Historical Events
Olympic Gold
American speed skater Eric Heiden wins 500m in Olympic record 38.03s; first of record 5 gold medal sweep of events at Lake Placid, New York
- East German speed skater Karin Enke wins first of 3 career Olympic gold medals with victory in the 500m at Lake Placid Winter; wins 1,000m & 1,500m in Sarajevo (1984)
NHL Record
NHL Oilers Wayne Gretzky assists on NHL-record-tying 7 goals, in 8-2 victory over Washington at Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton
- Soviet cross-country skier Raisa Smetanina claims her 3rd of 4 career Olympic gold medals in 5k event at Lake Placid; also wins 10k and relay gold (Innsbruck 1976) and relay (Albertville 1992)
Famous Birthdays
- Benedict Sheehan, American composer, and choral director (Saint Tikhon Choir), born in Franconia, New Hampshire
- Conor Oberst, American singer and songwriter (Bright Eyes), born in Omaha, Nebraska
- Domingo Hindoyan, Armenian-Venezuelan conductor (Polish NAaional Radio Symphony, 2021-present), born in Caracas, Venezuela
About February 15, 1980
Day of the Week: Friday
How Long Ago? 43 years, 3 months and 20 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Aquarius
Music Charts
#1 Song: Do That To Me One More Time - Captain & Tennille
#1 Song: Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers