The Decade It’s Set In
This decade was full of Happy Days.
What is the 1950s? Although the show ran from 1974 to 1984, the story of the Cunningham family was set much earlier.
He said, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”
Who is Gerald Ford? The quote comes from his first presidential address in 1974.
This nation launched the first space station, the Salyut 1.
What is the USSR? The launch took place on April 19, 1971.
This sport’s February 18, 1979, race is a historic moment in racing, the first televised race from start to finish.
What is NASCAR? The spectacle of the race included a fight between drivers Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers.
Her novel The Handmaid’s Tale has been made into a popular modern TV series.
Who is Margaret Atwood? Her other titles include 1989’s Cat’s Eye and a recent novel, The Testaments, from 2019.
The ’80s were a time for female leaders, including Corazon Aquino, who became the first woman president of this Southeast Asian island nation.
What is the Philippines?
The backstory for Dallas starts the Ewing family drama during this decade.
What is the 1930s? Star-crossed lovers, family dynamics, and drama abound in this soap opera.
In one of his most beloved songs, he says, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Who is John Lennon? The 1971 tune “Imagine” is still popular and has been used during two Olympics ceremonies, in 2012 and 2018.
Launched and returned from space in 1981, this was the first reusable spacecraft.
What is Columbia? A tragic accident destroyed the spacecraft in 2003, but remnants can still be seen at the Kennedy Space Center.
This Italian race car driver has won many titles, including IndyCar in 1984 and USAC Silver Crown in 1974; other racers in his family include brother Aldo, grandson Marco, and nephews John and Adam.
Who is Mario Andretti? After studying cars and racing in their native Italy, the Andretti brothers and their family came to the United States in 1955.
This New Orleans native is noted for her Interview with the Vampire, which was made into a movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
Who is Anne Rice? Her wide variety of works include religious novels and supernatural fiction.
In 1982, it became illegal worldwide to hunt these large marine mammals.
What are whales? The International Whaling Commission put an indefinite moratorium on commercial whaling to protect the animals.
This decade was the setting for M*A*S*H.
What is the 1950s? It tells the story of an army hospital during the Korean War and is one of the most beloved shows from the ’70s and early ’80s.
After rejecting his Best Actor Oscar, he said, “If we are not our brother’s keeper, at least let us not be his executioner.”
Who is Marlon Brando? Penned by Brando as a protest, the words were read out by Sacheen Littlefeather.
This large space telescope was launched in 1990.
What is the Hubble (space telescope)? The reflecting telescope has since sent back breathtaking images of stars, nebulas, and more.
In 1997, Japanese automaker Toyota introduced this fuel-saving hybrid vehicle.
What is the Prius? Chief engineer Takeshi Uchiyamada rose to the chairman of the board of directors after designing this groundbreaking car.
Danielle Steel is an author most noted for her bestsellers in this genre.
What is romance? Her first novel, Going Home, was published in 1973.
In 1985, this Soviet leader introduced two concepts to revive the economy: glasnost, or “openness,” and perestroika, or “restructuring.”
Who is Gorbachev? These movements yielded few improvements or results
Recent TV show The Goldbergs has this decade as its setting, leading to many of the show’s iconic and nostalgic moments.
What is the ’80s? Creator Adam Goldberg based the show’s storylines around his real-life ’80s childhood.
Talk about irony! This British politician once said, “I don’t think there will be a woman prime minister in my lifetime.”
Who is Margaret Thatcher? Just six years later, she became that first female PM.
William Shepherd, Yury Gidzenko, and Sergey Krikalyov were the first resident crew to occupy this space object.
What is the ISS (International Space Station)? The station boasts multiple laboratories for experiments and study of space.
During the 1982 Paris–Dakar Rally, this son of a British prime minister went missing, to be found five days later in a headline-making incident.
Who is Mark Thatcher? The incident gave a lot of publicity to the race and increased attendance in the following year.
She is the author of fiction and nonfiction works including The Joy Luck Club and The Moon Lady.
Who is Amy Tan? She is a Master Class instructor and has been awarded the National Humanities Medal. Her most recent book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, is about how she took up bird watching during the 2020 pandemic.
Supreme Court news in the 1980s included her appointment as the first female associate justice.
Who is Sandra Day O’Connor? She was appointed by President Reagan.
1980s science-fiction classic Star Trek: The Next Generation takes place in this century still to come.
What is the 2300s? Set in 2360, the futuristic show centers around a group of peaceful space explorers.
This film character told his love Sally, “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Who is Harry Burns? Billy Crystal stars as Harry alongside Meg Ryan in the 1989 romance When Harry Met Sally.
The Apollo and this other spacecraft became the first two to achieve international docking in space, in 1975.
What is Soyuz? The docking between the U.S. and Soviet crafts took place as part of a test project.
Often associated with Japanese racing, the first official event in this type of racing was held in 1988 and called the Ikaten.
What is drift racing? It actually has its origins in 1950s Europe, where driver Tazio Nuvolari invented the technique.
Written between 1796, and 1797, but published in 1813. This book is considered author Jane Austin's most famous Novel
What is Pride and Prejudice?
A famous tune of 1985, “We Are the World” helped raise funds to fight famine and poverty in this African nation.
What is Ethiopia? The song was organized by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones and features many famous voices.