Category Archives: 1980s

Thousands of shipyard workers in Poland strike for their rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980)

1980s


Video: '14th August 1980: Lech Walesa leads Gda?sk shipyard workers on strike'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980, 6:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time) — Thousands of workers at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, staged a successful strike today to protest the Aug. 7, 1980, dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz, a crane operator and workers’ rights activist, in a job action resulted in creation of Solidarity, the first independent labor union in a Soviet-bloc country. Continue reading Thousands of shipyard workers in Poland strike for their rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980) →

Ted Kennedy delivers ‘The Dream Shall Never Die’ speech at Democratic Convention 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '"The Dream Shall Never Die" Ted Kennedy DNC 1980'

(Tuesday, August 12, 1980, approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT; the 1980 Democratic National Convention) — U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, having withdrawn his challenge to President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 11, delivered his “The Dream Shall Never Die” speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, calling for Democrats to “keep the faith” with their traditional principles.

Kennedy defended post-World War II liberalism, advocated for a national healthcare insurance model, criticized Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan and implicitly rebuked Carter for his more moderate political stances.

“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end,” Kennedy said as he concluded the speech. “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

The address has been remembered by some as Kennedy’s best speeches, and one of the most influential orations of the era.

John Lennon tracks ‘I’m Losing You’ with Cheap Trick 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980)

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


Video: 'John Lennon; Cheap Trick - I'm Losing You [Extended Version]'

(Tuesday, August 12, 1980; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon, who returned to the recording studio last week after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracked “I’m Losing You” with Cheap Trick’s guitarist Rick Nielsen and drummer Bun E. Carlos backing Lennon today in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon tracks ‘I’m Losing You’ with Cheap Trick 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980) →

Ringo Starr resumes recording ‘Stop and Smell the Roses’ LP in North Hollywood 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 11 1980)

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


Video: 'Ringo Starr - Red and Black Blues'

(Monday, August 11, 1980; during sessions for Stop and Smell the Roses) — English rock musician and former Beatle Ringo Starr began a second round of recording sessions for Stop and Smell the Roses, his eighth studio album, today with Stephen Stills at Devonshire Sound Studios at 10733 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood, California. Continue reading Ringo Starr resumes recording ‘Stop and Smell the Roses’ LP in North Hollywood 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 11 1980) →

‘Empire Strikes Back (Medley)’ by Meco peaks at #18 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 9, 1980) — “Empire Strikes Back (Medley)” by Meco peaked at #18 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Empire Strikes Back (Medley)’ by Meco peaks at #18 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980) →

‘I Can’t Let Go’ by Linda Ronstadt peaks at #31 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 9, 1980) — “I Can’t Let Go” by Linda Ronstadt peaked at #31 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘I Can’t Let Go’ by Linda Ronstadt peaks at #31 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980) →

John Lennon tracks ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘Nobody Told Me’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1980)

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


Video: 'The Lost Lennon Tapes Volume 7' ('Borrowed Time' alternate studio take, 3:01)

(Friday, August 8, 1980, 2:00 p.m. EDT; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon, who returned to the recording studio yesterday after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracked “Borrowed Time” and “Nobody Told Me” today at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon tracks ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘Nobody Told Me’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1980) →

John Lennon returns to recording studio after five-year absence 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1980)

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


Video: 'John Lennon - I'm Stepping Out [outtake]'

(Thursday, August 7, 1980, 2:00 p.m. EDT; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon returned to the recording studio today after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracking “I’m Stepping Out” in a sixth floor recording studio at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon returns to recording studio after five-year absence 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1980) →

‘Magic’ by Olivia Newton-John peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 2, 1980) — “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Aug. 2/9/16/23, 1980). Continue reading ‘Magic’ by Olivia Newton-John peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1980) →

Deposed Shah of Iran dies in Egypt 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1980)

1980s


Video: 'ABC News - America Held Hostage: The Iran Crisis' (July 27, 1980, at 38:25)

(Sunday, July 27, 1980, 9:50 a.m. local time; day 267 of the Iranian hostage crisis) — The deposed Shah of Iran, Mohammed Riza Pahlevi, 60, died today in an Egyptian military hospital, an embittered international outcast 18 months after being driven from his throne. Continue reading Deposed Shah of Iran dies in Egypt 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1980) →