980

Events

Peace is concluded between Emperor Otto II and King Lothair III at Margut, ending the Franco-German war of 978–980. Lothair renounces his claim on Lower Lorraine, while Otto promises to recognize Lothair's son Louis V as the rightful heir of the West Frankish Kingdom.
June 11 - Vladimir I, grand prince of Kiev, consolidates the Kievan realm from modern Ukraine to the Baltic Sea. Vladimir is proclaimed ruler of all Kievan Rus'.
Fall - Otto II sets off on his first expedition to Italy. He leaves the government in the hands of Archchancellor Willigis. Otto is accompanied by his wife, Empress Theophanu.
Winter - Otto II celebrates Christmas with his family at Ravenna. He receives the Iron Crown of Lombardy as the King of Italy.
King Harald Bluetooth orders the construction of the Viking ring fortress of Trelleborg.
England
Viking raids from Scandinavia threaten the southern English coast after a pause of 25 years. Hampshire and the Isle of Thanet are ravaged.
Arabian Empire
The Dari dialect is developed in the royal courts of the Samanid Empire in Central Asia.
Africa
The Kilwa Sultanate, centered at Kilwa, is founded by Ali ibn al-Hassan Shirazi, Persian prince of Shiraz.
By topic

Notker, Frankish Benedictine monk and bishop, founds the Prince-Bishopric of Liège which will remain an independent state inside the Holy Roman Empire for more than 800 years.