On This Day During the 80s
Travel back through the 1980s and discover what happened on this day in music, movies, television, pop culture and more.
152 On This Day Articles
On This Day July 31 1989 – Nintendo’s Game Boy Released in the United States
On this day July 31 1989, Nintendo released the Game Boy in the United States, launching what would become one of the most successful and influential video game systems of all time. It gave players the freedom to experience games anywhere, making it the first
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On This Day July 30 1989 – Final Episode of The Jim Henson Hour Aired on NBC
On this day July 30 1989, the final episode of The Jim Henson Hour aired on NBC, bringing an end to one of the most imaginative and ambitious television projects of the decade. Created and hosted by Jim Henson himself, the series was designed as
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On This Day July 28 1989 – Turner And Hooch Premiered In Theaters
On this day July 28 1989, Turner And Hooch premiered in theaters delivering a unique blend of comedy and heartfelt crime investigation. The film stars Tom Hanks as detective Scott Turner who unexpectedly finds himself partnered with Hooch, a large unruly dog that becomes both
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On This Day July 28 1989 – Friday The 13th Part VIII Jason Takes Manhattan Premiered In Theaters
On this day July 28 1989, Friday The 13th Part VIII Jason Takes Manhattan premiered in theaters offering a bold twist in the long running slasher franchise by moving the action from Camp Crystal Lake to the streets of New York City. Fans watched Jason
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On This Day July 28 1989 – Babar The Movie Premiered In Theaters
On this day July 28 1989, Babar The Movie premiered in theaters delivering a gentle animated adventure based on the beloved Babar books. The film follows King Babar recounting how, as a young elephant, he saved his homeland from the threat of invading rhinos led
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On This Day July 27 1989 – Final Episode Of Coming Of Age
On this day July 27 1989, the final episode of Coming Of Age aired, bringing closure to the heartfelt series about a group of Australian teenagers navigating family, friendship and first love in suburban Melbourne. The show focused on themes like growing independence, sibling rivalry
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On This Day July 27 1989 – Final Episode Of The Cavanaughs
On this day July 27 1989, the final episode of The Cavanaughs aired on ABC delivering a warm closing chapter for the Boston Irish American family at the heart of the drama. The series followed the multigenerational Cavanaugh household as they balanced work family obligations
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On This Day July 25 1989 – Paul’s Boutique by Beastie Boys Was Released
On this day July 25 1989, Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys was released, marking a bold creative leap for the trio and cementing its place as one of the most groundbreaking albums of the era. After their debut Licensed to Ill became a commercial smash,
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On This Day July 23 1989 – Tender Lover by Babyface Was Released
On this day July 23 1989, Tender Lover was released, marking the second solo album from Babyface and the one that launched him into full superstardom. Blending smooth vocals with polished production, this album became a benchmark for late 80s R and B and solidified
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On This Day July 22 1989 – Toy Soldiers by Martika Became the Number One Song in America
On this day July 22 1989, Toy Soldiers by Martika reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The emotional ballad stood out for its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics, touching on the struggles of addiction and personal loss. It marked Martika’s biggest hit and
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On This Day July 21, 1989 Shag Premiered in Theaters
On this day, July 21, 1989, Shag premiered in theaters, bringing a nostalgic coming of age comedy to the big screen. Starring Phoebe Cates, Bridget Fonda, Annabeth Gish, and Page Hannah, the film follows four friends on one unforgettable beach weekend in 1963 filled with
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On This Day July 21 1989 – When Harry Met Sally Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 21 1989, When Harry Met Sally premiered in theaters and instantly redefined what a romantic comedy could be. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, the film starred Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as two opposites navigating the complexities
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On This Day July 21 1989 – UHF Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 21 1989, UHF premiered in theaters and gave Weird Al Yankovic his first and only leading role in a feature film. The offbeat comedy followed George Newman, a daydreaming underachiever who suddenly finds himself running a struggling UHF television station. What
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On This Day July 21 1989 – Do the Right Thing Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 21 1989, Do the Right Thing premiered in theaters and immediately sparked powerful conversations about race, identity, and justice in America. Written, directed, and produced by Spike Lee, the film was set during the hottest day of the year in a
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On This Day July 18, 1989 – UHF Soundtrack by Weird Al Yankovic Was Released
On this day July 18, 1989, the UHF soundtrack by Weird Al Yankovic was released and delivered a chaotic mix of parody songs, comedy sketches, and pop culture spoofs that matched the offbeat tone of the film. Although the movie UHF had a short theatrical
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On This Day July 30 1988 – Roll With It by Steve Winwood Became the Number One Song in America
On this day July 30 1988, Roll With It by Steve Winwood reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and kicked off a four week run at the top through August 26. The song marked a major commercial high point for Winwood, blending his
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On This Day July 29 1988 – Cocktail Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, Cocktail premiered in theaters and gave audiences a glossy, high energy look into the world of bartending and nightlife. Tom Cruise starred as Brian Flanagan, a sharp talking New Yorker who takes a job slinging drinks while chasing business
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On This Day July 29 1988 – Monkey Shines Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, Monkey Shines premiered in theaters delivering a tense and unsettling psychological thriller with a sci fi twist. Directed by George A Romero, the film tells the story of Allan Mann, a gifted athlete who becomes quadriplegic after a tragic
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On This Day July 29 1988 – The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking premiered in theaters bringing the iconic red haired heroine to a new generation. Based on the beloved stories by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, this family fantasy film reintroduced Pippi as the imaginative, fiercely
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On This Day July 26 1988 – Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim Was Released
On this day July 26 1988, Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim was released, becoming one of the most influential hip hop albums ever recorded. Building on the success of their debut album Paid in Full, the duo returned with a record that
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On This Day July 26 1988 – A Salt With A Deadly Pepa By Salt N Pepa Was Released
On this day July 26 1988, A Salt With A Deadly Pepa by Salt N Pepa was released, marking the group’s second studio album and a key moment in the rise of women in hip hop. The album expanded on their bold, confident style with
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On This Day July 25 1988 – View from the House by Kim Carnes Was Released
On this day July 25 1988, View from the House was released, marking the eleventh studio album by Kim Carnes. Known for her raspy vocals and 1981 smash hit Bette Davis Eyes, Carnes took a different direction with this release, shifting from pop toward a
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On This Day July 24 1988 – The Final Episode of Tales From the Darkside Aired
On this day July 24 1988, the final episode of Tales From the Darkside aired, closing out a four season run of one of the most eerie and creative anthology series of the decade. Created by George A Romero, the show premiered in 1984 and
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On This Day July 23 1988 – The Final Episode of Solid Gold Aired
On this day July 23 1988, the final episode of Solid Gold aired, closing the curtain on one of the most iconic music television series of the 1980s. Premiering in 1980, the show was known for its weekly countdown of the top hits in America,
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