Timeline: 1980 - 1989
1980 October,- Edward Seaga becomes Jamaica’s 5th Prime Minister.
1981 April 17, - Robert Nesta Marley, the Reggae Superstar is invested with the Order of Merit (O.M.).
1981 May 1, - Montego Bay is elevated to city status.
1981 May 11, - Robert Nesta Marley dies in Miami after a long illness.
1981 August 21, 1981 - Jamaica is chosen as the Headquarters of the International Seabed Authority.
1982 February - Lady Gladys Bustamante is invested with the Order of Jamaica- The President of the United States of America Ronald Reagan and his wife come to Jamaica on a state visit.
1984 - The Gleaner celebrates 150 years of publication.
1983 February 13, - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh pay a state visit to Jamaica.
1983 February 15, - Her Majesty officially opens the Interim Headquarters of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston.
1984 August- The centenary of the birth of National Hero the Rt. Excellent Alexander Bustamante is celebrated. (He was born in 1884)
1985 February - Legendary reggae band, Black Uhuru is the first recipient of the Grammy award for Reggae.
1985 - Canasol, a new drug developed from cannabis (or ganja), is introduced by Professor Manley West and Dr. Albert Lockhart for the treatment of glaucoma. Both were awarded the Order of Merit in 1987.
1986 - The College of Arts, Science and Technology awards its first bachelors degrees in education, home economics and engineering.
1987 February 10, - The Hon. Edna Manley, O.M., one of Jamaica’s foremost artists, widow of National Hero, the Right Excellent Norman Manley, and mother of former Prime Minister Michael Manley and of Dr. Douglas Manley dies. She is buried beside her husband at the National Heroes Park.
1987 August 2-4, - President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado of Mexico visits Jamaica.
1987 July - Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Britain, visits Jamaica.
1987 August 6, - Jamaica celebrates 'Jamaica 25', the 25th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence.
1987 August - The Centenary of the birth of National Hero the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey is celebrated at several functions. His son, Dr. Julius Garvey, and widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, visit and share in the celebrations.
1987 October 24-27, - President Dr. Quett Ketumile Joni Masire of Botswana makes a state visit.
1988 August 1, - A $50 note with the portrait of National Hero the Rt. Excellent Sam Sharpe is issued for the first time.
1988 September 12, - Hurricane Gilbert, the most powerful hurricane of the 20th Century pummels Jamaica, causing billions of dollars of damage.
1989 October - Sir Philip Sherlock, former UWI Vice Chancellor, is awarded the Order of Merit.