This Week in the 80s: August 18–24

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 August 18-24 across 1980 through 1989. Buckle up.

During the Decade of Decadence, this week ran from August 18 to 27. 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

• August 19, 1980: Saudia Flight 163 catches fire after takeoff from Riyadh, killing all 301 people on board after the plane landed successfully but could not be evacuated.
• August 14-31, 1980: The Solidarnosc (Solidarity) movement in Poland gains recognition for independent trade unions, marking a significant step against communist rule.
• August 18, 1980: Ronald Reagan delivers a speech on defense policy at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, outlining his vision for a stronger military.

1981

• August 19, 1981: Two Libyan fighter jets are shot down by U.S. Navy F-14s over the Gulf of Sidra.
• August 24, 1981: Mark David Chapman is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of John Lennon.
• August 25, 1981: The Voyager 2 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Saturn.

1982

• August 17, 1982: The first compact discs (CDs) are produced in Germany.
• August 18, 1982: US Congress passes a $98.3 billion tax bill after appeals from President Reagan.
• August 20, 1982: A multinational force lands in Beirut to oversee the PLO withdrawal from Lebanon.

1983

• August 18, 1983: Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, causing significant damage and fatalities.
• August 21, 1983: Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. is assassinated in Manila upon his return from exile.
• August 24, 1983: South Africa announces resolution of issues for Namibia's independence, contingent on Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola.

1984

• August 21, 1984: Half a million people in Manila demonstrate against the regime of Ferdinand Marcos.
• August 20-23, 1984: The Republican National Convention is held in Dallas, Texas, where Ronald Reagan is officially renominated for President.
• August 18, 1984: A giant pancake is cooked in Vermont, setting a new world record.

1985

• August 19, 1985: South African police shoot and kill six black protesters and detain 18 political activists amidst ongoing unrest against apartheid.
• August 20, 1985: Car bombs in Beirut kill at least 29 people and wound 82, highlighting the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
• August 24, 1985: News of Rock Hudson's AIDS diagnosis becomes public, bringing the disease into mainstream discussion.

1986

• August 18, 1986: Bon Jovi releases their breakthrough album "Slippery When Wet", which becomes a major commercial success.
• August 21, 1986: Deadly fumes from a volcanic eruption under Lake Nyos in Cameroon kill over 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock.
• August 18, 1986: Chile's military government rejects a U.S. proposal for human rights improvements, leading to continued political tension.

1987

• August 18, 1987: Ohio healthcare worker Donald Harvey is sentenced to triple life for poisoning 24 patients.
• August 24, 1987: A 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Napa, California, injuring over 200 people.
• August 18, 1987: Debbie Gibson releases her debut album, "Out of the Blue."

1988

• August 18, 1988: Dan Quayle accepts the nomination for Vice President at the Republican National Convention.
• August 8-24, 1988: The 8888 Uprising in Myanmar (Burma) continues, a series of nationwide protests against the one-party rule.
• August 1988: Nelson Mandela is hospitalized with tuberculosis, drawing international attention to his imprisonment.

1989

• August 18, 1989: ArenaBowl III takes place in Detroit, with the Detroit Drive defeating the Pittsburgh Gladiators.
• August 23, 1989: Two million people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania form the Baltic Way, a human chain protesting Soviet occupation.
• August 24, 1989: Tadeusz Mazowiecki is appointed as the first non-communist Prime Minister of Poland, a significant step in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

🎵 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. You're The Only Woman (You And I) — Ambrosia
7. Give Me The Night — George Benson
8. Boulevard — Jackson Browne
9. Magic — Olivia Newton-John
10. All Out Of Love — Air Supply

1981 — Songs #10 to #6

6. Lady (You Bring Me Up) — The Commodores
7. (There's) No Gettin' Over Me — Ronnie Milsap
8. Queen Of Hearts — Juice Newton
9. Boy From New York City — The Manhattan Transfer
10. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around — Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

1982 — Songs #10 to #6

6. Take It Away — Paul McCartney
7. Wasted On The Way — Crosby, Stills and Nash
8. Vacation — The Go-Go’s
9. Keep The Fire Burnin’ — REO Speedwagon
10. Even The Nights Are Better — Air Supply

1983 — Songs #10 to #6

6. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya — Culture Club
7. Puttin’ On The Ritz — Taco
8. (Keep Feeling) Fascination — The Human League
9. Is There Something I Should Know — Duran Duran
10. It’s A Mistake — Men At Work

1984 — Songs #10 to #6

6. If Ever You’re In My Arms Again — Peabo Bryson
7. Sunglasses At Night — Corey Hart
8. Sad Songs (Say So Much) — Elton John
9. Missing You — John Waite
10. I Can Dream About You — Dan Hartman

1985 — Songs #10 to #6

6. What About Love? — Heart
7. Everytime You Go Away — Paul Young
8. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free — Sting
9. Summer Of ’69 — Bryan Adams
10. We Don’t Need Another Hero — Tina Turner

1986 — Songs #10 to #6

6. The Edge Of Heaven — Wham!
7. Rumors — Timex Social Club
8. We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off — Jermaine Stewart
9. Take My Breath Away — Berlin
10. Dancing On The Ceiling — Lionel Richie

1987 — Songs #10 to #6

6. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You — Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett
7. Heart And Soul — T’Pau
8. Rock Steady — The Whispers
9. Only In My Dreams — Debbie Gibson
10. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For — U2

1988 — Songs #10 to #6

6. Fast Car — Tracy Chapman
7. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses
8. Sign Your Name — Terence Trent D’Arby
9. Hands To Heaven — Breathe
10. I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love — Chicago

1989 — Songs #10 to #6

6. So Alive — Love And Rockets
7. Secret Rendezvous — Karyn White
8. Batdance — Prince
9. I Like It — Dino
10. Hangin’ Tough — New Kids On The Block

🎵 Full Top 10 — All 100 Songs with Links

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

1980

1. 🏆 Sailing — Christopher Cross
2. Emotional Rescue — The Rolling Stones
3. Take Your Time (Do It Right) — The S.O.S. Band
4. Let My Love Open The Door — Pete Townshend
5. Into The Night — Benny Mardones
6. All Out Of Love — Air Supply
7. Magic — Olivia Newton-John
8. Boulevard — Jackson Browne
9. Give Me The Night — George Benson
10. You're The Only Woman (You And I) — Ambrosia

1981

1. 🏆 Endless Love — Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
2. Theme From "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It Or Not) — Joey Scarbury
3. I Don't Need You — Kenny Rogers
4. Slow Hand — The Pointer Sisters
5. Jessie's Girl — Rick Springfield
6. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around — Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
7. Boy From New York City — The Manhattan Transfer
8. Queen Of Hearts — Juice Newton
9. (There's) No Gettin' Over Me — Ronnie Milsap
10. Lady (You Bring Me Up) — The Commodores

1982

1. 🏆 Eye of the Tiger — Survivor
2. Hurts So Good — John Cougar
3. Abracadabra — The Steve Miller Band
4. Hold Me — Fleetwood Mac
5. Hard To Say I’m Sorry — Chicago
6. Even The Nights Are Better — Air Supply
7. Keep The Fire Burnin’ — REO Speedwagon
8. Vacation — The Go-Go’s
9. Wasted On The Way — Crosby, Stills and Nash
10. Take It Away — Paul McCartney

1983

1. 🏆 Every Breath You Take — The Police
2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) — Eurythmics
3. She Works Hard For The Money — Donna Summer
4. Maniac — Michael Sembello
5. Stand Back — Stevie Nicks
6. It’s A Mistake — Men At Work
7. Is There Something I Should Know — Duran Duran
8. (Keep Feeling) Fascination — The Human League
9. Puttin’ On The Ritz — Taco
10. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya — Culture Club

1984

1. 🏆 Ghostbusters — Ray Parker Jr.
2. What’s Love Got To Do With It — Tina Turner
3. State Of Shock — The Jacksons with Mick Jagger
4. When Doves Cry — Prince
5. Stuck On You — Lionel Richie
6. I Can Dream About You — Dan Hartman
7. Missing You — John Waite
8. Sad Songs (Say So Much) — Elton John
9. Sunglasses At Night — Corey Hart
10. If Ever You’re In My Arms Again — Peabo Bryson

1985

1. 🏆 Power of Love — Huey Lewis & The News
2. Shout — Tears For Fears
3. Never Surrender — Corey Hart
4. St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion) — John Parr
5. Freeway Of Love — Aretha Franklin
6. We Don’t Need Another Hero — Tina Turner
7. Summer Of ’69 — Bryan Adams
8. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free — Sting
9. Everytime You Go Away — Paul Young
10. What About Love? — Heart

1986

1. 🏆 Papa Don’t Preach — Madonna
2. Higher Love — Steve Winwood
3. Venus — Bananarama
4. Mad About You — Belinda Carlisle
5. Glory Of Love — Peter Cetera
6. Dancing On The Ceiling — Lionel Richie
7. Take My Breath Away — Berlin
8. We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off — Jermaine Stewart
9. Rumors — Timex Social Club
10. The Edge Of Heaven — Wham!

1987

1. 🏆 Who’s That Girl — Madonna
2. La Bamba — Los Lobos
3. Luka — Suzanne Vega
4. Don’t Mean Nothing — Richard Marx
5. I Want Your Sex — George Michael
6. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For — U2
7. Only In My Dreams — Debbie Gibson
8. Rock Steady — The Whispers
9. Heart And Soul — T’Pau
10. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You — Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett

1988

1. 🏆 Roll With It — Steve Winwood
2. Monkey — George Michael
3. 1-2-3 — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
4. I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That — Elton John
5. Make Me Lose Control — Eric Carmen
6. I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love — Chicago
7. Hands To Heaven — Breathe
8. Sign Your Name — Terence Trent D’Arby
9. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses
10. Fast Car — Tracy Chapman

1989

1. 🏆 Right Here Waiting — Richard Marx
2. On Our Own — Bobby Brown
3. Cold Hearted — Paula Abdul
4. Don’t Wanna Lose You — Gloria Estefan
5. Once Bitten Twice Shy — Great White
6. Hangin’ Tough — New Kids On The Block
7. I Like It — Dino
8. Batdance — Prince
9. Secret Rendezvous — Karyn White
10. So Alive — Love And Rockets

🎬 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 — That's Incredible! (ABC)

The series premiered on August 24, 1980, featuring people with unusual talents, daring feats, and incredible accomplishments. The first episode included segments on killer plants, a gravity-defying hill, a 'water witch', a computer that allows a man to 'speak' with his eyes, and a German shepherd who traveled 1,500 miles to be reunited with her master.

📺 Where to Watch That's Incredible! →

1981 — MTV Launch (Cable)

While network television was largely in reruns, a major cultural shift was happening on cable. MTV launched on August 1, 1981, and by this week, it was already beginning to revolutionize the music industry with its 24/7 format of music videos.

📺 Where to Watch MTV Launch →

1982 — Cheers (NBC)

The iconic sitcom 'Cheers' premiered in September 1982, so during this week in August, it was likely airing reruns of other popular shows or preparing for its debut. 'Cheers' centered around a group of regulars at a Boston bar, exploring their lives, loves, and friendships.

📺 Where to Watch Cheers →

1983 — Two Marriages (ABC)

This drama series premiered in August 1983, focusing on the lives of two neighboring families, the Daleys and the Armstrongs. The Daleys were a blended family, and the series explored their relationships and challenges.

📺 Where to Watch Two Marriages →

1984 — Call to Glory (ABC)

This military family drama premiered on August 13, 1984, on ABC. Set in the early 1960s at Edwards Air Force Base, the series followed the lives of Colonel Raynor Sarnac and his family during a pivotal time in American history.

📺 Where to Watch Call to Glory →

1985 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The highly popular sitcom 'The Cosby Show' was likely airing reruns during this week in August 1985, between its first and second seasons. The show, which premiered in 1984, depicted the lives of the affluent African-American Huxtable family in Brooklyn, New York, and was a cultural phenomenon.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1986 — The New Vaudevillians (Disney Channel)

This variety special premiered on the Disney Channel on August 16, 1986. Hosted by Peter Scolari, it aimed to revive classic vaudeville acts with a modern twist, featuring a mix of comedy, music, and novelty performances.

📺 Where to Watch The New Vaudevillians →

1987 — CBS Summer Playhouse (CBS)

This anthology series, which aired unsold television pilots, featured a new episode titled 'The Time of Their Lives' on August 7, 1987. The episode was about a recent widower who asks his ex-vaudevillian father to help him raise his four daughters.

📺 Where to Watch CBS Summer Playhouse →

1988 — Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers (Disney Channel)

While its official premiere was in 1989, a sneak preview episode of the animated series 'Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers' aired on August 27, 1988. This show featured the classic Disney chipmunks as leaders of a detective agency, solving crimes with their friends Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack, and Zipper.

📺 Where to Watch Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers →

1989 — Saved by the Bell (NBC)

The iconic teen sitcom premiered on August 20, 1989, with the episode 'Dancing to the Max'. The show followed the lives of a group of high school friends at Bayside High School, dealing with typical teenage issues while often breaking the fourth wall.

📺 Where to Watch Saved by the Bell →

📺 Commercial Spotlight: Payless (1988)

This memorable commercial features a catchy rap song about getting ready for back to school with shoes from Payless. It captures the fun and energetic spirit of late 80s advertising, especially targeting kids and parents for school shopping.

▶ Watch the commercial on YouTube

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