Decades Timeline Project by Patrick Riccobene

February 22nd, 1980 - Miracle On Ice

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-11 15:29:00 UTC

In 1980 the United States hockey team accomplished the impossible and beat the Soviet Union who had won the last 4 years. It was a time of great pride in the US for beating their enemy in their own sport.

July 25th, 1980 - Back in Black: ACDC

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-11 17:11:11 UTC

In 1980, ACDC released the album Back in Black, which quickly rose to the second to the second best selling album of the decade. In total, they sold over 19.1 million copies, cementing their music as a staple of the 1980s.

May 21st, 1980 - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-11 17:11:32 UTC

Surpassed by only E.T, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was the second highest grossing film of the 1980s (worldwide), bringing over 550 million at the box office. Their success, due in part to a risky gamble by the films director, set the standard for sequels everywhere. It also ended with one of the greatest cliffhangers in cinematic history.

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-11 17:47:22 UTC

April 2nd, 1982 to Jun 14th, 1982 - The Falklands War

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-11 23:07:40 UTC

Fought over control of the Falkland Islands, the Falklands War was an undeclared conflict between the United Kingdom & Argentina, occurring over the span of two months. The Islands, which had been under British control for over 140 years, has long been disputed by Argentine government, who argued that it was their sovereign territory. Suffering a defeat to the British, the military dictatorship in charge of Argentine agreed to step down, with countries first free election in 37 years occurring shortly afterwards. Diplomatic relations between two nations were restored in 1989, after a meeting in Madrid, although neither side changed their stance on the issue.

November 30th, 1982 - Thriller: Michael Jackson

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-12 14:58:06 UTC

In 1982 the best selling studio album ever was made. Thriller by Michael Jackson is considered one of the best albums ever made by one of the best performers in music history.

January 26th, 1986 - Historic 1985 Bears win Super Bowl

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-12 15:09:14 UTC

In what was considered to be the most dominant performance by any team in history, the 1985 Bears finished off their near perfect record with a dominant 46-10 victory over the Patriots in the Superbowl. Solidifying them as being known as one of if not the most dominant roster in NFL history.

April 10th-13th, 1986 - Jack Nicklaus wins record 18th Major win at The Masters

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-12 15:14:38 UTC

In 1986 Jack Nicklaus did the impossible and won his 18th major expanding his lead even further (second being Tiger with 15) he did this in spectacular fashion winning by just 1 stroke leading to an exciting game for spectators. He also became the oldest major winner and solidified himself as the best golf player to live with his only competitor for this title being Tiger Woods.

April 26th, 1986 - Chernobyl Disaster

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-13 03:33:09 UTC

Occuring in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was the worst nuclear incident of 20th century. On April 26th, 1986, reactor no. 4 at the Chernobyl Power Plant exploded, threatening the spread to radioactive elements which could make Eastern Europe uninhabitable. The fallout of the reactor's meltdown left the immediate surrounding area uninhabitable, and cost the Soviets millions in clean up operations, speeding up the collapse of their already strained nation.

April 24th, 1989 - Full Moon Fever

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-13 03:38:27 UTC

An iconic album from an iconic artist. Full Moon Fever spawned many hits including the famous Free Fallin' and I won't back down. It became 5x certified platinum and sold over 5 million copies in the US alone. It solidifed Tom Petty as one of the greatest musicians in rock.

June 23rd, 1989 - Batman

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 11:52:04 UTC

In 1989 the first live action Batman movie aired. It was a hit becoming the second highest grossing movie after Indiana Jones. This success opened the way to not just more Batman movies but more comic book super hero movies too.

June 11th, 1982 - E.T the Extraterrestrial

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-13 14:04:38 UTC

In 1982, the highest gross film of the 1980s was released. Earning high praise from critics & fans alike, the filmed earned 796 million at the box office, and though never spawning a sequel, became embroidered with 1980s culture.

November 9th, Fall of the Berlin Wall

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 14:59:37 UTC

One of the most important moments of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall made it clear the Soviet Union was approaching its demise. After being divided for more than 40 years, Germany and Berlin alike were reunited as monuments to their division, such as the Berlin wall, were torn down. Citizens from both sides united, as Germany, and other Eastern European states, gained their independence.

Fads - Neon Lights

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 15:10:47 UTC

After falling out of fashion after the 60s, neon lights saw a large reemergence in the 80s leading to the decade being associated often with bright lights and bright colors. With streets being littered with neon signs and lights.

Fads - Sony Walkmans

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 15:15:16 UTC

Everybody loves music, and the walkman was a new and easy way for people to listen to their favorite music while out of the house. All you had to do was slip a cassette in and now you had a portable radio on you at all times.

Fads - Leg Warmers

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 15:18:54 UTC

Fashion during the 80s was iconic and the most iconic of those styles being the bright and vibrant leg warmers that are so often associated with the decade. They were popular due to media at the time and the craze for aerobics at the time.

Personal Computers

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-13 15:26:22 UTC

The invention of the Personal Computer trace its roots back to the late 1970s, yet the 1980s represents the first time they saw widespread use & adoption. Over the course of decade, Personal Computers made their way into the household of everyday people, becoming more capable as the decade went on.

Cellphones

ezhang27_5_1 — 2024-06-13 15:27:44 UTC

Similarly to the Personal Computers, cellphones began to proliferate among the general public, becoming widespread as they decade went on. Unlike land phones of the past, Cellphones, while bulky, could be taken anywhere, and needed no outside applications to function, making them ideal for when on the move.

Technological Advancements - Video Game Advancements

priccobene27_1_1 — 2024-06-13 15:29:45 UTC

During the 80s video games began to really take form. With the decade opening with the iconic pac man arcade game. That opened a way for video games to advance. Then half way through the nes came out and that changed video game systems forever. Not to mention as the decade closed the gameboy released allowing you to play games right out of your pocket.