Feb 22
Miracle on Ice
The US Olympic hockey team of college players defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 at Lake Placid. Al Michaels: 'Do you believe in miracles? YES!'
🇺🇸United States · 80s
The Turning Point
Reagan elected, Lennon killed, and the Miracle on Ice.
What happened
4 milestones of 1980
Dec 8
John Lennon Murdered
John Lennon was shot and killed outside his Manhattan apartment. The world mourned. 'Imagine' played everywhere.
Murder of a beloved figure — somber, dignified
Nov 4
Ronald Reagan Elected President
Reagan won in a landslide over Jimmy Carter, carrying 44 states. The conservative revolution began. 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?'
May 18
Mount St. Helens Erupts
Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted with the force of 500 Hiroshima bombs. 57 people killed. 230 square miles destroyed.
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
The Empire Strikes Back
Irvin Kershner — 'I am your father.' The best Star Wars film. The best sequel ever.
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick — Here's Johnny! Jack Nicholson. The Overlook Hotel.
Airplane!
Zucker/Abrahams — Don't call me Shirley. Comedy forever changed.
Raging Bull
Martin Scorsese — De Niro became Jake LaMotta. Considered Scorsese's masterpiece.
Friday the 13th
Sean S. Cunningham — Box office hit in the US — TMDB 6.4
What was on TV
Dallas — 'Who Shot J.R.?'
1978-1991 — 83 million Americans watched the reveal. TV's biggest cliffhanger.
CNN Launches
Jun 1980 — Ted Turner's 24-hour news network changed how the world got information.
Magnum, P.I.
1980-1988 — Tom Selleck, a mustache, and a Ferrari in Hawaii.
How much things cost
Currency: USD
Gallon of milk$2.16
Gallon of gas$1.19
New house (median)$64,600
Movie ticket$2.69
Inflation: 13.5%
Double-digit inflation. Interest rates hit 21%. The economy was Carter's undoing.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Gallon of milkBLS
1980 (USD)
$2.16
→
Today's value ($)
--
Gallon of gasEIA
1980 (USD)
$1.19
→
Today's value ($)
--
New house (median)Census Bureau
1980 (USD)
$64,600
→
Today's value ($)
--
Movie ticketNATO
1980 (USD)
$2.69
→
Today's value ($)
--
Technology
Pac-Man
Namco's arcade game became a global phenomenon, earning $1 billion in quarters.
Walkman
Sony's portable cassette player changed how people listened to music.
Post-It Notes
3M's accidental invention went national — offices would never be the same.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Preppy look (polo shirts, khakis)LegwarmersDesigner jeans (Calvin Klein)Headbands
Slang
Totally— Completely, absolutely
Gag me— Expression of disgust (Valley Girl)
Gnarly— Intense, extreme
Behavior
- Pac-Man fever swept the nation
- Aerobics and fitness culture exploded
- The country mourned Lennon — candles in Central Park
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