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History of the Doctor Who Universe
- The Doctor brings Sarah Jane Smith and Laurence Scarman from 1911 and shows them what Earth would look like in 1980 if Sutekh had succeeded in freeing himself, a lifeless planet orbiting a dead sun. This example of alternate time convinces Sarah that they must return to 1911 and stop Sutekh. (DW: Pyramids of Mars)
December
- 8 - Former Beatle John Lennon is shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his home in New York City. (NA: The Left-Handed Hummingbird)
- 25 - Professor Edward Travers, CBE, dies. (MA: Downtime)
Unknown dates
- Victoria Waterfield visits Det-sen Monastery in Tibet, believing she is following a summons from her father. (MA: Downtime).
History of Doctor Who
January
- 05 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 3 First Broadcast
- 12 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 4 First Broadcast, bringing an end to the season six weeks earlier than planned due to the cancellation of Shada. Final episode to feature the original 1960s arrangement by Delia Derbyshire of the Doctor Who theme music, specifically the arrangement introduced in the 1967 serial The Macra Terror. Also final use of the diamond-shaped series logo and Bernard Lodge "tunnel" opening sequence.
- 24 - Doctor Who and the Underworld First Published.
February
- 04 - David Whitaker dies
- 21 - Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time First Published.
March
- 20 - Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood First Published.
- American edition of Doctor Who and the Seeds of Doom published by Pinnacle Books. This was the last US edition (with introduction by Harlan Ellison and editorial changes for American readers) to be published by Pinnacle.
April
- 24 - Doctor Who and the Androids of Tara First Published.
May
- 26 - Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll First Published.
June
- 26 - Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor First Published. Due to the inability of Target Books to come to an agreement with Douglas Adams, this would ultimately be the last of the Key to Time- arc serials to be novelised. The remaining serial, The Pirate Planet, would not be novelised.
- Doctor Who Magazine begins publishing Doctor Who comic strips written by Alan Moore. This is some of his earliest work, long predating his rise to fame as the writer of Watchmen and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
August
- 6 - Barry Justice, who played King Charles IX in "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve," committs suicide in London.
- 21 - Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus and Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden First Published. First time in several years that Target Books released more than one book on the same day.
- 30 - The Leisure Hive Episode 1 First Broadcast, launching a longer-than-usual season that is Tom Baker's final season and the first series produced by John Nathan Turner. Among the numerous changes evident with this episode is the introduction of a radically different arrangement of the Doctor Who Theme music by Peter Howell and a new neon-tubing style series logo.
September
- 06 - The Leisure Hive Episode 2 First Broadcast
- 13 - The Leisure Hive Episode 3 First Broadcast
- 20 - The Leisure Hive Episode 4 First Broadcast
October
- 16 - Doctor Who and the Horns of Nimon First Published. Although the series branding has changed to a new logo, the 1973-1980 logo is still used by Target Books for several more volumes.
- 25 - Full Circle Episode 1 First Broadcast
November
- 01 - Full Circle Episode 2 First Broadcast
- 08 - Full Circle Episode 3 First Broadcast
- 15 - Full Circle Episode 4 First Broadcast
- 22 - State of Decay Episode 1 First Broadcast
- 29 - State of Decay Episode 2 First Broadcast
December
- 04 - Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon First Published.
- 06 - State of Decay Episode 3 First Broadcast
- 8 - Former Beatle John Lennon, who appeared as himself in "The Chase," is shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his home in New York City.
- 13 - State of Decay Episode 4 First Broadcast
Unknown dates
- Spring-summer: John Nathan Turner takes over as executive producer for Doctor Who. Among the changes he implements is the introduction of a new arrangement for the show's theme song, an updated opening credit sequence, and the announcement that the 1980-81 season will be Tom Baker's last as the Doctor.
| 1979 | 20th Century 1980s |
1981 |