February 2, 1980
By the winter of 1980, Carter was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $3.10/hr — the Iran hostage crisis was stretching into its fourth month, with President Carter warning Congress that the United States would use armed force to repel any Soviet advance toward the Persian Gulf. On television, "60 Minutes" remained the country's top-rated program, and at the movies, "Kramer vs. Kramer" was drawing large audiences and heading toward a Best Picture Oscar win. The Philadelphia Phillies had claimed the 1979 World Series title that fall, and that February, Lake Placid, New York hosted the Winter Olympics, where American athletes brought home 6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals across the games.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — February 2, 1980
NY Times Headlines — Week of February 2, 1980
Study Says A Soviet Move In Iran Might Require U.S. Atom Arms; Study Says U.S. May Find Need For Nuclear Arms If Soviet Attacks Iran Growing Debate On Strategy Large Soviet Forces Noted Iran'S Defense Ability Doubted Outlook On Sea Defense Better 2 Weeks To Reopen Vital Strait Pumping Facilities Vulnerable 'Distinct Advantages' For Soviet Shortage Of Transport Planes Stress On Mountain Defense
Egypt And Israel Reach An Accord For Parts Of Palestinian Self-Rule; Carter'S Envoy Calls It The First Step Toward Breaking Deadlock In West Bank-Gaza Talks On Autonomy Accord On Some Powers Palestinian Talks Advance One Step Egypt Asked Broader Definitions
Syria Withdrawing Peacekeeping Force From Beirut Area; No Explanation Is Given For Move, Which Raises The Prospect Of A Renewal Of Civil War No Official Explanation No Sign Of Troop Movements Syria Tells Of Plan To Remove Troops Increasing Unrest In Lebanon
Williams Linked To Casino Project As F.B.I.'S Bribery Inquiry Spreads; New Allegation In Jersey --Civiletti Asks Delay Of Actions By Congress Senator Again Denies Wrongdoing Doubts On Sharing Of Evidence Williams Is Linked To Casino Project As F.B.I.'S Bribery Inquiry Spreads Lordi Denies Seeing Williams Talks In Florida And New York Account By Ritz President Variance For $11 Million Hotel
Congress To Pursue Bribery Assertions Despite Opposition; Conflict With Justice Dept. Agency Says Ethics Panels Could Hurt Criminal Cases Arising From F.B.I. Investigation House Panel Has Closed Session Congressional Committees To Pursue Bribery Assertions Despite Warnings By Justice Dept. Targets Not Selected At Random Cites Constitution On Ingrity Media Leak Investigation Asked
New Iran President Denounces Captors Occupying Embassy; Showdown Appears To Loom Bani-Sadr Leads The Revolutionary Body In Ordering Freedom For Aide, Target Of Militants Visiting Americans Detained Strongest Attack Yet Iranian President Denounces Captors Of U.S. Hostages Council Studies Waldheim Plan Shah Cannot Leave Panama Militants Attacking Their Foes
World Events — February 1980
Time Person of the Year — 1980
On the radio
Billboard Charts — February 2, 1980
Grammy Awards
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1979–80 Season
Emmy Winners — 1980
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — February 2, 1980
Ebert 4-Star Films — February 2, 1980
On the field
Sports Champions — February 2, 1980
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