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 8 1983 – President Reagan Labeled the Soviet Union the Evil Empire
On this day March 8 1983 President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando Florida in which he referred to the Soviet Union as the evil empire. This speech became one of the defining moments of the Cold War
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On This Day March 7 1983 – The Final Episode of Square Pegs Aired
On this day March 7 1983 the final episode of the teen sitcom Square Pegs aired on CBS. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Amy Linker the series followed two awkward high school freshmen trying to fit in with the popular crowd. Mixing humor with relatable
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On This Day March 7 1983 – Small & Frye Premiered on CBS
On this day March 7 1983 the short lived comedy series Small & Frye premiered on CBS. The show followed the adventures of a detective duo with a unique twist. One of them could shrink down to six inches tall. Starring Darren McGavin as Nick
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On This Day March 7 1983 – The Nashville Network Was Launched
On this day March 7 1983 The Nashville Network officially launched bringing country music programming and Southern culture to television. Known as TNN the network featured a mix of country music performances talk shows motor racing and outdoor lifestyle programs quickly becoming a go to
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On This Day March 6 1983 – Country Music Television Was Launched
On this day March 6 1983 Country Music Television officially launched becoming the first 24-hour network dedicated solely to country music. Known as CMT the channel gave country artists a platform to showcase their music videos interviews and exclusive performances helping to expand the genre’s
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On This Day March 5 1983 – Billie Jean by Michael Jackson Became the Number One Song in America
On this day March 5 1983, Michael Jackson’s hit song Billie Jean reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song would remain at the top spot from March 5 to April 22, dominating the charts and further solidifying Jackson’s place as the King
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On This Day March 4 1983 – Curtains Premiered in Theaters in the US
n this day March 4 1983 the Canadian slasher film Curtains premiered in theaters all over the US. Directed by Richard Ciupka the movie starred John Vernon and Linda Thorson in a chilling tale of murder suspense and psychological horror set in the world of
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On This Day March 4 1983 – Thunder and Lightning by Thin Lizzy Was Released
On this day March 4 1983 Thin Lizzy released their 12th studio album Thunder and Lightning. The album marked a significant shift in the band's sound, leaning more heavily into hard rock and metal, with a heavier, more aggressive tone compared to their previous albums.
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On This Day March 2 1983 – Sahara Was Released in Theaters
On this day March 2 1983 the adventure film Sahara was released in theaters. Directed by Andrew McLaglen the film starred Brooke Shields Lambert Wilson Horst Buchholz John Rhys Davies and John Mills. Despite its ambitious production and high budget the film became one of
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On This Day March 2 1983 – High Performance Premiered on ABC
On this day March 2 1983 the action comedy television movie High Performance premiered on ABC. The film attempted to blend fast paced action with humor following a group of unlikely heroes caught up in a high stakes adventure. While not widely remembered today High
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On This Day March 1 1983 – The First Swatch Watches Were Introduced in Zürich Switzerland
On this day March 1 1983 Swatch introduced its first line of watches in Zürich, Switzerland, revolutionizing the watch industry with affordable, stylish, and durable timepieces. Priced between $40 and $50, Swatch watches were designed to be fashionable, lightweight, and accessible, making them an instant
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On This Day March 1 1983 – A Tornado With 113 to 157 MPH Winds Tore Through Los Angeles
On this day March 1 1983 a tornado with winds between 113 and 157 MPH tore through the city of Los Angeles, causing widespread damage and injuring 33 people. This event remains one of the most significant tornadoes in California history, as it resulted in
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On This Day March 14 1983 – Bon Jovi Formed in Sayreville New Jersey
On this day March 14 1983 Bon Jovi officially formed in Sayreville New Jersey. Led by Jon Bon Jovi the band brought together Richie Sambora David Bryan Alec John Such and Tico Torres to create what would become one of the biggest rock bands of
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On This Day March 7 1983 – The Hurting by Tears for Fears Was Released
On this day March 7 1983 Tears for Fears released their debut album The Hurting. The album introduced their signature blend of synth-driven new wave and deeply personal lyrics exploring themes of childhood trauma and emotional struggles. The Hurting was a massive success in the
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On This Day March 7 1983 – Blue Monday by New Order Was Released
On this day March 7 1983 New Order released Blue Monday a groundbreaking single that became one of the most influential electronic dance tracks of all time. The song blended post-punk with cutting-edge synthesizers and drum machine programming creating a signature sound that helped shape
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On This Day March 4 1983 – Baby It’s You Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 4 1983 the romantic drama Baby It’s You premiered in theaters. Directed by John Sayles the film starred Rosanna Arquette and Vincent Spano in a coming of age story set in the 1960s. The film followed Jill a high achieving high
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On This Day March 29 1982 – Chariots of Fire Won Best Picture at the 54th Academy Awards
On this day March 29 1982 Chariots of Fire won Best Picture at the 54th Academy Awards held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles California. The ceremony was hosted by Johnny Carson and broadcast on ABC. Chariots of Fire told the inspiring true
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On This Day March 29 1982 – Capitol Premiered on CBS
On this day March 29 1982 the soap opera Capitol premiered on CBS. Set in the high stakes world of Washington D.C. politics and power struggles the series followed the lives of the wealthy Clegg and Tate families whose rivalries played out against the backdrop
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On This Day March 29 1982 – Angst in My Pants by Sparks Was Released
On this day March 29 1982 Sparks released their eleventh studio album Angst in My Pants. Known for their quirky lyrics theatrical delivery and synth driven sound the Mael brothers delivered another sharp and catchy collection of tracks that stood out in the early 80s
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On This Day March 26 1982 – I Ought to Be in Pictures Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 26 1982 I Ought to Be in Pictures premiered in theaters. Directed by Herbert Ross and based on Neil Simon’s stage play the film starred Walter Matthau Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff. It followed a struggling Hollywood screenwriter whose estranged teenage daughter
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On This Day March 25 1982 – Cagney and Lacey Premiered on CBS
On this day March 25 1982 Cagney and Lacey premiered on CBS. The groundbreaking crime drama followed two female detectives navigating life and law enforcement in New York City. Tyne Daly played Mary Beth Lacey the tough working mother while Sharon Gless took over the
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On This Day March 25 1982 – The Blurred Crusade by The Church Was Released
On this day March 25 1982 Australian band The Church released their second studio album The Blurred Crusade. The album marked a shift toward a more atmospheric and guitar driven sound that would become a signature for the band throughout the 80s. Blending jangly guitars
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On This Day March 24 1982 – The Name of This Band is Talking Heads Was Released
On this day March 24 1982 Talking Heads released their live album The Name of This Band is Talking Heads. The double album featured recordings from concerts spanning 1977 to 1981 capturing the band’s evolution from raw art punk to a rhythm driven ensemble with
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On This Day March 23 1982 – Joanie Loves Chachi Premiered on ABC
On this day March 23 1982, Joanie Loves Chachi premiered on ABC, bringing the Happy Days spinoff that followed Joanie and Chachi as they pursued music and life together in Chicago. The show shifted the characters away from their familiar setting in Milwaukee and placed
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