Isangel, taking the newly appointed ni-Vanuatu commissioner and his deputy as prisoners. British forces intervened later that month, arresting several rebels and freeing the captives. In June, the John Frum (Tafea) Army and its Francophone allies again attacked the government station at Isangel, resulting in the death of opposition Member of Parliament Alexis Ioulu. source: thefreelibrary.com
- 27 May Gwangju Uprising: The Gwangju Uprising was a mass protest against the South Korean military government that took place in the southern city of Gwangju between May 18 and 27, 1980. Nearly a quarter of a million people participated in the rebellion. Although it was brutally repressed and initially unsuccessful in bringing about democratic reform in South Korea, it is considered to have been a pivotal moment in the South Korean struggle for democracy. source: britannica.com
- 02 Jun Cuban refugees riot at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas: On June 1, 1980, Cuban refugees at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, protested against slow processing and poor conditions by rioting, resulting in injuries to both refugees and law enforcement officers. The unrest led to increased security measures and political repercussions for local officials. source: washingtonpost.com
- 04 Jun Police evict anti-nuclear protesters from Gorleben, West Germany: On June 4, 1980, approximately 5,000 police and border guards used water cannons and bulldozers to evict about 1,300 protesters who had occupied the Gorleben site since May 3. The protesters had established a settlement of 70 huts and tents, declaring it the "Free Republic of Wendland" to prevent the construction of a nuclear waste dump. The eviction marked the end of the protest camp. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Jun Nelson Mandela's first major political statement from prison is published: On June 10, 1980, the African National Congress (ANC) published a statement by Nelson Mandela, written in response to the 1976 Soweto uprising. The message, smuggled out of Robben Island prison, ends with the rallying cry: "UNITE! MOBILISE! FIGHT ON! Between the anvil of united mass action and the hammer of the armed struggle we shall crush apartheid and white minority racist rule." source: history.com
- 26 Jun Failed assassination attempt on Syrian President Hafez al-Assad: On June 26, 1980, an assassination attempt was made on Syrian President Hafez al-Assad by Muslim Brotherhood supporters. The attackers threw two grenades and fired machine gun bursts at him as he awaited a foreign diplomat at the Guest Palace in Damascus. Assad managed to kick one grenade away, while one of his bodyguards threw himself on the other grenade, sacrificing his life to protect the president. This attack was part of the broader Islamist uprising in Syria during that period. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Jul Assassination of Nihat Erim: Nihat Erim, former Prime Minister of Turkey, was assassinated on July 19, 1980, in Istanbul. He was shot by two gunmen near his home in Kartal, Istanbul. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (Dev Sol), a radical leftist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Erim's assassination was part of a wave of political violence in Turkey during the late 1970s and early 1980s. source: britannica.com
- 29 Jul Iran adopts new flag post-revolution: On July 29, 1980, Iran officially adopted a new national flag following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The flag features three horizontal bands of green, white, and red, with a red emblem centered on the white band. The emblem is a stylized representation of the word "Allah" in red, and the phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great") is inscribed 11 times each in white Kufic script along the bottom of the green band and the top of the red band, totaling 22 repetitions, symbolizing the date of the revolution's victory on February 11 (22 Bahman 1357 in the Persian calendar). This design replaced the previous flag that featured the Lion and Sun emblem, reflecting the nation's shift from monarchy to an Islamic republic. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Aug Mohammad-Ali Rajai nominated as Iranian Prime Minister: On August 9, 1980, Iranian President Abolhassan Banisadr nominated Mohammad-Ali Rajai, a member of the Islamic Republican Party, for the position of Prime Minister. This nomination followed a period of political deadlock and was part of efforts to stabilize the post-revolutionary government. Rajai's nomination was subsequently approved by the Iranian Majlis (parliament) on August 11, 1980. source: csmonitor.com
- 12 Aug Mohammad Ali Rajai appointed Iranian Prime Minister: On August 12, 1980, Mohammad Ali Rajai was appointed as the Prime Minister of Iran by President Abolhassan Banisadr. Rajai, a member of the Islamic Republican Party, had previously served as Minister of Education in the interim government. His appointment followed the resignation of Mehdi Bazargan, the first Prime Minister after the 1979 revolution. source: britannica.com
- 03 Sep Zimbabwe severs diplomatic ties with South Africa, maintains trade relations: On September 3, 1980, Zimbabwe announced the severance of diplomatic relations with South Africa, aligning with other African nations in protest against apartheid policies. Despite this diplomatic break, both countries agreed to maintain trade missions to preserve economic ties. South Africa's trade representative was to be stationed in Salisbury, while Zimbabwe would have an office in Johannesburg to oversee trade and consular matters. source: washingtonpost.com
- 17 Sep Assassination of Anastasio Somoza Debayle in 1980: Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the former Nicaraguan dictator, was assassinated on September 17, 1980, in Asunción, Paraguay. He was shot by members of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) while in exile. His assassination marked a significant moment in the aftermath of the Nicaraguan Revolution, which had led to the overthrow of his regime in 1979. source: britannica.com
- 27 Oct IRA prisoners begin hunger strike in Maze prison: On October 27, 1980, seven IRA members initiated a hunger strike in the Maze prison, demanding political status. The strikers were Brendan Hughes, Tommy McKearney, Raymond McCartney, Tom McFeely, Sean McKenna, Leo Green, and INLA member John Nixon. This protest aimed to restore political status for paramilitary prisoners by securing the "Five Demands": the right to wear their own clothes, the right not to do prison work, the right to freedom of association, the right to organise their own leisure activities, and the right to restoration of lost remission. source: bbc.com
- 29 Oct Operation Credible Sport demonstration flight crash: On October 29, 1980, during a demonstration flight for Operation Credible Sport, a modified C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The operation aimed to rescue American hostages in Iran, but the crash resulted in the loss of the aircraft and crew, highlighting the challenges of the mission. This incident underscored the complexities involved in military operations and the risks associated with experimental aircraft modifications. source: nytimes.com
- 14 Nov Guinea-Bissau military coup ousts President Luís Cabral: On November 14, 1980, Prime Minister João Bernardo Vieira led a bloodless military coup in Guinea-Bissau, overthrowing President Luís Cabral. Vieira established the Revolutionary Council, assuming control of the country. This event marked a significant shift in Guinea-Bissau's political landscape. source: economist.com
- 20 Nov Gang of Four trial begins in China: The trial of the Gang of Four, a political faction in China led by Jiang Qing, began on November 20, 1980. This trial was significant as it marked a pivotal moment in China's post-Cultural Revolution era, addressing the excesses of the Cultural Revolution and the role of the Gang of Four in those events. The trial concluded in January 1981, resulting in convictions for the members involved. source: britannica.com
- 03 Dec Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers surrender to authorities: On December 3, 1980, Weather Underground leaders Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers surrendered to authorities in New York City. Dohrn faced charges related to the 'Days of Rage' demonstrations in 1969, while charges against Ayers had been dropped in 1973. Dohrn was placed on probation, marking a significant moment in the group's decline. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Dec José Napoleón Duarte becomes President of El Salvador: On December 13, 1980, José Napoleón Duarte was appointed as the civilian president of El Salvador's Revolutionary Government Junta, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. This restructuring sidelined two liberals and an independent member, consolidating power among the rightist factions within the junta. Duarte's appointment was part of a broader reorganization aimed at addressing the escalating civil conflict and aligning the government more closely with military interests. source: upi.com
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