The 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, New York, featured 38 nations competing in various winter sports. The event took place from February 13 to February 24, showcasing athletes in disciplines like skiing, ice hockey, and figure skating. One of the most memorable moments was the Miracle on Ice, where the underdog U.S. ice hockey team defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the semifinals. The U.S. went on to win the gold medal, capturing the spirit of the games and becoming a symbol of American resilience during the Cold War era.