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Welcome to the We Love the Eighties Community

This community is dedicated to the music, movies, television, games, radio, and pop culture that defined the 1980s. It is a place for people who lived the decade, as well as those who appreciate what made it unforgettable. Members use this forum to check in during live radio blocks, share weekly listening memories, and talk about what the music, shows, and moments of the 80s bring back for them. Guests are welcome to browse selected discussions, while full participation requires registration. If you would like to understand the intent behind this community and how it is curated, you can read more here: About This Community. Explore current conversations, share your memories, and take part in a community built around real 80s experiences.

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  1. On This Day December 20 1984 – Jonelle Matthews Disappeared From Her Home in Greeley Colorado

    On This Day December 20 1984 – Jonelle Matthews Disappeared From Her Home in Greeley Colorado

    On this day December 20 1984 twelve year old Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her home in Greeley Colorado, launching a long and heartbreaking investigation that lasted decades. She vanished shortly after being dropped off at her house following a school choir performance, and despite extensive...
  2. On This Day December 20 1984 – A Freight Train Carrying Over 1 Million Liters of Gasoline Derailed in Todmorden England

    On This Day December 20 1984 – A Freight Train Carrying Over 1 Million Liters of Gasoline Derailed in Todmorden England

    On this day December 20 1984 a freight train carrying more than one million liters of gasoline derailed in Todmorden England, creating a dangerous situation that required immediate emergency response. The derailment led to a massive spill and significant fire risk as crews worked to contain the...
  3. On This Day December 12 1985 – Arrow Flight 1285 Crashed After Takeoff in Gander Newfoundland

    On This Day December 12 1985 – Arrow Flight 1285 Crashed After Takeoff in Gander Newfoundland

    On this day December 12 1985 Arrow Flight 1285 crashed shortly after takeoff in Gander Newfoundland, resulting in the loss of all 256 people on board. Among the victims were 236 members of the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division who were returning home after a peacekeeping deployment...
  4. On This Day December 12 1988 – Three Commuter Trains Crashed in the United Kingdom

    On This Day December 12 1988 – Three Commuter Trains Crashed in the United Kingdom

    On this day December 12 1988 three commuter trains crashed in the United Kingdom, creating one of the most serious rail disasters of the decade. The collision occurred during the busy morning rush when a train passed a signal and struck another, leading to a third being hit moments later. The...
  5. On This Day December 11 1984 – Bucks Fizz's Tour Bus Crashed

    On This Day December 11 1984 – Bucks Fizz's Tour Bus Crashed

    On this day December 11 1984 Bucks Fizz's tour bus crashed in a serious accident that left multiple members of the group injured during a late night return from a performance. The crash caused significant damage and resulted in hospitalizations as the group faced a sudden and frightening...
  6. On This Day December 8 1980 – John Lennon Was Murdered in New York City

    On This Day December 8 1980 – John Lennon Was Murdered in New York City

    On this day December 8 1980 John Lennon was murdered outside The Dakota apartment building in New York City. He was returning home when he was approached and shot by Mark David Chapman, ending the life of one of the most influential figures in modern music. Lennon’s death sent shockwaves across...
  7. On This Day December 8 1988 – A United States Aircraft Crashed Into an Apartment Complex in Remscheid Germany

    On This Day December 8 1988 – A United States Aircraft Crashed Into an Apartment Complex in Remscheid Germany

    On this day December 8 1988 a United States military aircraft crashed into an apartment complex in Remscheid Germany, causing a devastating impact in a residential neighborhood. The crash resulted in the deaths of five people and left fifty others injured as the explosion and debris spread...
  8. On This Day December 7 1982 – Texas Inmate Charles Brooks Jr Became the First Person Executed by Lethal Injection in the United States

    On This Day December 7 1982 – Texas Inmate Charles Brooks Jr Became the First Person Executed by Lethal Injection in the United States

    On this day December 7 1982 Charles Brooks Jr became the first person in the United States to be executed by lethal injection. The execution took place in Texas and marked a historic shift in the methods used for capital punishment. The event drew national attention as the country watched the...
  9. On This Day December 7 1987 – Deadly Flight Attack Killed All 43 Aboard

    On This Day December 7 1987 – Deadly Flight Attack Killed All 43 Aboard

    On this day December 7 1987 a tragic event occurred on the Pacific Southwest Airlines 1171 flight traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles when a disgruntled employee David August Burke fatally shot his former boss and the two pilots before causing the plane to crash. The violent act took...
    • Pete
    • News story
    • 80s events 80s news 80s tragedy david august burke pacific southwest airlines 1171
    • Category: On This Day in 80s News
  10. On This Day December 4 1988 – Singer Roy Orbison Performed His Last Concert Before Dying of a Heart Attack on December 6 1988

    On This Day December 4 1988 – Singer Roy Orbison Performed His Last Concert Before Dying of a Heart Attack on December 6 1988

    On this day December 4 1988 Roy Orbison performed what would become the final concert of his legendary career in Akron Ohio. The performance showed his enduring vocal strength and deep connection with audiences who had followed him since the early years of rock and roll. His presence on stage...
  11. On This Day December 4 1980 – Duran Duran Signed a Contract With EMI After Touring as the Opening Act For Hazel O'Connor

    On This Day December 4 1980 – Duran Duran Signed a Contract With EMI After Touring as the Opening Act For Hazel O'Connor

    On this day December 4 1980 Duran Duran took a major step forward in their career by signing with EMI after gaining momentum as the opening act for Hazel O'Connor. Their growing stage presence and rising popularity helped them secure the opportunity that would soon establish them as one of the...
  12. On This Day December 2 1988 – Benazir Bhutto Was Sworn In as Prime Minister of Pakistan

    On This Day December 2 1988 – Benazir Bhutto Was Sworn In as Prime Minister of Pakistan

    On this day December 2 1988 Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as the new prime minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to lead the government of an Islam dominated state. Her inauguration marked a historic shift in global politics and signaled a breakthrough moment for leadership...
  13. On This Day December 2 1980 – Four American Missionaries Were Killed by a Death Squad in El Salvador

    On This Day December 2 1980 – Four American Missionaries Were Killed by a Death Squad in El Salvador

    On this day December 2 1980 four American missionaries were killed by a death squad in El Salvador. The attack became one of the most shocking events of the early 80s, drawing worldwide attention to the rising violence and political turmoil within the country. The incident highlighted the...
  14. On This Day December 1 1988 – World AIDS Day Was Recognized Worldwide for the First Time

    On This Day December 1 1988 – World AIDS Day Was Recognized Worldwide for the First Time

    On this day December 1 1988 World AIDS Day was recognized worldwide for the first time. The global observance marked an important moment in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS at a time when the epidemic was heavily stigmatized and widely misunderstood. Communities, organizations, and health...
  15. On This Day November 23 1981 – President Reagan Signed NSDD 17

    On This Day November 23 1981 – President Reagan Signed NSDD 17

    On this day November 23 1981 President Reagan signed NSDD 17, a directive that authorized the CIA to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The decision marked a major shift in United States foreign policy during the early 80s as the government intensified its involvement in Central...
  16. On This Day November 22 1987 – Two Chicago TV Stations Were Hijacked by a Pirate Dressed like Max Headroom

    On This Day November 22 1987 – Two Chicago TV Stations Were Hijacked by a Pirate Dressed like Max Headroom

    On this day November 22 1987 two Chicago TV stations were hijacked by a broadcast intruder dressed like Max Headroom. The bizarre interruption shocked viewers as the pirate broke into regular programming with distorted audio, chaotic movement, and the unmistakable look of the digital themed...
  17. On This Day November 21 1980 – The MGM Grand in Las Vegas Caught Fire

    On This Day November 21 1980 – The MGM Grand in Las Vegas Caught Fire

    On this day November 21 1980 the MGM Grand in Las Vegas caught fire, resulting in the worst disaster in Nevada history. The blaze spread rapidly through the resort, overwhelming the building and leading to a large scale emergency response that shocked the nation. The tragedy exposed major safety...
  18. On This Day November 19 1980 – CBS Banned Brooke Shields Commercial Do You Know What Comes Between Me and My Calvins?

    On This Day November 19 1980 – CBS Banned Brooke Shields Commercial Do You Know What Comes Between Me and My Calvins?

    On this day November 19 1980 CBS banned the Brooke Shields commercial Do You Know What Comes Between Me and My Calvins? The decision drew major national attention as the ad had already become one of the most talked about marketing moments of the decade. Its bold tone and memorable line pushed...
  19. On This Day November 19 1985 – Pennzoil Won a $10.53 Billion Judgment Against Texaco

    On This Day November 19 1985 – Pennzoil Won a $10.53 Billion Judgment Against Texaco

    On this day November 19 1985 Pennzoil won a $10.53 billion judgment against Texaco. The case became one of the most significant legal battles of the decade as it centered on a high profile dispute over corporate agreements and competitive interference. The size of the judgment drew national...
  20. On This Day November 18 1988 – President Ronald Reagan Signed the Bill Allowing the Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers

    On This Day November 18 1988 – President Ronald Reagan Signed the Bill Allowing the Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers

    On this day November 18 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill on this day in 1988 that expanded federal penalties and allowed the death penalty for certain drug trafficking offenses. This action was part of a broader national effort aimed at strengthening federal responses to drug related...
    • Pete
    • News story
    • 80s events 80s history 80s news president reagan signed drug penalty bill
    • Category: On This Day in 80s News
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