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 16 1989 – Dink the Little Dinosaur Premiered on CBS
On this day September 16 1989, the animated series Dink the Little Dinosaur premiered on CBS. Set in a prehistoric world, the show followed Dink, a young dinosaur, and his friends as they learned life lessons through adventures filled with discovery and challenges. The series
Read More
On This Day September 16 1989 – The California Raisin Show Premiered on CBS
On this day September 16 1989, the animated series The California Raisin Show premiered on CBS. Building on the popularity of the claymation California Raisins commercials, the show featured animated versions of the soulful raisins embarking on musical adventures filled with comedy and charm. Although
Read More
On This Day September 16 1989 – Rude Dog and the Dweebs Premiered on CBS
On this day September 16 1989, the animated series Rude Dog and the Dweebs premiered on CBS. Based on the popular Rude Dog apparel mascot, the show followed the adventures of the cool talking dog and his motley crew of canine friends known as the
Read More
On This Day September 16 1989 – Homeroom Premiered on ABC
On this day September 16 1989, the sitcom Homeroom premiered on ABC. The series starred Darryl Sivad as a successful advertising executive who leaves his high paying job to teach at an inner city school, hoping to make a real difference in the lives of
Read More
On This Day September 16 1989 – Final Episode of Simon and Simon Aired
On this day September 16 1989, the final episode of Simon and Simon aired, closing out the popular detective series that ran throughout much of the 1980s. The show followed brothers Rick and A.J. Simon, private investigators with opposite personalities who solved crimes together in
Read More
On This Day September 15 1989 – Sea of Love Premiered
On this day September 15 1989, the thriller Sea of Love premiered in theaters. The film combined crime, romance, and suspense, following a New York detective investigating a string of murders connected to personal ads. Sea of Love starred Al Pacino as Detective Frank Keller,
Read More
On This Day September 15 1989 – The Big Picture Premiered
On this day September 15 1989, the comedy film The Big Picture premiered in theaters. The movie told the story of a young film school graduate navigating the cutthroat world of Hollywood, where ambition, compromise, and artistic integrity collide. Starring Kevin Bacon as Nick Chapman,
Read More
On This Day September 14 1989 – Quickness Album by Bad Brains Released
On this day September 14 1989, Bad Brains released their fourth studio album Quickness . The record pushed boundaries by blending punk, reggae, metal, and funk into one aggressive and urgent sound that stood out in the late 80s music scene. Quickness featured tracks such
Read More
On This Day September 14 1989 – Joseph T. Wesbecker Shot and Killed 8 Co Workers at The Standard Gravure Before Committing Suicide
On this day September 14 1989, tragedy struck in Louisville, Kentucky, when 47 year old Joseph T. Wesbecker entered his former workplace, the Standard Gravure printing plant, armed with an assault rifle. In a devastating attack, he shot and killed eight co workers and wounded
Read More
On This Day September 13 1989 – Wolf Premiered on CBS
On this day September 13 1989, Wolf premiered on CBS. The crime drama starred Jack Scalia as Tony Wolf, a former cop who becomes a private investigator after leaving the police force under difficult circumstances. The series focused on Wolf’s cases in Los Angeles, blending
Read More
On This Day September 13 1989 – Foreign Affair by Tina Turner Released
On this day September 13 1989, Tina Turner released her album Foreign Affair . Building on the success of her 1980s comeback, the record showcased her powerful voice across a mix of rock, pop, and soulful ballads. The album featured the international hit The Best,
Read More
On This Day September 12 1989 – Life Goes On Premiered on ABC
On this day September 12 1989, Life Goes On premiered on ABC, breaking new ground as the first network television series to feature a major character with Down syndrome. The family drama followed the Thacher family, led by parents Drew and Libby, as they navigated
Read More
On This Day September 12 1989 – Chicken Soup Premiered on ABC
On this day September 12 1989, Chicken Soup premiered on ABC, a sitcom that paired two well known comedic talents in an attempt to create a heartfelt and humorous series. The show starred Jackie Mason as Jackie Fisher, a Jewish man, and Lynn Redgrave as
Read More
On This Day September 12 1989 – Pump by Aerosmith Tenth Album Released
On this day September 12 1989, Aerosmith released their tenth studio album Pump . Following the success of Permanent Vacation, the record solidified the band’s comeback and became one of the most celebrated albums of their career. Pump delivered a string of hit singles including
Read More
On This Day September 12 1989 – Results by Liza Minnelli Ninth Album Released
On this day September 12 1989, Liza Minnelli released her ninth studio album Results . A striking departure from her traditional cabaret and Broadway style, the record was a full collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys, who wrote and produced the album with their signature
Read More
On This Day September 12 1989 – Bound By the Beauty by Jane Siberry Fifth Album Released
On this day September 12 1989, Jane Siberry released her fifth studio album Bound By the Beauty. Known for her poetic songwriting and ethereal voice, Siberry delivered a record that combined folk pop with artful, introspective storytelling. The album included standout tracks such as Bound
Read More
On This Day September 11 1989 – We Too Are One by Eurythmics Seventh Album Released
On this day September 11 1989, Eurythmics released their seventh studio album We Too Are One . The record marked a return to a more rock oriented sound after the experimental Savage, blending Annie Lennox’s powerful vocals with Dave Stewart’s sharp production and guitar work.
Read More
On This Day September 11 1989 – Brave and Crazy by Melissa Etheridge Second Album Released
On this day September 11 1989, Melissa Etheridge released her second studio album Brave and Crazy . Building on the success of her self titled debut, the record showcased Etheridge’s powerful voice, raw emotion, and a blend of heartland rock and blues infused songwriting. The
Read More
On This Day September 11 1989 – 3rd Degree Game Show Premiered in Syndication
On this day September 11 1989, 3rd Degree premiered in syndication, adding a fresh twist to the game show landscape of the late 1980s. Hosted by Bert Convy, the show pitted celebrity panelists against everyday contestants in a battle of questions, clues, and clever deductions.
Read More
On This Day September 9 1989 – American Gladiators Made Its Debut
On this day September 9 1989, American Gladiators made its television debut, bringing a unique mix of athletic competition and over the top spectacle to syndicated television. The show pitted everyday contestants against larger than life Gladiators in a series of physical challenges designed to
Read More
On This Day September 9 1989 – Hangin Tough by New Kids on the Block Became the Number 1 Song in America
On this day September 9 1989, Hangin Tough by New Kids on the Block reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing the group’s place at the top of the late 80s pop scene. The single, taken from their album of the same name,
Read More
On This Day September 8 1989 – Kickboxer Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 8 1989, Kickboxer premiered in theaters, further cementing Jean Claude Van Damme’s status as one of the era’s leading action stars. Following the success of Bloodsport, the film gave audiences another showcase of his martial arts skills and screen presence. The
Read More
On This Day September 6 1989 – The MTV Music Awards Aired
On this day September 6 1989, the MTV Video Music Awards aired, showcasing the height of music video culture in the late 80s. The event celebrated the artistry and creativity that had turned MTV into a cultural force, with artists pushing boundaries through both visuals
Read More
On This Day September 6 1989 – Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz Debut Album Released
On this day September 6 1989, Lenny Kravitz introduced himself to the world with his debut album Let Love Rule . Arriving at the close of the decade, the record immediately stood out because of its throwback influences. Kravitz blended rock, soul, funk, and psychedelic
Read More