1980

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)

Unknown dates

 * Victoria Waterfield visits Det-sen Monastery in Tibet, believing she is following a summons from her father. (MA: Downtime).

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.

February

 * 04 - David Whitaker dies

June

 * 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.


 * 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


 * 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.