How much do you remember about years gone by? This page has
some fun (and not-so-fun) facts to refresh your memory. Caution: This may make you
feel older than you want to!
1991 - The Year of Our Graduation
Our country was led by President George Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle.
The U.S. Population was 252,127,402 people!
The New York Giants narrowly defeated Buffalo 20-19 in the Super Bowl.
"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. won the Best Video award at the 1991 Grammys.
"Silence of the Lambs" swept the 1991 Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Leading Actor
(Anthony Hopkins), Best Leading Actress (Jodie Foster), and Directing (Jonathan Demme).
Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, died.
April 3, 1991 - A cease-fire ends the Persian Gulf War.
October 6, 1991 - Anita Hill accuses Judge Clarence Thomas of sexual harrassment.
Popular movies included "Silence of the Lambs," "Thelma & Louise," and "JFK."
Other Memorable Events From Our Childhood:
1990
February 11, 1990 - South Africa frees Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for 27 1/2 years.
August 1990 - Iraqui troops invade Kuwait, setting off Operation Desert Storm and the Persian
Gulf War.
Milli Vanilli admits to lip-synching and has their Grammy revoked.
The Simpsons debuts on Fox and Seinfeld debuts on NBC. Both go on to become huge hits.
Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and Sesame Street, dies on May 16, 1990.
"Dances With Wolves" captures Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Mariah Carey receives the
Best New Artist award at the Grammys.
1989
George Herbert Walker Bush is inaugurated as our 41st President.
Thousands of demonstrators are killed in Tiananmen Square (Bejing, China)
East Germany opens its borders and the Berlin Wall begins to come down.
Oliver North is convicted for his role in the Iran-Contra Affair.
Lucille Ball dies at age 87.
The Best Hard Rock Performance goes to Living Colour for "Cult of Personality," and Jessica Tandy
earns the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Driving Miss Daisy."
A devastating earthquake, registering 7.1 on the Richter Scale, hits San Francisco. Sixty-eight
people lose their lives.
1988
As a result of terrorist activity, Pan-Am flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing
all 259 passengers and 11 people on the ground.
George Bush defeats Michael Dukakis by a landslide in the 1988 Presidential Election.
Compact Discs outsell vinyl albums for the first time.
"Rain Man" grabs Best Picture, and "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin gets several Grammys.
(Now that song is going to be running through your head all day!)
1987
President Ronald Reagan accepts responsibility for the Iran-Contra Affair.
Prozac is released for use in the United States.
Cost of a first-class stamp was 22 cents.
Album of the Year went to U2's "The Joshua Tree," and singer Cher won the Academy Award for
Best Leading Actress for her role in "Moonstruck."
We experienced our transition from upper-classmen in Middle School to the lowest of the ranks,
the Freshmen!
1986
Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off, killing all 7 aboard, including
teacher Christa McAuliffe.
A disastrous accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine kills 30 people.
The Oprah Winfrey show hits national networks.
Speaking of networks, 1986 was the year that the 4th major network, FOX, was born.
"Platoon" won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and the Grammy for Best New Artist went to
Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
1985
Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev meet at a nuclear disarmament summit.
Live Aid concerts to benefit African famine victims are performed in Philadelphia and London.
Madonna embarks on her first national tour.
Rock Hudson becomes the first major celebrity to fall victim to the AIDS virus, and dies
at age 59.
The Academy Award for Sound Effects Editing goes to Charles L. Campbell and Robert Rutledge for
their work in "Back to the Future." (You mean that movie didn't win best picture? LOL)
Record of the Year went to the collaborative effort of USA for Africa's "We Are the World."
1984
Ronald Reagan is re-elected for a second term as President, defeating Walter Mondale by a
landslide.
The 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles, CA. The United States won a record 83 gold
medals. Due to a boycott, the Soviets, the East Germans, and competitors from 12 other countries
refused to attend.
"The Cosby Show" makes its debut on NBC, later to become one of the most popular sitcoms of the
decade.
Apple Computers introduces its new user-friendly Macintosh personal computer.
Bruce Springsteen was handed the award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male for his "Dancing in
the Dark," and Sally Field won Best Leading Actress for her role in "Places in the Heart."
1983
Sally Ride becomes the first US woman in space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Challenger.
Compact discs are introduced, marking the beginning of the end of vinyl albums.
Motorola begins testing cellular phone service in the Chicago area with FCC approval.
"Terms of Endearment" was pronounced the Best Picture, and Michael Jackson hit it big at the
Grammys, taking home Record of the Year (Beat It), Album of the Year (Thriller), Best Male Pop
Performance (Thriller), and Best Male Rock Performance (Beat It), just to name a few.
1982
John W. Hinckley, Jr. is found not guilty by insanity in the shooting of President Reagan.
The first permanent artificial heart is implanted in a human, Dr. Barney B. Clark, at the
University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
John Belushi, known for his work on Saturday Night Live, Animal House, and The Blues Brothers,
dies of a drug overdose.
Best New Artist goes to the group from "Down Under," Men at Work.
Jessica Lange wins the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in "Tootsie."
E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial takes the country by storm.
1981
Less than 3 months after taking the oath of office, President Ronald Reagan is wounded by
gunman John W. Hinckley, Jr.
April 12, 1981 - Space Shuttle Columbia lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, FL to begin
the first shuttle mission.
Sandra Day O'Connor of Arizona becomes the first woman on the United States Supreme Court.
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles marks the birth of MTV, and Pac-Man fever sweeps
the nation.
IBM introduces its first personal computer, and the MS-DOS operating system.
Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn win Academy Awards for their roles in "On Golden Pond."
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance goes to Rick Springfield for his hit "Jessie's Girl."
1980
Ronald Reagan defeats incumbent Jimmy Carter in the Presidential election.
Because of the ongoing Iran Hostage Crisis, the US breaks all diplomatic ties with Iran.
Ted Turner launches CNN, the first all-news network.
John Lennon is fatally shot in front of his apartment building in New York City.
Christopher Cross takes home Best New Artist, Song of the Year (Sailing), Album of the Year,
and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Sissy Spacek wins Best Leading Actress for her portrayl of Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's
Daughter."
1979
The Sugar Hill Gang releases the first commercial rap hit, "Rapper's Delight." (Wow - how many
knew it went back to the 70s?)
"The Duke," John Wayne, dies at age 72.
"Kramer Vs. Kramer" is a big hit with the Academy, winning Best Picture, Leading Actor (Dustin
Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep), and Directing (Robert Benton).
Album of the Year is awarded to Billy Joel's "52nd Street," which included the songs "My Life,"
"Big Shot," and "Honesty."
1978
Pope Paul VI dies at the age of 80. After 34 days in office, Pope John Paul dies unexpectedly.
Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, is born in London.
Sony introduces the Walkman.
Christoper Walken wins Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Deer Hunter." (From an
Academy Award winning role to a starring role in a Fatboy Slim video? Amazing what 23 years
can do.)
Can everybody say DISCO?! "Saturday Night Fever" wins Album of the Year, Barry Manilow wins
Best Male Pop Performance for "Copacabana," and Donna Summer wins Best Female R&B Vocal
Performance for "Last Dance."
1977
"Saturday Night Fever," "Star Wars," and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" hit theaters.
Elvis Presley dies at the age of 42.
Record of the Year went to the Eagles for "Hotel California."
1976
Jimmy Carter is elected President.
The nation celebrates its Bicentennial.
"Rocky" wins Best Picture and catapults Sylvester Stallone to super stardom.
Best New Artist went to the Starland Vocal Band (*chuckling* - Does anyone remember
"Afternoon Delight"?)
1975
George Carlin hosts the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.
VCRs are developed in Japan. Remember Beta?
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Jaws" are popular movies.
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain and Tennille captures the award for Record of the Year.
1974
President Nixon becomes the first President to resign from office.
Cost of a first-class stamp is EIGHT CENTS! Of course, the median household income is
$11,197.
People Magazine makes its debut, and Stephen King releases the book "Carrie."
1973
A cease-fire agreement ends America's involvement in the Vietnam War.
TCP/IP was designed, and later becomes the standard for communicating between computers over
the internet.
A young Tatum O'Neal wins Best Actress for her role in "Paper Moon."
Best New Artist goes to Bette Midler.
1972
Home Box Office (HBO) becomes the first pay cable network.
Atari releases PONG, the first video game. The home version is released 2 years later.
Electronic mail is introduced. Who knew that email was around before some of US were?
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