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.
389 On This Day Articles
On This Day August 5 1986 – Dancing On The Ceiling By Lionel Richie Was Released
On this day August 5 1986, Dancing On The Ceiling by Lionel Richie was released, marking his third solo album and one of the most anticipated pop records of the mid 1980s. Coming off the massive success of Can’t Slow Down, Richie returned with a
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On This Day August 2 1986 – Glory Of Love By Peter Cetera Became The Number One Song In America
On this day August 2 1986, Glory of Love by Peter Cetera became the number one song in America, marking a major milestone in his solo career after leaving Chicago. The emotional power ballad held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from August
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On This Day August 2 1986 – Vinnie Vincent Invasion Released Their Debut Album
On this day August 2 1986, Vinnie Vincent Invasion released their self titled debut album, unleashing a high energy blend of glam metal, blistering guitar solos, and over the top showmanship. Led by former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent, the band carved out their own space
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On This Day August 1 1986 – Howard The Duck Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 1 1986, Howard The Duck premiered in theaters. One of the most infamous releases of the decade, the film told the bizarre story of a wisecracking duck from another planet who is accidentally transported to Earth. With a mix of science
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On This Day August 1 1986 – Friday The 13th Part VI Jason Lives Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 1 1986, Friday The 13th Part VI Jason Lives premiered in theaters and delivered the return of Jason Voorhees in full undead form. After the copycat killer twist in Part V, this sixth installment brought back the real Jason with a
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On This Day August 1 1986 – Flight Of The Navigator Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 1 1986, Flight Of The Navigator premiered in theaters. This sci fi adventure film told the story of twelve year old David Freeman, who vanished in 1978 and reappeared eight years later without having aged a day. What followed was a
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On This Day August 1 1986 – Good To Go Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 1 1986, Good To Go premiered in theaters. Set in Washington DC, this crime drama mixed hard journalism with the pulse of the city’s go go music scene. The film starred Art Garfunkel as a reporter who finds himself tangled in
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On This Day August 1 1986 – Crowded House Released Their Album Crowded House
On this day August 1 1986, Crowded House released their self titled debut album. Formed by Neil Finn after the split of Split Enz, the band brought a fresh melodic pop rock sound that quickly earned critical acclaim and international success. The album featured the
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On This Day August 30 1986 – Higher Love by Steve Winwood Hit Number One in the US
On this day August 30 1986, Higher Love by Steve Winwood reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The upbeat and soulful track became the first chart topping hit of Winwood’s solo career and brought his album Back in the High Life into the
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On This Day August 29 1986 – Shanghai Surprise Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 29 1986, Shanghai Surprise premiered in theaters. Starring Madonna and Sean Penn, the adventure comedy was set in 1930s China and followed a missionary and a fortune hunter as they searched for a hidden cache of opium to use for medical
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On This Day August 29 1986 – In the Army Now by Status Quo Was Released
On this day August 29 1986, In the Army Now by Status Quo was released. As the band’s seventeenth studio album, it marked a significant shift in their sound with the addition of keyboards and a more polished production style suited to the mid 80s
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On This Day August 26 1986 – Actor Ted Knight Passed Away at Age 62 From Colon Cancer
On this day August 26 1986, beloved actor Ted Knight passed away at the age of 62 from colon cancer. Known for his comedic timing and unforgettable voice, Knight left behind a legacy of laughter and memorable television performances. He became a household name for
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On This Day August 25 1986 – Press to Play by Paul McCartney Was Released
On this day August 25 1986, Press to Play by Paul McCartney was released. As his sixth solo studio album, it represented a deliberate move into a more modern and synth-based sound for the former Beatle, a clear attempt to stay current during the high-tech
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On This Day August 25 1986 – Graceland by Paul Simon Released
On this day August 25 1986, Graceland by Paul Simon was released. It became one of the most critically acclaimed and influential albums of the decade, marking a major creative turning point in Simon’s solo career. Graceland blended American songwriting with South African musical styles,
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On This Day August 24 1986 – Final Episode of Dalton’s Code of Vengeance Aired
On this day August 24 1986, the final episode of Dalton’s Code of Vengeance aired, bringing an end to the action packed journey of a lone wanderer who fought for justice outside the system. The show centered around Burt Dalton, a former special forces operative
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On This Day August 23 1985 – Teen Wolf Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 23 1985, Teen Wolf premiered in theaters and gave audiences a fun and unusual twist on the classic teen comedy. Starring Michael J. Fox as high schooler Scott Howard, the film followed his discovery that he comes from a family of
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On This Day August 23 1985 – Better Off Dead Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 23 1985, Better Off Dead premiered in theaters and delivered one of the most offbeat teen comedies of the decade. Starring John Cusack as Lane Meyer the film followed a heartbroken high schooler whose world unravels after his girlfriend dumps him.
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On This Day August 23 1985 – Godzilla 1985 Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 23 1985, Godzilla 1985 premiered in theaters, marking the return of the iconic kaiju to American screens in a new, re edited form. This version combined footage from the Japanese film The Return of Godzilla with new scenes featuring Raymond Burr
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On This Day August 22 1985 – Hometown Premiered on CBS
On this day August 22 1985, Hometown premiered on CBS, introducing a heartfelt family drama that resonated with 80s viewers seeking authentic storytelling. The series followed the emotional journeys of several generations connected through their small town roots, exploring themes of love responsibility community and
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On This Day August 21 1985 – Agnes of God Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 21 1985, Agnes of God premiered in theaters, offering a haunting psychological drama that explored faith, trauma, and the mysteries of belief. Adapted from the Tony Award winning play, the film followed a court appointed psychiatrist as she investigated a young
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On This Day August 19 1985 – The Family Released Their Debut Album The Family
On this day August 19 1985, The Family released their self titled debut album. Created under the guidance of Prince, the project was one of the earliest releases on his Paisley Park label and featured a mix of funk, pop, and jazz influences. Though the
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On This Day August 17 1985 – The Hormel Strike Began in Austin Minnesota
On this day August 17 1985, the Hormel strike began in Austin Minnesota, marking the start of one of the most significant labor disputes in the state’s history. Around 1,500 meat workers at the Hormel plant walked off the job in protest over pay cuts
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On This Day August 16 1985 – Sean Penn and Madonna Got Married in Malibu
On this day August 16 1985, actor Sean Penn and pop superstar Madonna tied the knot at a clifftop mansion in Malibu, California. The wedding took place on Madonna’s 27th birthday and drew massive media attention, with helicopters hovering overhead to capture glimpses of the
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On This Day August 16 1985 – Volunteers Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 16 1985, Volunteers premiered, delivering a comic take on idealism, friendship, and culture clash. The film stars Tom Hanks as Lawrence Bourne III, a wealthy slacker who joins the Peace Corps to escape trouble, and John Candy as his dedicated and
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