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1980 |
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U.S.-Soviet Relations entered a period of increased tension following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (Dec. 1979). The United States limited grain sales to the Soviet Union (Jan.) and led a boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow (July). The Soviet invasion was also condemned by the UN General Assembly (Jan.) and the Islamic Conference Organization (May). | 1 |
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March |
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ROBERT MUGABE and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) won the new national elections in ZIMBABWE. Zimbabwe became the one hundred fifty-third member of the UN in August. Archbishop Oscar Romero, a major defender of human rights in El Salvador, was murdered while saying mass. | 2 |
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May |
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The World Health Organization announced the total eradication of SMALLPOX. The Mediterranean Action Plan of the UN Environment Program was expanded by a protocol in which all bordering states agreed to limit pollution from land sources. | 3 |
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Aug.Oct |
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Labor unrest in POLAND led to the creation of independent unions and a national federation called SOLIDARITY, which advocated a program of political and economic reforms. The United States, NATO, and the European Community warned the Soviet Union not to intervene militarily in Poland. The formation and success of Solidarity was a major turning point in the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe. | 4 |
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Sept |
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Saudi Arabia became full owner of Aramco, the largest company producing Saudi oil. | 5 |
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Nov |
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The U.S. spacecraft Voyager 1 sent important photographs and data about Saturn. | 6 |
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