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Historical Context for May 31, 1980

In 1980, the world population was approximately 4,447,606,236 people[†]

In 1980, the average yearly tuition was $738 for public universities and $3,225 for private universities. Today, these costs have risen to $9,750 and $35,248 respectively[†]

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Headlines from May 31, 1980

3 RIFLES ARE SEIZED FOR BALLISTICS TESTS IN JORDAN SHOOTING; OWNER CALLED NOT A SUSPECT Motorcyclist Is Questioned, Then Released--Rights Leader in Intensive Care in Indiana Not Identified as Suspect 3 Rifles Seized for Ballistics Tests in Jordan Shooting Criticism From Leaders 'No Other Leads' Harassment by Youths Critical of Investigators 'Not Changed Drastically'

By Douglas E. Kneeland Special To the New York Times

FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 30--Three rifles seized from a motorcyclist here yesterday morning, hours after the shooting of Vernon E. Jordan Jr., president of the National Urban League, are being flown to Washington for ballistics tests, the authorities said today.

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Paris Is Expecting European Move On Palestinians Despite U.S. Views; Vigorous Argument From Muskie Paris Expects Initiative on Mideast Palestinian State Is Not Excluded Informal Discussions for Months

By Bernard Gwertzman Special To the New York Times

WASHINGTON, May 30--Foreign Minister Jean Francois-Poncet of France said today that despite American pleas he believed the European allies would take a Middle East initiative "in the weeks ahead" to meet Palestinian aspirations.

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ECONOMIC INDICATORS FALL 4.8%, SIGNALING A SHARP RECESSION; APRIL DIP BIGGEST ON RECORD Factory Layoffs Pace Drop in Index of Future Activity and Hint at Further Joblessness Rise 2.1% Decline in March Factory Layoffs Major Factor Indicators Drop 4.8%, Signal Steep Slump

By Steven Rattner Special To the New York Times

WASHINGTON, May 30--The Government index intended to predict trends in the economy posted the sharpest drop in its 32-year history, today, providing further evidence of a steep recession.

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34 Are Slain in Turkey As Generals Demand Moves to End Violence; Heavy Security for Funeral 34 Turks Slain in Growing Violence as Generals Demand Political Action Ecevit Party Expects Reprisal Antiterrorist Coalition Sought

By Marvine Howe Special To the New York Times

ANKARA, Turkey, May 30--Thirtyfour people have been killed in the last two days as political violence worsened, and Turkish military leaders have let it be known that they are deeply worried about a nation in crisis.

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Uprising by Kurds Strains Iranian Regime; Iran's Revolution Uprisings by the Kurds and Others in Iran Strain Already-Weakened Islamic Regime Harsh and Poor Mountain Lands Ceremonies for 'Martyrs' Kurds Control Many Functions Slege a Tactical Error

By John Kifner Special To the New York Times

BANEH, Iran--In the darkness the Kurdish guerrillas slipped quietly through the empty streets, only rarely flicking on small blue-lensed penlights to guide their way. There was a steady popping from all sides as they pumped smallarms fire into the Iranian Army barracks at the edge of town.

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JUSTICE DEPT. DROPS TALMADGE FUND CASE; Declines to Prosecute the Senator --Evidence Held Too Weak Confidence on Re-election Justice Dept. Declines to Prosecute Talmadge Fund-Mishandling Case Evidence Held Insufficient Could Not Substantiate Charges

By Edward T. Pound Special To the New York Times

WASHINGTON, May 30--The Department of Justice, after a 22-month investigation, has declined to prosecute Senator Herman E. Talmadge, who was "denounced" by the Senate last fall for mishandling his office and campaign finances.

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Spain's Ruler Beats Censure Move

By Special to The New York Times

MADRID, May 30--The Government of Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez prevailed today against a Socialist censure motion, the first such test for the new Spanish democracy.

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Italian Premier Is Interrogated in Terrorist Scandal; Submitted to Parliamentary Group Said He Was Emissary 'The Baby Is Safe'

By Henry Tanner Special To the New York Times

TURIN, Italy, May 30--Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga was interrogated for two and a half hours today by a parliamentary commission in Rome in connection with charges that he had protected the son of the vice president of the governing Christian Democratic Party from being arrested as a terrorist.

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I was wondering if anything interesting on the news was going on when I was born, and decided to create this website for fun. The purpose is to show people what was going on when they were born. With this website I've found out that it was a pretty slow news day on my birthday, but I bet it would feel cool to know a historical event happened on your birthday.

The data used in this project is provided by the New York Times API. They have by far the best API I was able to find, with articles dating back to the 1950s. There weren't any other major newspapers that had an API with close to as much data. The closest was the Guardian API, but theirs only went back to the 1990s. I decided to only use articles from the New York Times because their API was by far the best. This tool works if you have a birthday after the 1950s or so.

Some important dates in history I'd recommend looking up on this website are:

  • 9/11/2001: The September 11 Attacks happened on this day, the news articles from this date provide great context to the tragedy our nation suffered and the immediate response from the American people. The headlines capture the shock, confusion, and unity that emerged in the aftermath of this devastating event.
  • 7/20/1969: The historic Apollo 11 moon landing, when humans first set foot on another celestial body. The articles from this date showcase humanity's greatest achievement in space exploration and the culmination of the space race.
  • 11/9/1989: The fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The coverage provides fascinating insights into this pivotal moment in world history and the emotions of people as decades of division came to an end.
  • 1/20/2009: Barack Obama's inauguration as the first African American President of the United States, a watershed moment in American history that represented a major milestone in the ongoing journey toward racial equality.
  • 8/15/1969: The Woodstock Music Festival began, marking a defining moment in American counterculture and music history. The coverage captures the spirit of the era and the unprecedented gathering of young people.

These historical events are just a few examples of the fascinating moments in history you can explore through this tool. Whether you're interested in your own birthday, significant historical dates, or just curious about what was making headlines on any given day, this website offers a unique window into the past through the lens of contemporary news coverage.

You can read more on our blog.