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.
339 On This Day Articles
On This Day January 16 1982 – King’s Crossing Premiered on ABC
On this day January 16 1982, King’s Crossing premiered on ABC, introducing a dramatic series centered on life inside a large urban hospital. The show focused on doctors nurses and administrators as they navigated personal struggles ethical dilemmas and the daily pressure of emergency medicine.
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On This Day January 15 1982 – All For a Song by Barbara Dickson Was Released
On this day January 15 1982, All For a Song by Barbara Dickson was released, continuing her transition from stage and folk roots into a polished pop oriented sound. The album emphasized strong melodic songwriting and expressive vocals, highlighting Dickson’s ability to balance emotional depth
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On This Day January 13 1982 – Air Florida Flight 90 Crashed Into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington D.C.
On this day January 13 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington D.C. shortly after takeoff before plunging into the Potomac River. The disaster occurred during severe winter weather, with snow ice and poor visibility contributing to one of
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On This Day January 12 1982 – American Playhouse Premiered on PBS
On this day January 12 1982, American Playhouse premiered on PBS, bringing a rotating anthology of original dramas adaptations and stage inspired productions to television. The series showcased a wide range of storytelling voices, often drawing from theater literature and contemporary writing to present thoughtful
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On This Day January 11 1982 – Wasnt Tomorrow Wonderful by The Waitresses Was Released
On this day January 11 1982, Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful? by The Waitresses was released, showcasing the band’s witty observational songwriting and offbeat new wave sound. The album blended angular rhythms spoken style vocals and socially aware lyrics that focused on everyday life relationships and modern
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On This Day January 10 1982 – Trans by Neil Young Was Released
On this day January 10 1982, Trans by Neil Young was released, marking one of the most unexpected and experimental albums of his career. The record moved away from traditional rock and folk sounds and leaned heavily into electronic textures, synthesizers, and processed vocals. Trans
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On This Day January 8 1982 – The Breakup of the Bell System Was Announced in the United States
On this day January 8 1982, the breakup of the Bell System was announced in the United States when AT&T agreed to split itself into 22 separate subdivisions. The decision marked a historic shift in the American telecommunications industry, ending decades of centralized control over
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On This Day January 8 1982 – Final Episode of Behind the Screen Aired on Television
On this day January 8 1982, the final episode of Behind the Screen aired on television, bringing an end to the short lived series that focused on the people and production processes behind television and film. The show offered viewers a behind the scenes look
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On This Day January 7 1982 – Fame Premiered on NBC
On this day January 7 1982, Fame premiered on NBC, bringing a music and dance driven drama to prime time television. Set at a performing arts high school in New York City, the series followed students and teachers as they pursued creative ambition while facing
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On This Day January 7 1982 – Roman Gods by The Fleshtones Was Released
On this day January 7 1982, Roman Gods by The Fleshtones was released, marking the debut album from one of the most energetic and enduring underground rock bands of the era. The record delivered a raw blend of garage rock punk attitude and classic rock
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On This Day January 4 1982 – The Elephant Man Aired on ABC as a Made For TV Movie
On this day January 4 1982, The Elephant Man aired on ABC as a made for TV movie, bringing a powerful and emotional story to a prime time audience. The film focused on compassion dignity and human understanding, presenting a dramatic portrayal that emphasized empathy
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On This Day January 1 1982 – Madman Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 1 1982, Madman premiered in theaters, adding another brutal entry to the growing slasher boom of the early 1980s. The film centered on a campfire legend that comes terrifyingly to life, tapping into familiar horror settings like summer camps, isolation, and
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On This Day January 1 1982 – Headline News Made Its Debut as the First 24 Hour News Channel
On this day January 1 1982, CNN Headline News made its debut, originally operating under the name CNN 2. The launch introduced a new concept in television by delivering continuous news updates around the clock, a major departure from scheduled evening newscasts that had long
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On This Day January 31 1981 – The Tide Is High by Blondie Became the Number One Song in America
On this day January 31 1981, The Tide Is High by Blondie became the number one song in America, giving the band another major chart topping hit at the start of the decade. The song stood out for its laid back reggae influenced rhythm paired
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On This Day January 30 1981 – Captured Live Album by Journey Was Released
On this day January 30 1981, Captured, the live album by Journey, was released, capturing the band at the height of its arena rock popularity. Recorded during their Departure tour, the album showcased Journey’s powerful live sound, extended performances, and strong connection with concert audiences.
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On This Day January 30 1981 – Earthbound Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 30 1981, Earthbound premiered in theaters, bringing a science fiction adventure film to the very start of the new decade. The movie centered on visitors from another world and explored themes of survival communication and human connection, blending classic sci fi
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On This Day January 30 1981 – The Incredible Shrinking Woman Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 30 1981, The Incredible Shrinking Woman premiered in theaters, offering a satirical science fiction comedy that blended social commentary with fantasy. The film followed an ordinary woman exposed to household chemicals who begins to shrink, using humor to reflect growing concerns
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On This Day January 28 1981 – President Ronald Reagan Helped Put an End to the 1979 Energy Crisis
On this day January 28 1981, President Ronald Reagan took action that helped bring an end to the 1979 energy crisis, signaling a shift in national energy policy at the start of the new decade. His approach emphasized deregulation and increased domestic production, aiming to
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On This Day January 28 1981 – Welcome to the Wrecking Ball by Grace Slick Was Released
On this day January 28 1981, Welcome to the Wrecking Ball by Grace Slick was released, marking her return to a more rock driven sound at the start of the new decade. The album leaned into tougher themes and confident delivery, reflecting Slick’s continued presence
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On This Day January 28 1981 – Healing by Todd Rundgren Was Released
On this day January 28 1981, Healing by Todd Rundgren was released, presenting one of his most experimental and introspective works of the early decade. The album moved away from conventional song structure, focusing instead on atmosphere spirituality and extended compositions designed to create a
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On This Day January 24 1981 – Kiss On My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates Became the Number One Song in America
On this day January 24 1981, Kiss On My Lis t by Daryl Hall and John Oates sat at number one in America, continuing its chart topping run and confirming the duo’s growing dominance at the start of the decade. Built around smooth melodies tight
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On This Day January 23 1981 – Blood Beach Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 23 1981, Blood Beach premiered in theaters, adding a low budget creature driven horror film to the early 1980s genre boom. Set against a coastal backdrop, the movie leaned heavily on suspense paranoia and unseen menace, tapping into fears rooted in
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On This Day January 23 1981 – Kiss Me Deadly by Gen X Was Released
On this day January 23 1981, Kiss Me Deadly by Gen X was released, marking a late stage entry from a band rooted in the British punk movement as it transitioned into the new decade. The album carried a sharper more direct sound that balanced
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On This Day January 23 1981 – Trust by Elvis Costello and the Attractions Was Released
On this day January 23 1981, Trust by Elvis Costello and the Attractions was released, capturing a sharp and confident moment in Costello’s early 1980s output. The album blended intelligent songwriting with tight punchy arrangements, reflecting a balance between new wave energy and classic pop
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