The year 1980

[SingingAnalyst]

In some ways, 1980 was a kind of pinnacle for the US. The homicide rate was the highest ever (10.7 per 100,000) (ironically, the suicide rate was lower than in any other year from 1972-1995); American hostages were held in Iran for the entire year; President Carter was heckled by supporters of Communism when speaking about the Cuban refugees; inflation was double-digit for the second consecutive year; unemployment was high and rising.

Decade purists insist that the 1970s ran from 1971-1980; most of us would say 1970-1979-- and similarly for the 1980s.

Well, what about 1980? Culturally it is hard to see where it belongs; the disco sound was still popular, yet Phil Collins had a big hit with "In the Air Tonight". Also, is this a phenomenon with every year ending in 0? Will anyone consider 2020 to be part of the teens? (I won't).

I say Option 3.

[Lechasseur]

1980s

[Red Willow]

Culturally, the 1970s. Similar to how 1990-1992 were still very much culturally 80s.

Also, In The Air Tonight was released in 1981.

[Morgan Kingsley]

From a literal standpoint, it is the last year of the 70's, like every decade. Like how 2020 is the last year of the 2010's. However, for conversational points, and for you know, a new outlook on life, and a perspective of separation by an easy way of looking at numbers, it would be the first year of the 80's. Like how in this perspective, 2020 will be the first year of the 20's. It is a matter of literal and philosophical perspective

[Sumner 1868]

I'm not sure if "the eighties" as we think of it really began until that cheap credit boom of 1983-1984.

[Progressive Pessimist]

In terms of which grouping it belongs into-the 1980's.

Culturally, as others have said, what we think of as 80's culture probably didn't emerge until 1984 or so.

That's true of most decades actually, they don't really gain their own identity until three or fours years into them.

[Beet]

The case for the 1980s:

March 1978- Zia al Huq announces his intention to implement Sharia law in Pakistan.
April 1978- The communists are overthrown in Afghanistan.
June 1978- The overwhelming passage of Proposition 13 shocks the liberal establishment and signals the suburban "tax revolt". Bakke v. Board is handed down, said by some to be the end of the civil rights movement.
Autumn 1978- Dengists seize control of China for the last time. It becomes clear that the Shah of Iran will fall. Callaghan decides not to call an election despite leading in the polls, and the trades unions vote to strike, initiating the fateful "Winter of Discontent." Karol Josef Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II, the first non Italian Pope in 455 years. He electrifies "communist" Poland. The release of "Halloween" initiates the genre known as the "80's slasher."
June 1979- Jim Falwell founds the Moral Majority.
July 1979- Sony introduces the Walkman. In "disco demolition night", a riot of rock fans blows up disco records.
August 1979- The appointment of Paul Volcker to the Federal Reserve Board signals that Milton Friedman's monetarism as official US policy for the first time.
September 1979- "Rappers Delight" becomes the first popular hip hop song.

[bagelman]

From a literal standpoint, it is the last year of the 70's, like every decade. Like how 2020 is the last year of the 2010's. However, for conversational points, and for you know, a new outlook on life, and a perspective of separation by an easy way of looking at numbers, it would be the first year of the 80's. Like how in this perspective, 2020 will be the first year of the 20's. It is a matter of literal and philosophical perspective

We don't number decades like we do centuries. If we did, you would be right, and 1980 would really be the last year of the 198th decade. 2020 would be the last year of the 202nd decade, and 2021 the first of the 203rd. However, we don't do that, so 1980 is the first year of the 1980s.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

Culturally, the 1970s. Similar to how 1990-1992 were still very much culturally 80s.

Also, In The Air Tonight was released in 1981.

Culturally, isn't the first year of a decade always more like the decade that preceded it? Because the culture of the new decade hasn't yet developed.

The one exception I can think of is maybe 2010...I don't know...just doesn't feel like it belongs to the 2000s even culturally. Maybe it's because the defining characteristics (Great Recession, smartphones) of the 2010s had already been established.