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.
339 On This Day Articles
On This Day January 11 1988 – T and T Premiered in Syndication
On this day January 11 1988, T. and T. premiered in syndication, introducing an action driven crime series that paired a former professional boxer with a seasoned private investigator. Set primarily in Toronto, the show combined street level investigations with courtroom elements and physical confrontation,
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On This Day January 10 1988 – Moonwalker Starring Michael Jackson Was Released on Home Video
On this day January 10 1988, Moonwalker starring Michael Jackson was released on home video, bringing the visually driven music film directly into homes at the height of the VHS era. The release allowed fans to experience a collection of music sequences short films and
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On This Day January 9 1988 – So Emotional by Whitney Houston Hit Number One on the U.S. Billboard Charts
On this day January 9 1988, So Emotional by Whitney Houston reached number one on the U.S. Billboard charts, becoming another major milestone in her dominant 1980s run. The song blended dance driven pop energy with powerful vocals, reinforcing Houston’s ability to cross pop and
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On This Day January 8 1988 – Cop Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 8 1988, Cop premiered in theaters, delivering a dark and gritty police thriller rooted in obsession violence and moral ambiguity. The film followed a hard edged Los Angeles detective hunting a serial killer, presenting a bleak tone that emphasized psychological strain
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On This Day January 4 1988 – The Boost Opened in Limited Theaters
On this day January 4 1988, The Boost opened in limited theaters, presenting a dark character driven story focused on ambition excess and personal collapse. The film followed a successful businessman whose pursuit of wealth and status spirals into addiction and self destruction, reflecting a
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On This Day January 4 1988 – Blackout Premiered on CBS
On this day January 4 1988, Blackout premiered on CBS, introducing a fast paced word based game show built around problem solving and time pressure. Contestants worked to solve puzzles while parts of the answers were hidden, forcing players to think quickly and strategically as
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On This Day January 2 1988 – High Mountain Rangers Premiered on CBS
On this day January 2 1988, High Mountain Rangers premiered on CBS, introducing a modern crime drama set against the backdrop of rural justice and frontier style law enforcement. The series followed a group of rangers tasked with policing remote areas, blending contemporary crime stories
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On This Day January 2 1988 – Final Episode of Sable Aired on Television
On this day January 2 1988, the final episode of Sable aired on television, bringing an end to the short lived private investigator series. The show centered on a stylish lone detective navigating high profile cases, blending action mystery and a slick late 80s aesthetic.
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On This Day January 30 1987 – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship Became the Number One Song in America
On this day January 30 1987, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship became the number one song in America. Featured as the theme song for the movie Mannequin, the track blended soaring vocals polished production and an uplifting message that perfectly matched the feel
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On This Day January 26 1987 – Control The Remixes by Janet Jackson Was Released Internationally
On this day January 26 1987, Control The Remixes by Janet Jackson was released though some sources cite a November 1987 date for international releases. The album offered reworked versions of tracks from her breakthrough album Control. The release was limited to Europe and Japan,
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On This Day January 26 1987 – Square One TV Premiered on PBS
On this day January 26 1987, Square One TV premiered on PBS, introducing an educational series designed to make mathematics engaging and accessible for children. The show combined comedy sketches music animation and recurring characters to teach math concepts in an entertaining and memorable way.
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On This Day January 26 1987 – The Hart Foundation Defeated The British Bulldogs to Win the WWF Tag Team Championship
On this day January 26 1987, The Hart Foundation, made up of Bret Hart and Jim The Anvil Neidhart, defeated The British Bulldogs to win the WWF Tag Team Championship. The title change marked a major moment in 1980s professional wrestling, as two of the
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On This Day January 24 1987 – At This Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters Became the Number One Song in America
On this day January 24 1987, At This Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters became the number one song in America, completing one of the most unlikely chart success stories of the decade. The song’s emotional delivery and stripped down arrangement stood in contrast
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On This Day January 23 1987 – The Stepfather Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 23 1987, The Stepfather premiered in theaters, delivering a chilling psychological thriller that stood apart from traditional slasher films of the era. The movie focused on tension identity and the fear hidden within domestic life, building suspense through character behavior rather
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On This Day January 23 1987 – Jocks Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 23 1987, Jocks premiered in theaters, delivering a lighthearted sports comedy aimed squarely at the teen driven movie market of the late 1980s. The film blended college athletics party culture and broad humor, reflecting a period when youth oriented comedies leaned
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On This Day January 22 1987 – Philippine Security Forces Opened Fire on Demonstrators at Malacañang Palace in Manila
On this day January 22 1987, Philippine security forces opened fire on an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 demonstrators near Malacañang Palace in Manila. The protest, made up largely of farmers and supporters, was centered on demands for land reform and broader social change, and the
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On This Day January 22 1987 – The Tortellis Premiered on NBC
On this day January 22 1987, The Tortellis premiered on NBC, expanding the world of established television comedy through a character focused spinoff. Centered on exaggerated personalities and family conflict, the series leaned heavily on broad humor and familiar sitcom rhythms that were popular throughout
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On This Day January 22 1987 – R. Budd Dwyer Died After Shooting Himself During a Televised Press Conference
On this day January 22 1987, Pennsylvania State Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer died after shooting himself during a televised press conference in Harrisburg. The shocking event unfolded live in front of reporters and cameras, instantly becoming one of the most disturbing moments ever broadcast on
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On This Day January 20 1987 – Echelons by For Against Was Released
On this day January 20 1987, Echelons by For Against was released, offering a stark atmospheric alternative to the mainstream sounds dominating late 1980s radio. The album embraced minimalism moody textures and introspective songwriting, reflecting the underground side of the decade’s music scene. Echelons captured
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On This Day January 20 1987 – The Return of Bruno by Bruce Willis Was Released
On this day January 20 1987, The Return of Bruno by Bruce Willis was released, reflecting a moment in the 1980s when film and television stars frequently crossed into music. The album leaned into rhythm and blues inspired pop, presenting a confident and playful sound
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On This Day January 20 1987 – Unsolved Mysteries Premiered on NBC
On this day January 20 1987, Unsolved Mysteries premiered on NBC, introducing a new kind of television experience that blended real life crime unexplained events and viewer participation. The series stood apart from traditional scripted programming by presenting true cases that invited the audience to
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On This Day January 19 1987 – Warehouse Songs and Stories by Husker Du Was Released
On this day January 19 1987, Warehouse Songs and Stories by Husker Du was released, delivering a double album that pushed alternative rock further into emotional and musical depth. The record blended melodic intensity with raw energy, pairing reflective songwriting with driving guitars and urgent
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On This Day January 17 1987 – At This Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters Was Released
On this day January 17 1987, At This Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters was released, bringing a heartfelt and emotionally direct pop ballad into the mainstream during the late 1980s. Built around a powerful vocal performance and simple melodic structure, the song focused
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On This Day January 17 1987 – Ohara Premiered on ABC
On this day January 17 1987, Ohara premiered on ABC, introducing a detective drama centered on a meticulous and unconventional Los Angeles police investigator. The series focused on methodical police work character driven cases and personal discipline, setting it apart from faster paced action oriented
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