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.

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262 On This Day Articles

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Day February 10 1989 – The Fly II Premiered in Theaters

On this day, February 10, 1989, The Fly II premiered in theaters, serving as the sequel to David Cronenberg’s 1986 sci-fi horror classic. Starring Eric Stoltz, the film continued the gruesome and tragic story of genetic mutation and scientific experimentation gone wrong. Taking place after

On This Day February 10 1989 – The WWF Admitted That Wrestling Is an Exhibition and Not a Sport

On this day February 10 1989, the WWF publicly acknowledged that professional wrestling was an exhibition rather than a competitive sport. The admission marked a major turning point for the industry, formally recognizing what many fans already understood while reshaping how wrestling was positioned legally

On This Day February 10 1989 – Tap Premiered in Theaters

On this day, February 10, 1989, the dance drama Tap premiered in theaters, bringing together two of the greatest tap dancers of all time Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.. The film blended classic tap dancing with modern storytelling, showcasing the incredible artistry and history

On This Day February 7 1989 – Don’t Tell a Soul by The Replacements Was Released

On this day February 7 1989, Don’t Tell a Soul by The Replacements was released, marking a pivotal moment in the band’s late 1980s evolution. The album featured a more polished and radio conscious sound while still carrying the emotional honesty and songwriting depth that

On This Day February 7 1989 – Blessing in Disguise by Metal Church Was Released

On this day February 7 1989, Blessing in Disguise by Metal Church was released, marking a new chapter for the band as the 1980s metal scene entered its final stretch. The album introduced a refined and more focused sound, blending heavy riffs with stronger song

On This Day February 7 1989 – As Nasty As They Wanna Be by 2 Live Crew Was Released

On this day February 7 1989, As Nasty As They Wanna Be by 2 Live Crew was released, becoming one of the most controversial albums of the late 1980s. The record drew widespread attention for its explicit lyrics and unapologetic style, quickly placing the group

On This Day February 6 1989 – Spike by Elvis Costello Was Released

On this day February 6 1989, Spike by Elvis Costello was released, marking a bold and eclectic moment in his late 1980s catalog. The album showcased a wide range of musical styles, blending pop, rock, and contemporary influences while maintaining Costello’s sharp songwriting and lyrical

On This Day February 6 1989 – Beyond the Blue Neon by George Strait Was Released

On this day February 6 1989, Beyond the Blue Neon by George Strait was released, continuing his dominance in country music as the decade came to a close. The album reinforced his reputation for blending traditional country roots with a clean and contemporary sound that

On This Day February 6 1989 – Dylan & the Dead by Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead Was Released

On this day February 6 1989, Dylan & the Dead by Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead was released, capturing a unique live collaboration between two of the most influential names in American music. The album featured performances recorded during their joint tour, blending Dylan’s

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