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This Week in the 80s: October 20–26

GenX Dude

GenX Dude

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This Week in the 80s: October 20–26

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 October 20-26 across 1980 through 1989. Buckle up.

During the Decade of Decadence, this week ran from October 20 to 29. 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

  • October 20: Greece rejoined the NATO military structure after a six-year absence.
  • October 23: Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin resigned due to ill health.
  • October 24: Communist authorities in Poland granted recognition to the trade union 'Solidarity.'

1981

  • October 20: The 1981 Brink's robbery occurred in Nanuet, New York, involving the Black Liberation Army and Weather Underground, resulting in deaths and a large theft.

1982

  • October 20: Luzhniki disaster: 66 people were crushed to death during a UEFA Cup match between FC Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem.
  • October 26: The Dow Jones industrials plunged 36.33 points, its second biggest single-day drop ever at that time.

1983

  • October 23: Beirut barracks bombing: Simultaneous suicide truck-bombings destroy both the French Army and United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. servicemen, 58 French paratroopers and 6 Lebanese civilians.
  • October 25: Invasion of Grenada by United States troops.
  • October 25: Microsoft Word (then Multi-Tool Word) is released.

1984

  • October 23: The world learns of the famine in Ethiopia from BBC News television reports.
  • October 25: The European Economic Community makes £1.8 million available to help combat the famine in Ethiopia.
  • October 26: The science fiction action film The Terminator premieres.

1985

  • October 26: Hurricane Juan kills 97 in the US.

1986

  • October 20: Aeroflot Flight 6502 crashes while landing at Kuibyshev Airport, killing 70 people.
  • October 25: Bill Buckner's error in Game 6 of the World Series allows the New York Mets to complete a stunning comeback against the Boston Red Sox.
  • October 26: Bus deregulation goes into effect in the United Kingdom.

1987

  • October 19: Black Monday: Stock market levels fall sharply on Wall Street and around the world.
  • October 23: The United States Senate rejects President Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court.
  • October 25: The Minnesota Twins won the 1987 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

1988

  • October 20: The Los Angeles Dodgers won 4 games to 1 in the 1988 World Series against the Oakland Athletics.

1989

  • October 23: The Hungarian Republic is officially declared.
  • October 23: The Phillips disaster, a chemical plant explosion, kills 23 and injures 314 others.
  • October 24: The 1989 Bhagalpur violence breaks out in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India; it will kill nearly 1,000 people.

🎵 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. NEVER KNEW LOVE LIKE THIS BEFORE — Stephanie Mills
  2. I’M ALRIGHT — Kenny Loggins
  3. ALL OUT OF LOVE — Air Supply
  4. THE WANDERER — Donna Summer
  5. LADY — Kenny Rogers

1981 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. Share Your Love With Me — Kenny Rogers
  2. When She Was My Girl — The Four Tops
  3. For Your Eyes Only — Sheena Easton
  4. We're In This Love Together — Al Jarreau
  5. I've Done Everything For You — Rick Springfield

1982 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. Somebody's Baby — Jackson Browne
  2. You Can Do Magic — America
  3. Heartlight — Neil Diamond
  4. Who Can It Be Now? — Men At Work
  5. Don't Fight It — Kenny Loggins With Steve Perry

1983 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. TELEFONE (Long Distance Love Affair) — Sheena Easton
  2. BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE — The Talking Heads
  3. DELIRIOUS — Prince
  4. KING OF PAIN — The Police
  5. ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER — The Fixx

1984 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. I’M SO EXCITED — The Pointer Sisters
  2. PURPLE RAIN — Prince
  3. ON THE DARK SIDE — Eddie & The Cruisers / John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
  4. COVER ME — Bruce Springsteen
  5. DRIVE — The Cars

1985 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. YOU BELONG TO THE CITY — Glenn Frey
  2. I’M GOIN’ DOWN — Bruce Springsteen
  3. FORTRESS AROUND YOUR HEART — Sting
  4. LONELY OL’ NIGHT — John Cougar Mellencamp
  5. OH SHEILA — Ready For The World

1986 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. SWEET LOVE — Anita Baker
  2. HUMAN — Human League
  3. ALL CRIED OUT — Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force
  4. THROWING IT ALL AWAY — Genesis
  5. AMANDA — Boston

1987 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. CARRIE — Europe
  2. LITTLE LIES — Fleetwood Mac
  3. LET ME BE THE ONE — Expose
  4. MONY MONY — Billy Idol
  5. CASANOVA — Levert

1988 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. ANOTHER LOVER — La La
  2. THE LOCO-MOTION — Kylie Minogue
  3. DON'T BE CRUEL — Bobby Brown
  4. DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT CAN DO? — Stevie Winwood
  5. KOKOMO — The Beach Boys

1989 — Songs #10 to #6

  1. WHEN I LOOKED AT HIM — Expose
  2. BUST A MOVE — Young MC
  3. IT'S NO CRIME — Babyface
  4. LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR — Aerosmith
  5. COVER GIRL — New Kids On The Block

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

1980

  1. 🏆 WOMAN IN LOVE — Barbra Streisand
  2. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST — Queen
  3. HE’S SO SHY — The Pointer Sisters
  4. UPSIDE DOWN — Diana Ross
  5. REAL LOVE — The Doobie Brothers
  6. LADY — Kenny Rogers
  7. THE WANDERER — Donna Summer
  8. ALL OUT OF LOVE — Air Supply
  9. I’M ALRIGHT — Kenny Loggins
  10. NEVER KNEW LOVE LIKE THIS BEFORE — Stephanie Mills

1981

  1. 🏆 Private Eyes — Daryl Hall And John Oates
  2. Hard To Say — Dan Fogelberg
  3. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) — Christopher Cross
  4. The Night Owls — Little River Band
  5. Tryin' To Live My Life Without You — Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
  6. I've Done Everything For You — Rick Springfield
  7. We're In This Love Together — Al Jarreau
  8. For Your Eyes Only — Sheena Easton
  9. When She Was My Girl — The Four Tops
  10. Share Your Love With Me — Kenny Rogers

1982

  1. 🏆 I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) — Michael McDonald
  2. Gypsy — Fleetwood Mac
  3. The One You Love — Glenn Frey
  4. Heart Attack — Olivia Newton-John
  5. Jack & Diane — John Cougar
  6. Don't Fight It — Kenny Loggins With Steve Perry
  7. Who Can It Be Now? — Men At Work
  8. Heartlight — Neil Diamond
  9. You Can Do Magic — America
  10. Somebody's Baby — Jackson Browne

1983

  1. 🏆 TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART — Bonnie Tyler
  2. MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL — Air Supply
  3. ISLANDS IN THE STREAM — Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton
  4. TRUE — Spandau Ballet
  5. ALL NIGHT LONG (All Night) — Lionel Richie
  6. ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER — The Fixx
  7. KING OF PAIN — The Police
  8. DELIRIOUS — Prince
  9. BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE — The Talking Heads
  10. TELEFONE (Long Distance Love Affair) — Sheena Easton

1984

  1. 🏆 I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU — Stevie Wonder
  2. CARIBBEAN QUEEN (NO MORE LOVE ON THE RUN) — Billy Ocean
  3. HARD HABIT TO BREAK — Chicago
  4. LUCKY STAR — Madonna
  5. LET’S GO CRAZY — Prince & The Revolution
  6. DRIVE — The Cars
  7. COVER ME — Bruce Springsteen
  8. ON THE DARK SIDE — Eddie & The Cruisers / John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
  9. PURPLE RAIN — Prince
  10. I’M SO EXCITED — The Pointer Sisters

1985

  1. 🏆 SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU — Whitney Houston
  2. PART TIME LOVER — Stevie Wonder
  3. TAKE ON ME — A-Ha
  4. MIAMI VICE THEME — Jan Hammer
  5. HEAD OVER HEELS — Tears For Fears
  6. OH SHEILA — Ready For The World
  7. LONELY OL’ NIGHT — John Cougar Mellencamp
  8. FORTRESS AROUND YOUR HEART — Sting
  9. I’M GOIN’ DOWN — Bruce Springsteen
  10. YOU BELONG TO THE CITY — Glenn Frey

1986

  1. 🏆 TRUE COLORS — Cyndi Lauper
  2. TYPICAL MALE — Tina Turner
  3. WHEN I THINK OF YOU — Janet Jackson
  4. I DIDN’T MEAN TO TURN YOU ON — Robert Palmer
  5. HEARTBEAT — Don Johnson
  6. AMANDA — Boston
  7. THROWING IT ALL AWAY — Genesis
  8. ALL CRIED OUT — Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force
  9. HUMAN — Human League
  10. SWEET LOVE — Anita Baker

1987

  1. 🏆 BAD — Michael Jackson
  2. CAUSING A COMMOTION — Madonna
  3. U GOT THE LOOK — Prince
  4. LOST IN EMOTION — Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
  5. I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW — Tiffany
  6. CASANOVA — Levert
  7. MONY MONY — Billy Idol
  8. LET ME BE THE ONE — Expose
  9. LITTLE LIES — Fleetwood Mac
  10. CARRIE — Europe

1988

  1. 🏆 A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE — Phil Collins
  2. RED RED WINE — UB40
  3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND (PURE ENERGY) — Information Society
  4. LOVE BITES — Def Leppard
  5. WILD, WILD WEST — Escape Club
  6. KOKOMO — The Beach Boys
  7. DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT CAN DO? — Stevie Winwood
  8. DON'T BE CRUEL — Bobby Brown
  9. THE LOCO-MOTION — Kylie Minogue
  10. ANOTHER LOVER — La La

1989

  1. 🏆 MISS YOU MUCH — Janet Jackson
  2. LOVE SONG — The Cure
  3. SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE — Tears For Fears
  4. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART — Roxette
  5. MIXED EMOTIONS — The Rolling Stones
  6. COVER GIRL — New Kids On The Block
  7. LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR — Aerosmith
  8. IT'S NO CRIME — Babyface
  9. BUST A MOVE — Young MC
  10. WHEN I LOOKED AT HIM — Expose

🎬 Box Office #1 This Week

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

YearFilmWeekend GrossWatch Now
1980Private Benjamin$1,201,574Stream →
1981The French Lieutenant's Woman$26,890,068Stream →
1982First Blood$6,642,005Stream →
1983The Big Chill$56,399,659Stream →
1984Teachers$4,363,475Stream →
1985Jagged Edge$25,024,087Stream →
1986Crocodile Dundee$42,469,246Stream →
1987Fatal Attraction$40,148,355Stream →
1988Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers$30,252,613Stream →
1989Look Who's Talking$48,946,885Stream →

📺 Primetime TV Spotlight

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

1980 — Dallas (CBS)

The third season of Dallas was airing, focusing on the aftermath of J.R.’s shooting and the mystery of ‘Who Shot J.R.?’ which was a cultural phenomenon.

📺 Where to Watch Dallas →

1981 — Dynasty (ABC)

The second season of Dynasty was airing, which saw the introduction of Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington, significantly boosting the show's ratings and popularity.

📺 Where to Watch Dynasty →

1982 — Cheers (NBC)

The first season of Cheers was airing, establishing the beloved characters and setting of the Boston bar. This week would have been early in its run, building its audience.

📺 Where to Watch Cheers →

1983 — The A-Team (NBC)

The second season of The A-Team was airing, continuing the adventures of the fugitive ex-Special Forces unit helping those in need while on the run from the military.

📺 Where to Watch The A-Team →

1984 — The Cosby Show (NBC)

The first season of The Cosby Show was airing, quickly becoming a massive hit and redefining the family sitcom with its humorous and heartwarming portrayal of the Huxtable family.

📺 Where to Watch The Cosby Show →

1985 — Miami Vice (NBC)

The second season of Miami Vice was airing, known for its distinctive style, music, and fashion, as Crockett and Tubbs continued to tackle drug trafficking and other crimes in Miami.

📺 Where to Watch Miami Vice →

1986 — L.A. Law (NBC)

The first season of L.A. Law was airing, introducing audiences to the personal and professional lives of attorneys at a prestigious Los Angeles law firm, earning critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of legal issues.

📺 Where to Watch L.A. Law →

1987 — Thirtysomething (ABC)

The first season of Thirtysomething was airing, a groundbreaking drama that explored the lives, relationships, and existential crises of a group of baby boomers in their thirties.

📺 Where to Watch Thirtysomething →

1988 — Roseanne (ABC)

The first season of Roseanne was airing, quickly becoming a hit for its realistic and humorous portrayal of a working-class American family, challenging traditional sitcom tropes.

📺 Where to Watch Roseanne →

1989 — The Simpsons (Fox)

The first full season of The Simpsons was airing, following its Christmas special debut. This week would have featured early episodes establishing the iconic animated family and their satirical take on American life.

📺 Where to Watch The Simpsons →

📺 Commercial Spotlight: Wendy's (1984)

The iconic "Where's the Beef?" commercial for Wendy's featured elderly women comically searching for the beef in competitors' burgers. It became a cultural phenomenon and a popular catchphrase in 1984.

▶ Watch the commercial on YouTube

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