This Week in the 80s: June 16–22

Welcome back to the 1980s. Every week we travel through all ten years of the decade at once — same calendar dates, ten different years. This week covers June 16-22 across 1980 through 1989. Buckle up.

During the Decade of Decadence, this week ran from June 16 to 25. We aim to list things as close to the date they happened, and each week may have overlaps with adjacent weeks due to this calendar nuance.

📰 The News That Shaped the Decade

1980

• June 16, 1980: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that genetically modified organisms can be patented (Diamond v. Chakrabarty).
• June 20, 1980: Roberto Durán defeated Sugar Ray Leonard in 'The Brawl in Montreal' for the WBC welterweight title.
• June 20, 1980: The cult comedy 'The Blues Brothers' and the romance 'The Blue Lagoon' premiered.

1981

• June 16, 1981: U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig announced that the United States would sell weapons to the People's Republic of China for the first time.
• June 17, 1981: The largest submarine ever built, the USS Ohio, began its first sea trials.
• June 18, 1981: Justice Potter Stewart retired from the U.S. Supreme Court, clearing the way for the appointment of the first woman.

1982

• June 12, 1982: The Nuclear Disarmament Rally, an event against nuclear weapon proliferation, drew 750,000 to New York City's Central Park.
• June 18, 1982: Argentine military dictator Leopoldo Galtieri resigned in the wake of his country's defeat in the Falklands War.
• June 20, 1982: The Falklands War officially ended with British forces retaking the South Sandwich Islands.

1983

• June 18, 1983: Sally Ride became the first female American astronaut in space when she launched on board Challenger's STS-7 mission.
• June 18, 1983: Iranian teenager Mona Mahmudnizhad and nine other women were hanged because they are members of the Baháʼí Faith.
• June 22, 1983: Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican girl, mysteriously disappeared in Rome.

1984

• June 16, 1984: The Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil is founded.
• June 19, 1984: 17-year-old Ricky Kasso murders Gary Lauwers in Northport, New York, contributing to the Satanic panic association of heavy metal music and satanism.
• June 22, 1984: Virgin Atlantic makes its inaugural flight.

1985

• June 14-17, 1985: TWA Flight 847, carrying 153 passengers, was hijacked by a Hezbollah fringe group; one U.S. Navy Petty Officer was killed.
• June 17, 1985: Sultan bin Salman Al Saud became the first Arab and Muslim in space aboard STS-51-G.
• June 23, 1985: Air India Flight 182 was bombed by terrorists 31,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 329 aboard.

1986

• June 12, 1986: South Africa declares a nationwide state of emergency amid increasing unrest.
• June 16, 1986: A one-day general strike is held in South Africa in protest of the state of emergency.
• June 22, 1986: Diego Maradona scores the 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century' goals against England in the FIFA World Cup.

1987

• June 19, 1987: U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivers his"Tear Down This Wall" speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin.
• June 1987: NATO foreign ministers announce support for the global elimination of all U.S. and Soviet intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
• June 16, 1987: Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami opens.

1988

• June 16, 1988: The Senate voted $8.7 billion for construction at military bases in the United States and around the world.
• June 16, 1988: Significant incidents of football hooliganism occurred during the 1988 UEFA European Championship.
• June 21, 1988: The Toronto Economic Summit Conference Economic Declaration was issued.

1989

• June 16, 1989: The remains of Imre Nagy, the Hungarian leader executed in 1958, were reburied in Budapest, a symbolic moment in the collapse of communism.
• June 16, 1989: Ghostbusters II premiered in the United States.
• June 18, 1989: Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest in Yangon, Myanmar.
• June 21, 1989: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that states can ban flag burning.

🎵 Soundtrack of the Week

Here's a taste of what was climbing the charts this week across the decade. Paid members get the full Top 10 for every year — all 100 songs, every one linked so you can listen and watch right now.

1980 — Songs #10 to #6

6. SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE — Michael Jackson
7. CARS — Gary Numan
8. STEAL AWAY — Robbie Dupree
9. LITTLE JEANNIE — Elton John
10. IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME — Billy Joel

1981 — Songs #10 to #6

6. JESSIE’S GIRL — Rick Springfield
7. YOU MAKE MY DREAMS — Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. AMERICA — Neil Diamond
9. THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE — Air Supply
10. BEING WITH YOU — Smokey Robinson

1982 — Songs #10 to #6

6. IT’S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE — Denise Williams
7. HURTS SO GOOD — John Cougar
8. LET IT WHIP — The Dazz Band
9. CRIMSON AND CLOVER — Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
10. HEAT OF THE MOMENT — Asia

1983 — Songs #10 to #6

6. FAMILY MAN — Daryl Hall & John Oates
7. AFFAIR OF THE HEART — Rick Springfield
8. ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME — Naked Eyes
9. DON’T LET IT END — Styx
10. MY LOVE — Lionel Richie

1984 — Songs #10 to #6

6. BORDERLINE — Madonna
7. DANCING IN THE DARK — Bruce Springsteen
8. Jump (FOR MY LOVE) — The Pointer Sisters
9. SELF CONTROL — Laura Branigan
10. THE HEART OF ROCK ‘N ROLL — Huey Lewis & The News

1985 — Songs #10 to #6

6. THE SEARCH IS OVER — Survivor
7. WALKING ON SUNSHINE — Katrina & The Waves
8. THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER — Howard Jones
9. IN MY HOUSE — Mary Jane Girls
10. ANGEL — Madonna

1986 — Songs #10 to #6

6. NOTHIN’ AT ALL — Heart
7. WHO’S JOHNNY — El DeBarge
8. HOLDING BACK THE YEARS — Simply Red
9. A DIFFERENT CORNER — George Michael
10. NO ONE IS TO BLAME — Howard Jones

1987 — Songs #10 to #6

6. JUST TO SEE HER — Smokey Robinson
7. SONGBIRD — Kenny G
8. YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON — Kim Wilde
9. WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE — Bon Jovi
10. ALONE — Heart

1988 — Songs #10 to #6

6. ALPHABET ST. — Prince
7. THE FLAME — Cheap Trick
8. THE VALLEY ROAD — Bruce Hornsby & The Range
9. CIRCLE IN THE SAND — Belinda Carlisle
10. EVERYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES — Daryl Hall & John Oates

1989 — Songs #10 to #6

6. CRY — Waterfront
7. THIS TIME I KNOW IT’S FOR REAL — Donna Summer
8. CLOSE MY EYES FOREVER — Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne
9. GOOD THING — Fine Young Cannibals
10. BABY DON’T FORGET MY NUMBER — Milli Vanilli

🎵 Full Top 10 — All 100 Songs with Links

Every song. Every year. Click to listen and watch.

1980

1. 🏆 FUNKY TOWN — Lipps, Inc.
2. COMING UP / COMING UP (Live At Glasgow) — Paul McCartney and Wings
3. BIGGEST PART OF ME — Ambrosia
4. THE ROSE — Bette Midler
5. AGAINST THE WIND — Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
6. IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME — Billy Joel
7. LITTLE JEANNIE — Elton John
8. STEAL AWAY — Robbie Dupree
9. CARS — Gary Numan
10. SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE — Michael Jackson

1981

1. 🏆 MEDLEY: INTRO VENUS/SUGAR SUGAR/NO REPLY/I’LL BE BACK/DRIVE MY CAR/DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET/WE CAN WORK IT OUT/I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER/NOWHERE MAN/YOU’RE GOING TO LOSE THAT GIRL/STARS ON 45 — Stars On 45
2. BETTE DAVIS EYES — Kim Carnes
3. SUKIYAKI — A Taste Of Honey
4. A WOMAN NEEDS LOVE (Just Like You Do) — Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio
5. ALL THOSE YEARS AGO — George Harrison
6. BEING WITH YOU — Smokey Robinson
7. THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE — Air Supply
8. AMERICA — Neil Diamond
9. YOU MAKE MY DREAMS — Daryl Hall and John Oates
10. JESSIE’S GIRL — Rick Springfield

1982

1. 🏆 EBONY AND IVORY — Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
2. DON’T YOU WANT ME — The Human League
3. ROSANNA — Toto
4. THE OTHER WOMAN — Ray Parker Jr.
5. ALWAYS ON MY MIND — Willie Nelson
6. HEAT OF THE MOMENT — Asia
7. CRIMSON AND CLOVER — Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
8. LET IT WHIP — The Dazz Band
9. HURTS SO GOOD — John Cougar
10. IT’S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE — Denise Williams

1983

1. 🏆 FLASHDANCE…WHAT A FEELING — Irene Cara
2. TIME (Clock Of the Heart) — Culture Club
3. LET’S DANCE — David Bowie
4. ELECTRIC AVENUE — Eddy Grant
5. OVERKILL — Men At Work
6. MY LOVE — Lionel Richie
7. DON’T LET IT END — Styx
8. ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME — Naked Eyes
9. AFFAIR OF THE HEART — Rick Springfield
10. FAMILY MAN — Daryl Hall & John Oates

1984

1. 🏆 TIME AFTER TIME — Cyndi Lauper
2. THE REFLEX — Duran Duran
3. LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY — Deniece Williams
4. OH, SHERRIE — Steve Perry
5. SISTER CHRISTIAN — Night Ranger
6. THE HEART OF ROCK ‘N ROLL — Huey Lewis & The News
7. SELF CONTROL — Laura Branigan
8. Jump (FOR MY LOVE) — The Pointer Sisters
9. DANCING IN THE DARK — Bruce Springsteen
10. BORDERLINE — Madonna

1985

1. 🏆 HEAVEN — Bryan Adams
2. SUSSUDIO — Phil Collins
3. EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD — Tears For Fears
4. RASPBERRY BERET — Prince & The Revolution
5. A VIEW TO A KILL — Duran Duran
6. ANGEL — Madonna
7. IN MY HOUSE — Mary Jane Girls
8. THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER — Howard Jones
9. WALKING ON SUNSHINE — Katrina & The Waves
10. THE SEARCH IS OVER — Survivor

1986

1. 🏆 ON MY OWN — Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald
2. THERE’LL BE SAD SONGS — Billy Ocean
3. CRUSH ON YOU — The Jets
4. LIVE TO TELL — Madonna
5. I CAN’T WAIT — Nu Shooz
6. NO ONE IS TO BLAME — Howard Jones
7. A DIFFERENT CORNER — George Michael
8. HOLDING BACK THE YEARS — Simply Red
9. WHO’S JOHNNY — El DeBarge
10. NOTHIN’ AT ALL — Heart

1987

1. 🏆 HEAD TO TOE — Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
2. ALWAYS — Atlantic Starr
3. I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME) — Whitney Houston
4. IN TOO DEEP — Genesis
5. DIAMONDS — Herb Alpert
6. ALONE — Heart
7. WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE — Bon Jovi
8. YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON — Kim Wilde
9. SONGBIRD — Kenny G
10. JUST TO SEE HER — Smokey Robinson

1988

1. 🏆 TOGETHER FOREVER — Rick Astley
2. ONE MORE TRY — George Michael
3. FOOLISH BEAT — Debbie Gibson
4. DIRTY DIANA — Michael Jackson
5. MAKE IT REAL — The Jets
6. EVERYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES — Daryl Hall & John Oates
7. CIRCLE IN THE SAND — Belinda Carlisle
8. THE VALLEY ROAD — Bruce Hornsby & The Range
9. THE FLAME — Cheap Trick
10. ALPHABET ST. — Prince

1989

1. 🏆 I’LL BE LOVING YOU (FOREVER) — New Kids On The Block
2. WIND BENEATH MY WINGS — Bette Midler
3. EVERY LITTLE STEP — Bobby Brown
4. SATISFIED — Richard Marx
5. BUFFALO STANCE — Neneh Cherry
6. BABY DON’T FORGET MY NUMBER — Milli Vanilli
7. GOOD THING — Fine Young Cannibals
8. CLOSE MY EYES FOREVER — Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne
9. THIS TIME I KNOW IT’S FOR REAL — Donna Summer
10. CRY — Waterfront

🎬 Box Office #1 This Week

The biggest movie in America during this week, for each year of the decade.

📺 Primetime TV Spotlight

What America was watching in primetime this week across the decade.

1980 — Dallas (CBS)

Dallas was a top-rated show, and in June 1980, it was between its third and fourth seasons. The iconic 'Who shot J.R.?' cliffhanger from the end of season three had just aired in March, and the resolution wouldn't be revealed until November, keeping audiences captivated throughout the summer with reruns and anticipation.

📺 Where to Watch Dallas →

1981 — Enos (CBS)

Enos, a spin-off of The Dukes of Hazzard, was airing its first season. The episode "House Cleaners" was a rerun, originally aired January 14, 1981, and featured Enos and Turk investigating mansion burglaries.

📺 Where to Watch Enos →

1982 — The Intruder Within (ABC)

This TV movie, originally aired in 1981, was broadcast on ABC during this week. It's a sci-fi horror film about drillers on an oil rig near Antarctica who discover prehistoric eggs, one of which hatches into an unstoppable creature.

📺 Where to Watch The Intruder Within →

1983 — Simon & Simon (CBS)

Simon & Simon was a popular detective series. In June 1983, the show was likely airing reruns during the summer season, as was common for successful series at the time. It was featured on the cover of TV Guide for the week of June 18-24, 1983.

📺 Where to Watch Simon & Simon →

1984 — Mama Malone (CBS)

Mama Malone was a sitcom that premiered in March 1984. The episode "Shall We Dance?" aired as a new episode during this week. The show was known for its unique premise of a cooking show host who dispenses advice to her viewers.

📺 Where to Watch Mama Malone →

1985 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was a massive hit in the mid-80s. In June 1985, it was between its first and second seasons, likely airing popular reruns. The show redefined the family sitcom and was a cultural phenomenon.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1986 — Scarecrow and Mrs. King (CBS)

This spy dramedy was in its third season in June 1986. It was likely airing reruns during this week, as indicated by TV listings from the period. The show was popular for its blend of espionage, romance, and humor.

📺 Where to Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King →

1987 — Kate & Allie (CBS)

Kate & Allie was a popular sitcom in its fourth season in June 1987. It was likely airing reruns during this week, as indicated by TV listings from the period. The show focused on two divorced women raising their families together in New York City.

📺 Where to Watch Kate & Allie →

1988 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was in its fourth season in June 1988 and was still a top-rated show. It was likely airing popular reruns during this week, maintaining its strong viewership even in the summer months.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1989 — Perfect Strangers (ABC)

Perfect Strangers was a popular sitcom in its fourth season in June 1989. It was airing reruns during this week, as indicated by TV listings. The show followed the comedic adventures of two cousins, Larry and Balki, from different cultural backgrounds.

📺 Where to Watch Perfect Strangers →

📺 Commercial Spotlight: Wendy's (1984)

The iconic 'Where's the Beef?' commercial for Wendy's, featuring three elderly women examining a tiny hamburger patty, became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-80s. It humorously highlighted the perceived lack of meat in competitors' burgers and is still widely referenced today.

▶ Watch the commercial on YouTube

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