50 Fun Facts About The 80s

What year did MTV first go on the air?

MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with the broadcast of 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles.

Which Michael Jackson album became the best-selling album of all time?

Thriller, released in 1982, has sold an estimated 70 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling album of all time.

What was the first music video played on MTV?

The Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star' was the very first music video aired on MTV when the channel launched on August 1, 1981.

In 'Back to the Future,' what speed must the DeLorean reach to travel through time?

The DeLorean time machine needed to reach 88 miles per hour to activate the flux capacitor and travel through time.

Who directed the 1982 film 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'?

Steven Spielberg directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which became the highest-grossing film of the 1980s upon its release.

Which actor starred as the Ghostbusters' Peter Venkman?

Bill Murray played Dr. Peter Venkman, the wisecracking leader of the Ghostbusters team in the 1984 film.

What portable music device did Sony introduce in 1979 that defined 80s culture?

The Sony Walkman, introduced in 1979, became a cultural icon of the 1980s, revolutionizing how people listened to music on the go.

What year did the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) launch in North America?

The NES launched in North America in October 1985, helping to revive the video game industry after the crash of 1983.

Which U.S. president served for most of the 1980s?

Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from January 1981 to January 1989, defining the political landscape of the decade.

In what year did the Berlin Wall fall?

The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, marking the symbolic end of the Cold War and leading to German reunification in 1990.

Which pop star was known as the 'Material Girl'?

Madonna earned the nickname 'Material Girl' from her 1984 hit single of the same name, and it became synonymous with her persona throughout the decade.

What was the name of the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union?

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, in the Ukrainian SSR. It remains the worst nuclear power plant accident in history.

Which band performed the iconic 80s hit 'Don't Stop Believin''?

Journey released 'Don't Stop Believin'' in 1981. It has since become one of the most iconic rock anthems of the 1980s.

What Apple product was famously introduced with a '1984' Super Bowl commercial?

The original Macintosh was introduced on January 24, 1984, with a Ridley Scott-directed Super Bowl commercial referencing George Orwell's novel.

Which TV show featured the Huxtable family?

The Cosby Show (1984-1992) followed the Huxtable family and was the #1 rated show in America for five consecutive seasons.

What was the name of the Space Shuttle that tragically exploded in January 1986?

The Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after launch on January 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members including teacher Christa McAuliffe.

Which Prince album included the hits 'When Doves Cry' and 'Let's Go Crazy'?

Purple Rain (1984) was both a film and soundtrack album by Prince. It spent 24 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200.

What popular 80s toy required kids to adopt them and came with birth certificates?

Cabbage Patch Kids, created by Xavier Roberts, became a massive craze in 1983. Each doll came with a unique name, birth certificate, and adoption papers.

Which movie featured the quote 'I'll be back'?

Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered the iconic line 'I'll be back' in The Terminator (1984), directed by James Cameron.

What was the best-selling video game for the Atari 2600 that caused a massive industry crash?

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) for Atari 2600 is widely considered one of the worst games ever made. Millions of unsold copies were reportedly buried in a New Mexico landfill.

Which 1985 charity single featured dozens of artists singing 'We Are the World'?

'We Are the World' was recorded by USA for Africa in 1985, organized by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, raising over $63 million for famine relief in Africa.

What hairstyle trend involved big, teased hair often held in place with copious amounts of hairspray?

Big hair was a defining fashion trend of the 1980s, with both men and women teasing and spraying their hair to achieve maximum volume.

Which TV show's theme song began with 'In West Philadelphia born and raised'?

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted in 1990, but it is often culturally associated with the late 80s. The show's theme song became one of the most recognizable TV intros ever. (Note: technically debuted in 1990.)

What 1980s exercise craze was popularized by Jane Fonda?

Jane Fonda's Workout video (1982) became the best-selling VHS of all time and launched a nationwide aerobics craze that defined 80s fitness culture.

Which iconic 80s movie featured a group of kids searching for pirate treasure?

The Goonies (1985), directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, followed a group of kids on an adventure to find One-Eyed Willy's pirate treasure.

What was the name of the Iran hostage crisis resolution deal made at the start of the 80s?

The Algiers Accords, signed on January 19, 1981, led to the release of 52 American hostages who had been held in Iran for 444 days.

Which band released the hit 'Sweet Child O' Mine' in 1987?

Guns N' Roses released 'Sweet Child O' Mine' on their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987). It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What was the top-grossing film of the entire 1980s decade?

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) earned over $435 million domestically, making it the highest-grossing film of the 1980s.

Which 1980s TV show featured a talking car named KITT?

Knight Rider (1982-1986) starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, who fought crime with the help of KITT, an advanced artificially intelligent car.

What Rubik's puzzle became a worldwide craze in the early 1980s?

The Rubik's Cube, invented by Ernő Rubik in 1974, became an international sensation in the early 1980s, selling over 100 million units by 1982.

Which 80s fashion item consisted of colorful rubber bracelets worn in multiples?

Jelly bracelets were thin, translucent, colorful rubber bracelets that were hugely popular in the 1980s. Kids and teens often wore dozens at once.

Who won Super Bowl XX in January 1986 with a dominant defensive performance?

The Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX, defeating the New England Patriots 46-10. Their 1985 season is considered one of the greatest in NFL history.

What 1983 movie featured Matthew Broderick as a teen hacker who nearly starts World War III?

WarGames (1983) starred Matthew Broderick as a young hacker who accidentally accesses a military supercomputer and nearly triggers a nuclear war.

Which soft drink launched 'New Coke' in 1985, sparking a massive consumer backlash?

Coca-Cola reformulated its flagship drink as 'New Coke' in April 1985. The backlash was so intense that the original formula returned as 'Coca-Cola Classic' just 79 days later.

Which British band released 'Every Breath You Take' in 1983?

The Police released 'Every Breath You Take' in 1983. Written by Sting, it spent eight weeks at #1 and won two Grammy Awards.

What was the name of the 1984 Olympic Games host city that the Soviet Union boycotted?

The Soviet Union and 13 allied nations boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, in retaliation for the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Which John Hughes film featured the 'Brat Pack' spending a Saturday in detention?

The Breakfast Club (1985) brought together five high school archetypes in Saturday detention. It became the defining teen film of the 1980s.

What was the name of the Live Aid concert venue in London?

Live Aid was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985, raising money for Ethiopian famine relief.

Which video game character, introduced in 1981, was originally called 'Jumpman'?

Mario was originally called 'Jumpman' when he first appeared in the arcade game Donkey Kong (1981). Nintendo later renamed him Mario.

What leg warmer-filled 1983 film popularized breakdancing and street dance?

Flashdance (1983) told the story of a steel mill worker who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. It popularized leg warmers and off-shoulder sweatshirts.

Which TV show set in a Boston bar premiered in 1982 and ran for 11 seasons?

Cheers (1982-1993) was set in a Boston bar 'where everybody knows your name.' It won 28 Emmy Awards and spawned the spin-off Frasier.

What 1980s pandemic was first identified by the CDC in 1981?

The CDC first reported unusual cases of pneumonia and rare cancer in 1981, which were later identified as AIDS. The HIV/AIDS epidemic became a defining health crisis of the decade.

Which 80s sitcom featured an alien named Gordon Shumway living with a suburban family?

ALF (1986-1990) featured a furry alien named ALF (Alien Life Form), whose real name was Gordon Shumway, living with the Tanner family after crash-landing on Earth.

What was the name of the economic policy associated with Ronald Reagan that emphasized tax cuts and deregulation?

Reaganomics (also called supply-side or trickle-down economics) was Reagan's economic policy featuring large tax cuts, reduced government spending, and deregulation.

Which athlete set a world record in the 100m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, only to be stripped of the gold for doping?

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson won the 100m in a world-record 9.79 seconds at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but tested positive for stanozolol and was stripped of his medal.

What 1980 film starring Robert De Niro told the story of boxer Jake LaMotta?

Raging Bull (1980), directed by Martin Scorsese, starred Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta. De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.

Which 80s toy line featured robots that could transform into vehicles and other objects?

Transformers, launched by Hasbro in 1984, featured robots that transformed into vehicles, animals, and devices. The franchise became a cultural phenomenon.

What 1989 comedy featured a baby who could talk, played by Bruce Willis's voice?

Look Who's Talking (1989) starred John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, with Bruce Willis providing the voice of baby Mikey. It grossed over $297 million worldwide.

Which legendary NBA player was drafted #1 overall by the Houston Rockets in 1984?

Hakeem Olajuwon (then Akeem) was the #1 overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Michael Jordan was selected third by the Chicago Bulls in the same draft.

What 1988 animated film was a groundbreaking mix of live-action and animation set in 1940s Hollywood?

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), directed by Robert Zemeckis, seamlessly blended live-action and animation and won three Academy Awards for its technical achievements.