This Week in the 80s: July 14–20

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 July 14-20 across 1980 through 1989. Buckle up.

During the Decade of Decadence, this week ran from July 14 to 23. 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

• July 19, 1980: Summer Olympic Games open in Moscow
• July 16, 1980: Former U.S. President Ford turns down offer to become U.S. vice president nominee

1981

• July 14, 1981: Max Hugel resigns as Deputy Director of the CIA
• July 15, 1981: FDA approves aspartame (NutraSweet) for dry foods
• July 16, 1981: Mahathir Mohamad becomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia
• July 17, 1981: Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in Kansas City kills 114
• July 17, 1981: Datsun announces it will phase out its name in favor of Nissan
• July 18, 1981: Jack Henry Abbott kills a waiter in New York City
• July 19, 1981: 'Farewell Dossier' revealed

1982

• July 14, 1982: Four Iranian diplomats are kidnapped upon Israel's invasion of Lebanon
• July 16, 1982: Reverend Sun Myung Moon sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax fraud
• July 20, 1982: Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings by Provisional IRA

1983

• July 14, 1983: House Ethics Committee recommended reprimanding Representatives Dan Crane and Gerry Studds
• July 20, 1983: Government of Poland announces end of martial law and amnesty for political prisoners

1984

• July 14, 1984: New Zealand Prime Minister Rob Muldoon calls a snap election and is defeated by opposition Labour leader David Lange
• July 18, 1984: San Ysidro McDonald's massacre: 21 deaths

1985

• July 13, 1985: Live Aid concerts take place in London and Philadelphia
• July 19, 1985: U.S. President Ronald Reagan undergoes surgery to remove polyps from his colon
• July 20, 1985: State President of South Africa, P. W. Botha, declares a state of emergency in 36 black townships

1986

• July 5-20, 1986: Inaugural Goodwill Games open in Moscow
• July 2, 1986: Walt Disney Pictures releases The Great Mouse Detective
• July 4, 1986: Statue of Liberty reopens to the public after centennial refurbishment

1987

• July 15, 1987: Martial law in Taiwan ends after 38 years
• July 17, 1987: Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 2,500 for the first time

1988

• July 20, 1988: Iran accepts UN Security Council Resolution 598, leading to a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War

1989

• July 14, 1989: French Revolution bicentennial celebrated in Paris
• July 19, 1989: Polish presidential election, Wojciech Jaruzelski elected
• July 19, 1989: United Airlines Flight 232 crashes in Sioux City, Iowa

🎵 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. LET ME LOVE YOU TONIGHT — The Pure Prairie League
7. LET’S GET SERIOUS — Jermaine Jackson
8. THE ROSE — Bette Midler
9. MAGIC — Olivia Newton-John
10. STEAL AWAY — Robbie Dupree

1981 — Songs #10 to #6

6. BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY — The Manhattan Transfer
7. SLOW HAND — The Pointer Sisters
8. I DON’T NEED YOU — Kenny Rogers
9. THEME FROM “GREATEST AMERICAN HERO” (Believe It Or Not) — Joey Scarbury
10. ELVIRA — The Oak Ridge Boys

1982 — Songs #10 to #6

6. CAUGHT UP IN YOU — 38 Special
7. TAINTED LOVE — Soft Cell
8. EBONY AND IVORY — Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
9. LOVE’S BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD ON ME — Juice Newton
10. LET IT WHIP — The Dazz Band

1983 — Songs #10 to #6

6. TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART) — Culture Club
7. IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW — Duran Duran
8. OUR HOUSE — Madness
9. TOO SHY — Kajagoogoo
10. COME DANCING — The Kinks

1984 — Songs #10 to #6

6. LEGS — ZZ Top
7. THE HEART OF ROCK 'N ROLL — Huey Lewis & The News
8. GHOSTBUSTERS — Ray Parker Jr.
9. ALMOST PARADISE — Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
10. SELF CONTROL — Laura Branigan

1985 — Songs #10 to #6

6. WOULD I LIE TO YOU? — Eurythmics
7. SHOUT — Tears For Fears
8. GLORY DAYS — Bruce Springsteen
9. IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE — Sting
10. THE SEARCH IS OVER — Survivor

1986 — Songs #10 to #6

6. YOUR WILDEST DREAMS — The Moody Blues
7. SECRET LOVERS — Atlantic Starr
8. WHO'S JOHNNY — El DeBarge
9. THERE'LL BE SAD SONGS (TO MAKE YOU CRY) — Billy Ocean
10. PAPA DON'T PREACH — Madonna

1987 — Songs #10 to #6

6. HEAD TO TOE — Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
7. I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR — U2
8. LESSONS IN LOVE — Level 42
9. SOMETHING SO STRONG — Crowded House
10. FUNKYTOWN — Pseudo Echo

1988 — Songs #10 to #6

6. SIGN YOUR NAME — Terence Trent D'Arby
7. MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL — Eric Carmen
8. HANDS TO HEAVEN — Breathe
9. ROLL WITH IT — Steve Winwood
10. THE TWIST (YO, TWIST) — The Fat Boys & Chubby Checker

1989 — Songs #10 to #6

6. ON OUR OWN — Bobby Brown
7. BATDANCE — Prince
8. TOY SOLDIERS — Martika
9. SO ALIVE — Love and Rockets
10. WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW — Exposé

🎵 Full Top 10 — All 100 Songs with Links

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

1980

1. 🏆 IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME — Billy Joel
2. COMING UP (Live At Glasgow) / COMING UP — Paul McCartney and Wings
3. LITTLE JEANNIE — Elton John
4. CUPID / I’VE LOVED YOU FOR A LONG TIME (Medley) — The Spinners
5. SHINING STAR — The Manhattans
6. STEAL AWAY — Robbie Dupree
7. MAGIC — Olivia Newton-John
8. THE ROSE — Bette Midler
9. LET’S GET SERIOUS — Jermaine Jackson
10. LET ME LOVE YOU TONIGHT — The Pure Prairie League

1981

1. 🏆 BETTE DAVIS EYES — Kim Carnes
2. ALL THOSE YEARS AGO — George Harrison
3. THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE — Air Supply
4. JESSIE’S GIRL — Rick Springfield
5. YOU MAKE MY DREAMS — Daryl Hall and John Oates
6. ELVIRA — The Oak Ridge Boys
7. THEME FROM “GREATEST AMERICAN HERO” (Believe It Or Not) — Joey Scarbury
8. I DON’T NEED YOU — Kenny Rogers
9. SLOW HAND — The Pointer Sisters
10. BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY — The Manhattan Transfer

1982

1. 🏆 DON’T YOU WANT ME — The Human League
2. ROSANNA — Toto
3. HURTS SO GOOD — John Cougar
4. HEAT OF THE MOMENT — Asia
5. EYE OF THE TIGER — Survivor
6. LET IT WHIP — The Dazz Band
7. LOVE’S BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD ON ME — Juice Newton
8. EBONY AND IVORY — Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
9. TAINTED LOVE — Soft Cell
10. CAUGHT UP IN YOU — 38 Special

1983

1. 🏆 EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE — The Police
2. ELECTRIC AVENUE — Eddy Grant
3. FLASHDANCE...WHAT A FEELING — Irene Cara
4. NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO — Sergio Mendes
5. WANNA BE STARTIN' SOMETHIN' — Michael Jackson
6. COME DANCING — The Kinks
7. TOO SHY — Kajagoogoo
8. OUR HOUSE — Madness
9. IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW — Duran Duran
10. TIME (CLOCK OF THE HEART) — Culture Club

1984

1. 🏆 WHEN DOVES CRY — Prince
2. DANCING IN THE DARK — Bruce Springsteen
3. JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) — The Pointer Sisters
4. EYES WITHOUT A FACE — Billy Idol
5. THE REFLEX — Duran Duran
6. SELF CONTROL — Laura Branigan
7. ALMOST PARADISE — Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
8. GHOSTBUSTERS — Ray Parker Jr.
9. THE HEART OF ROCK 'N ROLL — Huey Lewis & The News
10. LEGS — ZZ Top

1985

1. 🏆 A VIEW TO A KILL — Duran Duran
2. RASPBERRY BERET — Prince & The Revolution
3. EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY — Paul Young
4. YOU GIVE GOOD LOVE — Whitney Houston
5. SUSSUDIO — Phil Collins
6. THE SEARCH IS OVER — Survivor
7. IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE — Sting
8. GLORY DAYS — Bruce Springsteen
9. SHOUT — Tears For Fears
10. WOULD I LIE TO YOU? — Eurythmics

1986

1. 🏆 INVISIBLE TOUCH — Genesis
2. SLEDGEHAMMER — Peter Gabriel
3. NASTY — Janet Jackson
4. HOLDING BACK THE YEARS — Simply Red
5. DANGER ZONE — Kenny Loggins
6. PAPA DON'T PREACH — Madonna
7. THERE'LL BE SAD SONGS (TO MAKE YOU CRY) — Billy Ocean
8. WHO'S JOHNNY — El DeBarge
9. SECRET LOVERS — Atlantic Starr
10. YOUR WILDEST DREAMS — The Moody Blues

1987

1. 🏆 ALONE — Heart
2. I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME) — Whitney Houston
3. SHAKEDOWN — Bob Seger
4. DON'T DISTURB THIS GROOVE — The System
5. POINT OF NO RETURN — Exposé
6. FUNKYTOWN — Pseudo Echo
7. SOMETHING SO STRONG — Crowded House
8. LESSONS IN LOVE — Level 42
9. I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR — U2
10. HEAD TO TOE — Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

1988

1. 🏆 THE FLAME — Cheap Trick
2. MERCEDES BOY — Pebbles
3. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME — Def Leppard
4. NEW SENSATION — INXS
5. HOLD ON TO THE NIGHTS — Richard Marx
6. THE TWIST (YO, TWIST) — The Fat Boys & Chubby Checker
7. ROLL WITH IT — Steve Winwood
8. HANDS TO HEAVEN — Breathe
9. MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL — Eric Carmen
10. SIGN YOUR NAME — Terence Trent D'Arby

1989

1. 🏆 IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW — Simply Red
2. EXPRESS YOURSELF — Madonna
3. BABY DON'T FORGET MY NUMBER — Milli Vanilli
4. GOOD THING — Fine Young Cannibals
5. MISS YOU MUCH — Janet Jackson
6. WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW — Exposé
7. SO ALIVE — Love and Rockets
8. TOY SOLDIERS — Martika
9. BATDANCE — Prince
10. ON OUR OWN — Bobby Brown

🎬 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 — M*A*S*H (CBS)

M*A*S*H was airing reruns during this week in 1980, as its ninth season premiered in November 1980.

📺 Where to Watch M*A*S*H →

1981 — Universe (CBS)

A science documentary series exploring various topics in space and science.

📺 Where to Watch Universe →

1982 — The Greatest American Hero (ABC)

Ralph, Pam and the kids fly to the Caribbean to visit a friend of Bill's. When they arrive they find Bill's friend murdered and island racked by a voodoo-driven revolt against the government.

📺 Where to Watch The Greatest American Hero →

1983 — Magnum, P.I. (CBS)

During this week, Magnum, P.I. was likely airing reruns as its fourth season premiered in late September 1983.

📺 Where to Watch Magnum, P.I. →

1984 — T.J. Hooker (ABC)

T.J. Hooker was airing reruns during this week in 1984.

📺 Where to Watch T.J. Hooker →

1985 — Magnum, P.I. (CBS)

Magnum, P.I. was airing reruns during this week in 1985.

📺 Where to Watch Magnum, P.I. →

1986 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was likely airing reruns during this week in 1986, as its third season premiered in September 1986.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1987 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was likely airing reruns during this week in 1987, as its fourth season premiered in September 1987.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1988 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was likely airing reruns during this week in 1988, as its fifth season premiered in October 1988.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1989 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show was likely airing reruns during this week in 1989, as its sixth season premiered in September 1989.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

📺 Commercial Spotlight: Wendy's (1984)

This famous commercial slogan emphasized the fact that Wendy’s hamburgers supposedly contained more beef than the comparable burgers at their competitors. The ‘Where’s the Beef?’ lady was an 82-year-old actress named Clara Peller. Her grouchy delivery of the line made it iconic, and Peller reprised the role (and her catchphrase) in additional Wendy’s ads until her death in 1987.

▶ Watch the commercial on YouTube

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