1980s postcard

Pop Culture 1980s

  • Period: to

    1980s

  • Winter Games Lake Placid

    Winter Games Lake Placid
    February 13, 1980 - The opening ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympics Games are held in Lake Placid, New York. One of the most thrilling moments include the "Miracle on Ice" when a team of U.S. amateur ice hockey players defeated the vaunted Soviet Union professional all-star team in the semi-final game.
  • US Withdraws from Moscow Summer Games

    US Withdraws from Moscow Summer Games
    April 12, 1980 - The United States Olympic Committee, responding to the request of President Jimmy Carter on March 21, votes to withdraw its athletes from participation in the Moscow Summer Olympic Games, due to the continued involvement of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan
  • Pac Man Introduced

    Pac Man Introduced
  • CNN is Launched

    CNN is Launched
  • John Lennon was Shot

    John Lennon was Shot
    Dec 8, 1980- John Lennon is shot outside his New York apartment.
  • Space Shttle Launched from Cape Canaveral

    Space Shttle Launched from Cape Canaveral
    April 12, 1981 - The first launch of the Space Shuttle from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center occurs as Columbia begins its STS-1 mission
  • MTV (Music Television) is Launched

    MTV (Music Television) is Launched
    August 1, 1981- MTV (Music Television) is launched
  • IBM Introduced the IMB-PC

    IBM Introduced the IMB-PC
    August 12, 1981 - IBM introduced the IBM-PC personal computer, the IBM 5150. It was designed by twelve engineers and designers under Don Estridge of the IBM Entry Systems Division. It sold for $1,565 in 1981.
  • Origins of the Smiley on the Internet

    Origins of the Smiley on the Internet
    September 19, 1982- Origins of the Smiley on the Internet
  • Cheers Premieres

    Cheers Premieres
    September 30, 1982 Cheers Premieres.
  • Thriller is Released

    Thriller is Released
    Nov, 30, 1982- Michael Jackson releases his second adult solo album, Thriller.
  • Sally Ride Travels to Space

    Sally Ride Travels to Space
    June 18, 1983 - Astronaut Sally Ride becomes the first American woman to travel into space.
  • Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in LA

    Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in LA
    July 28, 1984 - The opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympic Games is held.
  • The First CD is Pressed

    The First CD is Pressed
    September 1984- The first music CD is pressed in the US
  • The Cosby Show Premieres

    The Cosby Show Premieres
    September 20, 1984 The Cosby Show Premieres
  • Martin Luther King Day is Official

    Martin Luther King Day is Official
    January 20, 1986 - Martin Luther King Day is officially observed for the first time as a federal holiday in the United States
  • The Challenger Explodes

    The Challenger Explodes
    January 28, 1986 - The Challenger Space Shuttle explodes after lift off at Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing seven people, including Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire school teacher.
  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons
    April 5, 1987- The Simpsons Is First Seen On Tracey Ullman Show
  • Exxon Spill in Alaska

    Exxon Spill in Alaska
    March 24, 1989 - The Exxon Valdez crashed into Bligh Reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound, causing the largest oil spill in American history, eleven million gallons, which extended forty-five miles.
  • Motorola Cell Phone Introduced

    Motorola Cell Phone Introduced
    April 25 – The world’s smallest mobile phone, the Motorola MicroTAC Personal Cellular Telephone, is introduced.
  • Walt Disney World Opens

    Walt Disney World Opens
    May 1 – Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World opens its doors to the public.
  • Batman Hits Theaters

    Batman Hits Theaters
    June 23 – The 1989 Batman film hits theaters and becomes the highest grossing film based on a DC comic book until 2008′s The Dark Knight.
  • Seinfeld Premieres

    Seinfeld Premieres
    July 5 – Seinfeld premieres.
  • Nintendo Launches GameBoy in North America

    Nintendo Launches GameBoy in North America
    July 31 – Nintendo launches GameBoy in North America.