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Tag: 1986

  • 1986 Top Ten Music Charts

    1986 Top Ten Music Charts

    1986’s Biggest Artists and Songs

    Sade (1985 Best New Artist Grammy Winner, presented in 1986)
    Phil Collins (Grammy for Album of the Year)
    New Artists in the Pop Charts Included:
    Ozzie Osbourne (solo), Jennifer rush, Art of Noise, Miami Sound
    Machine, Anita Baker, Simply Red, Bangles, The Cure

    1986’s Retro Top 10 Hits

    1. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
    2. Shake You Down – Gregory Abbott
    3. The Rain – Oran Juice Jones
    4. Hands Across America – Voices Of America
    5. If You Leave – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
    6. Something About You – Level 42
    7. Heartbeat – Don Johnson
    8. Caravan of Love – Isley, Jasper, Isley
    9. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
    10. Friends and Lovers – Gloria Loring

    1986’s ‘One Hit Wonders’

    1. One Step Closer To You – Gavin Christopher
    2. The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades – Timbuk 3
    3. The Rain – Oran ‘Juice’ Jones
    4. Tough Enough – The Fabulous Thunderbirds
    5. The Captain of Her Heart – Double
    6. Don Quichotte – Magazine 60
    7. Life In A Northern Town – The Dream Academy
    8. I Wanna Be A Cowboy – Boy’s Don’t Cry
    9. Jungle Boy – John Eddie
    10. Digging Your Scene – The Blow Monkeys

    1986’s Dance Top 10 Hit List

    1. Kiss – Prince
    2. How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
    3. Word Up – Cameo
    4. Sidewalk Talk – Jellybean with Madonna
    5. The Men All Pause – Klymaxx
    6. For Tonight – Nancy Martinez
    7. Let’s Go All The Way – Sly Fox
    8. Sex Shooter – Apollonia 6
    9. Crazay – Jesse Johnson
    10. Don Quichotte – Magazine 60

    More of 1986’s Dance Top Hits

    Under The Influence – Vanity
    1986’s Pop Dance Top 10 Hit List
    1. Addicted To Love – Robert Palmer
    2. Venus – Bananarama
    3. Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith
    4. Higher Love – Steve Winwood
    5. Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
    6. A Love Bizarre – Sheila E
    7. Rumors – Timex Social Club
    8. Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna
    9. Everybody Dance – Ta Mara and the Seen
    10. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung

    More of 1986’s Pop Dance Top Hits

    One Step Closer To You – Gavin Christopher
    1986’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
    1. Burning Heart – Survivor
    2. You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi
    3. Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector
    4. Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
    5. Manic Monday – The Bangles
    6. Invisible Touch – Genesis
    7. Tuff Enuff – Fabulous Thunderbirds
    8. Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone – Glass Tiger
    9. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
    10. These Dreams – Heart

    1986’s Alternative Rock Top 10 Hit List

    1. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
    2. The Future’s So Bright I Gotta wear Shades – Timbuk 3
    3. If You Leave – OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    4. Something About You – Level 42
    5. Pretty In Pink – Psychedelic Furs
    6. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
    7. Life In A Northern Town – Dream Academy
    8. Live Is Life – Opus
    9. Once In A Lifetime (Live) – Talking Heads
    10. Pleasure and Pain – Divinyls

    More of 1986’s Alternative Rock Hits

    1. Paranomia – Art of Noise with Max Headroom

    1986’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List

    1. Walk of Life – Dire Straits
    2. Shot In The Dark – Ozzie Osbourne
    3. Like A Rock – Bob Seger
    4. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
    5. You’re a Friend Of Mine – Clarence Clemons and Jackson Brown
    6. Love Walks In – Van Halen
    7. War – Bruce Springsteen
    8. Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) – Mike + The Mechanics
    9. Freedom Overspill – Steve Winwood
    10. I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock and Roll – Nick Lowe

    More of 1986’s top Album Rock Songs

    The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby and the Range
    Your Wildest Dreams – The Moody Blues
    Welcome To The Boomtown – David and David

    1986’s Bubblegum Pop Music Top Ten

    1. Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
    2. What Have You Done For Me Lately – Janet Jackson
    3. Conga – Miami Sound Machine
    4. True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
    5. True Blue – Madonna
    6. How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
    7. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
    8. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
    9. Two Of Hearts – Stacy Q
    10. I Like You – Phyllis Nelson

    PCM’s 1986 Top 10 Hit List

    1. That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne & Friends
    2. Addicted To Love – Robert Palmer
    3. Kiss – Prince
    4. Walk This Way – Run D.M.C./Aerosmith
    5. Living In America – James Brown
    6. You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
    7. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
    8. Burning Heart – Survivor
    9. Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
    10. The Sweetest Taboo – Sade
  • Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1986?

    Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1986?

    What Happened In 1986?

    1986 Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of This Unforgettable Year in Pop Culture!

    1986 was a year of groundbreaking moments in movies, music, TV, and world events. From iconic blockbusters to legendary music releases and historical milestones, this year was packed with moments that shaped the cultural landscape. Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast or just love reliving the ’80s, this page is the ultimate challenge for anyone looking to test their knowledge of 1986.

    Think you can ace it? Answer questions like: Which sci-fi sequel broke box office records and terrified audiences? What rock anthem became a defining song of the decade? Which hit TV show debuted in 1986, capturing hearts with its relatable humor? And what historic event brought space exploration into sharp focus for the entire world?

    Here’s some bonus trivia to get you started:

    • Aliens, James Cameron’s action-packed sequel to Alien, thrilled audiences and earned Sigourney Weaver an Academy Award nomination for her role as Ellen Ripley.
    • The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, stunned the world and forever changed NASA’s approach to space missions.
    • Crocodile Dundee, an Australian comedy, became an unexpected global box office smash, making “That’s not a knife…” an unforgettable quote.
    • Rock and roll fans were introduced to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer, a chart-topping hit that remains a karaoke favorite to this day.
    • The world of gaming changed forever with the release of The Legend of Zelda, which set a new standard for adventure games on the NES.

    1986 also marked cultural milestones like the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the rise of Nintendo’s dominance in the gaming market, and the debut of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a film that became an anthem for teenage rebellion.

    Whether you’re preparing for a trivia night, diving into the nostalgia of the ’80s, or simply looking to learn something new, this page has all the iconic moments and quirky facts you need to relive 1986.

    So, are you ready to test your knowledge and see if you’re a true ’80s expert? Take the quiz now and celebrate one of the most unforgettable years in pop culture history!

    86 Trivia Questions For 1986 History

    (answers)

    1. This film starred David Bowie as The Goblin King. Name that film.

    2. Name the film that introduced Newt and Jonsey (Jones).

    3. Name the highest-grossing film of 1986.

    5. Megan, Spike, Paradise, and Gutsy were all characters in this children’s program. Name that animated show.

    6. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1986?

    7. Name the two primary characters in Moonlighting.

    10. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1986?

    11. You get one point for each of Dionne’s three friends who sang it with her.

    12. TV Question. What does ALF stand for?

    13. This character was the protagonist of the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film of the same name. Who?
    HINT: Tom Hanks played the role.

    14. Name the popular children’s edutainment franchise that features Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her class.

    15. How many people lived in the World in 1986?

    16. This film was based on a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in 1973.

    17. What planet is ALF originally from?

    18. This film and media franchise started in 1986. The clue is “There Can Only Be One.”

    19. This microwave snack was introduced by General Mills in 1986. Name it.

    20. Although filmed in Los Angeles, where did the girls live in The Golden Girls?

    21. What 1986 film gave us the phrase “Game over, man! Game over!”?

    22. This singing quintet included Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Name that group.

    23. In what film did the character Mick Dundee first appear?

    24. Who played the role of Mick Dundee?

    25. Who chanted, “Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form into Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living?”

    26. What was the name of the evil entity in Stephen King’s  It?

    27. Shigeru Miyamoto created this video game character for a popular 1986 game.
    HINT: She was legendary.

    28. What 1986 horror-comedy featured Jeff Goldblum as a man transforming into an insect?
    HINT: (small voice) Help me!

    29. Michael Jackson started to make headlines in the tabloids for his “odd behavior.” What became his press nickname in 1986?

    30. Professional vocalists performed the soundtrack for this animated show, and it became a fan favorite, with over 150 original tracks created from 1985 to 1988. Name that program.

    31. This nickname started to be used for Red Sox fans during the 1986 World Series against the Mets. Name that term.

    32. What animated series featuring humanoid turtles debuted in 1986?
    You get a bonus point for each you can name.

    33. What video game company introduced the NES in the U.S. in 1986?

    34. What animated movie featuring Orson Welles in his final role?
    HINT: He was the voice of Unicron

    35. How many people lived in the United States in 1986?

    36. Can you name the third model in the Macintosh computer line?

    37. What doll became a cultural phenomenon in 1986, each with a unique birth certificate?

    38. What 1986 John Hughes film features Molly Ringwald on an awkward date at the prom?

    39. Name the band that released Slippery When Wet.
    HINT: Livin’ on a Prayer

    40. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1986?

    41. What were the names of the two leaders Popples in the TV show?

    42. This comic book (and movie) included characters Hollis T. Mason, a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, and the second – Daniel “Dan” Dreiberg. What was their shared superhero name?
    HINT: In DC’s Watchmen

    43. These animated fruits sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in commercials. What fruit?

    44. Name the character who was a fictional spokesman who starred in a series of 1980s television advertisements for a Japanese car and truck brand.
    HINT: He was played by David Leisure

    45. Where did The Care Bear Cousins live?

    46. Who said, “Well, isn’t that special?”

    47. What was the biggest hit by American R&B artist, writer, and producer Gregory Abbott?

    48. Name the band who told us You Gotta Fight for Your Right To Party!

    49. The Pleasant Company first released these 18-inch-high dolls in 1986. Name that doll brand.

    50. Who was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986?

    51. You get one point for each of the nicknames you can name: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in Top Gun.

    52. What aircraft carrier was the team from Top Gun based on?

    53. This smaller food product was an innovation made in 1986 by California farmer Mike Yurosek.
    HINT: They are orange.

    54. In what country did most of Crocodile Dundee take place?

    55. Who won the World Series in 1986?

    56. What two songs does Matthew Broderick lip sync to in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?

    57. Andy Griffith played a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney on this TV Show.
    Bonus point if you know his first and last name.

    58. This popular franchise is based on a series of eight fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Name that brand.

    59. Name the animated lead character in 1986’s An American Tail.

    60. What country won the World Cup in 1986?

    61. Who directed Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?
    HINT: It was one of the stars.

    62. Name the American city that was featured in Star Trek IV.

    63. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1986?

    64. What was the name of Pee-wee Herman’s talking chair?

    65. What was ALF’s real name?

    66. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red.

    67. This was the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993).

    68. Introduced in 1986, this G.I. Joe character was modeled on an American professional wrestling character. Name that wrestler.

    69. What television network aired The Berenstain Bears Show on Saturday mornings from 1985 to 1987?

    70. Who directed 1986’s Labyrinth?

    71. Only three television shows have ranked number one in Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons. Can you name the television show from the 1980s that achieved this feat?

    72. This 1986 comedy starred Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, and Helen Slater. Name that film.

    73. Cheetos snacks gained a mascot in 1986. Can you name him?

    74. Who was the President in 1986?

    75. What team won the Super Bowl in 1986?

    76. Can you name the annoying mascot introduced in 1986 by Domino’s Pizza?

    77. Character actor David Leisure was the spokesperson for what car company?

    78. In 1986, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?

    79. Who was the Pope in 1986?

    80. Who were the NBA Champions in 1986?

    81. Name the syndicated by Chronicle Features and Universal Press Syndicate, which ran from December 31, 1979, to January 1, 1995.
    HINT: The Creator was Gary Larson

    82. Prince Adam (He-Man) had a twin sister. What was her name?

    83. Character actor Michael Vale played the spokesman for Dunkin’ Donuts in the 1980s and 90s. What was his character’s name?

    84. Name the film starring Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is informed that he is “The Chosen One”.

    85. What is the name of the green ghost that became the Ghostbusters mascot in the TV series?

    86. Who was the Vice-President in 1986?

    87. Who played the role of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood in Top Gun?

    88. What was the full name of the TV show starring Pee-wee Herman from 1986 to 1990?

    89. Jem and The Holograms had two rival bands. You get one point for each, which you can name.

    Bonus Team Trivia Questions:

    1. Who was the actress who voiced Jem?

    2. Can you name the comedic character actor with a career spanning the 1930s to 1980s who used the phrase: “EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?”

    3. Although set in Okinawa, where was the film The Karate Kid Part II shot?

    4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1986?

    5. This 1986 film featured cameos from Kurt Vonnegut and the band Oingo Boingo.

    6. This comic book superhero, created by Ben Edlund, had a cartoon series on FOX and a live-action show on Amazon Prime. His catchphrase was “Spoon!” Name the character.

    7. In 1986, Coca-Cola introduced its “C-c-c-catch the wave!” promotion. Who was the artificial spokesman who said it?

    8. How old was David the Gnome?

    9. Why was the show called The Real Ghostbusters instead of “Ghostbusters”?

    10. In secondary roles, This 1986 film featured Jeffrey Jones, Cindy Pickett, Edie McClurg, Lyman Ward, and Charlie Sheen. Name that film.

    86 Trivia Answers For 1986 History

    (answers)

    1. This film starred David Bowie as The Goblin King. Name that film.
    Labyrinth

    2. Name the film that introduced Newt and Jonsey (Jones).
    Aliens

    3. Name the highest-grossing film of 1986.
    Top Gun

    5. Megan, Spike, Paradise, and Gutsy were all characters in this children’s program. Name that animated show.
    My Little Pony

    6. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1986?
    Billy Ocean

    7. Name the two primary characters in Moonlighting.
    Madolyn “Maddie” Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and David Addison (Bruce Willis).

    10. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1986?
    That’s What Friends Are For by Dionne and Friends

    11. You get one point for each of Dionne’s three friends who sang it with her.
    Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder

    12. TV Question. What does ALF stand for?
    Alien Life Form

    13. This character was the protagonist of the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film of the same name. Who?
    HINT: Tom Hanks played the role.
    Forrest Gump

    14. Name the popular children’s edutainment franchise that features Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her class.
    The Magic School Bus

    15. How many people lived in the World in 1986?
    4,950,063,339

    16. This film was based on a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in 1973.
    Howard The Duck

    17. What planet is ALF originally from?
    Melmac

    18. This film and media franchise started in 1986. The clue is “There Can Only Be One.”
    Highlander

    19. This microwave snack was introduced by General Mills in 1986. Name it.
    Pop Secret.

    20. Although filmed in Los Angeles, where did the girls live in The Golden Girls?
    Miami, Florida

    21. What 1986 film gave us the phrase “Game over, man! Game over!”?
    Aliens

    22. This singing quintet included Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Name that group.
    New Kids on the Block

    23. In what film did the character Mick Dundee first appear?
    Crocodile Dundee

    24. Who played the role of Mick Dundee?
    Paul Hogan

    25. Who chanted, “Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form into Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living?”
    Mumm-Ra (in Thundercats)

    26. What was the name of the evil entity in Stephen King’s  It?
    Pennywise

    27. Shigeru Miyamoto created this video game character for a popular 1986 game.
    HINT: She was legendary.
    Zelda (Legend of Zelda)

    28. What 1986 horror-comedy featured Jeff Goldblum as a man transforming into an insect?
    HINT: (small voice) Help me!
    The Fly

    29. Michael Jackson started to make headlines in the tabloids for his “odd behavior.” What became his press nickname in 1986?
    Wacko Jacko

    30. Professional vocalists performed the soundtrack for this animated show, and it became a fan favorite, with over 150 original tracks created from 1985 to 1988. Name that program.
    Jem and the Holograms

    31. This nickname started to be used for Red Sox fans during the 1986 World Series against the Mets. Name that term.
    Red Sox Nation

    32. What animated series featuring humanoid turtles debuted in 1986?
    You get a bonus point for each you can name.
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo)

    33. What video game company introduced the NES in the U.S. in 1986?
    Nintendo

    34. What animated movie featuring Orson Welles in his final role?
    HINT: He was the voice of Unicron
    The Transformers: The Movie

    35. How many people lived in the United States in 1986?
    240,132,887

    36. Can you name the third model in the Macintosh computer line?
    Macintosh Plus

    37. What doll became a cultural phenomenon in 1986, each with a unique birth certificate?
    Cabbage Patch Kids

    38. What 1986 John Hughes film features Molly Ringwald on an awkward date at the prom?
    Pretty in Pink

    39. Name the band that released Slippery When Wet.
    HINT: Livin’ on a Prayer?
    Bon Jovi

    40. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1986?
    It by Stephen King

    41. What were the names of the two leaders Popples in the TV show?
    Party and Pancake.

    42. This comic book (and movie) included characters Hollis T. Mason, a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, and the second – Daniel “Dan” Dreiberg. What was their shared superhero name?
    HINT: In DC’s Watchmen
    Nite Owl

    43. These animated fruits sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in commercials. What fruit?
    The California Raisins

    44. Name the character who was a fictional spokesman who starred in a series of 1980s television advertisements for a Japanese car and truck brand.
    HINT: He was played by David Leisure
    Joe Isuzu

    45. Where did The Care Bear Cousins live?
    The Forest of Feelings

    46. Who said, “Well, isn’t that special?”
    The Church Lady (Enid Strict, portrayed by Dana Carvey)

    47. What was the biggest hit by American R&B artist, writer, and producer Gregory Abbott?
    Shake You Down

    48. Name the band who told us You Gotta Fight for Your Right To Party!
    The Beastie Boys

    49. The Pleasant Company first released these 18-inch-high dolls in 1986. Name that doll brand.
    American Girl

    50. Who was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986?
    Mark Harmon

    51. You get one point for each of the nicknames you can name: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in Top Gun.
    Tom Cruise (Pete “Maverick” Mitchell), Anthony Edwards (Nick “Goose” Bradshaw), Val Kilmer (Tom “Iceman” Kazansky).

    52. What aircraft carrier was the team from Top Gun based on?
    The USS Enterprise.

    53. This smaller food product was an innovation made in 1986 by California farmer Mike Yurosek.
    HINT: They are orange.
    Baby Carrots

    54. In what country did most of Crocodile Dundee take place?
    Most of Crocodile Dundee took place in Australia.

    55. Who won the World Series in 1986?
    New York Mets

    56. What two songs does Matthew Broderick lip sync to in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?
    Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton and Twist and Shout by The Beatles.

    57. Andy Griffith played a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney on this TV Show.
    Bonus point if you know his first and last name.
    Ben Matlock

    58. This popular franchise is based on a series of eight fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Name that brand.
    The Witcher

    59. Name the animated lead character in 1986’s An American Tail.
    Fievel Mousekewitz

    60. What country won the World Cup in 1986?
    Argentina

    61. Who directed Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?
    HINT: It was one of the stars.
    Leonard Nimoy

    62. Name the American city that was featured in Star Trek IV.
    San Francisco

    63. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1986?
    Montreal Canadiens

    64. What was the name of Pee-wee Herman’s talking chair?
    Chairry

    65. What was ALF’s real name?
    Gordon Shumway

    66. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red.
    Fraggle Rock

    67. This was the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993).
    Platoon (1986).

    68. Introduced in 1986, this G.I. Joe character was modeled on an American professional wrestling character. Name that wrestler.
    Sgt. Slaughter (real name Robert Rudolph Remus)

    69. What television network aired The Berenstain Bears Show on Saturday mornings from 1985 to 1987?
    CBS

    70. Who directed 1986’s Labyrinth?
    Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets

    71. Only three television shows have ranked number one in Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons. Can you name the television show from the 1980s that achieved this feat?
    The Cosby Show (1985–1986 through 1989–1990)

    72. This 1986 comedy starred Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, and Helen Slater. Name that film.
    Ruthless People

    73. Cheetos snacks gained a mascot in 1986. Can you name him?
    Chester Cheetah

    74. Who was the President in 1986?
    Ronald Reagan (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989)

    75. What team won the Super Bowl in 1986?
    Chicago Bears

    76. Can you name the annoying mascot introduced in 1986 by Domino’s Pizza?
    The Noid

    77. Character actor David Leisure was the spokesperson for what car company?
    Isuzu (as Joe Isuzu)

    78. In 1986, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
    Men – 71.1 years, Women – 78.3 years

    79. Who was the Pope in 1986?
    John Paul II (October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005)

    80. Who were the NBA Champions in 1986?
    Boston Celtics

    81. Name the syndicated by Chronicle Features and Universal Press Syndicate, which ran from December 31, 1979, to January 1, 1995.
    HINT: The Creator was Gary Larson
    The Far Side

    82. Prince Adam (He-Man) had a twin sister. What was her name?
    Adora (She-Ra)

    83. Character actor Michael Vale played the spokesman for Dunkin’ Donuts in the 1980s and 90s. What was his character’s name?
    Fred The Baker (“Time to make the donuts!”)

    84. Name the film starring Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is informed that he is “The Chosen One”.
    The Golden Child

    85. What is the name of the green ghost that became the Ghostbusters mascot in the TV series?
    Slimer

    86. Jem and The Holograms had two rival bands. You get one point for each, which you can name.
    The Misfits and The Stingers

    Bonus Team Trivia Questions:

    1. Who was the actress who voiced Jem?
    Samantha Newark

    2. Can you name the comedic character actor with a career spanning the 1930s to 1980s who used the phrase: “EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?”
    Frank Nelson (May 6, 1911 – September 12, 1986)

    3. Although set in Okinawa, where was the film The Karate Kid Part II shot?
    Oahu, Hawaii

    4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1986?
    Ferdinand

    5. This 1986 film featured cameos from Kurt Vonnegut and the band Oingo Boingo.
    Back To School

    6. This comic book superhero, created by Ben Edlund, had a cartoon series on FOX and a live-action show on Amazon Prime. His catchphrase was “Spoon!” Name the character.
    The Tick

    7. In 1986, Coca-Cola introduced its “C-c-c-catch the wave!” promotion. Who was the artificial spokesman who said it?
    Max Headroom

    8. How old was David the Gnome?
    399 years, the same as his wife, Lisa.

    9. Why was the show called The Real Ghostbusters instead of “Ghostbusters”?
    A: To avoid legal issues with a 1975 live-action show called Ghostbusters.

    10. In secondary roles, This 1986 film featured Jeffrey Jones, Cindy Pickett, Edie McClurg, Lyman Ward, and Charlie Sheen. Name that film.
    Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

  • 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
  • 1986 Number One Hits

    1986 Number One Hits

    1986 Billboard Number One Hits:

    December 21, 1985 – January 17, 1986:
    Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie
    January 18 – February 14:
    That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder
    February 15 – February 28:
    How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
    March 1 – March 14:
    Kyrie – Mr. Mister
    March 15 – March 21:
    Sara – Starship
    March 22 – March 28:
    These Dreams – Heart
    March 29 – April 18:
    Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
    April 19 – May 2:
    Kiss – Prince
    May 3 – May 9:
    Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
    May 10 – May 16:
    West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
    May 17 – June 6:
    Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
    June 7 – June 13:
    Live to Tell – Madonna
    June 14 – July 4:
    On My Own – Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
    July 5 – July 11:
    There’ll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry) – Billy Ocean
    July 12 – July 18:
    Holding Back the Years – Simply Red
    July 19 – July 25:
    Invisible Touch – Genesis
    July 26 – August 1:
    Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
    August 2 – August 15:
    Glory of Love – Peter Cetera
    August 16 – August 29:
    Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna
    August 30 – September 5:
    Higher Love – Steve Winwood
    September 6 – September 12:
    Venus – Bananarama
    September 13 – September 19:
    Take My Breath Away – Berlin
    September 20 – October 10:
    Stuck with You – Huey Lewis & the News
    October 11 – October 24:
    When I Think of You – Janet Jackson
    October 25 – November 7:
    True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
    November 8 – November 21:
    Amanda – Boston
    November 22 – November 28:
    Human – Human League
    November 29 – December 5:
    You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi
    December 6 – December 12:
    The Next Time I Fall – Peter Cetera featuring Amy Grant
    December 13 – December 19:
    The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby & the Range
    December 20, 1986 – January 16, 1987:
    Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles

    (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.)

  • 1986 History, Facts and Trivia

    1986 History, Facts and Trivia

    1986 History, Facts and Trivia

    Quick Facts from 1986:

    • World Changing Event: Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Explosion killed more than 7,000 people in the USSR.
    • The Top Song was That’s What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder
    • The Movies to Watch include Top Gun, Pretty in Pink, Little Shop of Horrors, Crocodile Dundee, Stand By Me and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
    • The Most Famous Person in America was probably Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee)
    • Notable books include: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and It by Stephen King, and Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor
    • Price of a Cabbage Patch Kid in 1986: $29.97
      AA Batteries, four pack: $3.38
    • The Funny Guy was Robin Williams
    • 12 members of a Florida jury got stuck in the courthouse (Otis) elevator for 20 minutes. The jurors were hearing a case against the Otis elevator company. Otis lost, paying $135,000.
    • The Disaster: On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the death of all seven members of the crew. Because teacher Christa McAuliffe was on the crew, millions of young students watched the accident happen.

    Top Ten Baby Names of 1986:

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

    Fashion Icons and Sex Symbols:

    Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson

    Leading Men and Hollywood Hunks:

    Tom Cruise, Michael Hutchence, Mickey Rourke, Paul Newman

    “The Quotes”

    “With heart, faith, and steel. In the end, there can only be one.”
    – Sean Connery, in Highlander

    “I feel the need… the need for speed!”
    – Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards in Top Gun

    “Pork. The other white meat.”
    – National Pork Board

    “Yeah… That’s The Ticket.”
    – Jon Lovitz as Tommy Flanagan (‘Fla-Nay-Gan’)

    “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”
    – Vick’s commercial

    Time Magazine’s Man of the Year:

    Corazon Aquino

    Miss America:

    Susan Akin (Meridian, MS)

    Miss USA:

    Christy Fichtner (Texas)

    The Little Recognized Invention:

    Jim Moylan invented the gas tank indicator arrow (the little triangle on your gas gauge indicating which side your gas tank is on) in 1986 and was introduced in select Ford models in 1989. He chose not to patent it, and other manufacturers soon copied his idea in their vehicles.

    The Hero:

    Neerja Bhanot (September  7, 1963 – September 5, 1986) was the Senior Flight attendant on the infamous Pan Am Flight 73 on September 5, 1986. The plane was scheduled to fly from Mumbai to the United States. Before takeoff, four hijackers boarded the plane at Karachi airport in Pakistan and held 380 passengers and 13 crew members hostage at gunpoint during a 17-hour standoff. When the hijackers demanded the passports of the Americans on board to take those passengers as collateral for a trade, Bhanot hid the passports under seat cushions, flushed them down the toilet, and threw them down the trash shoot.

    The hijackers were unable to distinguish the American passengers from non-American passengers. The situation escalated as the hijackers began shooting and detonating explosives. Bhanot deployed the emergency escape doors and began frantically guiding passengers out of the plane. One of the last to remain, a hijacker grabbed her by her ponytail and shot her point-blank while she was shielding three American children from gunfire. She died two days before her 22nd birthday. She saved the majority of the passengers and the flight crew.

    The Tragedies:

    Space Shuttle Challenger blew up 73 seconds after take-off, killing all seven crew members. Thousands of school-age children watched the flight live because teacher Christa McAuliffe was a crew member.

    During one of the strangest natural disasters in history, Lake Nyos suffocated over 1,700 people in one night with CO2.

    The Scandals:

    The term “Going postal” originated from a  mass shooting committed by a US Postal Service employee, Patrick Sherrill, in an act of workplace rage. Fourteen people were killed in the rampage.

    Iran-Contra: Several members of the Reagan Administration helped sell arms to Iran, a known enemy of the United States, and used the proceeds to fund the Contras, an anti-communist guerrilla organization in Nicaragua.

    The USSR’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor # 4 had a mishap, giving radiation poisoning to an estimated 500,000 to 6,000,000 people. The remaining three reactors operated until 1991, 1996 and 2000 respectively. The USSR created and distributed a forged letter that “exposed” the US government’s “conspiracy” to overstate the seriousness of Chernobyl meltdown.

    Cleveland, Ohio’s Balloonfest released 1.5 million balloons in the air to break a Guinness World Record. Guinness never recognized the event.

    Tonight Show host Johnny Carson’s good friend and occasional guest Tonight Show host, Joan Rivers, started a late-night talk show on FOX. He never spoke to her again.

    Bobby Ewing came out of the shower alive. The prior season of Dallas had been a dream.

    12 members of a Florida jury got stuck in the courthouse elevator for 20 minutes. The jurors were hearing a case against the Otis elevator company.

    Pop Culture Facts & History:

    Andy Warhol’s final work before his death was the cover of Aretha Franklin’s 1986 album Aretha.

    ‘The Wave’ was first brought to worldwide attention during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

    Initially released in 1979 and worldwide in 1986, the word “Walkman” entered the Oxford English Dictionary.

    Teacher Pleasant Rowland created the first ‘American Girl’ dolls. Mattel bought the product line in 1998.

    Burning Man started in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada in 1986 with 35 attendees and free admission.

    The phrase “Be afraid. Be very afraid” was first spoken (in Pop Culture) by Geena Davis in the 1986 film The Fly.

    James Cameron got the approval to make Aliens by writing the word ‘Alien’ on a board, then adding an ‘s’ and turning it into a dollar sign.

    Pixar started as a computer division of Lucasfilm in 1979. Then, George Lucas sold the company to Steve Jobs and renamed it “Pixar” in 1986. Both Lucasfilm and Pixar are the sister companies and part of The Walt Disney Company.

    Hosted by Geraldo Rivera, The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults was the most-watched live television special of 1986, with an audience of 30 million. The vault was hidden under the Lexington Hotel in Chicago, where the Prohibition-era gangster Capone ran his criminal operations until his arrest in 1931.

    A Food Packing Plant owner in California came up with the baby carrot as a way of not wasting misshapen carrots.
    They became an instant hit.

    Camcorders started to become a regular household item.

    While working as a marine biology teacher in 1986, Stephen Hillenburg was asked to create an educational comic about anthropomorphized sea life. He later adapted the characters within it, such as “Bob the Sponge,” into one of the most popular and longest-running children’s series of all time. #spongebob

    Aerosmith and Run DMC mixed rock and hip hop with Walk This Way.

    Two unknown men attacked CBS broadcaster Dan Rather in 1986 in New York while repeating, “Kenneth, what is the frequency?” R.E.M. turned the phrase into the song What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? and it was the first song to debut at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart.

    Peter Gabriel’s stop-motion music video for Sledgehammer raised the bar for video production.

    Harrods, a small restaurant in the town of Otorohanga, New Zealand, was threatened with a lawsuit by the famous department store of the same name. In response, the town changed its name to Harrodsville and renamed all its businesses ‘Harrods.’

    Orson Welles gave his voice in the 1986 animated adaptation of The Transformers. This was his last role before his death.

    Mets fan Mike Sergio parachuted onto the Shea Stadium field during the 1986 World Series. Although jailed for 21 days and given 500 hours of community service,  he refused to reveal the pilot’s name. #notarat

    In 1986, Danny Heep became the first player in a World Series to be a designated hitter (DH) with the initials “D.H.”

    Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, increased Navy recruitment by 500%.

    Five-year-old Levan Merritt fell into the gorilla enclosure and lost consciousness. Jambo, a gorilla,  stood guard over the boy, even petting him, while the boy was unconscious, placing himself between the boy and other gorillas in what ethologists analyze as a protective gesture.

    The cost of a Super Bowl ad in 1986: $550,000.

    American History:

    During the Civil War, Scott County of Tennessee broke away from the rest of the state to join the Union and technically did not rejoin the state until 1986.

    King County, the largest county in Washington state, was named after slave owner (and former US Vice President) William Rufus King. In 1986, the county council voted to retroactively change the namesake without changing names – King County is now officially named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

    The Disappointment:

    Finding out that last year’s Dallas TV show’s entire season was just Bobby Ewing’s (Patrick Duffy) dream

    The Habits:

    Participating with ‘Hands Across America’ on Sunday, May 25, 1986. Over six million people participated and at 3:00 EST, radio stations across America played the song Hands Across America.

    1st Appearances & 1986’s Most Popular Christmas Gifts, Toys and Presents:

    Real Ghostbusters action figures, My Pet Monster, Panini Football stickers, Outburst, Balderdash

    Popular and Best-selling Books From 1986:

    A Perfect Spy by John le Carre
    Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
    The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum
    Hollywood Husbands by Jackie Collins
    I’ll Take Manhattan by Judith Krantz
    It by Stephen King
    Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor
    Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour
    Lie Down with Lions by Ken Follett
    The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel
    Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman
    The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
    Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy
    Wanderlust by Danielle Steel
    Whirlwind by James Clavell

    Broadway Show:

    Me and My Girl (Musical) Opened on August 10, 1986, and closed on December 31, 1989

    East End Show:

    The Phantom of the Opera (Musical) Opened on October 9, 1986

    Best Film Oscar Winner:

    Out of Africa (presented in 1986)

    The Big Movies: (according to boxofficemojo)

    1. Top Gun
    2. Crocodile Dundee
    3. Platoon
    4. The Karate Kid Part II
    5. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
    6. Back To School
    7. Aliens
    8. The Golden Child
    9. Ruthless People
    10. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

    1986 Most Popular TV Shows:

    1. The Cosby Show (NBC)
    2. Family Ties (NBC)
    3. Cheers (NBC)
    4. Murder She Wrote (NBC)
    5. The Golden Girls (NBC)
    6. 60 Minutes (CBS)
    7. Night Court (NBC)
    8. Growing Pains (ABC)
    9. Moonlighting (ABC)
    10. Who’s the Boss? ( ABC)

    1986 Billboard Number One Songs

    December 21, 1985 – January 17, 1986:
    Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie

    January 18 – February 14:
    That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder

    February 15 – February 28:
    How Will I Know – Whitney Houston

    March 1 – March 14:
    Kyrie – Mr. Mister

    March 15 – March 21:
    Sara – Starship

    March 22 – March 28:
    These Dreams – Heart

    March 29 – April 18:
    Rock Me Amadeus – Falco

    April 19 – May 2:
    Kiss – Prince

    May 3 – May 9:
    Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer

    May 10 – May 16:
    West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys

    May 17 – June 6:
    Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston

    June 7 – June 13:
    Live to Tell – Madonna

    June 14 – July 4:
    On My Own – Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald

    July 5 – July 11:
    There’ll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry) – Billy Ocean

    July 12 – July 18:
    Holding Back the Years – Simply Red

    July 19 – July 25:
    Invisible Touch – Genesis

    July 26 – August 1:
    Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel

    August 2 – August 15:
    The Glory of Love – Peter Cetera

    August 16 – August 29:
    Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna

    August 30 – September 5:
    Higher Love – Steve Winwood

    September 6 – September 12:
    Venus – Bananarama

    September 13 – September 19:
    Take My Breath Away – Berlin

    September 20 – October 10:
    Stuck with You – Huey Lewis & the News

    October 11 – October 24:
    When I Think of You – Janet Jackson

    October 25 – November 7:
    True Colors – Cyndi Lauper

    November 8 – November 21:
    Amanda – Boston

    November 22 – November 28:
    Human – Human League

    November 29 – December 5:
    You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi

    December 6 – December 12:
    The Next Time I Fall – Peter Cetera featuring Amy Grant

    December 13 – December 19:
    The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby & the Range

    December 20, 1986 – January 16, 1987:
    Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles

    Sports:

    World Series Champions: New York Mets
    Super Bowl XX Champions: Chicago Bears
    NBA Champions: Boston Celtics
    Stanley Cup Champs: Montreal Canadians
    U.S. Open Golf Ray Floyd
    U.S. Tennis: (Men/Ladies) Ivan Lendl/Martina Navratilova
    Wimbledon (Men/Women): Boris Becker/Marina Navratilova
    NCAA Football Champions: Penn State
    NCAA Basketball Champions: Louisville
    Kentucky Derby: Ferdinand
    World Cup (Soccer): Argentina

    More 1986 Facts and History Resources:

    Most Popular Baby Names (BabyCenter.com)
    Popular and Notable Books (popculture.us)
    Broadway Shows that Opened in 1986X
    1986 Calendar, courtesy of Time and Date.com
    Everything 80s Podcast 1986
    Fact Monster
    1980s, Infoplease.com World History
    Millennial Generation (1981-1996)
    1986 in Movies (according to IMDB)
    1986 Top Movies (according to BoxOfficeMojo)
    Retrowaste Vintage Culture
    80s Facts About the 80s(Mental Floss)
    80s and 90s Classic NES Games (1985-1994)
    1980s Slang
    1980s Timeline (Security and Exchange Commission)
    Wikipedia 1986

     

  • 1986 Music – The 100 Most Popular Songs

    1986 Music – The 100 Most Popular Songs

    1986 Music Hits Chart

    1. That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne & Friends
    2. Addicted To Love – Robert Palmer
    3. Kiss – Prince
    4. Walk This Way – Run D.M.C./Aerosmith
    5. Living In America – James Brown
    6. You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
    7. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
    8. Burning Heart – Survivor
    9. Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles
    10. The Sweetest Taboo – Sade
    11. Higher Love – Steve Winwood
    12. Never As Good As The First Time – Sade
    13. Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
    14. Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
    15. Sledgehammer – Peter Gabriel
    16. You’re A Friend Of Mine – Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne
    17. Manic Monday – The Bangles
    18. Glory Of Love – Peter Cetera
    19. Like A Rock – Bob Seger
    20. I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock and Roll) – Nick Lowe
    21. Word Up – Cameo
    22. Conga – Miami Sound Machine
    23. The Men All Pause – Klymaxx
    24. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
    25. Live To Tell – Madonna
    26. Venus – Bananarama
    27. Typical Male – Tina Turner
    28. Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money
    29. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
    30. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
    31. If You Leave – O.M.D.
    32. You Be Illin’ – Run DMC
    33. Crush On You – The Jets
    34. The Rain – Oran “Juice” Jones
    35. Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna
    36. Mad About You – Belinda Carlisle
    37. R.O.C.K. In The USA – John “Cougar” Mellencamp
    38. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
    39. Words Get In The Way – Miami Sound Machine
    40. Walk Of Life – Dire Straits
    41. I’m Your Man – Wham!
    42. All Cried Out – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force
    43. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
    44. Dancing On The Ceiling – Lionel Richie
    45. We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart
    46. My Hometown – Bruce Springsteen
    47. On My Own – Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
    48. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
    49. All I Need Is A Miracle – Mike & the Mechanics
    50. Tuff Enuff – Fabulous Thunderbirds
    51. The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades- Timbuk3
    52. Love Walks In – Van Halen
    53. Shot In The Dark – Ozzie Osbourne
    54. The Next Time I Fall – Peter Cetera & Amy Grant
    55. Move Away – Culture Club
    56. I Wanna Be A Cowboy – Boys Don’t Cry
    57. Super Bowl Shuffle – Chicago Bears
    58. Rumors – Timex Social Club
    59. The Power Of Love – Jennifer Rush
    60. One Step Closer – Gavin Christopher
    61. A Love Bizarre – Sheila E.
    62. Sex As A Weapon – Pat Benatar
    63. More Than Physical – Bananarama
    64. Everybody Dance – Ta Mara and the Seen
    65. Day By Day – Hooters
    66. Live Is Life – Opus
    67. Great Gosh A’Mighty – Little Richard
    68. Pleasure and Pain – Divinyls
    69. Once In A Lifetime – Talking Heads
    70. Don Quichotte – Magazine 60
    71. Crazay – Jesse Johnson and Sly Stone
    72. Why Can’t This Be Love – Van Halen
    73. Baby Talk – Alisha
    74. Jungle Boy – John Eddie
    75. Caravan of Love – Isley Jasper Isley
    76. I Like You – Phyllis Nelson
    77. earth Angel – New Edition
    78. Bad Boy – Miami Sound Machine
    79. True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
    80. Throwing It All Away – Genesis
    81. Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) – Pet Shop Boys
    82. A Different Corner – George Michael
    83. Pretty In Pink – Psychedelic Furs
    84. No One Is To Blame – Howard Jones
    85. True Blue – Madonna
    86. Man Size Love – Klymaxx
    87. The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby and the Range
    88. Wrap It Up – Fabulous Thunderbirds
    89. In Between Days (Without You) – The Cure
    90. Peter Gunn – Art of Noise with Duane Eddy
    91. Under The Influence – Vanity
    92. Live is Life – Opus
    93. School’s Out – Krokus
    94. Needles and Pins – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    95. Like Flames – Berlin
    96. Spirit In The Sky – Doctor & the Medics
    97. Paranomia – Art of Noise featuring Max Headroom
    98. Blame It On The Radio – John Parr
    99. Leader of the Pack – Twisted Sister
    100. That’s Life – David Lee Roth
  • American Girl Dolls

    American Girl Dolls

    American Girl Dolls

    American Girl is a line of dolls that is marketed towards young girls, released on May 5, 1986. The dolls are 18 inches tall and come from various ethnicities, religions, and social classes from different eras in history. Each doll is sold with a book that provides a backstory for the doll and details the experiences and adventures of the character from the character’s point of view.

    Initially, the stories and dolls focused on different periods of American history but have since expanded to include contemporary characters and settings. The dolls and accompanying books are designed to be educational, inspiring, and entertaining, and they are often used in educational settings and for play. American Girl also offers a range of accessories and clothing for dolls, as well as special events, stores, and online experiences designed to enhance the overall American Girl experience.

    Pleasant Company was established in 1986 by Pleasant Rowland in Middleton, Wisconsin. The company initially sold its products exclusively through mail orders and became known for its high-quality, educational, and inspiring products for young girls. In 1998, Mattel Inc., one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, acquired Pleasant Company for $700 million. As a result, Pleasant Company became a subsidiary of Mattel and expanded its reach and distribution to include brick-and-mortar stores and online sales channels. This acquisition allowed Pleasant Company to bring its beloved products, including the American Girl dolls and accompanying books, to an even wider audience and solidified its position as a leading player in the toy and educational products industry.

    The first American Girl dolls were in the Historical Characters collection, which included dolls and books based on fictional girls from different eras in American history. Each of these dolls was sold with a book that provided a detailed backstory for the character and chronicled their experiences and adventures. These original dolls and books were well-received and established the American Girl brand as a leader in the doll and toy market.

    The original lineup of American Girl Dolls included:

    • Kirsten Larson: A pioneer girl from Sweden who travels to America in the mid-1800s.
    • Samantha Parkington: An orphan growing up in the Edwardian era of the early 1900s.
    • Molly McIntire: A girl growing up in the United States during World War II.
    • Felicity Merriman: A colonial girl living in Virginia in the late 1700s.
    • Addy Walker: A former slave who escapes to freedom in the North during the Civil War.
    • Josefina Montoya: A girl living in New Mexico in the 1820s.
  • 1986 Oscars 58th Academy Awards

    1986 Oscars 58th Academy Awards

    1986 Oscars 58th Academy Awards

    • Winners Announced: March 24, 1986
    • Held at: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
    • Hosts: Alan Alda, Jane Fonda and Robin Williams
    • Eligibility Year: 1985

    Trivia

    • Dynamic Hosting Trio: Alan Alda brought his charm, Jane Fonda added an activist’s perspective, and Robin Williams unleashed his comedic energy as hosts.
    • Out of Africa Dominance: The film Out of Africa, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, won seven awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Sydney Pollack.
    • Comedy and Drama: Prizzi’s Honor was noted for its mix of dark comedy and drama, earning Anjelica Huston a Best Supporting Actress award.
    • Spielberg’s First: This year marked the first Best Director nomination for Steven Spielberg for his work on The Color Purple, though he didn’t win.
    • The Age of Cocoon: Don Ameche, at the age of 77, won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Cocoon, beating younger talents.
    • Geraldine Page’s Win: Geraldine Page finally snagged a Best Actress win for The Trip to Bountiful after seven previous nominations.
    • Song Hit: Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie from White Nights won Best Original Song.
    • Foreign Flair: The Official Story from Argentina took home the Best Foreign Language Film award.

    1986 Oscar Nominees and Winners

    Best Picture:
    Out of Africa – Sydney Pollack, producer (WINNER)
    The Color Purple – Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Quincy Jones, producers
    Kiss of the Spider Woman – David Weisman, producer
    Prizzi’s Honor – John Foreman, producer
    Witness – Edward S. Feldman, producer
    Best Director:
    Sydney Pollack – Out of Africa (WINNER)
    Héctor Babenco – Kiss of the Spider Woman
    John Huston – Prizzi’s Honor
    Akira Kurosawa – Ran
    Peter Weir – Witness
    Best Actor:
    William Hurt – Kiss of the Spider Woman as Luis Molina (WINNER)
    Harrison Ford – Witness as Detective Captain John Book
    James Garner – Murphy’s Romance as Murphy Jones
    Jack Nicholson – Prizzi’s Honor as Charley Partanna
    Jon Voight – Runaway Train as Oscar “Manny” Manheim
    Best Actress:
    Geraldine Page – The Trip to Bountiful as Carrie Watts (WINNER)
    Anne Bancroft – Agnes of God as Miriam Ruth
    Whoopi Goldberg – The Color Purple as Celie Harris Johnson
    Jessica Lange – Sweet Dreams as Patsy Cline
    Meryl Streep – Out of Africa as Karen Blixen
    Best Supporting Actor:
    Don Ameche – Cocoon as Arthur Selwyn (WINNER)
    Klaus Maria Brandauer – Out of Africa as Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke
    William Hickey – Prizzi’s Honor as Don Corrado Prizzi
    Robert Loggia – Jagged Edge as Sam Ransom
    Eric Roberts – Runaway Train as Buck
    Best Supporting Actress:
    Anjelica Huston – Prizzi’s Honor as Maerose Prizzi (WINNER)
    Margaret Avery – The Color Purple as Shug Avery
    Amy Madigan – Twice in a Lifetime as Sunny Sobel
    Meg Tilly – Agnes of God as Sister Agnes
    Oprah Winfrey – The Color Purple as Sofia Johnson
    Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:
    Witness – Screenplay by Earl W. Wallace and William Kelley; Story by William Kelley, Pamela Wallace and Earl W. Wallace (WINNER)
    Back to the Future – Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale
    Brazil – Terry Gilliam, Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown
    The Official Story – Luis Puenzo and Aída Bortnik
    The Purple Rose of Cairo – Woody Allen
    Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium:
    Out of Africa – Kurt Luedtke based on the memoir by Isak Dinesen and the books Silence Will Speak by Errol Trzebinski and Isak Dinesen: The Life of a Storyteller by Judith Thurman (WINNER)
    The Color Purple – Menno Meyjes based on the novel by Alice Walker
    Kiss of the Spider Woman – Leonard Schrader based on the novel by Manuel Puig
    Prizzi’s Honor – Richard Condon and Janet Roach based on the novel by Richard Condon
    The Trip to Bountiful – Horton Foote based on his teleplay
    Best Foreign Language Film:
    The Official Story (Argentina) in Spanish – Luis Puenzo (WINNER)
    Angry Harvest (Federal Republic of Germany) in German – Agnieszka Holland
    Colonel Redl (Hungary) in German – István Szabó
    Three Men and a Cradle (France) in French – Coline Serreau
    When Father Was Away on Business (Yugoslavia) in Serbo-Croatian – Emir Kusturica
    Best Documentary Feature:
    Broken Rainbow – Maria Florio and Victoria Mudd (WINNER)
    The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo – Susana Muñoz and Lourdes Portillo
    Soldiers in Hiding – Japhet Asher
    The Statue of Liberty – Ken Burns and Buddy Squires
    Unfinished Business – Steven Okazaki
    Best Documentary Short Subject:
    Witness to War: Dr. Charlie Clements – David Goodman (WINNER)
    The Courage to Care – Robert H. Gardner
    Keats and His Nightingale: A Blind Date – Michael Crowley and James Wolpaw
    Making Overtures: The Story of a Community Orchestra – Barbara Willis Sweete
    The Wizard of the Strings – Alan Edelstein
    Best Live Action Short Film:
    Molly’s Pilgrim – Jeffrey D. Brown and Chris Pelzer (WINNER)
    Graffiti – Dianna Costello
    Rainbow War – Bob Rogers
    Best Animated Short Film:
    Anna & Bella – Cilia van Dijk (WINNER)
    The Big Snit – Richard Condie and Michael J. F. Scott
    Second Class Mail – Alison Snowden
    Best Original Score:
    Out of Africa – John Barry (WINNER)
    Agnes of God – Georges Delerue
    The Color Purple – Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton, Caiphus Semenya, Andraé Crouch, Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Joel Rosenbaum, Fred Steiner, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey and Randy Kerber
    Silverado – Bruce Broughton
    Witness – Maurice Jarre
    Best Original Song:
    “Say You, Say Me” from White Nights – Music and Lyrics by Lionel Richie (WINNER)
    “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)” from The Color Purple – Music by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton; Lyrics by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Lionel Richie
    “The Power of Love” from Back to the Future – Music by Chris Hayes and Johnny Colla; Lyrics by Huey Lewis
    “Separate Lives” from White Nights – Music and Lyrics by Stephen Bishop
    “Surprise Surprise” from A Chorus Line – Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Edward Kleban
    Best Sound Effects Editing:
    Back to the Future – Charles L. Campbell and Robert Rutledge (WINNER)
    Ladyhawke – Robert G. Henderson and Alan Robert Murray
    Rambo: First Blood Part II – Frederick Brown
    Best Sound:
    Out of Africa – Chris Jenkins, Gary Alexander, Larry Stensvold and Peter Handford (WINNER)
    Back to the Future – Bill Varney, B. Tennyson Sebastian II, Robert Thirlwell and William B. Kaplan
    A Chorus Line – Donald O. Mitchell, Michael Minkler, Gerry Humphreys and Christopher Newman
    Ladyhawke – Les Fresholtz, Dick Alexander, Vern Poore and Bud Alper
    Silverado – Donald O. Mitchell, Rick Kline, Kevin O’Connell and David M. Ronne
    Best Art Direction:
    Out of Africa – Art Direction: Stephen B. Grimes; Set Decoration: Josie MacAvin (WINNER)
    Brazil – Art Direction: Norman Garwood; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray
    The Color Purple – Art Direction: J. Michael Riva and Robert W. Welch; Set Decoration: Linda DeScenna
    Ran – Art Direction and Set Decoration: Yoshiro Muraki and Shinobu Muraki
    Witness – Art Direction: Stan Jolley; Set Decoration: John H. Anderson
    Best Cinematography:
    Out of Africa – David Watkin (WINNER)
    The Color Purple – Allen Daviau
    Murphy’s Romance – William A. Fraker
    Ran – Takao Saito, Masaharu Ueda and Asakazu Nakai
    Witness – John Seale
    Best Makeup:
    Mask – Michael Westmore and Zoltan Elek (WINNER)
    The Color Purple – Ken Chase
    Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins – Carl Fullerton
    Best Costume Design:
    Ran – Emi Wada (WINNER)
    The Color Purple – Aggie Guerard Rodgers
    The Journey of Natty Gann – Albert Wolsky
    Out of Africa – Milena Canonero
    Prizzi’s Honor – Donfeld
    Best Film Editing:
    Witness – Thom Noble (WINNER)
    A Chorus Line – John Bloom
    Out of Africa – Fredric Steinkamp, William Steinkamp, Pembroke J. Herring and Sheldon Kahn
    Prizzi’s Honor – Rudi Fehr and Kaja Fehr
    Runaway Train – Henry Richardson
    Best Visual Effects:
    Cocoon – Ken Ralston, Ralph McQuarrie, Scott Farrar and David Berry (WINNER)
    Return to Oz – Will Vinton, Ian Wingrove, Zoran Perisic and Michael Lloyd
    Young Sherlock Holmes – Dennis Muren, Kit West, John R. Ellis and David W. Allen
    Honorary Academy Awards
    Paul Newman
    Alex North
    Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:
    Charles “Buddy” Rogers
  • 1986 Grammy Award Winners

    1986 Grammy Award Winners

    1986 Grammy Award Winners

    • Winners Announced: February 25, 1986
    • Held at: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
    • Host: Kenny Rogers
    • Eligibility Year: October 1, 1984 – September 30, 1985

    Trivia

    • We Are the World Spotlight: The charity single We Are the World became the evening’s star, winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
    • Michael Jackson’s Thrilling Night: The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, received Best Male Pop Vocal Performance accolades for his contribution to We Are the World.
    • Country Milestones: Young Dwight Yoakam caught the limelight, getting nominated for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance for his album Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.
    • Clapton’s Musical Magic: Eric Clapton won Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the track Escape, a part of the Lethal Weapon movie soundtrack.
    • Sade’s Smooth Arrival: British-Nigerian band Sade, led by Sade Adu, notched the Best New Artist win.
    • Jazz Ingenuity: New York Scene by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers secured the Best Jazz Instrumental Performance Group.
    • Genre Diversity: The awards recognized a wide array of genres, from Classical and Comedy to R&B and Latin, emphasizing the diversity of the music industry at the time.
    • Host Charisma: Kenny Rogers, with his smooth, seasoned voice and engaging persona, added a unique charm as the ceremony host.

    1986 Grammy Winners

    Record of the Year:
    We Are the World – USA for Africa
    Album of the Year:
    No Jacket Required, Phil Collins (Atlantic)
    Song of the Year:
    We Are the World – Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, songwriters
    Best New Artist:
    Sade
    Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
    No Jacket Required, Phil Collins
    Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
    Saving All My Love for You – Whitney Houston
    Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal:
    We Are the World – USA for Africa
    Best Pop Instrumental Performance:
    Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
    Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male:
    The Boys of Summer – Don Henley
    Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female:
    One of the Living – Tina Turner
    Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal:
    Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
    Best Rock Instrumental Performance:
    Escape – Jeff Beck
    Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
    Freeway of Love – Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, songwriters
    Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
    In Square Circle, Stevie Wonder
    Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
    Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
    Best Rhythm and Blues Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal:
    Nightshift – Commodores
    Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Performance:
    Musician, Ernie Watts
    Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male:
    Another Night in Tunisia – Jon Hendricks and Bobby McFerrin
    Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female:
    Cleo at Carnegie (The 10th Anniversary Concert), Cleo Laine
    Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group:
    Vocalese, Manhattan Transfer
    Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist:
    Black Codes From the Underground, Wynton Marsalis
    Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group:
    Black Codes From the Underground, Wynton Marsalis Group
    Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band:
    The Cotton Club?Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, John Barry and Bob Wilber
    Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental:
    Straight to the Heart, David Sanborn
    Best Country Song:
    Highwayman – Jimmy L. Webb, songwriter
    Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
    Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night), Ronnie Milsap
    Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
    I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me – Rosanne Cash
    Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal:
    Why Not Me, Judds
    Best Country Instrumental Performance:
    Cosmic Square Dance – Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler
    Best Gospel Performance, Male:
    How Excellent Is Thy Name – Larnelle Harris
    Best Gospel Performance, Female:
    Unguarded, Amy Grant
    Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male:
    Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay – Marvin Winans
    Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female:
    Martin – Shirley Caesar
    Best Soul Gospel Performance By a Duo or Group:
    Tomorrow, Winans
    Best Latin Pop Performance:
    Ec Facil Amar, Lani Hall
    Best Tropical Latin Performance (tie):
    Mambo Diablo, Tito Puente and His Latin Ensemble
    Solito, Eddie Palmieri
    Best Mexican/American Performance:
    Simplemente Mujer, Vikki Carr
    Best Inspirational Performance:
    Come Sunday – Jennifer Holliday
    Best Traditional Blues Recording:
    My Guitar Sings the Blues – B.B. King (MCA)
    Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording:
    My Toot Toot – Rockin’ Sidney (Maison De Soul)
    Best Reggae Recording:
    Cliff Hanger, Jimmy Cliff (Columbia/CBS)
    Best Polka Recording:
    70 Years of Hits, Frank Yankovic (Cleveland International/CBS)
    Best Arrangement on an Instrumental:
    Early a.m. Attitude – Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour, arrangers
    Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s):
    Lush Life – Nelson Riddle, arranger
    Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices:
    Another Night in Tunisia – Cheryl Bentyne and Bobby McFerrin, arrangers
    Best Instrumental Composition:
    Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer, composer
    Best Cast Show Album:
    West Side Story, Stephen Sondheim, lyricist; Leonard Bernstein, composer (Deutsche Grammophone)
    Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special:
    Beverly Hills Cop, Sharon Robinson, Jon Gilutin, Bunny Hull, Hawk, Howard Hewett, Micki Free, Sue Sheridan, Howie Rice, Keith Forsey, Harold Faltermeyer, Allee Willis, Dan Sembello, Marc Benno and Richard Theisen, composers and songwriters (MCA)
    Best Contemporary Composition:
    Requiem, Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer (Angel)
    Best Classical Album:
    Berlioz, Requiem, Robert Shaw conducting Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; solo: Aler (Telarc)
    Best New Classical Artist:
    Chicago Pro Musica
    Best Classical Orchestral Recording:
    Fauré, Pelléas et Mélisande, Robert Shaw conducting Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
    Best Chamber Music Performance:
    Brahms, Cello and Piano Sonatas in E Minor and F Major, Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma
    Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With Orchestra):
    Elgar, Cello Concerto, Op. 85; Walton, Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma; André Previn conducting London Symphony Orchestra
    Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (Without Orchestra):
    Ravel, Gaspard de la Nuit, Pavane Pour Une Infant Defunte, Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Vladimir Ashkenazy
    Best Opera Recording:
    Schoenberg, Moses und Aron, Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; solos: Mazura and Langridge (London)
    Best Choral Performance (Other Than Opera):
    Berlioz, Requiem, Robert Shaw conducting Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra
    Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
    Berlioz, Requiem, John Aler; Robert Shaw conducting Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
    Best Comedy Recording:
    Whoopi Goldberg (Original Broadway Show Recording), Whoopi Goldberg (Geffen)
    Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording:
    Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Original Broadway cast (Manhattan)
    Best Recording for Children:
    Follow That Bird (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Jim Henson’s Muppets and the Sesame Street cast (RCA)
    Best Album Package:
    Lush Life, Kosh and Ron Larson, art directors (Asylum)
    Best Album Notes:
    Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, Peter Guralnick, annotator (RCA)
    Best Historical Album:
    RCA/MET 100 Singers-100 Years, Melba, Schumann-Heink, Caruso, Price, Verrett, Domingo and 94 others (RCA Red Seal)
    Best Music Video, Short Form:
    We Are the World, the Video Event – USA for Africa
    Best Music Video, Long Form:
    Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock ‘n Roll – Huey Lewis and the News
    Producers of the Year (Non-Classical):
    Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham
    Classical Producer of the Year:
    Robert Woods
  • Address to the Nation on the Challenger by Ronald Reagan

    Address to the Nation on the Challenger by Ronald Reagan

    Address to the Nation on the Challenger
    by Ronald Reagan, on January 28, 1986, in Washington, DC


    Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

    Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But, we’ve never lost an astronaut in flight; we’ve never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we’ve forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

    For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we’re thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, ‘Give me a challenge and I’ll meet it with joy.’ They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.

    We’ve grown used to wonders in this century. It’s hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We’ve grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we’ve only just begun. We’re still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

    And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle’s takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them.

    I’ve always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don’t hide our space program. We don’t keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That’s the way freedom is, and we wouldn’t change it for a minute. We’ll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: “Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it.”

    There’s a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian later said, ‘He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.’ Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake’s, complete.

    The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honoured us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’

    Thank you.