1980

Events

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)

• (DW: Meglos)

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)

History of Doctor Who

January

• 05 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 12 - The Horns of Nimon Episode 4 First Broadcast. Final episode to feature the original 1960s arrangement by Delia Derbyshire of the Doctor Who theme music.

February

• 04 - David Whitaker dies

August

• 6 - Barry Justice, who played King Charles IX in "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve," committs suicide in London.

• 30 - The Leisure Hive Episode 1 First Broadcast

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

• 27 - Meglos Episode 1 First Broadcast

October

• 04 - Meglos Episode 2 First Broadcast

• 11 - Meglos Episode 3 First Broadcast

• 18 - Meglos Episode 4 First Broadcast

• 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

• 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