| | US and China establish diplomatic relations, formal ties with Taiwan are severed |
| | Voyager sends photos of Jupiter |
| | Margaret Thatcher is elected first Woman British Prime Minister |
| | Inflation 13.3%, Prime Rate 15.75% |
| | "Archie Bunkers Place" with Carroll O'Conner premiers |
| | "The Dukes Of Hazard" with Tom Wopat and John Schneider premiers |
| | California is the first state to initiate gas rationing on alternate days, many states will follow |