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.
3,607 On This Day Articles
On This Day September 23, 1981 – Only When I Laugh Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 23, 1981 the comedy drama Only When I Laugh premiered in theaters. Based on Neil Simon’s play The Gingerbread Lady, the film told the story of Georgia Hines, a recovering alcoholic trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter
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On This Day September 19 1981 – Simon & Garfunkel Performed a Free Reunion Concert in Central Park
On this day September 19 1981, Simon & Garfunkel reunited for a historic free concert in New York City’s Central Park. Drawing an audience of over 500,000 people, the event became one of the largest live concerts in history and marked a major moment in
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On This Day September 19 1981 – Allied Forces Album by Triumph Released
On this day September 19 1981, Triumph released their fifth studio album Allied Forces . The Canadian hard rock trio blended powerful riffs, soaring vocals, and anthemic hooks to create one of their most enduring records. The album featured standout tracks such as Magic Power,
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On This Day September 18 1981 – Abacab Album by Genesis Released
On this day September 18 1981, Genesis released their eleventh studio album Abacab . The record marked a shift in the band’s sound, moving away from progressive rock roots toward a more streamlined, radio friendly style that defined their 80s output. The album featured standout
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On This Day September 18 1981 – Continental Divide Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 18 1981, Continental Divide premiered in theaters. The romantic comedy starred John Belushi as Chicago newspaperman Ernie Souchak, who is sent to the Rocky Mountains to profile an eagle researcher, played by Blair Brown. The film balanced humor with heartfelt romance
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On This Day September 18 1981 – Raggedy Man Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 18 1981, Raggedy Man premiered in theaters. The drama starred Sissy Spacek as Nita Longley, a divorced telephone operator in a small Texas town during World War II, struggling to raise her two sons while facing prejudice and isolation. Her life
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On This Day September 18 1981 – Mommie Dearest Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 18 1981, Mommie Dearest premiered in theaters. Based on Christina Crawford’s memoir about her adoptive mother, Hollywood legend Joan Crawford, the film portrayed the darker side of stardom and the turbulent relationship between mother and daughter. Starring Faye Dunaway in a
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On This Day September 15 1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor Became the First Female Justice of the Supreme Court
On this day September 15 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first female Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Her appointment by President Ronald Reagan marked a historic breakthrough in American history, breaking centuries of tradition in which only men had
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On This Day September 15 1981 – The John Bull Became the Oldest Operable Steam Locomotive in the World
On this day September 15 1981, the John Bull locomotive achieved recognition as the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world. Originally built in 1831 by Robert Stephenson and Company in England, the John Bull had been brought to the United States to serve the
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On This Day September 14 1981 – Songs in the Attic by Billy Joel Live Album Released
On this day September 14 1981, Billy Joel released his live album Songs in the Attic . The record was designed to reintroduce material from his earlier albums to a wider audience who had discovered him through the massive success of The Stranger and 52nd
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On This Day September 14 1981 – Why Do Fools Fall in Love by Diana Ross Twelfth Album Released
On this day September 14 1981, Diana Ross released her twelfth studio album Why Do Fools Fall in Love . It was her first album after leaving Motown Records, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career with RCA. The album featured the
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On This Day September 14 1981 – Maiden Japan EP Was Released
On this day September 14 1981, Iron Maiden released their live EP Maiden Japan. Captured during their tour in Japan, this release gave fans a raw and powerful taste of the band’s early live energy. It featured live renditions of tracks from their first two
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On This Day September 14 1981 – Entertainment Tonight Premiered in Syndication
On this day September 14 1981, Entertainment Tonight premiered in syndication. The program quickly established itself as a groundbreaking entertainment newsmagazine, delivering daily coverage of Hollywood, celebrity interviews, behind the scenes reports, and industry updates. Hosted originally by Tom Hallick and Marjorie Wallace, and later
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On This Day September 12 1981 – The Smurfs Premiered on NBC
On this day September 12 1981, The Smurfs premiered on NBC, introducing American audiences to the tiny blue characters that would become icons of 1980s Saturday morning television. Based on the Belgian comic series created by Peyo, the show followed Papa Smurf and his village
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Space Stars Premiered on NBC
On this day September 12 1981, Space Stars premiered on NBC, bringing together a collection of space themed animated adventures into one Saturday morning block. Produced by Hanna Barbera, the series combined new and classic characters in a shared universe that appealed to young sci
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Spider Man and His Amazing Friends Premiered on NBC
On this day September 12 1981, Spider Man and His Amazing Friends premiered on NBC, giving Marvel fans a Saturday morning favorite that brought superheroes into animated team adventures. The series followed Spider Man as he joined forces with Iceman and a new character, Firestar,
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On This Day September 12 1981 – The Kwicky Koala Show Premiered on CBS
On this day September 12 1981, The Kwicky Koala Show premiered on CBS, introducing audiences to a fast moving little koala with a knack for escaping trouble. Created by the legendary Tex Avery, the series was one of the last projects he worked on, carrying
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Trollkins Premiered on CBS
On this day September 12 1981, Trollkins premiered on CBS, offering a colorful mix of Smurf like fantasy and Dukes of Hazzard style comedy. Produced by Hanna Barbera, the animated series followed the adventures of troll characters living in the whimsical town of Trolltown. The
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Spider-Man Premiered in Syndication
On this day September 12 1981, Spider-Man premiered in syndication, giving Marvel’s iconic web slinger a fresh animated series for the new decade. Produced by Marvel Productions, the show followed Peter Parker as he balanced life as a college student with his role as Spider
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On This Day September 12 1981 – The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam Premiered on NBC
On this day September 12 1981, The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam premiered on NBC, combining superhero adventures with live action segments in a Saturday morning format. Produced by Filmation, the series featured animated stories of Captain Marvel (later known as Shazam) alongside a
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Blackstar Premiered on CBS
On this day September 12 1981, Blackstar premiered on CBS, bringing a science fantasy adventure to Saturday morning television. Produced by Filmation, the animated series told the story of astronaut John Blackstar, who is transported through a black hole to the alien world of Sagar.
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On This Day September 12 1981 – Sons and Fascination Sister Feelings Called by Simple Minds Double LP Released
On this day September 12 1981, Simple Minds released their double LP Sons and Fascination Sister Feelings Called . Produced by Steve Hillage, the project captured the band at a creative peak, blending driving rhythms, atmospheric keyboards, and post punk experimentation into a sound that
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On This Day September 11 1981 – Rage in Eden by Ultravox Fifth Album Released
On this day September 11 1981, Ultravox released their fifth studio album Rage in Eden . Building on the success of their breakthrough album Vienna, the band continued to refine their sound with a darker, more atmospheric approach that highlighted their position as leaders of
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On This Day September 11 1981 – Night School Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 11 1981, Night School premiered in theaters. This slasher film followed a series of gruesome murders targeting young women attending night classes in Boston, with the killer leaving behind a trail of decapitated victims. Blending mystery and horror, the movie centered
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