Film
1980, the world is stunned by the "I am your Father" reveal in this Science Fiction movie
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
1980, a member of The Beatles passes away.
John Lennon
1980, the US Men’s Olympic hockey team overcomes insurmountable odds and defeats the USSR in the gold medal game now know by a different name.
The Miracle on Ice
1981, Prince Charles of Wales is married to a woman who would go on to be famous for her activism and glamour.
Princess Diana Spencer
1984, Apple releases its first computer known simply by this name.
Macintosh
1982, the world falls in love with a small Alien who simply wants to phone home.
E.T
1982, Michael Jackson releases a record breaking and culture shifting album (co-produced by Quincy Jones)
Thriller
1985, this Chicago Bulls player wins the NBA's Rookie of the Year award.
Michael Jordan
1981, this former actor and governor of California was elected President of the United States
Ronald Reagan
1983, Microsoft releases a processing program now synonymous with the color "blue".
Microsoft Word
1987, a television show featuring yellow skinned characters debuts on the Tracy Ullman Show.
The Simpsons
1984, George Michael declares "guilty feet have no rhythm" in this song.
Careless Whisper
1982, the Los Angles Lakers become informally rebranded as the "Show Time Lakers" thanks to this rookie sensation Point Guard.
1986, a famous USSR nuclear reactor melts down, forcing the evacuation of this now Ukrainian city.
Chernobyl
1982, this revolutionary piece of technology is awarded Time Magazine's Man of the Year.
The Computer
1981, children everywhere flock to theatres to witness the adventures of this American archeologist.
Indiana Jones
1985, an artist nicknamed "The Voice" releases her first album titled after her name.
Whitney Houston
1989, MLB's all time hit king; dubbed "Charlie Hustle", is banned from baseball.
Pete Rose
1982, this country gains complete independence from Great Britain.
Canada
Game Boy
1988, a "young" Tom Hanks dances on a piano in this movie
Big
With more than 300 million records sold throughout her career, this artist became one of the most influential artists during the 1980s, now dubbed "The Queen of Pop".
Madonna
1986, in Game 6 of the MLB's World Series, this team avoids elimination when the ball goes between the legs of the Boston Red Sox First Basemen Bill Buckner.
The New York Mets
1989, the President of the United States calls to "tear down" this infamous Eastern European structure.
Berlin Wall
1981, the first handheld music player/stereos is released
Walkman