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Tag: 1983

  • 1983 Top Ten Music Charts

    1983 Top Ten Music Charts

    1983’s Biggest Artists and Songs

    Men At Work (1982 Best New Artist Grammy Winner, presented in 1983)
    Toto (Grammy for Album of the Year)
    Rosanna – Toto (Grammy for Record of the Year)
    New Artists in the Pop Charts Included:
    ABC, INXS, REM, U2, Wham!, Mtume, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Adam Ant, Kajagoogoo, Bananarama, Chris DeBurgh, DeBarge, Elvis Costello, Eurythmics and Weird Al Yankovic

    Some music news highlights from 1983 include:

    1. Michael Jackson released his fifth album, Thriller, which became one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums of all time.

    2. U2 released their third studio album, War, which became one of their most successful and enduring releases.

    3. The Police released their fifth album, Synchronicity, which spawned the hit singles Every Breath You Take and King of Pain.

    4. The Eagles released their seventh studio album, The Long Run, spawning the hit singles Heartache Tonight and The Long Run.

    5. Madonna released her self-titled debut album with the dance hit Holiday, and established her as a major pop star.

    6. Prince released his fifth studio album 1999, featuring the hit singles Little Red Corvette and Delirious.

    7. Metallica released its debut album, Kill ‘Em All, establishing them as a major force in the heavy metal genre.

    1983’s Retro Top 10 Hits

    1. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
    2. The Girls Is Mine – Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
    3. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
    4. Down Under – Men At Work
    5. Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
    6. Let’s Dance – David Bowie
    7. Our House – Madness
    8. Say Say Say – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
    9. Allentown – Billy Joel
    10. Islands In The Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

    1983’s ‘One Hit Wonders’

    1. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
    2. Puttin’ On The Ritz – Taco
    3. Just Got Lucky – JoBoxers
    4. Our House – Madness
    5. Der Kommisar – After The Fire
    6. A Million Miles Away – The Plimsouls
    7. Save It For later – English Beat
    8. The Salt In My Tears – Martin Briley
    9. In A Big Country – Big Country
    10. Reap The Wild Wind – Ultravox

    1983’s Dance Top 10 Hit List

    1. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
    2. Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
    3. Stay With Me Tonight – Jeffrey Osborne
    4. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – Indeep
    5. Do It Again/Billie Jean – Club House
    6. Little Red Corvette – Prince
    7. White Lines (Don’t Do It) – Grandmaster Flash
    8. Wanna Be Startin Something – Michael Jackson
    9. I.O.U. – Freeze
    10. Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth

    More Of 1983’s Dance hits

    Atomic Dog – George Clinton
    Freak-A-Zoid – Midnight Star
    1983’s Pop Dance Top 10 Hit List
    1. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
    2. Beat It – Michael Jackson
    3. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
    4. So Many Men, So Little Time – Miquel Brown
    5. All Night Long – Lionel Richie
    6. **1999** – Prince
    7. Modern Love – David Bowie
    8. You Can’t Hurry Love – Phil Collins
    9. I Do – J Geils Band
    10. Maniac – Michael Sembello

    1983’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List

    1. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
    2. Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar
    3. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
    4. Every Breath You Take – The Police
    5. Mr. Roboto – Styx
    6. Tell Her About It – Billy Joel
    7. Cum On Feel The Noize – Quiet Riot
    8. Rock The Casbah – The Clash (the instrumental version is Mustapha Dance)
    9. Rock N Roll Is King – ELO
    10. Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant

    More Of 1983’s Pop Rock Hits

    Stray Cat Strut – Stray Cats
    1983’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
    1. Photograph – Def Leppard
    2. Synchronicity II – The Police
    3. Twilight Zone – Golden Earring
    4. Undercover of the Night – The Rolling Stones
    5. Dirty Laundry – Don Henley
    6. New Year’s Day – U2
    7. King of Pain – The Police
    8. Radio Free Europe – R.E.M.
    9. Back On The Chain Gang – The Pretenders
    10. Rock Of Ages – Def Leppard

    More Of 1983’s Album Rock Songs

    Come Dancing – The Kinks
    A Million Miles Away – The Plimsouls
    Major Tom (Coming Home) – Peter Schilling

    1983’s Pop/New Wave Top 10 Hit List

    1. I Melt With You – Modern English
    2. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
    3. Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran
    4. Burning Down The House – Talking Heads
    5. The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
    6. Escalator of Life – Robert Hazard
    7. Der Kommisar – After The Fire
    8. Puttin On The Ritz – Taco
    9. Fascination – Human League
    10. Mexican Radio – Wall of Voodoo

    More Of 1983’s New Wave Top Hits

    Shiny Shiny – Haysi Fantayzee
    The Look Of Love – ABC
    Let Me Go – Heaven 17
    The Fanatic – Felony

    1983’s Bubblegum Pop Music Top Ten

    1. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya – Culture Club
    2. Beat It – Michael Jackson
    3. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
    4. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
    5. Say Say Say – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
    6. Let’s Go Dancin’ (Ooh La La la) – Kool and the Gang
    7. Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
    8. Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
    9. The Girl Is Mine – Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
    10. Rock N Roll Is King – ELO

    PCM’s 1983 Top 10 Hit List

    1. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
    2. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
    3. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
    4. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
    5. Wanna Be Starting Something – Michael Jackson
    6. Flashdance (What A Feeling) – Irene Cara
    7. Rock The Casbah – The Clash
    8. Bang The Drum All Day – Todd Rundgren
    9. You and I – Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle
    10. Ain’t Nobody – Rufus and Chaka Khan
  • 25 Biggest Songs of the 1980s

    25 Biggest Songs of the 1980s

     

    Biggest Billboard Hits of the 1980s

    The biggest billboard hits of the 1980s were marked by a new sound that combined electronic dance, new wave, punk and post-punk with a focus on style and visual identity. This combination helped define the decade and set it apart from other decades in terms of the music produced and how it was marketed and presented to audiences.

    One of the most notable differences was the introduction of electronic dance and synthesized pop music, which became a defining characteristic of the decade’s music scene. This style was characterized by synthesizers, drum machines, and computerized production techniques, which gave artists and producers more control over the sound and helped create a new type of highly energetic and danceable music.

    Another difference was the influence of new wave, punk, and post-punk music, which brought a more experimental and eclectic approach to pop music. This style was characterized by its use of unconventional instruments, such as keyboards and synthesizers, and avant-garde and futuristic sounds, often with a political or social edge.

    Top 25 Songs 1980-1989

    1. Physical – Olivia Newton-John
    2. Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
    3. Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
    4. Every Breath You Take – The Police
    5. I Love Rock & Roll – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
    6. Ebony And Ivory – Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
    7. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
    8. Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
    9. Flashdance – What A Feeling – Irene Cara
    10. Lady – Kenny Rogers
    11. Say Say Say – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
    12. Centerfold – The J. Geils Band
    13. Call Me – Blondie
    14. Like A Virgin – Madonna
    15. (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon
    16. When Doves Cry – Prince
    17. Jump – Van Halen
    18. Upside Down – Diana Ross
    19. All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
    20. Maneater – Daryl Hall & John Oates
    21. Another Brick In The Wall (Part II) – Pink Floyd
    22. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
    23. Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
    24. Down Under – Men At Work
    25. That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick & Friends
  • 1983 Number One Hits

    1983 Number One Hits

    1983 Billboard Number One Hits:

    December 18, 1982 – January 14, 1983:
    Maneater – Hall & Oates
    January 15 – February 4:
    Down Under – Men at Work
    February 5 – February 18:
    Africa – Toto
    February 19 – March 4:
    Baby, Come To Me – Patti Austin featuring James Ingram
    March 5 – April 22:
    Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
    April 23 – April 29:
    Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
    April 30 – May 20:
    Beat It – Michael Jackson
    May 21 – May 27:
    Let’s Dance – David Bowie
    May 28 – July 8:
    Flashdance… What A Feeling – Irene Cara
    July 9 – September 2:
    Every Breath You Take – The Police
    September 3 – September 9:
    Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
    September 10 – September 23:
    Maniac – Michael Sembello
    September 24 – September 30:
    Tell Her About It – Billy Joel
    October 1 – October 28:
    Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
    October 29 – November 11:
    Islands In the Stream – Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton
    November 12 – December 9:
    All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
    December 10, 1983 – January 20, 1984:
    Say Say Say – Paul McCartney featuring Michael Jackson

    (Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Rock,” “Airplay,” “R&B/Dance” and “Singles” Charts. The “Hot 100” is the primary chart used for this list.)

  • 1983 History, Facts and Trivia

    1983 History, Facts and Trivia

    1983 History, Facts and Trivia

    Quick Facts from 1983:

    • World-Changing Event: President Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an “Evil Empire” in a speech in Florida.
    • The Top Song was Every Breath You Take by The Police
    • Influential Songs include: Rockit by Herbie Hancock, Puttin’ On The Ritz – Taco, She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby, She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer and Flashdance (What A Feeling) by Irene Cara
    • The Movies to Watch include WarGames, Yellowbeard, Zelig, Silkwood, The Outsiders, Yentl, The Big Chill, A Christmas Story, Vacation, and Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
    • The Most Famous Person in America was probably Michael Jackson
    • Notable books include Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
    • Programmer Jaron Lanier first coined the term “virtual reality.”
    • The final TV episode of M*A*S*H aired on CBS, an estimated 125 million watched in the US.
    • Price of 15 oz Arnold Stuffing mix in 1983: $1.35
      Swiss Cheese: $3.49/pound
    • The Funny Guy was Eddie Murphy
      The Funny Duo was Cheech and Chong
    • The Conversation: Mr. Rogers Neighborhood aired a 5 episode arc about nuclear war titled Conflict in November 1983. The episodes have not aired in reruns since.

    Notable events that took place in 1983:

    • The first edition of the mobile phone game Snake was released on the Nokia 6110.
    • The United States invaded Grenada, a small island nation in the Caribbean.
    • The United States and the Soviet Union signed a treaty to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
    • The space shuttle Challenger was launched for the first time.
    • The first edition of the Apple Macintosh computer went on sale.
    • Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.
    • The Soviet Union shot down a Korean Airlines passenger plane, killing all 269 people on board.

    Top Ten Baby Names of 1983:

    Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda, Ashley, Sarah, Michael, Chris, Topher, Matthew, David, Joshua

    Fashion Icons and Sex Symbols:

    Loni Anderson, Catherine Bach, Kim Basinger, Jennifer Beals, Jacqueline Bisset, Christie Brinkley, Anne Carlisle, Phoebe Cates, Joan Collins, Lydia Cornell, Linda Evans, Farrah Fawcett, Deborah Foreman, Daryl Hannah, Goldie Hawn, Grace Jones, Nastassja Kinski, Jessica Lange, Heather Locklear, Madonna, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Victoria Principal, Betsy Russell, Brooke Shields, Suzanne Somers, Cheryl Tiegs, Heather Thomas, Mary Woronov, Sean Young

    Hollywood Hunks and Leading Men:

    Tom Cruise, Burt Reynolds, John Travolta, Richard Gere, Sean Connery

    “The Quotes”

    “Go ahead, make my day”
    – Clint Eastwood in Sudden Impact

    “Say hello to my little friend!”
    – Tony Montana in Scarface

    “Would you like to play a game?”
    – NORAD W.O.P.R. in WarGames

    Time Magazine’s Men of the Year:

    Ronald Reagan and Yuri Andropov

    Miss America:

    Debra Maffett (Anaheim, CA)

    Miss USA:

    Julie Hayek (California)

    The Good Stuff:

    Jim Thorpe regained his 1912 decathlon and pentathlon Olympic Gold Medals 30 years after his death. They were originally taken from him because it was revealed that he played professional minor-league baseball for a season in 1908.

    Captain Bob Pearson landed Flight 143, piloting an Air Canada Boeing 767, at the RCAF Station Gimli, a closed air force base, with several mechanical failures and NO FUEL.

    The Scandals:

    Germany’s Der Stern magazine obtained Adolf Hitler’s secret diaries. After announcing them and showing them to the world, it was discovered that they were fake.

    Korean Air flight 007 was shot down over Soviet airspace without warning.

    Pop Star Death:

    Karen Carpenter (eating disorder) The word ‘anorexia’ entered the American vocabulary.

    Pop Culture Facts & History:

    Scarface (1983), starring Al Pacino, is a remake of the 1932 original film about Italian immigrant Antonio “Tony” Camonte, a Chicago gangster, both based on a 1929 novel of the same name by Armitage Trai, based on Al Capone.

    Actor Kevin Costner was ‘the dead guy in the opening of the film The Big Chill, but we never saw his face.

    In 1983’s Return of the Jedi, Garrett Brown walked through the forest shooting at less than one frame per second for the speeder chase. By walking at about 5 mph and projecting the footage at 24 frame/s, the motion seen in the film appeared as if it were moving at around 120 mph.

    In their 1983 film Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, the Pythons defined the meaning of life as “Try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.”

    In a 1983 court case, the New York Times conceded that their ‘Bestseller List’ is not “objective factual content” or a comprehensive list of the country’s best-selling books but admitted it was ‘editorial content.’

    Austria does not usually allow dual citizenship, but they made a special exception for Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1983 when he became a US citizen.

    In 1983, Russian Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov heroically prevented a full retaliatory nuclear attack against the United States and NATO allies when his Oko nuclear early warning system detected 6 missiles coming from the US and immediately declared it a false alarm.

    Peter Reyn-Bardt confessed to the murder and dismemberment of his wife in 1983 after a corpse was discovered in the town peat bog. The body was then dated to 1740 AD, and Reyn-Bardt tried to retract his confession but was still convicted.

    Donna Griffiths started sneezing on January 13th,1981, and didn’t stop until September 16th, 1983(997th day). It’s estimated she sneezed 1 million times in the first 365 days.

    The 1983 United States Invasion of Grenada was planned using a tourist map and a copy of The Economist.

    Earth’s lowest reliably measured temperature was −128.6 °F, recorded in Antarctica in 1983.

    The modern computer mouse was invented.

    The first video game console with the ability to install video games over the internet was the Atari 2600 in 1983.

    Purina’s Chuck Wagon dog food was given a promotional video game for the Atari 2600 called “Chase the Chuck Wagon”. It could only be received by proof of purchase labels and now a very collectible Atari 2600 video game.

    Video game revenues peaked at around $3.2 billion in 1983, then fell to around $100 million by 1985 (a drop of almost 97 percent). The crash abruptly ended what is retrospectively considered the second generation of console video gaming in North America.

    As a consequence of the Video game crash 1983, Atari discreetly buried much of its excess stock and unsold stock of earlier games in a landfill near Alamogordo, New Mexico.

    Redondo Beach, CA, adopted the Goodyear Blimp as the city’s official bird in 1983.

    Lake Mead, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam in Nevada/Arizona, hasn’t been at total capacity since 1983.

    In 1966 Dick Shulze founded his stereo store, “The Sound of Music.” In 1983, he renamed it “Best Buy” and started the current chain of home electronics stores.

    NBC’s 1983 fall shows were canceled by the end of their first season. This is the first and only time this has happened in television history.

    Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was the best-selling album in the U.S. for two years straight, sold 32 million copies worldwide by 1983, and was certified 34x Platinum by the RIAA in 2021, making it one of only two albums ever to get more than 3x Diamond certified. The Eagles Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is number one.

    Sally Ride became the first American woman in Space. At the time, reporters asked her questions like “Do you cry when things go wrong on the job?” and “Will the flight affect your reproductive organs?”

    J. Crew began selling through a mail-order catalog.

    The oldest continuous trophy in sports is America’s Cup. It started in 1851, with Americans winning for 132 consecutive years until Australia took the Cup in 1983.

    The 1983 Dodge Caravan was the first car with built-in cup holders.

    In 1983, Redondo Beach, California, adopted the Goodyear Blimp as the official city bird.

    Walter Johnson’s record of 3508 career strikeouts stood for nearly 50 years before 3 different pitchers (Ryan, Carlton, & Perry) each broke the record in the 1983 season.

    Troy Aikman was Oklahoma’s 1983 high school typing champion.

    Cost of a Super Bowl ad in 1983: $400,000

    The Habits:

    Showing off your Swatch Watches, showing off your Break Dancing moves, Wacky Wallwalkers were octo-shaped sticky toys that could be tossed against a wall, then slowly ‘slime’ their way down.

    1st Appearances & 1983’s Most Popular Christmas Gifts, Toys and Presents:

    The must-have Christmas toys are Nintendo Entertainment System, My Little Pony, Care Bears, WereBears stuffed bears, and Cabbage Patch Kids.

    Popular and Best-selling Books From 1983:

    Cathedral by Raymond Carver
    Changes by Danielle Steel
    Christine by Stephen King
    Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
    The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré
    The Lonesome Gods by Louis L’Amour
    The Loser by Thomas Bernhard
    Mistral’s Daughter by Judith Krantz
    The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
    Peek-a-Boo, I See You by Joan Phillips
    Poland by James A. Michener
    Pet Sematary by Stephen King
    Poland by James Michener
    Return of the Jedi by James Kahn
    Space by James Michener
    Star Wars: Return of the Jedi by Joan D. Vinge
    White Gold Wielder by Stephen R. Donaldson
    Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

    Broadway Show

    La Cage aux Folles (Musical) Opened on August 21, 1983, and closed on November 15, 1987

    Best Film Oscar Winner:

    Gandhi (presented in 1983)

    The Big Movies: (according to boxofficemojo)

    1. Return Of The Jedi
    2. Terms of Endearment
    3. Flashdance
    4. Trading Places
    5. WarGames
    6. Octopussy
    7. Sudden Impact
    8. Staying Alive
    9. Mr. Mom
    10. Risky Business

    1983 Most Popular TV Shows:

    1. Dallas (CBS)
    2. 60 Minutes (CBS)
    3. Dynasty (ABC)
    4. The A-Team (NBC)
    5. Simon & Simon (CBS)
    6. Magnum, P.I. (CBS)
    7. Falcon Crest (CBS)
    8. Kate & Allie (CBS)
    9. Hotel (ABC)
    10. Cagney & Lacey (CBS)

    1983 Billboard Number One Songs:

    December 18, 1982 – January 14, 1983:
    Maneater – Hall & Oates

    January 15 – February 11:
    Down Under – Men at Work

    February 12 – February 18:
    Africa – Toto

    February 19 – March 4:
    Baby, Come To Me – Patti Austin featuring James Ingram

    March 5 – April 22:
    Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

    April 23 – April 29:
    Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners

    April 30 – May 20:
    Beat It – Michael Jackson

    May 21 – May 27:
    Let’s Dance – David Bowie

    May 28 – July 8:
    Flashdance… What A Feeling – Irene Cara

    July 9 – September 2:
    Every Breath You Take – The Police

    September 3 – September 9:
    Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics

    September 10 – September 23:
    Maniac – Michael Sembello

    September 24 – September 30:
    Tell Her About It – Billy Joel

    October 1 – October 28:
    Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler

    October 29 – November 11:
    Islands In the Stream – Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton

    November 12 – December 9:
    All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie

    December 10, 1983 – January 20, 1984:
    Say Say Say – Paul McCartney featuring Michael Jackson

    Sports:

    World Series Champions: Baltimore Orioles
    Super Bowl XVII Champions: Washington Redskins
    NBA Champions: Philadelphia 76ers
    Stanley Cup Champs: New York Islanders
    U.S. Open Golf Larry Nelson
    U.S. Tennis: (Men/Ladies) Jimmy Connors/Martina Navratilova
    Wimbledon (Men/Women): John McEnroe/Martina Navratilova
    NCAA Football Champions: Miami
    NCAA Basketball Champions: North Carolina State
    Kentucky Derby: Sunny’s Halo

    More 1983 Facts and History Resources:

    Most Popular Baby Names (BabyCenter.com)
    Beirut Barracks Bombings
    Popular and Notable Books (popculture.us)
    Broadway Shows that Opened in 1983X
    1983 Calendar, courtesy of Time and Date.com
    Everything 80s Podcast 1983
    Fact Monster
    1980s, Infoplease.com World History
    Lech Walesa Nobel Peace Prize
    1983 in Movies (according to IMDB)
    1983 Top Movies (according to BoxOfficeMojo)
    Retrowaste Vintage Culture
    The 80s(History.com)
    1980s Slang
    1980s Timeline (Security and Exchange Commission)
    Wikipedia 1983

  • 1983 Music – The 100 Most Popular Songs

    1983 Music – The 100 Most Popular Songs

    1983 Music Hits Chart

    1. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
    2. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
    3. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
    4. Electric Avenue – Eddie Grant
    5. Wanna Be Starting Something – Michael Jackson
    6. Flashdance (What A Feeling) – Irene Cara
    7. Rock The Casbah – The Clash
    8. Bang The Drum All Day – Todd Rundgren
    9. You and I – Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle
    10. Ain’t Nobody – Rufus and Chaka Khan
    11. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) – Journey
    12. Kiss The Bride – Elton John
    13. Let’s Go Dancin’ (Ooh La, La, La) – Kool and the Gang
    14. **1999** – Prince
    15. I Melt With You – Modern English
    16. Down Under – Men At Work
    17. Beat It – Michael Jackson
    18. We’ve Got Tonight – Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton
    19. Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
    20. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me – Culture Club
    21. Rock of Ages – Def Leppard
    22. (She’s) Sexy and 17 – Stray Cats
    23. Candy Girl – New Edition
    24. Little Red Corvette – Prince
    25. New Year’s Day – U2
    26. Tonight I Celebrate My Love – Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
    27. Photograph – Def Leppard
    28. Faithfully – Journey
    29. True – Spandau Ballet
    30. Inside Love (So Personal) – George Benson
    31. All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
    32. Pass The Dutchie – Musical Youth
    33. Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
    34. Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
    35. Boogie Down – Al Jarreau
    36. Our House – Madness
    37. Mr. Roboto – Styx
    38. White Wedding – Billy Idol
    39. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya – Culture Club
    40. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All – Air Supply
    41. Mornin’ – Al Jarreau
    42. Rockit – Herbie Hancock
    43. Tell Her About It – Billy Joel
    44. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
    45. The Look Of Love – ABC
    46. Shock The Monkey – Peter Gabriel
    47. Let’s Dance – David Bowie
    48. Just Be Good To Me – S.O.S. Band
    49. Every Breath You Take – Police
    50. Rio – Duran Duran
    51. I Like It – DeBarge
    52. Freak-A-Zoid – Midnight Star
    53. Bad Boys – Wham! U.K.
    54. She Works Hard For The Money – Donna Summer
    55. Gimme All Your Lovin’ – ZZ Top
    56. Just Got Lucky – JoBoxers
    57. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
    58. Stray Cat Strut – Stray Cats
    59. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby
    60. Cum On Feel The Noize – Quiet Riot
    61. Maniac – Michael Sembello
    62. Puttin’ On The Ritz – Taco
    63. The Monkey Time – The Tubes
    64. Love My Way – Psychedelic Furs
    65. Change – Tears For Fears
    66. Radio Free Europe – R.E.M.
    67. Let Me Go – Heaven 17
    68. Goodnight Saigon – Billy Joel
    69. Reap The Wild Wind – Ultravox
    70. Burning Down The House – Talking Heads
    71. Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
    72. Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band
    73. Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham
    74. One Thing Leads To Another – The Fixx
    75. A Million Miles Away – The Plimsouls
    76. Dirty Laundry – Don Henley
    77. Mama – Genesis
    78. Love Is A Stranger – Eurythmics
    79. I Do – J. Geils band
    80. Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran
    81. Space Age Love Song – Flock of Seagulls
    82. Miracles – Stacy Lattisaw
    83. She’s a Beauty – The Tubes
    84. I Don’t Care Anymore – Phil Collins
    85. Juicy Fruit – Mtume
    86. Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
    87. Mexican Radio – Wall of Voodoo
    88. Escalator Of Life – Robert Hazard
    89. Rock ‘N’ Roll Is King – ELO
    90. Do It Again/Billie Jean – Clubhouse
    91. Poison Arrow – ABC
    92. This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads
    93. The Salt In My Ters – Martin Briley
    94. You Are In My System – Robert Palmer
    95. Sex (I’m A…) – Berlin
    96. Don’t Change – INXS
    97. The Metro – Berlin
    98. Ewok Celebration – Meco
    99. Shy Boy (Don’t It Make You Feel Good) – Bananarama
    100. Shiny Shiny – Haysi Fantayzee
  • Thriller Video By Michael Jackson Released on December 2, 1983

    Thriller Video By Michael Jackson Released on December 2, 1983

    Thriller By Michael Jackson

    Thriller is a music video by Michael Jackson that was released in 1983 as part of the album, Thriller. The video first aired on MTV on December 2, 1983. The video featured Jackson performing a dance routine with a group of zombies and was directed by John Landis.

    The “Thriller” music video was a turning point in music television and is widely considered one of the greatest music videos of all time. It was the first music video to incorporate a short film-like narrative and special effects, setting a new standard for music videos. The video’s popularity helped to popularize the music video format and cemented the role of music videos as a promotional tool for artists. “Thriller” has had a lasting impact on pop culture and remains one of Michael Jackson’s most memorable and recognizable works.

    • It was one of the first music videos to feature a narrative and significant use of special effects.
    • The video cost approximately $500,000, a significant amount at the time.
    • Michael Jackson co-wrote the story for the video with John Landis.
    • The movie theatre featured See You Next Wednesday, a non-existent film trope that John Landis often used in the background of his films.
    • The choreography was done by Michael Jackson and was inspired by the horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, and it was inspired by George A. Romero’s 1968 “Night of the Living Dead” film.
    • The Thriller video is widely regarded as one of the greatest music videos of all time.
    • It was one of the first music videos to receive heavy rotation on music video channels like MTV.
    • Michael Jackson’s red leather jacket worn in the video became iconic and is now considered one of the most famous pieces of pop culture clothing.
    • The video features appearances from actress Ola Ray and actor Vic Polizos.
    • The “Thriller” dance became widely imitated and is still popular today.
    • The video was nearly 14 minutes long, significantly longer than the average music video at the time.
    • Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video helped popularize the music video as a legitimate art form.
    • The “Thriller” video has been parodied and referenced in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.
    • The “Thriller” video was one of the first music videos to receive multiple nominations and awards.

    Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video won several awards, including:

    Grammy Award for Best Long-Form Music Video (1984)
    American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Video (1984)
    Billboard Music Video Award for Best Overall Video (1984)
    Bambi Award for Best Video (1983)
    Soul Train Music Award for Best Music Video (1983)

  • The Release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Music Video

    The Release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Music Video

    Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Music Video

    The release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video on December 2, 1983, revolutionized the music industry and popular culture, as it combined music, dance, and storytelling to create a groundbreaking cinematic experience.

    “Thriller” was the title track and seventh single from Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album, released on November 30, 1982. The song, written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, was a blend of pop, rock, and funk with a spooky theme that captivated audiences worldwide. The music video, however, took the song’s success to a whole new level.

    Directed by John Landis, known for his work on the film “An American Werewolf in London,” the “Thriller” music video had a runtime of 14 minutes, which was exceptionally long for a music video at the time. It featured a narrative story in which Michael Jackson, playing a young man on a date, transforms into both a werewolf and a zombie, and leads a group of dancing zombies in a now-iconic choreographed routine. The video also starred actress Ola Ray as Jackson’s love interest and featured voice-over work by horror film legend Vincent Price.

    The “Thriller” music video premiered on December 2, 1983, quickly gaining widespread attention, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Its innovative blend of music, dance, and storytelling set a new standard for music videos, turning them into a legitimate art form and promotional tool for artists. The video’s success also contributed to a surge in album sales, making “Thriller” the best-selling album of all time with an estimated 66 million copies sold worldwide.

    The impact of the “Thriller” music video extended beyond the music industry, influencing fashion, dance, and popular culture. The iconic red leather jacket Michael Jackson wore in the video became a fashion statement, and the choreography, created by Jackson and Michael Peters, inspired countless dance routines and performances. The video’s success also helped break down racial barriers, as it was one of the first videos by a black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV, predominantly featuring white artists at the time.

    In summary, the release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video in 1983 marked a turning point in the music industry and popular culture, as it demonstrated the power of music videos as a storytelling medium and promotional tool, while also leaving a lasting impact on fashion, dance, and the integration of black artists in mainstream media.

  • The Brink’s-Mat Robbery: Gold Bullion Heist in the United Kingdom

    The Brink’s-Mat Robbery: Gold Bullion Heist in the United Kingdom

    The Brink’s-Mat Robbery: Gold Bullion Heist in the UK

    The Brink’s-Mat Robbery, which took place on November 26, 1983, was a notorious heist in which a group of armed robbers stole approximately £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds, and cash from the Brink’s-Mat warehouse at Heathrow Airport in London, England.

    The robbery was meticulously planned and executed by a six-man gang led by Brian Robinson and Micky McAvoy, with inside help from Anthony Black, a security guard at the Brink’s-Mat warehouse. On the day of the heist, the robbers gained entry to the warehouse by posing as security personnel and used Black’s knowledge of the facility to subdue the other guards and gain access to the vault.

    Initially, the gang had planned to steal only cash, but they decided to take it all upon discovering the vast amount of gold bullion and other valuable assets. The robbers loaded the gold and other valuables into their van and fled the scene. The stolen gold was later smelted down and sold through various channels, including criminal networks and legitimate businesses.

    In the aftermath of the robbery, an extensive police investigation was launched, leading to the arrest and conviction of Robinson, McAvoy, and Black in 1984. However, several other gang members were never identified or apprehended, and most of the stolen gold has never been recovered.

    The Brink’s-Mat Robbery had a lasting impact on the British criminal underworld, as the stolen gold helped fund various criminal enterprises and led to a series of violent incidents, including murders, as criminals fought over the wealth generated by the heist. The robbery also prompted significant changes in warehouse security procedures and other facilities handling valuable goods.

    The Brink’s-Mat Robbery remains one of the most infamous heists in British history. It continues to be a source of fascination and intrigue, with numerous books, documentaries, and articles exploring the details of the crime and its aftermath.

  • TV miniseries “The Day After” Aired November 20, 1983

    TV miniseries “The Day After” Aired November 20, 1983

    The Day After Television Film

    “The Day After” was a groundbreaking and influential American television miniseries that aired on November 20, 1983, depicting the devastating effects of a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union on the people of a small Kansas town.

    Directed by Nicholas Meyer and produced by ABC, “The Day After” was a two-hour television movie that sought to raise awareness about the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict during the Cold War. The story focuses on the residents of the fictional town of Lawrence, Kansas, and the nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, as they experience the immediate aftermath of a nuclear attack and struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

    The film starred notable actors such as Jason Robards, JoBeth Williams, Steve Guttenberg, and John Lithgow, who played various characters whose lives were irrevocably changed by the nuclear attack. “The Day After” portrayed the grim realities of nuclear war, including the initial blast, radiation sickness, food and water shortages, societal breakdown, and the long-term environmental consequences.

    The broadcast of “The Day After” was a major event, attracting an estimated 100 million viewers in the United States alone, making it one of the most-watched television programs in history. The film sparked intense debate and discussion about the dangers of nuclear weapons, arms control, and the need for diplomacy to prevent a potential nuclear conflict.

    “The Day After” also significantly impacted political leaders and public opinion. It is said that President Ronald Reagan watched the film and was deeply affected by it, influencing his later efforts to negotiate arms reduction treaties with the Soviet Union. The film also contributed to the nuclear freeze movement, which called for a halt to the production and deployment of nuclear weapons.

    In the years since its release, “The Day After” has been recognized as a landmark television event that played a crucial role in shaping public discourse about nuclear war and the importance of diplomacy in maintaining peace between superpowers during the final years of the Cold War.

  • The Able Archer 83 Exercise: NATO’s War Simulation and Soviet Reaction

    The Able Archer 83 Exercise: NATO’s War Simulation and Soviet Reaction

    The Able Archer 83 Exercise: NATO’s War Simulation and Soviet Reaction

    The Able Archer 83 Exercise was a NATO military simulation in November 1983, which heightened Cold War tensions and brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to a nuclear confrontation due to misinterpretation and fear of a potential preemptive strike.

    Able Archer 83 was a routine annual command post-exercise conducted by NATO forces across Western Europe. The exercise, which took place from November 2 to November 11, 1983, simulated a period of escalating conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, culminating in a coordinated nuclear release scenario. The simulation aimed to test and improve NATO’s nuclear release procedures, communication, and decision-making processes.

    However, the context of the exercise was anything but routine. In the early 1980s, the Cold War had entered a particularly tense phase, characterized by the deployment of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, the downing of Korean Air Flight 007 by the Soviet Union, and heated rhetoric between the United States and the Soviet Union. This tense atmosphere fueled Soviet paranoia and distrust of NATO’s intentions.

    During the Able Archer 83 exercise, the Soviet leadership, led by General Secretary Yuri Andropov, misinterpreted the simulation as a cover for an actual NATO nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. As a result, the Soviet Union placed its military forces on high alert, ready to launch a retaliatory strike if necessary.

    The situation was further exacerbated by a series of intelligence failures and miscommunications on both sides. The United States, unaware of the Soviet Union’s heightened state of alert, continued the exercise as planned. At the same time, the Soviet Union mobilized its forces, including nuclear-armed bombers and ballistic missile submarines, in anticipation of a potential attack.

    Fortunately, Able Archer 83 ended without incident, and tensions gradually subsided. The close call exposed the dangerous potential for misinterpretation and miscalculation during the Cold War, prompting both sides to reassess their intelligence-gathering methods and communication channels.

    The Able Archer 83 Exercise remains a significant event in Cold War history, illustrating the fragility of peace in the face of escalating tensions and the critical importance of effective communication and understanding between rival powers.

  • The Release of Microsoft Word

    The Release of Microsoft Word

    The Release of Microsoft Word: Impact on The Word Processing Industry

    The release of Microsoft Word in 1983 marked a turning point in the word processing industry, as it introduced a user-friendly graphical interface, advanced formatting capabilities, and seamless integration with other Microsoft products, eventually becoming the dominant word processing software globally.

    Microsoft Word, initially called “Multi-Tool Word,” was developed by Charles Simonyi and Richard Brodie, two former Xerox PARC engineers who joined Microsoft in the early 1980s. The first version of Microsoft Word, Word 1.0, was released for the MS-DOS IBM PC on October 25, 1983. It featured a graphical user interface, which was a departure from the text-based interfaces of most other word processing software at the time, such as WordStar and WordPerfect.

    One of the key innovations of Microsoft Word was its “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) approach to document editing, allowing users to see the formatting and layout of their documents on screen as they appear when printed. This made Word more intuitive and user-friendly, as users no longer needed to rely on special codes or commands to format their documents.

    The release of Microsoft Word for Apple Macintosh in 1985 further contributed to its success, as it capitalized on the Macintosh’s graphical capabilities and user-friendly interface. Subsequent versions of Word introduced additional features, such as spell check, grammar check, and mail merge, as well as increased compatibility with other Microsoft products, such as Excel and PowerPoint.

    Microsoft Word’s popularity grew rapidly, and by the mid-1990s, it had overtaken WordPerfect as the market leader in word processing software. The bundling of Word with other Microsoft applications in the Microsoft Office suite, first released in 1990, further solidified its dominance in the industry.

    The release of Microsoft Word revolutionized the word processing industry by making it more accessible and user-friendly for everyday computer users. Today, Microsoft Word remains the most widely used word processing software worldwide, with millions of users across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and mobile devices.

  • The Beirut Barracks Bombings: Attacks on U.S. and French Military Forces

    The Beirut Barracks Bombings: Attacks on U.S. and French Military Forces

    The Beirut Barracks Bombings

    The 1983 Beirut barracks bombings were a deadly terrorist attack that targeted United States and French military forces stationed in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983, resulting in the deaths of 241 American and 58 French servicemen and six civilians.

    The bombings took place during the Lebanese Civil War, a complex conflict that began in 1975 and involved various factions, including the Lebanese government, Christian militias, Palestinian groups, and Muslim militias. In 1982, the United States and other countries, including France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, formed a Multinational Force in Lebanon (MNF) to help restore peace and stability. The U.S. Marine Corps and French military contingents were based in separate barracks near the Beirut International Airport.

    On the morning of October 23, 1983, two truck bombs were driven into the buildings housing the U.S. and French forces. The first truck, loaded with approximately 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) of explosives, detonated at the U.S. Marine barracks, killing 220 Marines, 18 U.S. Navy personnel, and three U.S. Army soldiers. Minutes later, a second truck bomb exploded at the French barracks, killing 58 French paratroopers.

    The bombings devastated the MNF and marked the deadliest single-day death toll for the U.S. Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Islamic Jihad Organization, a group linked to Hezbollah, which Iran and Syria backed.

    The bombings sparked intense debate in the United States and other countries about the wisdom of their military presence in Lebanon. The tragedy raised questions about the effectiveness of the MNF’s peacekeeping mission and the potential for further violence against Western forces in the region. In February 1984, the U.S. withdrew its Marines from Lebanon, and the other MNF members soon followed.

    The Beirut barracks bombings highlighted the growing threat of terrorism in the Middle East and the vulnerability of peacekeeping forces in the region. The attack had a lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy and military strategy and served as a grim reminder of the risks and complexities of military interventions in conflict zones.

  • Korean Air Flight 007: Soviet Union’s Shootdown of a Civilian Aircraft

    Korean Air Flight 007: Soviet Union’s Shootdown of a Civilian Aircraft

    Korean Air Flight 007

    Korean Air Flight 007 was a tragic incident in which the Soviet Union shot down a civilian aircraft, a Boeing 747, on September 1, 1983, losing all 269 passengers and crew members on board.

    The flight, operated by South Korea’s national airline, Korean Air, was en route from New York City to Seoul, South Korea, with a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska. After departing from Anchorage on August 31, the aircraft deviated from its planned route, entering restricted Soviet airspace near the Kamchatka Peninsula and then over Sakhalin Island. The exact reasons for the off-course deviation are still debated, but it is generally believed to have been caused by navigational errors.

    Unbeknownst to the crew and passengers, Soviet fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the aircraft as it entered Soviet airspace. The Soviet Union was on high alert at the time due to heightened Cold War tensions, and military officials suspected the plane might be a U.S. spy aircraft. After shadowing the airliner for some time, a Soviet pilot received an order to shoot it down.

    At approximately 18:26 UTC on September 1, 1983, the Soviet pilot fired two air-to-air missiles, which caused the Boeing 747 to crash into the Sea of Japan, killing all 269 passengers and crew on board, including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald. The incident sparked international outrage and further heightened Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

    In the aftermath of the tragedy, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union traded accusations and engaged in a war of words. The Soviet Union initially denied any involvement in the incident but later admitted to shooting down the aircraft, claiming it had been on a spy mission. The U.S. and other Western nations accused the Soviet Union of a heinous act against a civilian aircraft.

    The Korean Air Flight 007 incident led to significant changes in international aviation practices, including improvements in air navigation systems and the establishment of clearer communication protocols between civilian and military aviation authorities. Additionally, the event prompted a review of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) procedures for investigating such incidents and bolstered efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

  • The Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.

    The Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.

    The Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.: Philippines Political Unrest

    The assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr., a prominent Filipino opposition leader and critic of President Ferdinand Marcos, occurred on August 21, 1983, when he was shot dead upon returning to the Philippines after a period of self-imposed exile.

    Benigno Aquino Jr., also known as Ninoy Aquino, was a leading opposition figure against the authoritarian rule of President Ferdinand Marcos, who had declared martial law in the Philippines in 1972. Aquino, a former senator, was arrested shortly after the declaration of martial law and spent nearly eight years in prison on charges of subversion and murder. In 1980, Aquino was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment in the United States, where he continued to speak out against the Marcos regime.

    In 1983, Aquino decided to return to the Philippines in an attempt to participate in the country’s political process and challenge Marcos’s rule. On August 21, 1983, Aquino arrived at the Manila International Airport (now named Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor) and was immediately apprehended by government forces. As he was being escorted off the plane, he was shot in the head and killed. The government initially blamed the assassination on a lone communist gunman, Rolando Galman, who was also killed at the scene.

    The assassination of Aquino sparked widespread outrage and protests against the Marcos regime, both domestically and internationally. The event is widely considered a turning point in Filipino history, as it galvanized the opposition and contributed to the eventual downfall of the Marcos dictatorship during the People Power Revolution in 1986.

    The true masterminds behind Aquino’s assassination have never been definitively identified. However, many Filipinos and international observers believe that elements within the Marcos government, including the military, were involved in the plot. Several investigations and trials have been conducted, with some military officers and soldiers convicted for their roles in the assassination, but the full extent of the conspiracy and the identities of all those responsible remain unclear.

    The assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. continues to hold a significant place in Philippine history and memory, as his death ultimately helped pave the way for the restoration of democracy in the country and the rise of his wife, Corazon Aquino, as the first female president of the Philippines.

  • The Sri Lankan Civil War: Tamil Tigers

    The Sri Lankan Civil War: Tamil Tigers

    The Sri Lankan Civil War: Tamil Tigers

    The Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009, was a protracted armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the separatist Tamil Tigers, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who sought to create an independent Tamil state in the northern and eastern parts of the island nation.

    The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the post-independence era when the majority Sinhalese community enacted policies that marginalized the minority Tamil population, such as the “Sinhala Only Act” of 1956, which made Sinhalese the sole official language, and discriminatory education policies. These policies fueled resentment and tensions between the two communities, eventually leading to the rise of Tamil militancy in the 1970s.

    The LTTE, founded by Velupillai Prabhakaran in 1976, emerged as the most prominent and militant Tamil separatist group. The civil war officially began on July 23, 1983, when the LTTE ambushed and killed 13 Sri Lankan soldiers, sparking a wave of anti-Tamil riots known as “Black July.” This event marked the beginning of a brutal and protracted conflict that would last for 26 years.

    Throughout the war, the LTTE carried out numerous attacks on Sri Lankan military and civilian targets, including assassinations, bombings, and suicide attacks. The group was known for its use of suicide bombers, which earned them the nickname “Black Tigers.” The LTTE also had a naval wing, the “Sea Tigers,” and even a rudimentary air force, known as the “Air Tigers.”

    Several attempts were made to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including Indian intervention in the late 1980s, which led to the deployment of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. However, these efforts ultimately failed, and the fighting continued.

    In the final stages of the war, the Sri Lankan government, under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, launched a major military offensive against the LTTE. The offensive culminated in the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in May 2009, when the Sri Lankan military captured their last stronghold in the northeastern town of Mullaitivu and killed LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

    The Sri Lankan Civil War resulted in the deaths of an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people, including numerous civilians, and led to widespread human rights abuses and violations by both sides. In the years since the end of the conflict, the Sri Lankan government has faced calls for accountability and reconciliation to address the root causes of the war and to promote long-term peace and stability in the country.

  • Sally Ride: First American Woman in Space

    Sally Ride: First American Woman in Space

    Sally Ride: First American Woman in Space

    Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983, when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission, breaking gender barriers and inspiring a generation of girls to pursue careers in science and technology.

    Born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Sally Ride was a physicist and an accomplished tennis player. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics and English from Stanford University in 1973, followed by a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in physics from the same institution. In 1978, NASA selected Ride as a part of the first group of astronauts to include women. She underwent rigorous training, which included parachute jumping, water survival, weightlessness, and radio communications.

    On June 18, 1983, Ride made history as a mission specialist aboard the STS-7 mission on the Space Shuttle Challenger, alongside four male crew members. During the six-day mission, Ride helped deploy two communication satellites, conduct various scientific experiments, and operate the shuttle’s robotic arm, which she had played a significant role in developing.

    Ride’s groundbreaking achievement as the first American woman in space received widespread media coverage and public attention. She became a role model for women and girls, demonstrating that they too could pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

    After her historic flight, Ride continued to work for NASA and flew again on the Challenger in 1984 as part of the STS-41-G mission. Following the tragic Challenger disaster in 1986, Ride served on the Rogers Commission investigating the accident and later worked on the commission that examined the 2003 Columbia disaster.

    Sally Ride retired from NASA in 1987 and went on to have a successful career in academia, working as a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, and as the director of the California Space Institute. She also founded Sally Ride Science, a company dedicated to promoting STEM education for girls and young women. Ride passed away on July 23, 2012, but her pioneering achievements and her impact on inspiring future generations continue to be celebrated and honored.

  • The Bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut

    The Bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut

    The Bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut: Escalating Violence in Lebanon

    The bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut on April 18, 1983, marked a tragic event in the escalating violence in Lebanon during the country’s civil war, resulting in the deaths of 63 people, including 17 Americans.

    The incident occurred during heightened tensions in Lebanon, with the country embroiled in a civil war that began in 1975. The conflict involved various factions, including Lebanese Christian and Muslim militias, Palestinian groups, and foreign powers such as Israel, the United States, and Syria. In 1982, the United States intervened in Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force, following the Israeli invasion of the country. This intervention aimed to restore peace and stability but also made American personnel targets for extremist groups.

    On April 18, 1983, a suicide bomber driving a truck loaded with approximately 2,000 pounds of explosives detonated the vehicle in front of the US Embassy in Beirut. The blast destroyed the front of the building, causing extensive damage and killing 63 people, including 17 Americans – eight of whom were CIA officers. Among the victims was the CIA’s Middle East director, Robert Ames, whose death dealt a significant blow to the US intelligence community. More than 100 people were injured in the attack.

    Responsibility for the bombing was later attributed to the Islamic Jihad Organization, a precursor to Hezbollah, which had ties to Iran. The group claimed that the attack was a response to the US military presence in Lebanon and its support for Israel.

    The embassy bombing marked the beginning of a series of high-profile attacks against US and Western targets in Lebanon. In October 1983, another bombing killed 241 American and 58 French military personnel in their barracks in Beirut. These events contributed to the eventual withdrawal of the US and other foreign peacekeeping forces from Lebanon in 1984.

    The 1983 US Embassy bombing in Beirut was a turning point in American foreign policy, highlighting the vulnerability of diplomatic missions and military installations to terrorist attacks. The incident prompted increased security measures for US facilities worldwide and influenced the United States’ approach to dealing with terrorist organizations and its involvement in the Middle East.

  • 1983 Oscars 55th Academy Awards

    1983 Oscars 55th Academy Awards

    1983 Oscars 55th Academy Awards

    • Winners Announced: April 11, 1983
    • Held at: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
    • Hosts: Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Walter Matthau
    • Eligibility Year: 1982

    Trivia

    1. Host Versatility: The hosting ensemble included a diverse blend of talents. Liza Minnelli represented the musical theater community, Dudley Moore brought comedic flavor, Richard Pryor offered edgier comedy, and Walter Matthau provided dramatic gravitas.
    2. Gandhi’s Grand Night: The film Gandhi swept major categories. Richard Attenborough won Best Director and Ben Kingsley, Best Actor, and the film taking Best Picture.
    3. E.T. Comes Close: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was a major contender but lost out in some major categories. It did win for Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, and a Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects.
    4. Historical Win for Louis Gossett Jr.: Louis Gossett Jr. became the first African American to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for performing in An Officer and a Gentleman.
    5. Musical Milestone: Up Where We Belong from An Officer and a Gentleman won Best Original Song.
    6. No Visual Effects Category: There was no standard award for Best Visual Effects this year. Instead, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial received a Special Achievement Award for visual effects.
    7. Not Just Movies: The evening honored veterans in the film industry. Mickey Rooney received a special Honorary Award for his lifetime of achievement in film.
    8. Foreign Film Winner: Best Foreign Language Film went to Volver a Empezar (‘To Begin Again’) from Spain.
    9. Celebrating Animation: The short film Tango won Best Animated Short Film, a significant achievement for Polish filmmaker Zbigniew Rybczyński.

    1983 Oscar Nominees and Winners

    Best Picture:
    Gandhi – Richard Attenborough, producer (WINNER)
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, producers
    Missing – Edward Lewis and Mildred Lewis, producers
    Tootsie – Sydney Pollack and Dick Richards, producers
    The Verdict – David Brown and Richard D. Zanuck, producers
    Best Director:
    Richard Attenborough – Gandhi (WINNER)
    Wolfgang Petersen – Das Boot
    Steven Spielberg – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
    Sydney Pollack – Tootsie
    Sidney Lumet – The Verdict
    Best Actor:
    Ben Kingsley – Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi (WINNER)
    Dustin Hoffman – Tootsie as Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels
    Jack Lemmon – Missing as Edmund Horman
    Paul Newman – The Verdict as Frank Galvin
    Peter O’Toole – My Favorite Year as Alan Swann
    Best Actress:
    Meryl Streep – Sophie’s Choice as Zofia “Sophie” Zawistowski (WINNER)
    Julie Andrews – Victor/Victoria as Victoria Grant/Count Victor Grazinski
    Jessica Lange – Frances as Frances Farmer
    Sissy Spacek – Missing as Beth Horman
    Debra Winger – An Officer and a Gentleman as Paula Pokrifki
    Best Supporting Actor:
    Louis Gossett Jr. – An Officer and a Gentleman as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (WINNER)
    Charles Durning – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as The Governor
    John Lithgow – The World According to Garp as Roberta Muldoon
    James Mason – The Verdict as Ed Concannon
    Robert Preston – Victor/Victoria as Carol “Toddy” Todd
    Best Supporting Actress:
    Jessica Lange – Tootsie as Julie Nichols (WINNER)
    Glenn Close – The World According to Garp as Jenny Fields
    Teri Garr – Tootsie as Sandra “Sandy” Lester
    Kim Stanley – Frances as Lillian Van Ornum Farmer
    Lesley Ann Warren – Victor/Victoria as Norma Cassidy
    Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:
    Gandhi – John Briley (WINNER)
    Diner – Barry Levinson
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Melissa Mathison
    An Officer and a Gentleman – Douglas Day Stewart
    Tootsie – Larry Gelbart, Murray Schisgal and Don McGuire
    Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium:
    Missing – Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart based on the book The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice by Thomas Hauser (WINNER)
    Das Boot – Wolfgang Petersen based on the novel by Lothar G. Buchheim
    Sophie’s Choice – Alan J. Pakula based on the novel by William Styron
    The Verdict – David Mamet based on the novel by Barry Reed
    Victor/Victoria – Blake Edwards based on the film Viktor und Viktoria by Reinhold Schünzel
    Best Foreign Language Film:
    Begin the Beguine (Spain) (WINNER)
    Alsino and the Condor (Nicaragua)
    Clean Slate (France)
    Flight of the Eagle (Sweden)
    Private Life (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)
    Best Documentary Feature:
    Just Another Missing Kid – John Zaritsky (WINNER)
    After the Axe – Sturla Gunnarsson and Steve Lucas
    Ben’s Mill – John Karol and Michel Chalufour
    In Our Water – Meg Switzgable
    A Portrait of Giselle – Joseph Wishy
    Best Documentary Short Subject: Best Live Action Short Film:
    If You Love This Planet – Edward Le Lorrain and Terre Nash (WINNER)
    Gods of Metal – Robert Richter
    The Klan: A Legacy of Hate in America – Charles Guggenheim and Werner Schumann
    To Live or Let Die – Freida Lee Mock
    Traveling Hopefully – John G. Avildsen
    Best Live Action Short Film:
    A Shocking Accident – Christine Oestreicher (WINNER)
    Ballet Robotique – Bob Rogers
    The Silence – Michael Toshiyuki Uno and Joseph Benson
    Split Cherry Tree – Jan Saunders
    Sredni Vashtar – Andrew Birkin
    Best Animated Short Film: Best Original Score:
    Tango – Zbigniew Rybczynski (WINNER)
    The Great Cognito – Will Vinton
    The Snowman – John Coates
    Best Original Score:
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – John Williams (WINNER)
    Gandhi – Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
    An Officer and a Gentleman – Jack Nitzsche
    Poltergeist – Jerry Goldsmith
    Sophie’s Choice – Marvin Hamlisch
    Best Original Song: Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
    Victor/Victoria – Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse (WINNER)
    Annie – Adaptation Score by Ralph Burns
    One from the Heart – Song Score by Tom Waits
    Best Original Song:
    “Up Where We Belong” from An Officer and a Gentleman – Music by Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie; Lyrics by Will Jennings (WINNER)
    “Eye of the Tiger” from Rocky III – Music and Lyrics by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan
    “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” from Best Friends – Music by Michel Legrand; Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
    “If We Were In Love” from Yes, Giorgio – Music by John Williams; Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
    “It Might Be You” from Tootsie – Music by Dave Grusin; Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
    Best Sound Effects Editing:
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Charles L. Campbell and Ben Burtt (WINNER)
    Das Boot – Mike Le Mare
    Poltergeist – Stephen Hunter Flick and Richard Anderson
    Best Sound:
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo and Gene Cantamessa (WINNER)
    Das Boot – Milan Bor, Trevor Pyke and Mike Le Mare
    Gandhi – Gerry Humphreys, Robin O’Donoghue, Jonathan Bates and Simon Kaye
    Tootsie – Arthur Piantadosi, Les Fresholtz, Dick Alexander and Les Lazarowitz
    Tron – Michael Minkler, Bob Minkler, Lee Minkler and James LaRue
    Best Makeup:
    Quest for Fire – Sarah Monzani and Michèle Burke (WINNER)
    Gandhi – Tom Smith
    Best Costume Design:
    Gandhi – John Mollo and Bhanu Athaiya (WINNER)
    La Traviata – Piero Tosi
    Sophie’s Choice – Albert Wolsky
    Tron – Elois Jenssen and Rosanna Norton
    Victor/Victoria – Patricia Norris
    Best Art Direction:
    Gandhi – Art Direction: Stuart Craig and Robert W. Laing; Set Decoration: Michael Seirton (WINNER)
    Annie – Art Direction: Dale Hennesy (posthumous nomination); Set Decoration: Marvin March
    Blade Runner – Art Direction: Lawrence G. Paull and David Snyder; Set Decoration: Linda DeScenna
    La Traviata – Art Direction: Franco Zeffirelli; Set Decoration: Gianni Quaranta
    Victor/Victoria – Art Direction: Rodger Maus, Tim Hutchinson and William Craig Smith; Set Decoration: Harry Cordwell
    Best Cinematography:
    Gandhi – Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor (WINNER)
    Das Boot – Jost Vacano
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Allen Daviau
    Sophie’s Choice – Néstor Almendros
    Tootsie – Owen Roizman
    Best Film Editing:
    Gandhi – John Bloom (WINNER)
    Das Boot – Hannes Nikel
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Carol Littleton
    An Officer and a Gentleman – Peter Zinner
    Tootsie – Fredric Steinkamp and William Steinkamp
    Best Visual Effects:
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Carlo Rambaldi, Dennis Muren and Kenneth F. Smith (WINNER)
    Blade Runner – Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer
    Poltergeist – Richard Edlund, Michael Wood and Bruce Nicholson
    Honorary Academy Award:
    Mickey Rooney
    Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:
    Walter Mirisch
  • The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

    The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

    The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): Reagan’s “Star Wars” Program

    The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was a U.S. missile defense program proposed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, aimed at developing advanced technologies to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles from potential adversaries, such as the Soviet Union, before they could reach their targets.

    On March 23, 1983, President Reagan delivered a speech announcing his vision for the SDI, which he dubbed as “Star Wars” due to its ambitious nature and futuristic technologies. The initiative was a significant departure from the prevailing Cold War doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD), which relied on the deterrence provided by each side’s ability to retaliate with devastating nuclear force in response to an attack.

    The primary goal of the SDI was to create a multi-layered defense system that could detect, track, and intercept incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in various stages of their flight. To achieve this, the program sought to develop a wide range of advanced technologies, including space-based sensors, ground and space-based interceptors, and directed-energy weapons, such as lasers and particle beams.

    The SDI faced numerous technical, financial, and political challenges throughout its development. Critics argued that the program was technologically unfeasible, prohibitively expensive, and could potentially destabilize the existing balance of power by undermining the concept of MAD. The Soviet Union strongly opposed the SDI, viewing it as a direct threat to their strategic nuclear deterrent.

    Despite these challenges, the SDI spurred significant advancements in missile defense technologies and contributed to the development of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system. The program underwent several changes and restructuring over the years, eventually evolving into the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) in 1993, and later, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in 2002.

    While the original vision of a comprehensive, space-based defense system was never fully realized, the SDI played a crucial role in shaping U.S. defense policy during the Cold War and beyond. The initiative also contributed to the broader arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, as both sides sought to develop new technologies and capabilities to counter each other’s strategic advantages.

  • The Founding of Swatch

    The Founding of Swatch

    The Founding of Swatch: Swiss Watchmaking Revolution

    The founding of Swatch in 1983 marked a revolution in the Swiss watchmaking industry, as the company introduced innovative, affordable, and stylish quartz watches that helped revive the industry, which had been struggling due to the emergence of Japanese digital watches.

    In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Swiss watchmaking industry faced a significant crisis known as the “quartz revolution” or “quartz crisis.” Japanese companies, such as Seiko and Casio, introduced affordable and highly accurate quartz watches that threatened the traditional dominance of Swiss mechanical watches. As a result, many Swiss watch manufacturers faced financial difficulties or went out of business.

    Swatch, an abbreviation of “second watch,” was founded as a response to this crisis by a group of Swiss watch industry professionals, including Ernst Thomke, Elmar Mock, and Jacques Müller. The team aimed to develop a new type of watch that would appeal to a broader audience, combining Swiss precision with contemporary design and affordability. The Swatch Group was officially established on March 1, 1983, and launched its first collection of watches later that year.

    Swatch watches featured innovative design and manufacturing techniques, such as using fewer components, automated assembly, and a plastic case. These innovations reduced production costs and allowed the company to offer watches at competitive prices while maintaining Swiss quality standards. Swatch also embraced bold designs and collaborations with artists, creating a range of unique, colorful, and fashionable watches that stood out in the market.

    The success of Swatch watches played a crucial role in revitalizing the Swiss watch industry. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Swatch became one of the most popular watch brands globally, and the company expanded its portfolio to include other brands, such as Omega, Longines, and Tissot. Today, the Swatch Group is a leading player in the global watch market, with a strong presence in both the luxury and affordable segments.

    The founding of Swatch demonstrated the importance of innovation, design, and adaptability in the face of changing market conditions. The company’s success helped to re-establish Switzerland as a leading force in the watchmaking industry and paved the way for the resurgence of Swiss watch brands in the global market.