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 16 1985 – American Flyers Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 16 1985, American Flyers made its debut, delivering a heartfelt sports drama set against the demanding world of competitive cycling. Starring Kevin Costner as Chet Stanton, the film follows his journey to reconnect with his brother Marcus, played by David Marshall
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On This Day August 16 1985 – The Return of the Living Dead Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 16 1985, The Return of the Living Dead premiered in theaters, bringing a wild and unforgettable twist to the zombie genre. This horror comedy followed a group of warehouse workers and punks who accidentally unleash a gas that reanimates the dead,
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On This Day August 16 1985 – Year of the Dragon Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 16 1985, Year of the Dragon premiered in theaters, bringing a gritty crime drama set in New York’s Chinatown where cultural tensions and organized crime collide. Directed by Michael Cimino and starring Mickey Rourke, the film follows Captain Stanley White, a
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On This Day August 16 1985 – Freaky Styley Released by Red Hot Chili Peppers
On this day August 16 1985, Freaky Styley was released as the second studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Produced by George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic fame, the record showcased a deep fusion of funk, punk, and rock that would become a cornerstone
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On This Day August 13 1985 – Primitive Love by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine Released in the United States
On this day August 13 1985, Primitive Love by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine was released in the United States. Although it was the group’s ninth album overall, it marked their true breakthrough into the American mainstream and helped launch Estefan as a
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On This Day August 12 1985 – Old Ways by Neil Young Released in the United States
On this day August 12 1985, Old Ways by Neil Young was released in the United States. As his fourteenth studio album, it marked a return to country influenced songwriting and arrangements that echoed his earlier acoustic work. The album was a personal statement wrapped
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On This Day August 12 1985 – Japan Airlines Flight 123 Crashed in Gunma Prefecture
On this day August 12 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashed into Osutaka Ridge in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, resulting in the deaths of 520 people. It remains the deadliest single aircraft accident in aviation history involving just one plane. The Boeing 747 was en route
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On This Day August 12 1985 – Sacred Heart by Dio Was Released
On this day August 12 1985, Sacred Heart was released as the third studio album from Dio. Fronted by the legendary Ronnie James Dio, the band continued its powerful run of heavy metal excellence with a record that combined epic storytelling, soaring vocals, and driving
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On This Day August 10 1985 – Final Episode of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
On this day August 10 1985, the final episode of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids aired, bringing an end to one of the most influential animated series of the era. Created and voiced by Bill Cosby, the show first premiered in 1972 and became
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On This Day August 9 1985 – Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 9 1985, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure premiered in theaters, launching the eccentric and unforgettable big screen debut of Paul Reubens’ beloved man child character, Pee-Wee Herman. Directed by Tim Burton in his feature film debut, the movie was a colorful mix of
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On This Day August 9 1985 – My Science Project Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 9 1985, My Science Project premiered in theaters. This teen sci fi comedy followed in the footsteps of other 80s genre mashups, mixing high school antics with science fiction mayhem. Directed by Jonathan R Betuel, the film delivered a time bending
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On This Day August 9 1985 – Summer Rental Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 9 1985, Summer Rental premiered in theaters, bringing John Candy to the big screen in one of his most relatable and heartfelt comedic roles. Directed by Carl Reiner, the film followed an overworked air traffic controller who takes his family on
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On This Day August 9 1985 – Pray for Death Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 9 1985, Pray for Death premiered in theaters, bringing martial arts action to American audiences with a gritty revenge tale led by Japanese superstar Sho Kosugi. Known for his ninja roles earlier in the decade, Kosugi continued to fuel the ninja
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On This Day August 7 1985 – Real Genius Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 7 1985, Real Genius premiered in theaters, offering a sharp and funny take on science, college life, and the pressures of genius. Starring Val Kilmer in one of his earliest breakout roles, the film followed a group of brilliant students at
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On This Day August 6 1985 – Kix Released Midnite Dynamite
On this day August 6 1985, Kix released their third studio album, Midnite Dynamite. Produced by Beau Hill, the album marked a major step forward for the Maryland hard rock band, combining arena ready hooks with driving guitar riffs and the unmistakable vocals of Steve
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On This Day August 5 1985 – Now That’s What I Call Music 5 Was Released In The United Kingdom
On this day August 5 1985, Now That’s What I Call Music 5 was released in the United Kingdom, continuing the massively popular compilation series that brought together some of the biggest chart hits of the time. Featuring a wide mix of genres and artists,
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On This Day August 5 1985 – Rum Sodomy And The Lash By The Pogues Was Released
On this day August 5 1985, Rum Sodomy And The Lash by The Pogues was released, marking the band’s second studio album and a defining moment in the fusion of traditional Irish folk with the raw edge of punk. Produced by Elvis Costello, the album
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On This Day August 3 1985 – Shout By Tears For Fears Became The Number One Song In America
On this day August 3 1985, Shout by Tears For Fears became the number one song in America, holding the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from August 3 through August 23. The song delivered a powerful message about release and resistance, driven by
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On This Day August 2 1985 – Weird Science Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 2 1985, Weird Science premiered in theaters and delivered a bold mix of science fiction and teenage comedy. Directed by John Hughes, the film told the story of two socially awkward teens who use their computer to create the perfect woman.
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On This Day August 2 1985 – Fright Night Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 2 1985, Fright Night premiered in theaters and delivered a clever, stylish mix of horror and comedy that quickly earned cult status. Written and directed by Tom Holland, the film followed teenager Charley Brewster, who becomes convinced that his mysterious new
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On This Day August 2 1985 – Follow That Bird Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 2 1985, Follow That Bird premiered in theaters and brought Big Bird to the big screen for the first time. This feature-length adventure marked the first Sesame Street movie and followed Big Bird as he left his familiar neighborhood to live
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On This Day August 2 1985 – Delta Air Lines Flight 191 Crashed Near Dallas Fort Worth
On this day August 2 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crashed while attempting to land at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport during a severe thunderstorm, resulting in the tragic loss of 137 lives. The Lockheed L 1011 TriStar encountered a powerful weather phenomenon known
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On This Day August 30 1985 – American Ninja Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 30 1985, American Ninja premiered in theaters. The low budget action film introduced audiences to Joe Armstrong, a quiet American soldier with deadly martial arts skills, played by Michael Dudikoff. With its mix of military action and ninja mystique, the movie
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On This Day August 30 1985 – Compromising Positions Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 30 1985, Compromising Positions premiered in theaters. The comedy mystery starred Susan Sarandon as a bored suburban housewife and former reporter who becomes entangled in a local murder investigation after a sleazy dentist is found dead. The film combined satire, suspense,
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