1 Popular artist, Edna Manley widow of National Hero Norman Manley and mother of former Prime Minister Michael Manley, died on February 2.

2 In August a special anniversary service was held in honour of the late Louise Bennett-Coverley for 50 years in theatre.

3 On August 1 the prime minister's medal of appreciation for service to Jamaica was authorised by proclamation made by Sir Florizel Augustus Glasspole, then governor general of Jamaica.

4 In September, Jamaica shocked the world by selecting members to form a bobsled team.

5 Peter Tosh, one of the founding members of The Wailers, died on September 11.

6 The Hon Professor Manley West and Hon Dr Albert Lockhart were awarded the Order of Merit for the creation of a new drug made from cannabis (marijuana) to treat glaucoma.

7 The Jamaican athletics team won four medals at the World Championships in Rome with one silver and three bronze, two of which were won by Merlene Ottey.

8 Jamaica celebrated 25 years of Independence and Roy Rayon's Give Thanks and Praise won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival Song Competition.

9 In that year the JCDC started the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition.

10 Jamaican and West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding retired from test cricket at the age of 33.

— Ian Williams