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 24 1989 – Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Occurred in Alaska
On this day March 24 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef in Prince William Sound Alaska and spilled an estimated 240000 barrels of crude oil into the ocean. The spill quickly became one of the worst environmental disasters in US history contaminating
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On This Day March 20 1989 – Heartland Premiered on CBS
On this day March 20 1989 the drama series Heartland premiered on CBS. The show starred Brian Keith as a gruff but caring grandfather who takes in his son’s family after a financial setback forcing multiple generations to live under one roof. Despite its heartfelt
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On This Day March 6 1989 – When Dream and Day Unite by Dream Theater Was Released
On this day March 6 1989 Dream Theater released their debut album When Dream and Day Unite. The album introduced the band’s progressive metal sound blending complex compositions with technical musicianship. Featuring Charlie Dominici on vocals this was the only Dream Theater album recorded before
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On This Day March 4 1989 – Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson Became the Number One Song in America
On this day March 4 1989 Lost in Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song remained at the top spot from March 4 to March 24 and also hit number one in Canada. Lost in Your Eyes
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Skin Deep Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 3 1989 the romantic comedy Skin Deep premiered in theaters. Directed by Blake Edwards the film starred John Ritter as a womanizing writer whose reckless lifestyle leads him to a midlife crisis filled with comedic misadventures. The cast also included Vincent
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Scandal Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 3 1989 the historical drama Scandal premiered in theaters. Directed by Michael Caton Jones the film starred John Hurt Joanne Whalley Kilmer Ian McKellen and Bridget Fonda. The movie was based on the real life Profumo Affair a political scandal that
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On This Day March 30 1988 – The Final Episode of We Got It Made Aired
On this day March 30 1988, the final episode of We Got It Made aired, bringing an end to the sitcom about two roommates whose lives are changed when they hire a maid. The show combined everyday situations with lighthearted humor and character driven moments.
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On This Day March 29 1988 – Final Episode of Trial and Error Aired on CBS
On this day March 29 1988 the final episode of the short lived sitcom Trial and Error aired on CBS. The series starred comedian Paul Rodriguez as a struggling young man trying to find his place in the world alongside a group of quirky friends
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On This Day March 28 1988 – Out of the Silent Planet by King’s X Was Released
On this day March 28 1988 King’s X released their debut album Out of the Silent Planet. With a bold mix of hard rock progressive elements and soulful harmonies the album introduced a sound that stood out from the typical late 80s rock scene. Out
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On This Day March 28 1988 – Push by Bros Was Released
On this day March 28 1988 Bros released their debut album Push. The British pop trio made up of twin brothers Matt and Luke Goss along with Craig Logan quickly gained teen idol status in the UK with their catchy hooks slick production and energetic
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On This Day March 27 1988 – WrestleMania IV Crowned Randy Macho Man Savage as WWF Champion
On this day March 27 1988 WrestleMania IV took place in Atlantic City New Jersey delivering one of the most memorable nights in 80s wrestling. The main event saw Randy Macho Man Savage defeat The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase to win the WWF Heavyweight
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On This Day March 27 1988 – WWF and NWA Faced Off in a Ratings Battle
On this day March 27 1988 one of the most memorable head to head moments in wrestling history took place as the WWF and NWA went to war for television ratings. WWF aired WrestleMania IV live on pay per view while the NWA countered with
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On This Day March 26 1988 – Final Episode of What’s Happening Now Aired
On this day March 26 1988 the final episode of What's Happening Now aired in syndication. The sitcom was a continuation of the original 70s hit What's Happening which aired from 1976 to 1979. Set years later What's Happening Now reunited Raj Rerun and Dwayne
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On This Day March 25 1988 – Biloxi Blues Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 25 1988 Biloxi Blues premiered in theaters. Directed by Mike Nichols and based on Neil Simon’s semi autobiographical play the film starred Matthew Broderick as Eugene Morris Jerome a young army recruit from Brooklyn sent to basic training in Mississippi during
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On This Day March 25 1988 – Johnny Be Good Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 25 1988 Johnny Be Good premiered in theaters. Directed by Bud S. Smith the teen sports comedy starred Anthony Michael Hall as a high school football quarterback being courted by colleges with outrageous offers. The cast also included Robert Downey Jr.
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On This Day March 25 1988 – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Released in Spain
On this day March 25 1988 Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was released in Spain. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar the dark comedy starred Carmen Maura and a young Antonio Banderas. The film followed a voice actress whose life unravels over the course
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On This Day March 25 1988 – Final Episode of Yogi’s Treasure Hunt Aired
On this day March 25 1988 the final episode of Yogi’s Treasure Hunt aired in syndication. The animated series starred Yogi Bear and a crew of classic Hanna Barbera characters including Huckleberry Hound Quick Draw McGraw Snagglepuss and Boo Boo as they traveled the globe
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On This Day March 25 1988 – Heart Attack by Krokus Was Released
On this day March 25 1988 Swiss hard rock band Krokus released their tenth studio album Heart Attack. Known for their high energy sound and gritty vocals the band returned to a heavier style with this record after experimenting with a more commercial approach on
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On This Day March 23 1988 – Heartbeat Premiered on ABC
On this day March 23 1988 Heartbeat premiered on ABC. The medical drama focused on the personal and professional lives of female doctors working at a women’s clinic. Starring Kate Mulgrew Laura Johnson and Lynn Whitfield the show aimed to highlight the challenges and triumphs
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On This Day March 23 1988 – Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm by Joni Mitchell Was Released
On this day March 23 1988 Joni Mitchell released her 13th studio album Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm. The album saw Mitchell experimenting with a more polished production and featured collaborations with several well known artists including Peter Gabriel Don Henley Tom Petty and Willie
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On This Day March 22 1988 – The Final Episode of Frank’s Place Aired
On this day March 22 1988 the final episode of the critically acclaimed but short lived sitcom Frank’s Place aired. The show starred Daphne Maxwell Reid and Tony Burton and followed a Boston professor who unexpectedly inherits a Creole restaurant in New Orleans. Despite strong
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On This Day March 22 1988 – Green Thoughts by The Smithereens Was Released
On this day March 22 1988 The Smithereens released their second studio album Green Thoughts. The album continued the band's signature mix of power pop and rock while showcasing stronger songwriting and a polished sound. Green Thoughts reached number 92 on the Billboard charts and
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On This Day March 21 1988 – Now That’s What I Call Music 11 Was Released in the UK
On this day March 21 1988 the compilation album Now That’s What I Call Music 11 was released in the UK. The album became an instant success reaching number one on the UK charts and continuing the popular Now series that featured the biggest hits
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On This Day March 21 1988 – Pixies Released Their Debut Album Surfer Rosa
On this day March 21 1988 alternative rock band Pixies released their debut album Surfer Rosa. The album introduced the band’s raw dynamic sound blending loud quiet song structures surreal lyrics and punk energy. Though not a commercial blockbuster at the time it became one
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