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.
494 On This Day Articles
On This Day November 18 1988 – The Land Before Time Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 18 1988 The Land Before Time premiered in theaters. The film introduced audiences to a heartfelt story about friendship, courage, and survival as a group of young dinosaurs journeyed through danger and discovery. Its emotional tone and memorable characters connected strongly
Read More
On This Day November 18 1988 – President Ronald Reagan Signed the Bill Allowing the Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers
On this day November 18 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill on this day in 1988 that expanded federal penalties and allowed the death penalty for certain drug trafficking offenses. This action was part of a broader national effort aimed at strengthening federal responses
Read More
On This Day November 16 1988 – Robin Givens Sued Ex Husband Mike Tyson for 125 Million Dollars
On this day November 16 1988, actress Robin Givens filed a 125 million dollar lawsuit against her ex husband, heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, following a turbulent and highly publicized marriage. The lawsuit alleged emotional and physical abuse, making headlines across the country and drawing
Read More
On This Day November 16 1988 – Dokken Released Beast from the East
On this day November 16 1988, Dokken released Beast from the East, a powerful live album that captured the band at the height of their success and energy. Recorded during their tour in Japan, the album showcased the group’s signature blend of melodic hooks, soaring
Read More
On This Day November 16 1988 – Miyuki Nakajima Released Goodbye Girl
On this day November 16 1988, Japanese singer songwriter Miyuki Nakajima released Goodbye Girl, a deeply emotional and beautifully crafted album that highlighted her lyrical storytelling and powerful voice. Known for her poetic style and ability to convey human emotion with honesty and grace, Nakajima
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Kiss Released Smashes Thrashes & Hits
On this day November 15 1988, Kiss released Smashes Thrashes & Hits, a compilation album that brought together the band’s biggest anthems along with two brand new songs. It served as both a celebration of their chart topping success and a bridge between eras for
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Fleetwood Mac Released Greatest Hits
On this day November 15 1988, Fleetwood Mac released Greatest Hits , a compilation album that celebrated one of the most successful and influential bands of the rock era. The record brought together their biggest hits from the mid 1970s through the late 1980s, offering
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Journey Released Greatest Hits
On this day November 15 1988, Journey released Greatest Hits, a compilation that brought together the anthems which defined their sound and made them one of the most iconic rock bands of the 1980s. The album captured the heart of their music with soaring vocals,
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Aerosmith Released Gems
On this day November 15 1988, Aerosmith released Gems , a hard rocking compilation that focused on the band’s heavier and grittier side. Unlike their previous greatest hits collection, Gems showcased the raw energy and attitude that made Aerosmith one of America’s most enduring rock
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Robert Earl Keen Released The Live Album
On this day November 15 1988, Robert Earl Keen released The Live Album, a collection that captured his storytelling charm and the authentic Texas country sound that would come to define his career. Recorded in front of an intimate audience, the album showcased Keen’s humor,
Read More
On This Day November 15 1988 – Cowboy Junkies Released The Trinity Session
On this day November 15 1988, Cowboy Junkies released The Trinity Session , a hauntingly beautiful album recorded live in one day at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity. Known for its natural acoustics and minimal production, the album created an intimate and atmospheric sound
Read More
On This Day November 14 1988 – Murphy Brown Premiered on CBS
On this day November 14 1988, Murphy Brown premiered on CBS, introducing television audiences to one of the most intelligent and sharp witted sitcoms of the decade. Starring Candice Bergen as investigative journalist Murphy Brown, the show followed her professional life and personal struggles while
Read More
On This Day November 14 1988 – Milli Vanilli Released Their Debut Album All or Nothing
On this day November 14 1988, Milli Vanilli released their debut album All or Nothing , introducing a new dance pop sound that quickly took Europe and North America by storm. The album blended catchy melodies, smooth harmonies, and infectious beats that defined late 80s
Read More
On This Day November 12 1988 – Wild Wild West by The Escape Club Became the Number One Song in America
On this day November 12 1988, Wild Wild West by The Escape Club hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the most recognizable pop rock anthems of the late 1980s. With its driving rhythm, catchy chorus, and tongue in cheek lyrics,
Read More
On This Day November 11 1988 – Split Decisions Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 11 1988, Split Decisions premiered in theaters, a boxing drama that delivered a story of family, ambition, and redemption inside and outside the ring. Directed by David Drury, the film starred Gene Hackman, Craig Sheffer, and Jeff Fahey, focusing on a
Read More
On This Day November 11 1988 – Iron Eagle II Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 11 1988, Iron Eagle II premiered in theaters, continuing the high flying action and military drama that made the original film a favorite among fans of 80s adventure movies. Directed by Sidney J Furie, the sequel starred Louis Gossett Jr reprising
Read More
On This Day November 11 1988 – Distant Thunder Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 11 1988, Distant Thunder premiered in theaters, a powerful drama exploring the emotional scars left on Vietnam veterans years after returning home. Directed by Rick Rosenthal, the film starred John Lithgow as a man struggling to rebuild his life after living
Read More
On This Day November 11 1988 – Evil Angels Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 11 1988, Evil Angels premiered in theaters, a powerful drama based on one of the most controversial true stories in Australian history. Released internationally as A Cry in the Dark, the film starred Meryl Streep and Sam Neill and told the
Read More
On This Day November 11 1988 – Ernest Saves Christmas Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 11 1988, Ernest Saves Christmas premiered in theaters, bringing back Jim Varney’s lovable and hilarious character Ernest P Worrell for a holiday adventure full of heart and laughter. The film followed Ernest as he tried to help Santa Claus find his
Read More
On This Day November 10 1988 – Knightwatch Premiered on ABC
On this day November 10 1988, Knightwatch premiered on ABC, a drama series that explored the challenges of life after dark in America’s inner cities. Starring Benjamin Bratt, Don Franklin, and Todd Field, the show followed a volunteer neighborhood patrol made up of former gang
Read More
On This Day November 9 1988 – Child’s Play Premiered in Theaters
On this day November 9 1988, Child’s Play premiered in theaters, introducing audiences to one of horror’s most notorious icons, the possessed doll known as Chucky. Directed by Tom Holland and written by Don Mancini, the film told the chilling story of a young boy
Read More
On This Day November 8 1988 – Realm Released Endless War
On this day November 8 1988, the American thrash metal band Realm released their debut album Endless War, an explosive record that combined technical precision with raw energy. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Realm brought a unique sound to the metal scene by blending intricate guitar
Read More
On This Day November 8 1988 – The Jungle Brothers Released Straight out the Jungle
On this day November 8 1988, The Jungle Brothers released their groundbreaking debut album Straight out the Jungle , a record that helped shape the future of hip hop as the 80s came to a close. The New York trio Mike Gee, Afrika Baby Bam,
Read More
On This Day November 8 1988 – George H W Bush Elected 41st President of the United States
On this day November 8 1988, George H W Bush won the United States presidential election, defeating Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis to become the 41st President of the United States. Serving as Vice President under Ronald Reagan for eight years, Bush campaigned on a message
Read More