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.
450 On This Day Articles
On This Day March 3 1985 – Moonlighting Premiered on ABC
On this day March 3 1985 the detective comedy drama series Moonlighting premiered on ABC. The show starred Cybill Shepherd as Maddie Hayes a former model who teams up with wisecracking private investigator David Addison played by Bruce Willis. Their unlikely partnership led to a
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On This Day March 2 1985 – An Episode of Gimme a Break! Aired Live
On this day March 2 1985 the popular sitcom Gimme a Break! made television history by airing a special live episode. The series which starred Nell Carter as a housekeeper helping to raise a widowed police chief’s daughters was a fan favorite throughout the 1980s.
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On This Day March 2 1985 – Crazy for You by Madonna Was Released
On this day March 2 1985 Madonna released Crazy for You a power ballad that became one of her most successful singles. The song showcased a different side of Madonna’s artistry moving away from her dance pop sound to a more emotional and mature vocal
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On This Day March 1 1985 – The Sure Thing Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 1 1985 the romantic comedy The Sure Thing premiered in theaters. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film starred John Cusack in one of his early breakout roles, alongside Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, and Nicolette Sheridan. The film followed Walter
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On This Day March 1 1985 – Certain Fury Was Released
On this day March 1 1985 the action drama Certain Fury was released in theaters. Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, the film starred Tatum O’Neal and Irene Cara in a gritty story about two young women caught in a desperate fight for survival. The film followed
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On This Day March 1 1985 – Lust in the Dust Was Released
On this day March 1 1985 the Western comedy Lust in the Dust was released in theaters. Directed by Paul Bartel, the film starred Tab Hunter, Lainie Kazan, and Divine, delivering a campy and outrageous take on classic spaghetti Westerns. The movie followed a gunslinger
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On This Day March 4 1985 – The Food and Drug Administration Began Requiring Tests for All Donated Blood in the United States
On this day March 4 1985 the Food and Drug Administration implemented a new policy requiring all donated blood in the United States to be tested for HIV. This decision came in response to growing concerns over the transmission of AIDS through blood transfusions particularly
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On This Day March 1 1985 – Missing in Action 2: The Beginning Was Released
On this day March 1 1985 Missing in Action 2: The Beginning was released in theaters. Directed by Lance Hool, the film starred Chuck Norris, Soon Tek Oh, and Steven Williams, serving as a prequel to the 1984 action hit Missing in Action. Set during
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On This Day March 1 1985 – The Purple Rose of Cairo Was Released
On this day March 1 1985 The Purple Rose of Cairo was released in theaters. Directed by Woody Allen, the fantasy romance film starred Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, and Dianne Wiest. Blending comedy, romance, and magical realism, the film is considered one of
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On This Day March 1 1985 – Michael Nesmith in Television Parts Premiered on NBC
On this day March 1 1985 Michael Nesmith in Television Parts premiered on NBC. Created and hosted by Michael Nesmith, best known as a member of The Monkees, the show blended sketch comedy, music performances, and experimental short films, making it one of the most
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On This Day March 31 1984 – Footloose by Kenny Loggins Became the Number 1 Song in America
On this day March 31 1984 Footloose by Kenny Loggins hit number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed through April 20. The energetic anthem from the hit movie of the same name also reached number 1 in Canada Australia New Zealand
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On This Day March 31 1984 – Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Premiered in Syndication
On this day March 31 1984 Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous premiered in syndication and gave viewers a glamorous peek into the lives of celebrities millionaires and jet-setters around the world. Hosted by Robin Leach the show became known for its over the top
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On This Day March 30 1984 – The World’s Biggest Tip Made Headlines
On this day March 30 1984, New York police detective Robert Cunningham gave waitress Phyllis Penzo half of his one dollar lottery ticket as a tip when he ran out of cash. What seemed like a simple gesture turned into one of the most unbelievable
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On This Day March 27 1984 – Run DMC Released Their Debut Album
On this day March 27 1984 Run DMC released their self titled debut album and changed the face of hip hop forever. With hard hitting beats raw delivery and a stripped down sound the album broke away from the funk influenced style of early rap
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On This Day March 27 1984 – Love at First Sting by Scorpions Was Released
On this day March 27 1984 German hard rock band Scorpions released their ninth studio album Love at First Sting. The album became one of the biggest successes of their career and helped cement their place as international rock icons. Love at First Sting reached
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On This Day March 27 1984 – Three of a Perfect Pair by King Crimson Was Released
On this day March 27 1984 King Crimson released their tenth studio album Three of a Perfect Pair. It marked the final part of their early 80s trilogy and continued the band’s innovative blend of progressive rock with new wave and experimental sounds. The album
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On This Day March 27 1984 – Ratt Released Their Debut Album Out of the Cellar
On this day March 27 1984 Ratt released their debut album Out of the Cellar and exploded onto the glam metal scene. Fueled by heavy riffs slick production and high energy vocals the album quickly climbed the charts and established Ratt as one of the
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On This Day March 26 1984 – Now That’s What I Call Music II Was Released in the UK
On this day March 26 1984 Now That’s What I Call Music II was released in the UK. Following the huge success of the first volume the second installment of the iconic compilation series featured another packed lineup of top chart hits from across the
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On This Day March 24 1984 – The Breakfast Club Took Place on a Saturday
On this day March 24 1984 the events of the iconic 80s film The Breakfast Club were set. The story followed five high school students from different cliques who were forced to spend a Saturday in detention at Shermer High School. Over the course of
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On This Day March 24 1984 – The Icicle Works Released Their Debut Album
On this day March 24 1984 British band The Icicle Works released their self titled debut album. Blending post punk and new wave with a touch of psychedelic rock the album introduced American audiences to the band’s atmospheric sound and poetic lyrics. The album included
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On This Day March 23 1984 – Police Academy Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 23 1984 Police Academy premiered in theaters. The comedy film starred Steve Guttenberg Kim Cattrall Bubba Smith Michael Winslow G.W. Bailey and George Gaynes. It followed a group of misfit recruits who join a police training program with hilarious results. The
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On This Day March 23 1984 – Racing With the Moon Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 23 1984 Racing With the Moon premiered in theaters. Directed by Richard Benjamin the romantic drama starred Sean Penn Elizabeth McGovern and Nicolas Cage. Set during World War II the film followed two friends spending their last days of freedom before
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On This Day March 22 1984 – Savatage Released The Dungeons Are Calling EP
On this day March 22 1984 heavy metal band Savatage released their EP The Dungeons Are Calling. The six track release followed their debut album Sirens and helped establish the band's signature blend of power metal and progressive elements. The EP showcased Savatage’s dark themes
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On This Day March 22 1984 – Teachers at McMartin Preschool Were Charged With Satanic Ritual Abuse
On this day March 22 1984 several teachers at McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach California were charged with allegations of satanic ritual abuse of children. The case became one of the most infamous and controversial criminal investigations of the 1980s fueled by mass hysteria and
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