Hoop and Holler
Introduced by the NBA late in this decade, the three-point line added an exciting component for basketball fans.
Answer: What are the 1970s? It was adopted for the 1979–1980 season on a trial basis. Celtics player Chris Ford was the first in NBA history to score a three-point field goal.
These beloved dolls of the 1980s weren’t bought; they were adopted, complete with a certificate for their new family.
Answer: What are Cabbage Patch dolls? They were based on creator Xavier Roberts’ needle molding techniques and soft sculptures.
A series of “manly” movies from the 1980s features this Stallone character, with his trademark mullet and black tank.
Answer: Who is Rambo? Rambo is a Green Beret veteran who became a pop culture sensation.
During the ’70s disco era, these shoes became a big hit, featuring sky-high clunky soles.
Answer: What are platform shoes? The shoes took inspiration from Salvatore Ferragamo’s designs from the 1930s.
In 1997, Violet Palmer made history as the first woman to do this at an NBA game.
Answer: What is a referee? She officiated a game on October 31, 1997. Today, there are nine full-time female refs on the NBA staff.
In 1972, the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team had its first-ever loss, to a team from this now-defunct nation.
Answer: What is the Soviet Union? The last-second loss on September 10, 1972, caused such controversy that the CIA even looked into the results.
This popular doll from the 1960s and ’70s inspired spinoffs like Chatty Baby and Singin’ Chatty.
Answer: What is Chatty Cathy? She is considered the first successful talking doll and could say 11 phrases, such as “Please brush my hair.”
This John Belushi film about a college fraternity’s antics also stars Karen Allen and Tom Hulce.
Answer: What is Animal House? Donald Sutherland called it his funniest experience on a film set and says it is one of his favorite films.
Sounding more like a mode of transport than a shoe, this brand debuted its grippy-soled canvas shoes in 1976.
Answer: What are Vans? Originally called the #95, the Vans Era helped establish the brand as a skateboarding favorite.
Introduced in 1986 and still popular today, this line of dolls from historic eras, each with an accompanying book and backstory, includes Molly McIntire from the World War II era.
Answer: What are American Girl dolls? The original three dolls were Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly, and each taught girls about a part of American history.
This Los Angeles–based team had a stellar season in 1971–1972, winning 33 consecutive games.
Answer: Who are the Lakers? It is the longest winning streak in NBA history
This line of colorful dolls, including Wisp and Starlite, was created by Hallmark in the 1980s and grew into an animated TV series and a 1985 movie.
Answer: What are Rainbow Brite dolls? The dolls were created to rival American Greetings’ Strawberry Shortcake line.
He plays the title character in 1982’s Conan the Barbarian.
Answer: Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger? A planned sequel is in the works and will feature an older Conan, who has been king for years.
It was during this decade that the idea of “corrective” footwear really took off, with arch support and other features becoming desirable.
Answer: What are the 1980s? Onitsuka Tiger (now ASICS) and Adidas helped popularize the idea of shoes with toe springs, pronation control, and arch supports to correct foot issues.
1989’s Glory centers around a volunteer fighting company during this war.
Answer: What is the American Civil War? The film is based on the true story of Robert Gould Shaw and the first all-Black volunteer regiment.
This is the current number of teams in the NBA.
Answer: What is 30? The teams are divided by Eastern and Western Conferences and into six divisions.
These dolls were invented when a father made his daughter a dollhouse inside an old makeup compact.
Answer: What are Polly Pockets? Introduced in 1989, the original dolls stood less than an inch high, though a 1998 redesign introduced larger, more poseable dolls.
He stars in 1971’s cop thriller Dirty Harry.
Answer: Who is Clint Eastwood? The role is one of Eastwood’s most iconic characters and helped define the crime thriller genre.
Manolo Blahnik’s shoe designs became popular in the 1970s through the 1990s, with this skinny and sky-high style becoming his signature.
Answer: What are stilettos? Blahnik’s stiletto heels became iconic in pop culture despite the popularity of chunky platforms at the time.
Sounding like a noise of disgust, these sheepskin shoes were invented by Australian surfers and then imported to California.
Answer: What are UGGs? In 1978, Brian Smith imported the shoes to the United States, where they took off in popularity and remain popular today
In 1988, this shoe brand debuted its iconic Jumpman logo on the tongue of its Air Jordan IIIs.
Answer: What is Nike? Jordan claimed that his famous Jumpman silhouette was not taken from a game-time dunk but was actually a ballet move captured during a photoshoot in 1985 in which he jumped and spread his legs.
These toy doll figurines began in the ’60s and were inspired by comic artist Peyo’s blue characters.
Answer: What are Smurfs? In 1981, Hanna-Barbera launched an animated series featuring the little blue people, which ran until 1990 and still shows in reruns today.
1974’s The Longest Yard centers around a high-stakes game of this sport.
Answer: What is football? Star Burt Reynolds plays a former pro quarterback organizing a football team of inmates.
This brand is often credited as the first luxury brand to release a sneaker. The shoe debuted in 1984, and the design features red and green stripes.
Answer: What is Gucci? The move capitalized on the tennis sneaker trend, and a recent rerelease marketed the stylish kicks again.
This team’s first World Series championship came in 1980, when they defeated the Kansas City Royals 4–2.
Answer: Who are the Philadelphia Phillies? Third baseman Mike Schmidt was named that year’s National League MVP.