Time Traveling Through the 1980s: Picture-Perfect Memories
By Jack Ripley | April 12, 2024
Aerobics Set Hearts Pounding
Neon colors, ripped jeans, and spandex: these were the hallmarks of the 1980s. Although some may consider the decade to be a lackluster era historically, the photo gallery below says otherwise. The decade spawned new fitness crazes, fresh works of artistic expression, and historic moments unique to the times. Here, we capture the essence of what made this era in history unique and compelling.
Hollywood celebrity Jane Fonda helped make aerobics a major fitness craze of the 1980s. Her aerobics videos became legendary, inspiring millions to sign on to the exercise routine. Her workouts combined dance, heart health, and strength training, all set to popular '80s tunes.
Aerobics combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines. It aims to improve flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic exercise modulates breathing and regulates the amount of oxygen that reaches the muscles, helping to burn energy. It also strengthens your heart muscle, improves lung function, and promotes better circulation throughout your body.
Aerobics gurus held classes in church basements and fitness clubs, on TV, and via VHS tapes. Music was an important part of the package, with songs like "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, ”Jump” by Van Halen, "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, and "Physical” by Olivia Newton-John.
Lighting Up the 80s With Neon
In the 1980s, neon colors burst onto the scene, painting the era in a bright, vibrant light. It was a marked departure from the hippie trend of the early 70s and the disco sequins and velvet of the mid and late 70s.
The decade's biggest pop stars, from Madonna to Michael Jackson, embraced the neon trends with their bold fashion choices. MTV followed their lead and jazzed up their game with electric hues. Well-known 1980s fashion models such as Cheryl Tiegs and Cindy Crawford endorsed the neon craze, too, both on and off the runway.
Hollywood harnessed neon's futuristic allure as well. Popular sci-fi flicks of the 1980s, like "Bladerunner" and "Tron," featured color-rich scenes bathed in neon lights. Even high school rom-coms left disco behind, opting instead for the flash of neon clothing.
MTV Celebrated Spring Break in the 1980s
MTV Spring Break was an annual tradition on MTV, a cable network channel. Each year, the channel covered spring break festivities in Florida and other beach locations where college students flocked from throughout the country. The music channel staged performances from artists and bands to add to the fun.
MTV began its Spring Break coverage in 1986 at Daytona Beach. It was broadcast live for a week in March. During this time, the channel went live for eight hours per day.
The idea was to be part of the youth culture event and connect with the people who watched MTV. Daytona Beach became the hub for spring breakers, and MTV captured the energy and excitement of the festivities, which included beachside concerts by popular bands and plenty of sunshine.
Hulkamania: A Cultural Phenomenon
Hulk Hogan, who inspired Hulkamania, rose to worldwide fame after signing with the World Wrestling Federation in 1983. Born in 1953 as Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan's persona as a heroic all-American athlete helped usher in the 1980s professional wrestling boom. It all began when Hogan captured his first WWE World Championship in 1984.
Hulk continued to dominate professional wrestling throughout the decade, becoming a five-time WWF Champion. His 1,474-day championship reign was the longest of the WrestleMania era. The word "Hulkamania" describes the wave of emotions and excitement that Hogan evoked from fans with his sheer presence, electrifying promos and memorable matches. His match with Andre the Giant on WWF in 1988 still holds American television viewership records for wrestling.
Dancing With Bears: The Superbowl Shuffle
The Super Bowl Shuffle is a legendary rap song that is an icon of the 80s. Released by the Chicago Bears in 1985, it predates the professional football team's historic 1986 win in Super Bowl XX. Team members conceived, wrote, and, as the photo shows, performed The Super Bowl Shuffle. They were the first NFL team to do so.
The Bears recorded the song early in December 1985. The hip-hop tune was catchy and sold more than 500,000 copies by the following February, placing it at number 41 on the top 100 music charts. It even received a Grammy nomination for the best R&B performance by a group.
During The Superbowl Shuffle, various Bears delivered their own raps on playing football and their Super Bowl dreams of glory. The viral success of the song became a driving force that propelled the team to championship status. It also raised more than $300,000 for the Chicago Community Trust, which provides essentials to families in need.
Shopping Malls Were Social Centers
Before the era of online social media, shopping malls in the 1980s were popular places to spend time with friends. Malls served as more than mere retail centers; they were social spaces where people came to see and be seen. Many shopping malls scheduled special events to encourage people to visit often. Some had movie theaters, skating rinks, and arcades where people could spend quality time.
Families, teenagers, and friends gathered to indulge in the latest trends, entertainment, and culinary delights. From caramel corn to dinner fare, malls aimed to incorporate as many amenities as possible so that patrons could make a day of a trip to the mall. For those who lived through it, the mall experience was unforgettable.
J.C. Penney, Sears, Macy's, Orange Julius, Waldenbooks, and K.B. Toys were among the iconic stores in a typical 1980s mall. All-inclusive shopping centers like West Edmonton Mall in Alberta were popular vacation destinations, too, boasting waterparks, rides, fine dining, and hotels.
Drive-Through Photo Processing Booths Offered Quick Turnaround
In the 1980s, before the era of digital photography and instant uploads, most towns had one or more drive-through photo processing booths. They offered quick, convenient processing for turning old-style rolls of film into paper photo prints. Drivers could pull up beside the photo booth and hand their rolls of negatives through a window to the attendant. When the prints were ready, typically within a day or two, customers would pick them up and pay.
The Fotomat in the picture offered a very popular one-day turnaround on photo printing. At the company's peak around 1980, there were more than 4,000 Fotomats throughout the United States, primarily in suburban areas. Fotomats were distinctive for their pyramid-shaped roofs and signs with blue and red lettering.
The Cola Wars: Battle of the Titans
The 1980s Cola Wars were an intense battle between soft-drink giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for dominance in the soda pop market. Both companies already had a long track record when the Cola Wars erupted. Coca-Cola, dating back to 1886, was invented by a pharmacist in Columbus, Georgia. Pepsi-Cola, born in 1893, emerged from North Carolina when a pharmacist rebranded his sugar drink as "Pepsi-Cola."
The 1980s and 1990s saw both companies engage in high-profile marketing battles. Pepsi's youthful, irreverent ads contrasted with Coca-Cola's timeless appeal. From celebrity endorsements to catchy jingles, advertising fueled the rivalry. Pepsi's sweeter, syrupy flavor won hearts in taste tests. Coke, while still outselling Pepsi, faced a declining market share.
In an attempt to bolster sales, Coca-Cola released a reformulated version of its product, known as New Coke. The pushback from enthusiasts was swift and vocal. Consumers demanded a return to the cola's original taste. Surprisingly, the New Coke fiasco actually boosted Coca-Cola's sales, reaffirming its position as the largest-selling soda.
Hair Metal: Rock Music with Glitz and Glam
Hair metal, also known as glam metal, was a subgenre of heavy metal that emerged in the late 1970s and gained acclaim during the 1980s. The genre combined elements of traditional heavy metal, hard rock, and punk rock into a uniquely 1980s phenomenon.
Acts like Whitesnake and Def Leppard inspired the fusion of glam aesthetics with a heavier musical sound. Early bands included Mötley Crüe, Hanoi Rocks, Night Ranger, and Quiet Riot. Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, and Dokken also contributed to the movement.
Songs featured pop-influenced hooks, upbeat rock anthems like AC-DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," and slow power ballads such as "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison. Guitar shred solos were frequent features in Hair Metal music.
Hair metal bands often wore glitzy, tight clothes with spandex, leather, and lace. Some, like KISS, wore heavy makeup. Big hair was common among many Hair Metal bands, like Cinderella, which was in keeping with their more glamorous aesthetic.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall Removed the East-West Divide
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, marked the end of a divided Germany and the opening of the so-called Iron Curtain that separated the USSR from the free world. It was one of the pivotal events that initiated the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe, following the Solidarity Movement in Poland.
The wall, built in 1961, was a relic of the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR. At 155 meters or about 508 feet long, the concrete barrier was a way for the Eastern Bloc to prevent people from escaping to the West.
On November 9, 1989, the head of the East German Communist Party announced that citizens of the GDR could cross the border whenever they pleased. Ecstatic crowds swarmed the wall that night. Some crossed freely into West Berlin, while others brought hammers and picks, chipping away at the wall itself.
Chernobyl Disaster: Nuclear Winter
The Chernobyl disaster began on April 26, 1986, when the plant's No. 4 reactor exploded. Chernobyl is located in the northern reaches of the USSR. The calamity was rated a seven, which is the maximum severity, on the International Nuclear Event Scale, making it one of the worst nuclear incidents in history. Only one other disaster has reached that mark. The emergency response and cleanup involved more than 500,000 personnel and cost roughly $68 billion.
The explosion and fire released large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere, which drifted over many parts of Europe. Up to 50 people were killed in the initial explosions, and dozens more contracted serious radiation sickness and died.
"Just Say No" Anti-Drug Campaign Attempted to Raise Awareness
The photo shows former First Lady Nancy Reagan, who spearheaded the 1980s "Just Say No" campaign. "Just Say No" was an anti-drug initiative prevalent during the 1980s and early 1990s. It aimed to discourage children from engaging in illegal recreational drug use by promoting a simple message: Say no to drugs.
Nancy Reagan traveled across the country to endorse the campaign. She appeared on television news programs, talk shows, and public service announcements. The first lady also visited drug rehabilitation centers to promote the "Just Say No" message.
Surveys suggest that the campaign led to a significant increase in public concern over the country's drug problem. In 1985, only 2% to 6% of Americans saw drug abuse as the nation's "number one problem." By 1989, that number jumped to 64%. However, its effect as far as stopping youth from using drugs was not as successful.
The Breakdancing Craze
Breakdancing in the 1980s was a unique, dynamic type of dancing that emerged from the streets of New York City. Also known as b-boy or breaking, it became a cultural phenomenon by virtue of its acrobatic moves, creativity, and novelty. With roots in the Bronx during the late 1970s, break dancing had influences from hip-hop, funk, and soul music. African Americans and Latinos first created the style, which required a combination of athletic and dancing abilities.
Key elements of break dancing in the 80s include toprock, standing dance steps; downrock, complicated floor moves like spins and freezes; powermoves such as head spins and flips; and cyphers that showcased the dancer's skills. The typical breakdancing uniform included baggy pants, track jackets, and sneakers. Headbands, windbreakers, and bucket hats were optional, and accessories like gold chains completed the look.
Dancers engaged in dance battles to prove their skills. These competitions took place in parks, clubs, and street corners.
Jazzercise: A High-Energy Exercise
Jazzercise emerged in the 1980s as one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country. It is an intensive combination of exercise and dance moves that provides a full-body workout. Drawing from hip-hop music, Pilates, kickboxing, and strength training, Jazzercise brought it all together with jazzy, upbeat music.
People could attend sessions at community centers, grange halls, church activity rooms, and fitness centers. Dressed in brightly colored leotards and tights, Jazzercise participants could burn up to 800 calories in a one-hour class. They also enjoyed cardiovascular benefits.
Reaganomics: A Recipe for Economic Growth
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his advisors created a trickle-down economic policy during his presidency in the 80s. Commonly known as Reaganomics, this policy aimed to stimulate economic growth. Key features included cutting taxes, cutting down on government spending, and reducing government constraints on businesses.
Toward the goal of supporting small businesses, the administration cut individual income taxes and capital gains taxes. The idea was that, with the surplus cash, entrepreneurs could start businesses to support local economies. Additionally, by reducing restrictive business regulations, Reagan hoped to further encourage entrepreneurship. By slowing the rise of government spending, Reaganomics aimed to create a more efficient economy nationwide. Smaller government would increase the efficiency of the economy, the Reagan administration reasoned.
Also, Reaganomics affected The Federal Reserve. The goal was to combat inflation by limiting the money supply. With less money in circulation, prices would be less likely to rise. Some credit Reaganomics with slowing inflation and building stronger GDP growth. However, critics point out that it widened the economic gap and tripled the nation's economic debt.
Space Shuttle Challenger Launch: A National Tragedy
NASA successfully launched its first space shuttle orbiter, Columbia, in 1981. The Space Shuttle Challenger was the second ship in the program, which took off from the Kennedy Space Center on January 28, 1986.
Tragically, just 73 seconds after liftoff, Challenger disintegrated in mid-air, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members aboard. The O-rings that sealed the solid rocket booster failed, and the propellent leaked out, causing the devastating explosion.
In addition to astronauts Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, and Gregory Jarvis, school-teacher Christa McAuliffe was making the voyage in a historic departure from protocol. The Challenger incident put the Space Shuttle Program on hold for the following three years as NASA engineers struggled to rectify the problem.
The Miami Vice Phenomenon
From 1984 to 1989, the television cop show "Miami Vice" broke new ground in its genre and the entertainment industry. The dramatic crime series aired on NBC and featured actors Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, as seen in the photo, as two undercover detectives working the Miami crime scene. The writers loosely based many episodes on actual Miami crimes.
As a refreshing departure from the standard crime shows of the day, the show incorporated cutting-edge cultural practices and fashion-forward themes. It also made use of contemporary pop and rock and roll music, as well as avant-garde visuals. It was among the first shows of its kind to broadcast in stereo.
Most of the Miami Vice episodes focus on busting drug trafficking and prostitution. Due to its unique vibe, the show received 15 Emmy nominations during its premier season.
From Donkey Kong to Pac-Man: The Golden Age of Arcade Video Games
The late 1970s and early 1980s constitute the golden age of arcade video games. They span the era of rapid growth in popularity as well as the technological development of arcade-style video games.
The introduction of the game Space Invaders in 1978 was the jumping-off point for the era. Created by the Taito company in Japan, the game involved eliminating ongoing waves of alien spacecraft with a laser cannon. The player stood in front of the screen, racking up points as the aliens went down.
Galaxian and Asteroids quickly followed, taking advantage of Space Invader's resounding reception. In contrast to older, black-and-white arcade games, those rising to prominence in the 1980s featured brightly colored screens and sharper computer graphics.
More arcade games that claimed top spots in this era include Centipede and Frogger, which made full use of the brighter graphics. The primary genres in the golden age of arcade games include space-based shoot-em-ups like Space Invaders, maze races like Pac-Man, car racing games such as Turbo, and platform games like Donkey Kong.
The Modern-Day "Black Monday" Stock Market Crash
When you think about a stock market crash, you may picture people jumping out of windows in 1929. However, there was also a modern-day stock market crash on Monday, October 19, 1987. A combination of factors led to the global financial disaster, which sparked worldwide losses of around $1.71 trillion.
One factor that may have tipped the scales toward loss was the widespread fear that stock prices were overinflated, leading to a fall. Trade and budget imbalances in the United States were likely another contributing factor. The decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, rising interest rates, and the insurance industry certainly contributed to the impending market collapse.
While the phrase can refer to multiple economic crises, Black Monday most often refers to the global stock market crash of 1987. On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell dramatically to about 22.6 percent of its value. This drop of 508 points in a single day cost about $500 billion. The Dow took two years to recover and regain lost value, prompting the SEC to institute policies designed to prevent such losses in the future.
The Eruption of Washington State's Mount St. Helens
The first major eruption of the sleeping volcano, Mount St. Helens, on May 18, 1980, was the first such incident in the contiguous U.S. since 1915. St. Helens, located in Skamania County in Western Washington, released a buildup of ash and lava at 8:32 a.m.
This historic eruption had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 5 on a scale of zero to seven. In the two months leading up to the eruption, a series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes indicated an injection of magma at shallow depths below the volcano. This weakened the mountain's north slope. An earthquake at 8:32:11 a.m. on May 18 caused the entire weakened north face to slide away, culminating in the largest such landslide in recorded history.
Ash rose 80,000 feet into the air and fell to earth in 11 U.S. states. It affected the skies in most states and brought dramatic sunsets to the mid-west. About 57 people were killed that day. Hundreds of square miles were reduced to wasteland, causing over $1 billion in damage.