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 14 1986 – Actress Donna Reed Passed Away at Age 64
On this day January 14 1986, Donna Reed passed away at the age of 64 from pancreatic cancer. Reed was a beloved figure in American entertainment, remembered for a career that spanned classic Hollywood films and influential television work that shaped family centered programming. Her
Read More
On This Day January 12 1986 – Florida Congressman Bill Nelson Flew Aboard Space Shuttle Columbia
On this day January 12 1986, Bill Nelson took off from Kennedy Space Center aboard Space Shuttle Columbia as a payload specialist, becoming one of the few sitting members of Congress to travel into space. The mission represented a rare intersection of government leadership and
Read More
On This Day January 10 1986 – Hes the Mayor Premiered on ABC
On this day January 10 1986, He's the Mayor premiered on ABC, bringing a lighthearted political sitcom to prime time. The series centered on a small town mayor whose inexperience and good intentions often led to comedic situations involving local government family life and community
Read More
On This Day January 10 1986 – Black Moon Rising Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 10 1986, Black Moon Rising premiered in theaters, delivering a high intensity science driven action thriller built around futuristic technology and corporate corruption. The film centered on a former government agent caught between criminal organizations and powerful interests while protecting an
Read More
On This Day January 6 1986 – Peter Bergman Popularized a Famous Advertising Line in a Vicks Commercial
On this day January 6 1986, Peter Bergman, best known at the time for his role on All My Children, appeared in a television commercial for Vicks Formula cough medicine. During the ad, Bergman delivered a line that would become one of the most recognizable
Read More
On This Day January 6 1986 – A Revival of Card Sharks Premiered on CBS
On this day January 6 1986, a revived version of Card Sharks premiered on CBS, bringing the popular card based guessing game back to daytime television. The show challenged contestants to predict whether the next card would be higher or lower, combining probability strategy and
Read More
On This Day January 6 1986 – Bruce Forsyths Hot Streak Premiered on ABC
On this day January 6 1986, Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak premiered on ABC, introducing a fast moving daytime game show built around luck timing and escalating prize money. Hosted by Bruce Forsyth, the series featured contestants answering questions while trying to maintain a winning streak
Read More
On This Day January 1 1986 – Happy New Year Charlie Brown Premiered on CBS
On this day January 1 1986, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown premiered on CBS, adding a New Year themed entry to the long running Peanuts television legacy. The special focused on reflection, fresh starts, and everyday worries, themes that had long defined the Charlie Brown
Read More
On This Day January 1 1986 – Atomizer by Big Black Was Released
On this day January 1 1986, Atomizer by Big Black was released, delivering one of the most abrasive and uncompromising albums of the decade. The record featured harsh drum machine rhythms, distorted guitars, and confrontational lyrics that rejected mainstream rock conventions and embraced raw intensity.
Read More
On This Day January 1 1986 – New Trails by Riders in the Sky Was Released
On this day January 1 1986, New Trails by Riders in the Sky was released, continuing the group’s mission to preserve and modernize classic western music. The album blended traditional cowboy songs with tight harmonies, storytelling lyrics, and a polished sound that appealed to both
Read More
On This Day January 31 1985 – New Day Rising by Husker Du Was Released
On this day January 31 1985, New Day Rising by Husker Du was released, marking a major moment in the evolution of American alternative and underground rock. The album expanded the band’s hardcore roots with more melody structure and emotional range, while still retaining speed
Read More
On This Day January 29 1985 – Stella by Yello Was Released
On this day January 29 1985, Stella by Yello was released, delivering a sleek electronic album that leaned heavily into atmosphere rhythm and sonic experimentation. The record expanded the group’s signature sound, blending minimalist beats cinematic textures and unconventional structures that stood apart from mainstream
Read More
On This Day January 28 1985 – Crazy From the Heart EP by David Lee Roth Was Released
On this day January 28 1985, Crazy From the Heart by David Lee Roth was released, marking his first solo project following his departure from Van Halen. The EP showcased Roth’s flamboyant personality and showman style, blending hard rock energy with pop confidence and larger
Read More
On This Day January 28 1985 – We Are the World Was Recorded
On this day January 28 1985, We Are the World was recorded, bringing together an unprecedented group of musicians for a humanitarian cause. Organized to raise awareness and funds for famine relief, the recording session united artists from across genres in a single collaborative effort
Read More
On This Day January 27 1985 – Code Name: Foxfire Premiered on NBC
On this day January 27 1985, Code Name: Foxfire premiered on NBC, introducing a made for television action drama centered on espionage danger and international intrigue. The film leaned into Cold War era tension, blending covert operations with high stakes storytelling suited to mid 1980s
Read More
On This Day January 26 1985 – Otherworld Premiered on CBS
On this day January 26 1985, Otherworld premiered on CBS, introducing a science fiction adventure series centered on a family trapped in a strange parallel world. The show blended futuristic concepts with a family driven narrative, reflecting a mid 1980s interest in imaginative storytelling that
Read More
On This Day January 25 1985 – Fandango Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 25 1985, Fandango premiered in theaters, offering a reflective road trip comedy drama centered on friendship transition and the uncertainty of adulthood. The film followed a group of college friends on a final journey before facing life beyond school, blending humor
Read More
On This Day January 25 1985 – The Falcon and the Snowman Premiered in Theaters
On this day January 25 1985, The Falcon and the Snowman premiered in theaters, bringing a tense espionage drama to mid 1980s audiences. Based on real events, the film explored betrayal secrecy and Cold War paranoia, focusing on how ordinary individuals became entangled in international
Read More
On This Day January 25 1985 – Maverick by George Thorogood and the Destroyers Was Released
On this day January 25 1985, Maverick by George Thorogood and the Destroyers was released, continuing the band’s straight ahead blues rock sound during the height of the mid 1980s. The album leaned on gritty guitar riffs driving rhythms and a tough working class attitude
Read More
On This Day January 25 1985 – No Jacket Required by Phil Collins Was Released
On this day January 25 1985, No Jacket Required by Phil Collins was released, becoming one of the defining pop albums of the mid 1980s. The album blended polished production infectious rhythms and emotionally direct songwriting, helping Collins dominate radio airplay and mainstream charts throughout
Read More
On This Day January 23 1985 – Sara Premiered on NBC
On this day January 23 1985, Sara premiered on NBC, introducing a workplace based sitcom centered on personal ambition and professional life. The series focused on a successful book editor navigating career pressures and relationships, reflecting a mid 1980s interest in character driven comedies set
Read More
On This Day January 21 1985 – Real Love by Dolly Parton Was Released
On this day January 21 1985, Real Love by Dolly Parton was released, continuing her successful run through the 1980s as she balanced country roots with mainstream appeal. The album reflected a period when Parton refined a polished sound that resonated with both longtime fans
Read More
On This Day January 21 1985 – Galaxy Airlines Flight 203 Crashed Near Reno Nevada
On this day January 21 1985, Galaxy Airlines Flight 203 crashed near Reno shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 70 lives. The tragedy shocked the nation and became one of the most serious aviation disasters of the decade, drawing widespread attention to airline
Read More
On This Day January 20 1985 – MacGruder & Loud Premiered on ABC
On this day January 20 1985, MacGruder & Loud premiered on ABC, joining the mid 1980s wave of crime focused television built around character dynamics and investigative storytelling. The series centered on partnership driven cases, reflecting the era’s continued interest in law enforcement dramas with
Read More