The 1980s, often remembered for its materialism and consumerism, also saw the rise of the "yuppie," an explosion of blockbuster movies and the emergence of cable networks like MTV, which introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists, and the emergence of the AIDS crisis, which would go on to kill more than 700,000 people in the U.S. alone.
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Why the 1980s were the best decade?
This is Why The 80s Was The Best Decade Ever!
- Generation X. Gen X falls between Boomers and Millenials. ...
- 80s Nostalgia. ...
- Holidays in The 80s. ...
- Playing Outside in the 80s. ...
- The Ice-Cream Truck. ...
- The Home Phone. ...
- The Mall in the 80s. ...
- The 80s Was Safe. ...
- Saturday Morning Cartoons. ...
- MTV Debuts. ...
What were the 1980s like in America?
The 1980s
- Summary. The decade of the 1980s represented a turning point in American history—a crucial era, marked by political conservatism and an individualistic ethos.
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What important events happened in the 80s?
what historical events happened in the 80s timeline John Lennon is shot outside his New York apartment MTV (Music Television) is launched Floppy shirts, Backcombed hair, Padded shoulders, big hairdoes and white stilettoes The Simpsons Is First Seen On Tracey Ullman Show April 5th 1987 Michael ...
What was life like in the 1980s?
We saw the seeds of change planted in the late 1970s and into the ‘80s amid crime, squalor and poverty. The first two renovated Art Deco hotels, the Cardozo and the Carlyle, reopened in 1978. Vacant storefronts and restaurants began to find new life as clubs in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. The older population began to move on.
What was the popular culture of the 1980s?
The 1980s: Popular Culture. In some respects, the popular culture of the 1980s reflected the era's political conservatism. For many people, the symbol of the decade was the "yuppie": a baby boomer with a college education, a well-paying job and expensive taste.
Who was the gipper in the 1980s?
Once a Hollywood actor, his outwardly reassuring disposition and optimistic style appealed to many Americans. Reagan was affectionately nicknamed “the Gipper” for his 1940 film role as a Notre Dame football player named George Gipp.
What were Reagan's economic policies?
On the domestic front, Reagan’s economic policies initially proved less successful than its partisans had hoped, particularly when it came to a key tenet of the plan: balancing the budget. Huge increases in military spending (during the Reagan administration, Pentagon spending would reach $34 million an hour) were not offset by spending cuts or tax increases elsewhere. By early 1982, the United States was experiencing its worst recession since the Great Depression. Nine million people were unemployed in November of that year. Businesses closed, families lost their homes and farmers lost their land. The economy slowly righted itself, however, and “Reaganomics” grew popular again. Even the stock market crash of October 1987 did little to undermine the confidence of middle-class and wealthy Americans in the president’s economic agenda. Many also overlooked the fact that Reagan’s policies created record budget deficits: In his eight years in office, the federal government accumulated more debt than it had in its entire history.
How long did Reagan have a deficit?
Many also overlooked the fact that Reagan’s policies created record budget deficits: In his eight years in office, the federal government accumulated more debt than it had in its entire history. Despite its mixed track record, a majority of Americans still believed in the conservative agenda by the late 1980s.
How did MTV influence fashion?
MTV also influenced fashion: People across the country (and around the world) did their best to copy the hairstyles and fashions they saw in music videos. In this way, artists like Madonna (1958-) became (and remain) fashion icons.
How many people rallied in support of the freeze in New York City in 1982?
In 1982, almost a million people rallied in support of the freeze in New York City's Central Park. Many historians believe this was the largest mass demonstration in American history.
What was Reagan's campaign promise?
Reagan’s campaign cast a wide net, appealing to conservatives of all stripes with promises of big tax cuts and smaller government. Once he took office, he set about making good on his promises to get the federal government out of Americans’ lives and pocketbooks.
What happened in 1984?
The Olympics in Sarajevo, the murder of the prime minister in India, and Michael Jackson moonwalking are among the events marked in 1984.
What was the first newspaper in 1982?
The big news in 1982 literally was the news when USA Today, with its colorful graphics and short articles, made headlines as the first nationwide newspaper. Jan. 7: The Commodore 64 personal computer is unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
How much did We Are The World raise?
28: The R&B single written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie called "We Are The World" is recorded by more than 45 American singers; it will go on to raise $75 million to feed people in Africa.
How long were the hostages held in Iran?
Jan. 20: Iran releases the 52 U.S. hostages held in Tehran for 444 days. March 30: A deranged fan makes an unsuccessful assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, injuring Reagan, press secretary James Brady (1940–2014), and a policeman. April 12: The Space Shuttle Columbia is launched for the first time.
When did the Titanic sink?
oceanographer Robert Ballard and colleagues find the wreckage of the "Titanic ," a luxury liner which sank in 1912. Oct. 18: The Nintendo Entertainment System debuts in the U.S.
When did Pac Mac become popular?
1980. Americans flocked to video arcades when Pac-Mac debuted in October 1980. It would become one of the most popular arcade games of the decade. Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images. The first year of the decade was memorable for political drama, cable TV, and games we couldn't keep our hands off of. Arcades were jammed with people playing ...
Who created CNN?
April 27: Media tycoon Ted Turner (born 1938) announces the creation of CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network.
What was the change in the 1980s?
Americans enjoyed many fundamental changes in their standard of living in the 1980s. One major transformation was the new, expanded role of television. Cable television, although available in the 1970s, became standard for most American households. This change ushered in a whole host of new programming.
What product introduced the greatest change in American lifestyles of the 1980s?
The videocassette recorder (VCR) allowed Americans to record television shows and watch them according to their own schedule and view feature films in the privacy of their own homes. Perhaps the product that introduced the greatest change in American lifestyles of the 1980s was the personal computer.
What was the computing revolution of the 1980s?
The computing revolution of the 1980s began with the introduction of the Apple II series. Sometimes referred to as the "Model-T" of computers, the Apple II allowed businesses to streamline operations and brought the wonders of digital data management into the home.
What was the hedonism of the 1970s?
The hedonism of the 1970s was being re-evaluated. Many drugs, which were considered recreational in the '70s, were revealed as addictive, deadly substances. As reports of celebrities entering rehabilitation centers and the horrors of drug-ridden inner cities became widely known, First Lady Nancy Reagan 's message to "Just Say No" to drugs became more powerful. Regardless, newer and more dangerous substances like crack cocaine exacerbated the nation's drug problem.
How many people died in the 1980s?
PHOTO: USGS. The eruption of Mount St. Helens: Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington state in May 1980, leading to the deaths of 57 people. Triggered by an earthquake, the eruption blasted more than 1,000 feet off the top of the volcano.
What happened in 1989?
Deadly tremors: Game 3 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants was just about to begin on October 17, 1989, when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit San Francisco. Loma Prieta, as it was called, was the worst earthquake the nation had seen since the one that hit the Bay Area in 1906.
How long was David Roeder held hostage?
U.S. hostages are released: David Roeder -- pictured here waving -- was one of 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. The Iran hostage crisis began in November 1979, when Iranian students stormed the embassy to demand the extradition of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi from the United States. It ended with the release of captives on January 20, 1981.
Why did the Soviet Union boycott the Olympics?
The Soviet Union boycotted the following Summer Olympics because the 1984 games were being held in – yes, you guessed it – the United States ( Los Angeles, to be exact).
How did John Lennon die?
The death of John Lennon: On December 8, 1980, Beatles singer John Lennon died at 40 after being shot multiple times in the chest by a man named Mark David Chapman. Here, fans gather to mourn the fallen musician outside of his New York City apartment building, where the shooting took place.
What was the Polish shipyard strike?
The series of strikes that followed led to the Gdansk Agreement, which allowed workers the right to strike and organize unions.
Why did the Maze strike happen?
Bobby Sands started the strike in March 1981 to protest the British government's refusal to treat Irish Republican Army fighters as political prisoners.
What were the political events of the 1980s?
Top Political Events of the 80s. The 1980s were a decadent, catastrophic, and groundbreaking decade, not just in the United States, but in many parts of the world as well. The decade hosted a remarkable range of environmental, political, and pop-cultural events. It was the decade of Ronald Reagan in America who had a conservative agenda ...
How long did the hunger strike last?
Then, in 1980, seven prisoners did the first hunger strike, which ended after 53 days. A second hunger strike happened in 1981. It was a showdown between the prisoners and Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister. Bobby Sands, one hunger striker, was elected as a member of parliament through the strike.
How many hostages were there in the Iran missile war?
When 1,500 missiles were shipped to Iran, three hostages were released. However, those three hostages were soon replaced with three more hostages. This was called a “hostage Bazaar” by George Shultz, the Secretary of State during that time.
What was the fall of the Berlin Wall?
The Fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most famous scenes in history. It was also a pivotal event as it marked thebeginning of the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that was guarded. It physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. It was commenced by the German Democratic Republic, to completely cut-off West Berlin to East Berlin and East Germany. It was built to stop East Germans from going over to the West.
What was the Iran Contra affair?
The Iran-Contra Affair, or also known as the McFarlane affair in Iran, was a political scandal in the United States. It happened during the second term of the Reagan Administration. It was a secret U.S. arms deal that traded missiles and other arms to free some Americans that were held hostage by terrorists in Lebanon. Aside from that, it also used funds from the arms deal to support armed conflict in Nicaragua. This provocative deal and the following political scandal threatened to bring down the presidency of Ronald Reagan.
When was the Financial News Network launched?
The Financial News Network was launched in 1981, which focused on business and finance news. In 1989, CNBC was launched and it bought FNN in 1991. In 1994, Bloomberg Television was launched, followed by CNNfn in 1995.Fox News and MSNBC were launched in 1996 to compete with CNN.
When did cable news start?
The start of cable television in the United States led to the birth of cable news. On June 1, 1980 , CNN was launched by Ted Turner. It was the first 24-hour cable news operation, followed by its sister channel, Headline News, in 1982.
What were the most important events of the 1980s?
From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifts off in 1981; US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ease tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is considered to be one of the most momentous events of the 1980s; In 1981, the IBM Personal Computer is released; In 1985, the Live Aid concert is held in order to fund relief efforts for the famine in Ethiopia during the time Mengistu Haile Mariam ruled the country; Pollution and ecological problems persisted when the Soviet Union and much of the world is filled with radioactive debris from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, and in 1984, when thousands of people perished in Bhopal during a gas leak from a pesticide plant ; The Iran–Iraq War leads to over one million dead and $1 trillion spent, while another war between the Soviets and Afghans leaves over 2 million killed .
What year was the 1980s?
By country. By topic. Establishments. Disestablishments. The 1980s (pronounced "nineteen-eighties", shortened to "the '80s ") was a decade of the Gregorian calendar that began on January 1, 1980, and ended on December 31, 1989.
What was the impact of the destruction of the Berlin Wall?
Destruction of the 155-km Berlin Wall, at the end of the decade, signalled a seismic geopolitical shift. The Cold War ended in the early 1990s with the successful Reunification of Germany and the USSR's demise after the August Coup of 1991. The 1980s saw great advances in genetic and digital technology.
What were the problems of the 1980s?
Developing countries across the world faced economic and social difficulties as they suffered from multiple debt crises in the 1980s, requiring many of these countries to apply for financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
How many people died from AIDS in the 1980s?
The AIDS epidemic became recognized in the 1980s and has since killed an estimated 39 million people (as of 2013. [update] ). Global warming became well known to the scientific and political community in the 1980s.
Why did General Motors lose money in the 1980s?
General Motors began suffering significant losses in the late 1980s, partially the result of chairman Roger Smith's restructuring attempts, and partially because of increasingly dated cars. An example were customers who increasingly purchased European luxury cars rather than Cadillacs. In 1985, GM started Saturn (the first new American make since the Edsel), with the goal of producing high-quality import fighters. Production would not begin until 1990.
Who were the most popular NBA players in the 1980s?
Larry Bird (left) and Magic Johnson, the two most popular NBA players of the 1980s.
What did the New Right do in the 1970s?
As the 1970s continued, some of these people helped shape a new political movement known as the “New Right.” This movement, rooted in the suburban Sun Belt, celebrated the free market and lamented the decline of “traditional” social values and roles. New Right conservatives resented and resisted what they saw as government meddling. For example, they fought against high taxes, environmental regulations, highway speed limits, national park policies in the West (the so-called “Sagebrush Rebellion”) and affirmative action and school desegregation plans. (Their anti-taxism emerged most notably in California in 1978, when the Proposition 13 referendum–“a primal scream by The People against Big Government,” said The New York Times–tried to limit the size of government by restricting the amount of property tax that the state could collect from individual homeowners.)
What bands were popular in the 1970s?
Additionally, the 1970s saw a return of handicrafts like latch-hook rugs and macramé, while sports like racquetball and yoga gained popularity.
What did Nixon do instead of ending the war?
As a result, instead of ending the war, Nixon and his aides devised ways to make it more palatable, such as limiting the draft and shifting the burden of combat onto South Vietnamese soldiers. This policy seemed to work at the beginning of Nixon’s term in office.
What happened at the Watergate scandal?
Though he won reelection by a landslide in 1972, he resented any challenge to his authority and approved of attempts to discredit those who opposed him.
How did the 1960s respond to the turbulence of the 1960s?
Many Americans, particularly working class and middle class whites, responded to the turbulence of the late 1960s–the urban riots, the antiwar protests, the alienating counterculture–by embracing a new kind of conservative populism.
What did the New Right Conservatives fight for?
For example, they fought against high taxes, environmental regulations, highway speed limits, national park policies in the West (the so-called “Sagebrush Rebellion”) and affirmative action and school desegregation plans.
What music did people listen to in the 1970s?
They turned instead to pop culture–easy to do in such a trend-laden, fad-happy decade. They listened to 8-track tapes of Jackson Browne, Olivia Newton-John, Donna Summer and Marvin Gaye.
The New Right
The Reagan Revolution and Reaganomics
- During and after the 1980 presidential election, these disaffected former liberals came to be known as “Reagan Democrats.” They provided millions of crucial votes for the victory of Republican Ronald Reagan, the personable and engaging former governor of California, over the incumbent Democratic president, Jimmy Carter. Reagan won 51 percent of the...
Reagan Doctrine
- Like many other American leaders during the Cold War, President Reagan believed that the spread of communismanywhere threatened freedom everywhere. As a result, his administration was eager to provide financial and military aid to anticommunist governments and insurgencies around the world. This policy, applied in nations including Grenada, El Salvador and Nicaragua, …
Reaganomics
- On the domestic front, Reagan’s economic policies—known as Reaganomics—initially proved less successful than its partisans had hoped, particularly when it came to a key tenet of the plan: balancing the budget. Huge increases in military spending (during the Reagan administration, Pentagonspending would reach $34 million an hour) were not offset by spending cuts or tax incr…
Popular Culture
- In some respects, the popular culture of the 1980s reflected the era's political conservatism. For many people, the embodiment of the decade was the "yuppie": a baby boomer with a college education, a good-paying job and expensive taste. Many people derided yuppies for being self-centered and materialistic, and surveys of young urban professionals across the country showe…
Overview
The history of the United States from 1980 until 1991 includes the last year of the Jimmy Carter presidency, eight years of the Ronald Reagan administration, and the first three years of the George H. W. Bush presidency, up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Plagued by the Iran hostage crisis, runaway inflation, and mounting domestic opposition, Carter lost the 1980 United States presidential election to Republican Reagan.
Changing demographics and the growth of the Sun Belt
A widely discussed demographic phenomenon of the 1970s was the rise of the "Sun Belt", a region encapsulating the Southwest, Southeast, and especially Florida and California (surpassing New York as the nation's most populous state in 1964). By 1980, the population of the Sun Belt had risen to exceed that of the industrial regions of the Northeast and Midwest—the Rust Belt, which had steadily lost industry and had little population growth. The rise of the Sun Belt was th…
Reagan Revolution
The 1970s inflicted damaging blows to the American self-confidence. The Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal shattered confidence in the presidency. International frustrations, including the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, the growth of international terrorism, and the acceleration of the arms race raised fears over …
Reagan administration
After years of unstinting praise from the right, and unrelenting criticism from the left, historian David Henry finds that by 2010 a consensus had emerged among scholars that Reagan revived conservatism and turned the nation to the right by demonstrating a "pragmatic conservatism" that promoted ideology within the constraints imposed by the divided political system. Furthermore, says Henry, …
George H. W. Bush administration
Reagan's vice-president George H. W. Bush easily won the 1988 Republican nomination and defeated Democratic Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis by an electoral landslide in the 1988 election. The campaign was marked by numerous blunders by Dukakis, including most famously a campaign ad featuring Dukakis in an M1 Abrams tank.
See also
• Fifth Party System
• Reagan Era
• Sixth Party System
• Presidency of George H. W. Bush
• Timeline of United States history (1970–1989)
Notes
1. ^ David Wilson, and Jared Wouters. "Spatiality and growth discourse: the restructuring of America's rust belt cities." Journal of Urban Affairs (2003) 25#2 pp: 123–138.
2. ^ Carl Abbott, The new urban America: growth and politics in Sunbelt cities. (1981).
3. ^ Darren Dochuk, From Bible Belt to Sunbelt: Plain-Folk Religion, Grassroots Politics, and the Rise of Evangelical Conservatism (2010)
Further reading
• Busch, Andrew E.; "Ronald Reagan and the Defeat of the Soviet Empire" in Presidential Studies Quarterly. Vol: 27. Issue: 3. 1997. pp 451–66. in JSTOR
• Campagna; Anthony S. The Economy in the Reagan Years: The Economic Consequences of the Reagan Administrations Greenwood Press. 1994