April 7 - The United States severs diplomatic relations with Iran and imposes economic sanctions following the taking of American hostages on November 4, 1979.
April 25 - A commando mission in Iran to rescue American embassy hostages is aborted after mechanical problems ground the rescue helicopters. Eight United States troops were killed in a mid-air collision during the failed operation.
May 9 - In Florida, a Liberian freighter named the Summit Venture hits the Sunshine Skyway Bridge[?] over Tampa Bay[?] sending 35 people (most of whom were in a bus) to a watery death as a 1,400-foot section of the bridge collapsed.
