19791981

1979–1981 refers to the final years of the 1970s and the early 1980s, a period marked by political upheaval, armed conflict, and economic shocks within the Cold War framework. The era saw revolutions, interstate wars, and shifts in energy policy that shaped international relations and domestic decisions across multiple regions.

In 1979 the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Pahlavi regime and established the Islamic Republic, while the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, triggering a decade-long conflict. The same year and the following months produced a global energy crisis linked to disruptions in oil supply. In 1980 the Iran–Iraq War began, contributing to regional instability and wider geopolitical recalibration. The Iran hostage crisis, arising from the embassy takeover in Tehran, endured until January 1981 when hostages were released at the outset of Ronald Reagan's presidency.

Domestic and cultural developments accompanied these events. Mount St. Helens erupted in May 1980, drawing attention to natural disasters. The United States and several allies boycotted the Moscow Olympics, and Reagan was elected in 1980, inaugurating in January 1981 with new policies aimed at economic and defense reform. The Space Shuttle program began with STS-1 in 1981, while MTV launched the same year, signaling shifts in media and popular culture. The first public reports of AIDS appeared in 1981.

Internationally, the Iran–Iraq War continued, shaping regional power dynamics. In October 1981 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated, a pivotal event with broad implications for Middle Eastern security. The period thus represents a transitional phase between late 1970s upheavals and 1980s policy realignments.