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.

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64 On This Day Articles

On This Day April 1 1987 – Take Five Premiered on CBS

On this day April 1 1987 the sitcom Take Five premiered on CBS. The series starred George Segal as Andy Kooper, a public relations executive trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with his children after a midlife crisis and a failed marriage. Take Five

On This Day April 1 1987 – Solitude Standing by Suzanne Vega Was Released

On this day April 1 1987 Suzanne Vega released her second studio album Solitude Standing. The album featured a refined acoustic pop sound paired with poetic storytelling that helped solidify her as one of the most distinctive voices of the late 80s singer songwriter movement.

On This Day April 4 1986 – The Final Episode of Knight Rider Aired

On this day April 4 1986 the final episode of Knight Rider aired, bringing an end to one of the most iconic action series of the 80s. The show starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a crime fighter partnered with a high tech talking car

On This Day April 4 1986 – Final Episode of Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak Aired

On this day April 4 1986 the final episode of Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak aired on ABC. The game show featured teams of men and women competing in a fast paced word association challenge where quick thinking and teamwork were key to winning. Hosted by

On This Day April 2 1986 – George Wallace Announced He Would Not Seek Another Term as Alabama Governor

On this day April 2 1986 Alabama Governor George Wallace announced that he would not seek re election and would retire at the end of his term in January 1987. Known as one of the most controversial figures in American politics Wallace served four terms

On This Day April 1 1986 – New Kids on the Block Released Their Debut Album

On this day April 1 1986 New Kids on the Block released their self titled debut album introducing the world to the boy band that would soon take pop music by storm. Produced by Maurice Starr the album blended R&B and teen pop with slick

On This Day April 1 1986 – Book of Love by Book of Love Was Released

On this day April 1 1986 synthpop band Book of Love released their self titled debut album. With a sound rooted in electronic beats shimmering melodies and dreamy vocals the album quickly became a favorite in dance clubs across the country. Book of Love featured

On This Day April 3 1985 – Alamo Bay Premiered in Theaters

On this day April 3 1985 the drama Alamo Bay premiered in theaters. Directed by Louis Malle the film starred Amy Madigan Ed Harris and Ho Nguyen and told a powerful story rooted in real life tensions along the Texas Gulf Coast. The film focused

On This Day April 19 1984 – Self Control by Laura Branigan Was Released

On this day April 19 1984 Laura Branigan released her third studio album Self Control. Blending powerful vocals with dramatic synth driven production the album showcased her ability to balance emotional ballads with energetic pop anthems. Self Control reached number 23 on the US Billboard

On This Day April 4 1984 – Double Trouble Premiered on NBC

On this day April 4 1984 the sitcom Double Trouble premiered on NBC. The series starred real life identical twins Jean and Liz Sagal as Kate and Allison Foster two teenage sisters with completely different personalities navigating life school and growing up together. The show

On This Day April 4 1984 – President Reagan Called for an International Ban on Chemical Weapons

On this day April 4 1984 President Ronald Reagan called for a worldwide agreement to ban the production and use of chemical weapons. Speaking during a televised news conference Reagan urged the global community to come together and eliminate one of the most dangerous classes

On This Day April 2 1984 – Final Episode of Automan Aired

On this day April 2 1984 the final episode of the sci fi adventure series Automan aired on ABC. The show starred Desi Arnaz Jr as Walter Nebicher a computer programmer who creates a holographic crime fighting partner named Automan brought to life by advanced

On This Day April 1 1984 – Marvin Gaye Was Tragically Killed by His Father

On this day April 1 1984 music legend Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father Marvin Gay Sr. during a heated argument at their Los Angeles home. The shocking tragedy occurred just one day before Marvin’s 45th birthday and stunned fans around the

On This Day April 12 1983 – Renaissance Released Time Line

On this day April 12 1983, Time Line was released, marking the eleventh studio album by Renaissance. The record represented a shift in the band’s style, incorporating more contemporary rock and pop influences compared to their earlier symphonic prog sound. While it divided some longtime

On This Day April 4 1983 – Final Episode of Archie Bunker’s Place Aired

On this day April 4 1983 the final episode of Archie Bunker's Place aired on CBS. The series served as a continuation of All in the Family and followed Archie Bunker as he ran his neighborhood bar after the departure of Edith. The show ran

On This Day April 4 1983 – Space Shuttle Challenger Made Its Maiden Voyage

On this day April 4 1983 Space Shuttle Challenger launched on its maiden voyage from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, known as STS-6, marked NASA’s sixth space shuttle flight and the very first for Challenger, which would go on to complete nine successful

On This Day April 1 1983 – Baby Makes Five Premiered on ABC

On this day April 1 1983 the short lived sitcom Baby Makes Five premiered on ABC. Starring Peter Scolari the show followed the chaos and comedy of a growing family adjusting to life with a brand new baby in the house. The series ran for

On This Day April 1 1983 – Final Episode of Hit Man Aired

On this day April 1 1983 the final episode of the game show Hit Man aired after completing a single season with 65 episodes. Hosted by Peter Tomarken the show featured contestants answering trivia questions based on short film clips in hopes of advancing to

On This Day April 1 1983 – Final Episode of Just Men Aired

On this day April 1 1983 the final episode of the daytime game show Just Men aired after completing its 1 season run with 65 episodes. Hosted by the legendary Betty White the show featured two female contestants trying to guess answers given by a

On This Day April 1 1983 – Havana Moon by Carlos Santana Was Released

On this day April 1 1983 Carlos Santana released his fifth solo album Havana Moon. The album featured a mix of blues rock Latin rhythms and classic covers showcasing Santana’s versatility and deep musical influences beyond his work with the Santana band. Havana Moon included

On This Day April 1 1983 – Heart Like a Wheel Premiered in Theaters

On this day April 1 1983 the biographical drama Heart Like a Wheel premiered in theaters. Directed by Jonathan Kaplan the film starred Bonnie Bedelia as real life drag racing pioneer Shirley Muldowney and Beau Bridges as her mechanic and eventual husband Jack Muldowney. The

On This Day April 1 1983 – Screwballs Premiered in Theaters

On this day April 1 1983 the teen sex comedy Screwballs premiered in theaters. Directed by Rafal Zielinski the film followed five mischievous high school boys who team up with one goal, getting revenge on the school’s most uptight and popular girl by catching her

On This Day April 5 1982 – Report to Murphy Premiered on CBS

On this day April 5, 1982, CBS premiered Report to Murphy, a short lived comedy series starring Michael Keaton in one of his early television roles. The show followed probation officer Murphy, a well meaning and quirky guy trying to guide his colorful clients back

On This Day April 2 1982 – Some Kind of Hero Premiered in Theaters

On this day April 2 1982 the comedy drama Some Kind of Hero premiered in theaters. Directed by Michael Pressman the film starred Richard Pryor as a Vietnam War veteran returning home only to face bureaucratic struggles and a society that has moved on without

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