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 March 7 1989 – Iran and the United Kingdom Broke Diplomatic Relations Over The Satanic Verses
On this day March 7 1989 Iran and the United Kingdom officially broke diplomatic relations following a major controversy over the novel The Satanic Verses written by Salman Rushdie. The book was accused of blasphemy by many in the Muslim world leading to widespread protests
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On This Day March 7 1989 – Girl You Know Its True by Milli Vanilli Was Released
On this day March 7 1989 Milli Vanilli released their second album Girl You Know Its True marking their first official US release. The album became a massive commercial success reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and topping the charts in Canada. It featured
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Dream a Little Dream Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 3 1989 the fantasy comedy drama Dream a Little Dream premiered in theaters. Directed by Marc Rocco the film starred Corey Feldman Corey Haim Piper Laurie and Harry Dean Stanton. The movie was one of several films from the 1980s that
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Lean on Me Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 3 1989 the biographical drama Lean on Me premiered in theaters. Starring Morgan Freeman the film was based on the true story of Joe Clark a tough and unconventional high school principal who transformed Eastside High School in Paterson New Jersey.
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Farewell to the King Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 3 1989 the war drama Farewell to the King premiered in theaters. Directed by John Milius the film starred Nick Nolte Nigel Havers Frank McRae and Gerry Lopez. The story was based on the 1969 novel of the same name by
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On This Day March 3 1989 – 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul Was Released
On this day March 3 1989 De La Soul released their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising. The album brought a fresh and innovative approach to hip hop blending eclectic samples playful lyricism and a laid back style that contrasted the hardcore rap dominating
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On This Day March 3 1989 – Like a Prayer by Madonna Was Released
On this day March 3 1989 Madonna released Like a Prayer a song that would become one of the most iconic and controversial hits of her career. The track blended pop and gospel influences with deeply personal lyrics creating a powerful anthem that resonated with
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On This Day March 2 1989 – Madonna’s Controversial Like a Prayer Pepsi Commercial Aired
On this day March 2 1989 Madonna’s highly anticipated Pepsi commercial featuring her new song Like a Prayer aired on television. The commercial was part of a major promotional deal between Madonna and Pepsi making her the face of the brand while debuting the song
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On This Day March 1 1989 – The 74 Year Beer Prohibition Ended in Iceland
On this day March 1 1989 Iceland officially ended its 74 year ban on beer allowing full strength beer to be legally sold for the first time since 1915. This historic event became so significant that March 1 is now celebrated annually as Beer Day
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On This Day February 28 1989 – Gretchen Polhemus of Texas Won the 38th Miss USA Pageant
On this day February 28 1989 Gretchen Polhemus from Texas was crowned Miss USA 1989 at the Mobile Civic Center Theatre in Mobile Alabama. Hosted by Dick Clark, the pageant was a significant event as Texas continued its dominance in the competition, marking the fifth
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On This Day February 28 1989 – Coach Premiered on NBC
On this day February 28 1989 the sitcom Coach premiered on NBC. Starring Craig T. Nelson, the show followed the life of Hayden Fox, the head coach of the fictional Minnesota State Screaming Eagles football team. The series blended sports, comedy, and family dynamics, making
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On This Day February 28 1989 – Indigo Girls Released Their Self Titled Album
On this day February 28 1989 Indigo Girls released their second studio album Indigo Girls , which became their breakthrough record. The album reached number 22 on the US Billboard 200, introducing the folk rock duo to a wider audience and earning them critical acclaim.
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On This Day February 27 1989 – Oranges & Lemons by XTC Was Released
On this day February 27 1989 XTC released their eleventh studio album Oranges & Lemons . The album showcased a vibrant psychedelic pop sound, influenced by 1960s psych rock, and became one of the band’s most commercially successful releases. It reached number 44 on the
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On This Day February 24 1989 – The Toxic Avenger Part II Was Released
On this day February 24 1989 The Toxic Avenger Part II was released continuing the cult classic story of Troma’s most famous mutant hero. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz the film embraced the over the top violence comedy and absurdity that made the
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On This Day February 22 1989 – The 31st Annual Grammy Awards Aired on CBS
On this day February 22 1989 the 31st Annual Grammy Awards aired on CBS, celebrating the biggest achievements in music. Hosted by the always charismatic Billy Crystal, the ceremony honored some of the most memorable artists and songs of the late 80s. One of the
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On This Day February 20 1989 – Actress Jane Wyman Was Rushed to the Hospital
On February 20, 1989, Jane Wyman, best known for her role as Angela Channing on Falcon Crest, was rushed to the hospital after suffering from complications related to diabetes and a liver ailment. The news shocked fans, as Wyman had been a television staple throughout
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On This Day February 20 1989 – Charlie O’Donnell Returned as the Announcer of Wheel of Fortune After a 9-Year Absence
On February 20, 1989, legendary announcer Charlie O'Donnell made his grand return to Wheel of Fortune after a nine-year absence. O'Donnell was the original voice of the show when it premiered in 1975, but he left in 1980 to pursue other announcing opportunities. His return
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On This Day February 20 1989 – Meat Beat Manifesto Released Their Debut Album Storm the Studio
On February 20, 1989, Meat Beat Manifesto released their groundbreaking debut album Storm the Studio, a record that helped shape the industrial, electronic, and trip hop scenes of the late 80s and early 90s. Led by Jack Dangers, the UK based group blended elements of
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On This Day February 20 1989 – The Final Episode of Almost Grown Aired
On February 20, 1989, CBS aired the final episode of Almost Grown, a critically acclaimed but short-lived drama that ran for one season and 13 episodes. Created by David Chase who would later go on to create The Sopranos the show starred Tim Daly and
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On This Day February 17 1989 – The Burbs Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 17, 1989, The ’Burbs premiered in theaters, blending dark comedy, mystery, and suburban paranoia into one of the most entertaining cult films of the 80s. Directed by Joe Dante and starring Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, and Corey
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On This Day February 17 1989 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 17, 1989, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure premiered in theaters, introducing audiences to the time-traveling misadventures of two lovable slackers. Starring Keanu Reeves as Ted "Theodore" Logan and Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esq., the film became an instant cult
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On This Day February 17 1989 – True Believer Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 17, 1989, True Believer premiered in theaters. Directed by Joseph Ruben, the legal thriller starred James Woods as a jaded civil rights lawyer and Robert Downey Jr. as his idealistic young assistant, tackling a wrongful conviction case with life or death
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On This Day February 16 1989 – The Mighty Quinn Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 16, 1989, The Mighty Quinn premiered in theaters. Directed by Carl Schenkel, the crime thriller starred Denzel Washington in one of his early leading roles, playing Xavier Quinn, a Caribbean police chief investigating a high profile murder case that implicates an
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On This Day February 13 1989 – A New Flame by Simply Red
On this day, February 13, 1989, Simply Red released their third studio album, A New Flame . The album continued the band’s signature blend of soul, pop, and jazz infused melodies, further cementing their place as one of the most successful British acts of the
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