This Week

This Week in the 80s: July 21–27

GenX Dude

GenX Dude

— 8 min read
Share
This Week in the 80s: July 21–27

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 21-27 across 1980 through 1989. Buckle up.

During the Decade of Decadence, this week ran from July 21 to 30. 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 27, 1980: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, deposed Shah of Iran, died in Cairo from complications of lymphatic cancer.
  • July 21, 1980: Protests against reinstating the draft in the US.
  • July 25, 1980: US performs nuclear test at Nevada test site.

1981

  • July 27, 1981: Adam Walsh, age 6, was kidnapped from a Sears store in Hollywood, Florida, and murdered.
  • July 27, 1981: President Reagan explained his proposal for the largest tax cut in U.S. history in a nationally televised speech.
  • July 25, 1981: Anti-apartheid protesters in Hamilton, New Zealand, force the cancellation of a rugby match between the provincial team Waikato and South Africa’s Springboks.

1982

  • July 20, 1982: Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings: 11 British soldiers and 7 military horses killed in Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb attacks during military ceremonies in London.
  • July 23, 1982: International Whaling Commission votes for a total ban on commercial whaling starting in 1985.
  • July 24, 1982: Heavy rain causes a mudslide that destroys a bridge at Nagasaki, Japan, killing 299.
  • July 27, 1982: Queen meets Andy Warhol in New York during their North American Hot Space Tour.

1983

  • July 21, 1983: The lowest temperature on Earth is recorded in Vostok Station, Antarctica with −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F).
  • July 23, 1983: 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers are killed during a deadly ambush by the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, thus beginning the Sri Lankan Civil War.
  • July 24, 1983: The Black July anti-Tamil riots begin in Sri Lanka, killing between 400 and 3,000 Sri Lankan Tamils and Hill-country Tamils.

1984

  • July 25, 1984: Salyut 7: cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya becomes the first woman to perform a space walk.
  • July 28, 1984: The 1984 Summer Olympics begin in Los Angeles, California.

1985

  • July 20, 1985: State President of South Africa, P. W. Botha, declares a state of emergency in 36 magisterial districts of South Africa amid growing civil unrest in black townships.
  • July 23, 1985: Commodore releases the Amiga 1000 personal computer.
  • July 25, 1985: Rock Hudson's publicist confirms he has AIDS, making him one of the first major celebrities to be diagnosed with the disease.
  • July 27, 1985: Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway becomes the first woman to run 10,000 m in under 31 minutes, setting the world record at 30:59.42 in Oslo, Norway.

1986

  • July 23, 1986: Prince Andrew, Duke of York marries Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey.

1987

  • July 22, 1987: Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali is shot in London and dies a month later.
  • July 23, 1987: The World Population hits five billion people.
  • July 24, 1987: The first commercially available digital audio tape (DAT) recorder is released by Sony in Japan.
  • July 27, 1987: Rick Astley releases his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up".

1988

  • July 25, 1988: The Democratic National Convention is held in Atlanta, where Michael Dukakis is nominated for President of the United States.
  • July 26, 1988: A federal grand jury indicts Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos for racketeering.
  • July 27, 1988: The first email from a head of state is sent by Finnish President Mauno Koivisto to his country's Olympic team in Seoul, South Korea.

1989

  • July 21: Philippine Airlines Flight 124 crashes on approach at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, killing eight people on the ground.
  • July 23: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party loses control of the House of Councillors in the 1989 Japanese House of Councillors election.
  • July 26: Robert Tappan Morris is indicted for releasing a computer virus, becoming the first person prosecuted under the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
  • July 27: Thai financial scammer Mae Chamoy Thipyaso and her accomplices are sentenced to 141,078 years in prison.

🎵 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

  1. Sailing — Christopher Cross
  2. Emotional Rescue — The Rolling Stones
  3. Tired of Toein The Line — Rocky Burnette
  4. Coming Up — Paul McCartney
  5. Take Your Time (Do It Right) Part 1 — S.O.S. Band

1981 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. Hearts — Marty Balin
  2. Boy From New York City — Manhattan Transfer
  3. You Make My Dreams — Daryl Hall & John Oates
  4. Slow Hand — Pointer Sisters
  5. I Don't Need You — Kenny Rogers

1982 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. KEEP THE FIRE BURNIN’ — REO Speedwagon
  2. ONLY THE LONELY — The Motels
  3. TAINTED LOVE — Soft Cell
  4. DON’T YOU WANT ME — The Human League
  5. ABRACADABRA — The Steve Miller Band

1983 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY — Donna Summer
  2. STAND BACK — Stevie Nicks
  3. IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW — Duran Duran
  4. OUR HOUSE — Madness
  5. COME DANCING — The Kinks

1984 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. INFATUATION — Rod Stewart
  2. SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH) — Elton John
  3. LEGS — ZZ Top
  4. ALMOST PARADISE — Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
  5. STATE OF SHOCK — The Jacksons with Mick Jagger

1985 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. GET IT ON (BANG A GONG) — The Power Station
  2. NEVER SURRENDER — Corey Hart
  3. SENTIMENTAL STREET — Night Ranger
  4. RASPBERRY BERET — Prince & The Revolution
  5. GLORY DAYS — Bruce Springsteen

1986 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. MODERN WOMAN — Billy Joel
  2. HOLDING BACK THE YEARS — Simply Red
  3. MAD ABOUT YOU — Belinda Carlisle
  4. LOVE TOUCH — Rod Stewart
  5. PAPA DON’T PREACH — Madonna

1987 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. POINT OF NO RETURN — Expose
  2. DON’T DISTURB THIS GROOVE — The System
  3. HEART AND SOUL — T’Pau
  4. SOMETHING SO STRONG — Crowded House
  5. RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine

1988 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. RUSH HOUR — Jane Wiedlin
  2. SIGN YOUR NAME — Terence Trent D’Arby
  3. MERCEDES BOY — Pebbles
  4. MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL — Eric Carmen
  5. HANDS TO HEAVEN — Breathe

1989 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. Baby Don't Forget My Number — Milli Vanilli
  2. Lay Your Hands On Me — Bon Jovi
  3. What You Don't Know — Exposé
  4. Good Thing — Fine Young Cannibals
  5. On Our Own — Bobby Brown

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

1980

  1. 🏆 Magic — Olivia Newton-John
  2. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me — Billy Joel
  3. Little Jeannie — Elton John
  4. Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time — The Spinners
  5. Shining Star — The Manhattans
  6. Take Your Time (Do It Right) Part 1 — S.O.S. Band
  7. Coming Up — Paul McCartney
  8. Tired of Toein The Line — Rocky Burnette
  9. Emotional Rescue — The Rolling Stones
  10. Sailing — Christopher Cross

1981

  1. 🏆 The One That You Love — Air Supply
  2. Bette Davis Eyes — Kim Carnes
  3. Jessie's Girl — Rick Springfield
  4. The Theme From The Greatest American Hero — Joey Scarbury
  5. Elvira — Oak Ridge Boys
  6. I Don't Need You — Kenny Rogers
  7. Slow Hand — Pointer Sisters
  8. You Make My Dreams — Daryl Hall & John Oates
  9. Boy From New York City — Manhattan Transfer
  10. Hearts — Marty Balin

1982

  1. 🏆 EYE OF THE TIGER — Survivor
  2. ROSANNA — Toto
  3. HURTS SO GOOD — John Cougar
  4. HOLD ME — Fleetwood Mac
  5. LET IT WHIP — The Dazz Band
  6. ABRACADABRA — The Steve Miller Band
  7. DON’T YOU WANT ME — The Human League
  8. TAINTED LOVE — Soft Cell
  9. ONLY THE LONELY — The Motels
  10. KEEP THE FIRE BURNIN’ — REO Speedwagon

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 (with Joe Pizzulo & Leza Miller)
  5. WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’ — Michael Jackson
  6. COME DANCING — The Kinks
  7. OUR HOUSE — Madness
  8. IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW — Duran Duran
  9. STAND BACK — Stevie Nicks
  10. SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY — Donna Summer

1984

  1. 🏆 WHEN DOVES CRY — Prince
  2. DANCING IN THE DARK — Bruce Springsteen
  3. GHOST BUSTERS — Ray Parker Jr.
  4. EYES WITHOUT A FACE — Billy Idol
  5. Jump (FOR MY LOVE) — The Pointer Sisters
  6. STATE OF SHOCK — The Jacksons with Mick Jagger
  7. ALMOST PARADISE — Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
  8. LEGS — ZZ Top
  9. SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH) — Elton John
  10. INFATUATION — Rod Stewart

1985

  1. 🏆 EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY — Paul Young
  2. SHOUT — Tears For Fears
  3. YOU GIVE GOOD LOVE — Whitney Houston
  4. A VIEW TO A KILL — Duran Duran
  5. IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE — Sting
  6. GLORY DAYS — Bruce Springsteen
  7. RASPBERRY BERET — Prince & The Revolution
  8. SENTIMENTAL STREET — Night Ranger
  9. NEVER SURRENDER — Corey Hart
  10. GET IT ON (BANG A GONG) — The Power Station

1986

  1. 🏆 SLEDGEHAMMER — Peter Gabriel
  2. DANGER ZONE — Kenny Loggins
  3. INVISIBLE TOUCH — Genesis
  4. NASTY — Janet Jackson
  5. GLORY OF LOVE — Peter Cetera
  6. PAPA DON’T PREACH — Madonna
  7. LOVE TOUCH — Rod Stewart
  8. MAD ABOUT YOU — Belinda Carlisle
  9. HOLDING BACK THE YEARS — Simply Red
  10. MODERN WOMAN — Billy Joel

1987

  1. 🏆 ALONE — Heart
  2. SHAKEDOWN — Bob Seger
  3. I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR — U2
  4. I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME) — Whitney Houston
  5. I WANT YOUR SEX — George Michael
  6. RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
  7. SOMETHING SO STRONG — Crowded House
  8. HEART AND SOUL — T’Pau
  9. DON’T DISTURB THIS GROOVE — The System
  10. POINT OF NO RETURN — Expose

1988

  1. 🏆 HOLD ON TO THE NIGHTS — Richard Marx
  2. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME — Def Leppard
  3. NEW SENSATION — INXS
  4. ROLL WITH IT — Steve Winwood
  5. THE FLAME — Cheap Trick
  6. HANDS TO HEAVEN — Breathe
  7. MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL — Eric Carmen
  8. MERCEDES BOY — Pebbles
  9. SIGN YOUR NAME — Terence Trent D’Arby
  10. RUSH HOUR — Jane Wiedlin

1989

  1. 🏆 Toy Soldiers — Martika
  2. Express Yourself — Madonna
  3. If You Don't Know Me By Now — Simply Red
  4. Batdance — Prince
  5. So Alive — Love And Rockets
  6. On Our Own — Bobby Brown
  7. Good Thing — Fine Young Cannibals
  8. What You Don't Know — Exposé
  9. Lay Your Hands On Me — Bon Jovi
  10. Baby Don't Forget My Number — Milli Vanilli

🎬 Box Office #1 This Week

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

YearFilmWeekend GrossWatch Now
1980Airplane!$4,821,177Stream →
1981Arthur$6,047,204Stream →
1982E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial$10,870,146Stream →
1983Return of the Jedi$10,167,000Stream →
1984Ghostbusters$13,300,000Stream →
1985Back to the Future$10,024,000Stream →
1986Aliens$10,024,000Stream →
1987RoboCop$8,000,000Stream →
1988Who Framed Roger Rabbit$10,000,000Stream →
1989Batman$10,000,000Stream →

📺 Primetime TV Spotlight

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

1980 — The Jeffersons (CBS)

The Jeffersons was a popular sitcom that aired on CBS. During this week, it was likely airing reruns as it was summer, but it was a staple of primetime television.

📺 Where to Watch The Jeffersons →

1981 — M*A*S*H (CBS)

M*A*S*H was in its ninth season in 1981 and was still a top-rated show. During this week, it would have been airing reruns as it was summer, but it was a highly watched program.

📺 Where to Watch M*A*S*H →

1982 — The Love Boat (ABC)

The Love Boat was a popular anthology series that aired on ABC. It was known for its guest stars and romantic storylines, providing lighthearted entertainment during the summer months.

📺 Where to Watch The Love Boat →

1983 — Magnum, P.I. (CBS)

Magnum, P.I. was a popular crime drama starring Tom Selleck. In its fourth season, the show continued to deliver action and humor from Hawaii.

📺 Where to Watch Magnum, P.I. →

1984 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The Cosby Show premiered in September 1984, so during this week in July, it would have been heavily promoted as a new fall series. It quickly became a groundbreaking and highly successful sitcom.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1985 — Miami Vice (NBC)

Miami Vice was in its second season and was a cultural phenomenon known for its stylish visuals, music, and fashion. It was a defining show of the 80s.

📺 Where to Watch Miami Vice →

1986 — Moonlighting (ABC)

Moonlighting, starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, was a popular comedy-drama known for its witty dialogue and unique blend of humor and mystery. It was in its third season.

📺 Where to Watch Moonlighting →

1987 — Family Ties (NBC)

Family Ties was a beloved sitcom that explored the generational gap between liberal parents and their conservative children. It was in its sixth season and still very popular.

📺 Where to Watch Family Ties →

1988 — The Golden Girls (NBC)

The Golden Girls was a highly acclaimed sitcom about four older women living together in Miami. It was in its fourth season and known for its sharp writing and comedic performances.

📺 Where to Watch The Golden Girls →

1989 — Cheers (NBC)

Cheers was a long-running and critically acclaimed sitcom set in a Boston bar. It was in its eighth season and continued to be a top-rated show.

📺 Where to Watch Cheers →

📺 Commercial Spotlight: Apple (1984)

The iconic "1984" Super Bowl commercial for Apple Macintosh, directed by Ridley Scott, introduced the personal computer as a tool for liberation against conformity. It aired only once nationally but became a legendary advertisement.

▶ Watch the commercial on YouTube

Enjoying This Week in the 80s? Share it with a friend who lived through the decade.

Read more