Fashion ABCs
H is for these ultra-short shorts of the 1970s.
What are hot pants? Unlike their denim counterparts, called Daisy Dukes, hot pants were made from a variety of fabrics and often worn at discos.
NCAA Division II and III women’s basketball championships were established during this decade.
What are the 1980s? The decade saw similar championships established for women in field hockey, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
On January 28, 1986, he spoke of a national disaster when he said, “Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger.”
Who is Ronald Reagan? Reagan had initially prepared a State of the Union address for the day but changed his speech in honor of the shuttle’s crew.
Parenting advice from the 1990s included exposing your child to this type of music at an early age.
What is classical? A study showed a connection between Mozart listening and higher test scores, leading to the Baby Mozart craze.
In 1972, this rock band sang a tale of “A Horse with No Name.”
What is America? The song spent three weeks at No. 1, starting on March 25, 1972.
G is for this ’70s designer, associated with floral and prairie dresses.
What is Gunne Sax? The prairie dress was inspired by hippie fashions with a Victorian influence.
This famous Laker made history on May 16, 1980, when the rookie player stepped in as center during the Finals.
Who is Magic Johnson? Subbing in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson helped the Lakers to victory 123–107 over the 76ers.
In an Emmy speech in 1987 for a role in this show, Rue McClanahan spoke of her mother’s advice: “Don’t you know every kick’s a boost?”
What is The Golden Girls? This was her first Emmy Award, which she won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.
Her book Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five champions trusting your parenting intuition.
Who is Penelope Leach? The book has sold more than two million copies to date.
In 1973, Elton John was “rock”-ing as this reptilian.
What is a crocodile? “Crocodile Rock” was a No. 1 hit that year, spending three weeks atop the charts
L is for this oft-used stretchy fabric of the 1980s, popular with designers like Donna Karan, to create form-fitting clothes.
What is Lycra? The Lycra craze included the iconic 1980s bodysuit.
Great sports movies include this 1986 flick about an Indiana basketball team.
What is Hoosiers? Gene Hackman stars in the film, but during filming, he thought it would be a flop
In 1986, this farmworkers’ activist traveled around delivering his “Wrath of Grapes Boycott” speech.
Who is Cesar Chavez? Chavez wanted to stop the use of dangerous chemicals by getting Americans to boycott pesticide-laden grapes.
An incredibly popular book series for parents began in the 1980s, when Heidi Murkoff published What to Expect When… this.
What is You’re Expecting? The advice book still tops bestseller lists for its useful and straightforward advice.
Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” is also the theme song for this film.
What is Rocky III? The song stayed at No. 1 for six weeks and features on the band’s album Premonition.
S is for these structural pads, often seen in women’s tops and blazers during the ’80s.
What are shoulder pads? The power dressing craze of the 1980s put an emphasis on serious business wear.
1992’s White Men Can’t Jump stars Wesley Snipes and this other actor in a film about basketball hustlers.
Who is Woody Harrelson? Retired Detroit Piston Bob Lanier was hired as the basketball coach for the Stars.
On June 6, 1984, President Reagan spoke at Pointe du Hoc, France, to commemorate the anniversary of this event.
What is D-Day? In his words, “Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their value [valor], and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.”
Parents in the 1980s were inundated with advice on how to get your baby to do this restful activity. (Good luck!)
What is sleep? Infant sleep guides at the time included Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems (1985) by Dr. Richard Ferber.
Meow! In 1990, this famous sibling sang of a “Black Cat” with nine lives.
Who is Janet Jackson? This was her first song with sole songwriting credit.
B is for these athletic-inspired fitted shorts popular in the ’80s and ’90s.
What are biker shorts? One notable celeb known to sport biker shorts was Princess Diana.
In 1970, Jerry West earned this nickname by sinking a 60-foot game-tying shot in the NBA Finals.
What is Mr. Clutch? A man of many names, he was also called Tweety Bird and Zeke from Cabin Creek.
In 1999, this author of Night addressed Congress in a speech called “The Perils of Indifference.”
Who is Elie Wiesel? Wiesel’s speech commemorated his own experiences as a Holocaust survivor and championed activism and caring.
This term refers to children given a house key to let themselves in after school while both parents worked.
What are latchkey kids? In 1998, legislation for after-school programs became more common, reducing the number of latchkey kids.
In 1984, Prince sang of avian sorrow in this soulful tune.
What is “When Doves Cry”? The song is also featured in the film Purple Rain.