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.
299 On This Day Articles
On This Day December 27 1983 – Final Episode of Just Our Luck Aired on Television
On this day December 27 1983, the final episode of Just Our Luck aired on television, bringing an early end to the short lived fantasy sitcom. The series mixed traditional sitcom humor with supernatural elements, a concept that reflected early 80s television experimentation. Just Our
Read More
On This Day December 27 1983 – The Police Played the First of Four Sold Out Concerts at Wembley Stadium
On this day December 27 1983, The Police played the first of four sold out concerts at Wembley Stadium, marking one of the biggest live milestones of their career. The shows came at the height of the band’s global popularity, with massive demand reflecting their
Read More
On This Day December 21 1983 – Jump by Van Halen Was Released
On this day December 21 1983 Jump by Van Halen was released and marked a major turning point for the band as they moved toward a more synth driven sound without losing their signature energy. The song featured an unforgettable keyboard riff blended with powerful
Read More
On This Day December 16 1983 – D.C. Cab Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 16 1983 D.C. Cab premiered in theaters and delivered a fast moving comedy about a group of misfit taxi drivers working for a rundown cab company in Washington D.C. The film followed their chaotic adventures, wild personalities, and determined efforts to
Read More
On This Day December 16 1983 – Japanese Whispers by The Cure Was Released
On this day December 16 1983 Japanese Whispers was released and presented a compilation that captured The Cure’s shift toward a brighter and more melodic sound. The collection brought together singles and B sides from a period when the band was exploring new directions, blending
Read More
On This Day December 16 1983 – Two of a Kind Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 16 1983 Two of a Kind premiered in theaters and delivered a romantic fantasy comedy that paired two unlikely characters brought together by a celestial twist. The film followed a struggling inventor and a bank teller whose lives became entangled in
Read More
On This Day December 16 1983 – The Iron Sheik Beat Bob Backlund to Win the WWF Heavyweight Championship
On this day December 16 1983 The Iron Sheik beat Bob Backlund to win the WWF Heavyweight Championship in a match that marked a major turning point in professional wrestling. The victory ended Backlund’s long title reign and introduced a new era shaped by dramatic
Read More
On This Day December 15 1983 – Masquerade Premiered on ABC
On this day December 15 1983 Masquerade premiered on ABC and introduced a spy adventure series built around ordinary citizens recruited for secret missions across the world. Each episode followed a new team of everyday people who were brought together for their unique skills and
Read More
On This Day December 15 1983 – Automan Premiered on ABC
On this day December 15 1983 Automan premiered on ABC and introduced viewers to a futuristic crime fighting series built around a digital hero created inside a police computer system. The show followed a young officer and his glowing computerized partner as they worked together
Read More
On This Day December 14 1983 – Service by Yellow Magic Orchestra Was Released
On this day December 14 1983 Service by Yellow Magic Orchestra was released and delivered an experimental blend of electronic music and comedic sketches that showcased the group’s innovative approach to sound and structure. The album mixed sharp synth driven tracks with interludes featuring the
Read More
On This Day December 14 1983 – Silkwood Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 14 1983 Silkwood premiered in theaters and delivered a powerful drama based on the real life story of Karen Silkwood, a worker at a nuclear facility who raised concerns about safety violations and contamination risks. The film followed her growing alarm,
Read More
On This Day December 12 1983 – Perverted by Language by The Fall Was Released
On this day December 12 1983 Perverted by Language by The Fall was released and marked a significant chapter in the band’s evolution as they moved deeper into their sharp, angular post punk sound. The album featured hypnotic rhythms, jagged guitars, and Mark E Smith’s
Read More
On This Day December 16 1983 – Uncommon Valor Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 16 1983 Uncommon Valor premiered in theaters and delivered an action drama centered on a mission to rescue American prisoners of war still believed to be held in Southeast Asia. The film followed a determined father who assembled a skilled team
Read More
On This Day December 10 1983 – Say Say Say by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson Became the Number 1 Song in America
On this day December 10 1983 Say Say Say reached number 1 in America and brought together Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson for one of the decade’s most successful pop collaborations. With its smooth rhythm, catchy hook, and upbeat production, the song became a major
Read More
On This Day December 9 1983 – Christine Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 9 1983 Christine premiered in theaters and brought Stephen King’s story of a possessed car to life through a tense and atmospheric horror adaptation. The film followed a shy teenager whose life spiraled into obsession and danger after he purchased a
Read More
On This Day December 9 1983 – Sudden Impact Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 9 1983 Sudden Impact premiered in theaters and continued the story of inspector Harry Callahan as he was drawn into a case filled with danger, revenge, and escalating violence. The film followed his pursuit of justice while crossing paths with a
Read More
On This Day December 9 1983 – Scarface Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 9 1983 Scarface premiered in theaters and delivered a hard hitting crime drama that followed Tony Montana’s violent rise through the Miami drug world. The film blended intense action, sharp dialogue, and an unflinching look at ambition and corruption as Montana’s
Read More
On This Day December 9 1983 – Terms of Endearment Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 9 1983 Terms of Endearment premiered in theaters and delivered a moving drama centered on the bond between a strong willed mother and her independent daughter as they navigated love, loss, and the complexities of family life. The film blended emotional
Read More
On This Day December 6 1983 – The Dresser Premiered in Theaters
On this day December 6 1983 The Dresser premiered in theaters and delivered a powerful drama focused on the relationship between an aging stage performer and the devoted assistant who helps keep his career moving forward. The film explored themes of loyalty, struggle, and the
Read More
On This Day December 5 1983 – Balls to the Wall by Accept Was Released
On this day December 5 1983 Balls to the Wall was released and marked a defining moment for Accept as they delivered one of the most powerful heavy metal albums of the decade. The record featured driving riffs, commanding vocals, and a bold sound that
Read More
On This Day December 3 1983 – Slayer Released the Album Show No Mercy
On this day December 3 1983 Slayer released the album Show No Mercy . The record marked the band’s explosive debut and helped ignite the rise of thrash metal in the early 80s. Its fast riffs, aggressive rhythm work, and relentless intensity introduced a new
Read More
On This Day December 3 1983 – Slade Released the Album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome
On this day December 3 1983 Slade released the album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome . The record delivered a powerful mix of hard rock hooks, big choruses, and the energetic style that defined the band during the 80s. Its bold sound, driving rhythms, and catchy
Read More
On This Day December 31 1982 – Final Episode of The Doctors Aired on Television
On this day December 31 1982, the final episode of The Doctors aired on television, bringing an end to one of the longest running daytime dramas in American TV history. The series had been a fixture of weekday television, known for its medical setting and
Read More
On This Day December 30 1982 – Beatitude by Ric Ocasek Was Released
On this day December 30 1982, Beatitude by Ric Ocasek was released, marking his debut solo album outside of his work with The Cars. The record leaned heavily into synthesizers and modern production, signaling a clear embrace of early 80s electronic pop influences. Beatitude reflected
Read More