Category Archives: 1980s

‘Old’ Coke coming back after outcry by faithful 40 years ago today (July 10 1985)


Video: 'Old Coke Returns in New Orleans 7/11/85 WWL-TV'

(Wednesday, July 10, 1985) — In one of the most stunning about-faces in the history of marketing, the Coca-Cola Company yielded to thousands of irate consumers and said today it would resume selling old-formula Coke that it scrapped three months ago, while continuing to sell New Coke.

French intelligence agents sink Greenpeace protest ship in Auckland, New Zealand 30 years ago this hour (July 10 1985)


Video: 'The Boat and the Bomb (2005) - full length version'

(Wednesday, July 10, 1985, 11:38 p.m. NZST) — The Greenpeace protest ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk tonight with explosives in Auckland, New Zealand, by the “action” branch of the French foreign intelligence services.

‘Back to the Future’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour (July 3 1985)


Video: 'Back to the Future' trailer

(Wednesday, July 3, 1985, 12 noon EDT)Back to the Future, a comic science fiction film about a young man who travels into the past and almost keeps his parents from getting married, opened today at Loew’s State Twin in Times Square, New York City. Continue reading ‘Back to the Future’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour (July 3 1985)

Yul Brynner performs in ‘The King and I’ on Broadway for final time 40 years ago this hour (June 30 1985)

Video: '"The King And I" (Commercial For Final Yul Brynner Performances, 1985)'

(Sunday, June 30, 1985, 7:00 p.m. EDT) — Yul Brynner performed for the last time tonight as the King of Siam in The King and I at Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (near 53rd Street) in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York. Continue reading Yul Brynner performs in ‘The King and I’ on Broadway for final time 40 years ago this hour (June 30 1985)

39 American hostages freed 17 days after TWA Flight 847 hijacking 40 years ago this hour (June 30 1985)


Video: 'ABC News — 17 Days of Terror: The Hijack of TWA 847'

(Sunday, June 30, 1985, their release began at 5:45 p.m. Eastern European Summer Time; during TWA Flight 847) — Thirty-nine Americans were freed today by their Lebanese Shiite captors in Beirut, then were driven here in a convoy organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Continue reading 39 American hostages freed 17 days after TWA Flight 847 hijacking 40 years ago this hour (June 30 1985)

Mick Jagger, David Bowie record ‘Dancing In The Street’ 40 years ago this hour (June 29 1985)


Video: 'David Bowie & Mick Jagger - Dancing In The Street - Remaster'

(Saturday, June 29, 1985, approximately 6:00 p.m. British Summer Time) — Mick Jagger and David Bowie recorded a new version of “Dancing In The Streettoday at at Westside Studios in London to raise money for the Live Aid famine relief cause. Continue reading Mick Jagger, David Bowie record ‘Dancing In The Street’ 40 years ago this hour (June 29 1985)

‘Into the Groove’ by Madonna tops USA dance club chart 40 years ago today (June 29 1985)

(Saturday, June 29, 1985) — “Into The Groove” by Madonna peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Into the Groove’ by Madonna tops USA dance club chart 40 years ago today (June 29 1985)