Category Archives: 1980s

520 people killed in world’s worst single-aircraft disaster 40 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1985)

1980s


Video: 'JAL 123 Stayed Airborne for 30 Minutes Without its Tail Fin ? Air Disasters | Smithsonian Channel'

(Monday, August 12, 1985, 6:56 p.m. Japan Standard Time) — A Japan Air Lines Boeing 747 with 524 people aboard crashed into a mountain northwest of Tokyo tonight after suffering a catastrophic structural failure and rapid decompression minutes after takeoff, killing 520 in the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history. Continue reading 520 people killed in world’s worst single-aircraft disaster 40 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1985) →

Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney for The Beatles’ publishing catalog 40 years ago today (Aug 10 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Vh1 - Greatest Shocking Moments (P. McCartney & M. Jackson)'

(Saturday, August 10, 1985) — Michael Jackson outbid Paul McCartney today for the ATV music publishing catalog, which included many Beatles songs, paying $47.5 million dollars. Continue reading Michael Jackson outbids Paul McCartney for The Beatles’ publishing catalog 40 years ago today (Aug 10 1985) →

‘Shout’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 3, 1985) — “Shout” by Tears for Fears peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Aug. 3/10/17, 1985). Continue reading ‘Shout’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985) →

‘If You Love Somebody Set Them Free’ by Sting peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 3, 1985) — “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” by Sting peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘If You Love Somebody Set Them Free’ by Sting peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985) →

‘Glory Days’ by Bruce Springsteen peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 3, 1985) — “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Glory Days’ by Bruce Springsteen peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985) →

‘Get It On (Bang a Gong)’ by Power Station peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 3, 1985) — “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” by Power Station peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Get It On (Bang a Gong)’ by Power Station peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985) →

137 killed as Delta jet crashes landing at DFW 40 years ago this hour (Aug 2 1985)

1980s


Video: 'Delta Air Lines Flight 191 News Reports'

(Friday, August 2, 1985, 6:05 p.m. CDT) — 137 people were killed today when Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, crashed and exploded in a fireball while attempting to land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in a violent thunderstorm. Continue reading 137 killed as Delta jet crashes landing at DFW 40 years ago this hour (Aug 2 1985) →

Challenger limps into a low orbit as an engine fails 40 years ago this hour (July 29 1985)

1980s, space exploration


Video: 'STS-51F launch, abort & landing (7-29-85)'

(Monday, July 29, 1985, 5:00 p.m. EDT) — The space shuttle Challenger began an 8-day mission today that got off to a shaky start: the spacecraft achieved a safe orbit even though one of its main engines shut down prematurely after lift-off. Continue reading Challenger limps into a low orbit as an engine fails 40 years ago this hour (July 29 1985) →

‘Everytime You Go Away’ by Paul Young peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (July 27 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 27, 1985) — “Everytime You Go Away” by Paul Young peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Everytime You Go Away’ by Paul Young peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (July 27 1985) →

‘Your Love Is King’ by Sade peaks at #54 in USA 40 years ago today (July 27 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 27, 1985) — “Your Love Is King” by Sade peaked at #54 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Your Love Is King’ by Sade peaks at #54 in USA 40 years ago today (July 27 1985) →