Historical Events
World Record
American speed skater Eric Heiden wins Olympic 10,000m in world record 14:28.13; sweeps all 5 speed skating events at Lake Placid; only athlete to win 5 gold medals at one Winter Games
- France performs nuclear test at Mururoa atoll
- Oil tanker explosion off Pilos, Greece, causes 37-mil-gallon spillage
- Olympic giant slalom champion Hanni Wenzel of Liechtenstein wins the women's slalom, her second gold medal of the Lake Placid Winter Games
Olympic Gold
Soviet cross-country skier Nikolay Zimyatov wins his 3rd gold medal of the Lake Placid Winter Olympics when he takes out the 50k event; also wins 30k and relay gold
Famous Birthdays
- Rafael Payare, Venezuelan conductor (San Diego Symphony, 2019-present), born in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela
Famous Deaths
- Enrico Celio, Swiss lawyer and President of Switzerland (1943), dies at 90
- Robert Vandekerckhove, Belgian politician, dies at 62
Died in 1980 1980 Highlights
About February 23, 1980
Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 44 years, 2 months and 3 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Pisces
Music Charts
#1 Song: Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
#1 Song: Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers
