The Decade It's Set In
This decade was full of Happy Days.
1950s
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.
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.
1930s
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.
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.
A 1986 disaster saw the explosion of this nuclear power plant in the Ukraine.
What is Chernobyl? The explosion caused widespread damage, with radioactive particles reaching as far away as Sweden.
This decade was the setting for M*A*S*H.
1950s
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.
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 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.
Recent TV show The Goldbergs has this decade as its setting, leading to many of the show’s iconic and nostalgic moments.
80s
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.
Born in 1944, her famous works include 1982’s The Color Purple and 1970’s The Third Life of Grange Copeland.
Who is Alice Walker? She is also largely responsible for reviving interest in fellow author Zora Neale Hurston.
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.
Much of the original Dark Shadows series takes place during this decade in the late 1700s
1790s
Her anti-drug campaign slogan told ’80s kids to “just say no.”
Who is Nancy Reagan? The slogan was on posters and in films distributed to U.S. schools throughout the 1980s and ’90s.
Her semi-autobiographical The House on Mango Street details the life of a young woman in Chicago
Who is Sandra Cisneros? Her awards include an American Book Award, the National Medal of Arts, and a MacArthur Genius Grant.
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.