The 1980s were full of events that shaped the world as we know it today.
The rise of modern conservatism in America, a wave of liberalism in China that was quickly quashed by the government, and an attempt on the life of Ronald Reagan are just a few of the political headlines from the decade.
Space exploration experienced strides and setbacks, the environment was devastated more than once, and new technology like cell phones and portable gaming made their first appearances in the world.
Go back to the bulky tech, the tense turmoil, and iconic moments of the 1980s.
1
Assassination of John Lennon
Former Beatle John Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York City apartment in 1980, shocking the music world.
2
Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan
President Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981 after being shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington D.C. hotel.
3
Falklands War
In 1982, Argentina invaded the British-controlled Falkland Islands, leading to a brief but intense war with the UK.
4
U.S. Invasion of Grenada
American forces invaded Grenada in 1983 to topple a Marxist government, citing the need to protect U.S. citizens on the island.
5
Iran Hostage Crisis Ends
In 1981, 52 American hostages were released after 444 days in captivity in Iran.
6
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
The Challenger shuttle broke apart shortly after launch in 1986, killing all seven astronauts on board, including teacher Christa McAuliffe.
7
Black Monday Stock Market Crash
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by over 22% in a single day in 1987, marking the largest one-day percentage drop in history.
8
Tiananmen Square Protests
Chinese pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square ended violently in 1989 when the military opened fire on demonstrators.
9
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
In 1989, the Exxon Valdez tanker spilled millions of gallons of oil off the coast of Alaska, causing devastating environmental damage.
10
Mount St. Helens Eruption
The volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state in 1980 killed 57 people and caused massive environmental destruction.
11
Halley’s Comet Returns
Halley’s Comet made its once-every-76-years appearance in 1986.
12
Live Aid Concert
In 1985, the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief and featured iconic performances.
13
Berlin Wall Falls
The Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin since 1961, was brought down by crowds of Germans in 1989.
14
Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
In 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, releasing massive radiation across Europe.
15
First Cell Phones Sold in the U.S.
In 1983, Motorola released the DynaTAC 8000X, the first commercially available mobile phone.
16
Nintendo Game Boy Released
Nintendo launched the handheld Game Boy console in 1989, revolutionizing portable gaming and selling millions worldwide.
17
Aleksei Arkhipovich Becomes the First Person to Spend a Year in Space
In 1987, cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov spent over 365 days aboard the Mir space station.
18
DNA Used in Criminal Case for First Time
In 1986, DNA fingerprinting was used for the first time to solve a criminal case in the UK.
