1980 - 1989
Several environmental disasters struck this decade, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Chernobyl nuclear leak, Bhopal gas leak, and Mount St. Helen's eruption. The 80s also introduced Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Pac-Man, E.T., New Coke, and Cabbage Patch Kids.
1980 - 1989 Timeline
A year-by-year chronology of the 1980s.
A year-by-year chronology of the 1980s.
Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 Over Lockerbie
On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 people on board as well as 11 on the ground. Though it was almost immediately evident that a bomb had caused the disaster, it took more than eleven years to bring anyone to trial. What happened to the plane? Why would someone plant a bomb on Flight 103? Why did it take eleven years to have a trial?
On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 people on board as well as 11 on the ground. Though it was almost immediately evident that a bomb had caused the disaster, it took more than eleven years to bring anyone to trial. What happened to the plane? Why would someone plant a bomb on Flight 103? Why did it take eleven years to have a trial?
Huge Poison Gas Leak in Bhopal, India
During the night of December 2-3, 1984, a storage tank containing methyl isocyanate (MIC) at the Union Carbide pesticide plant leaked gas into the densely populated city of Bhopal, India. It was one of the worst industrial accidents in history.
During the night of December 2-3, 1984, a storage tank containing methyl isocyanate (MIC) at the Union Carbide pesticide plant leaked gas into the densely populated city of Bhopal, India. It was one of the worst industrial accidents in history.
Chernobyl
At 1:23 a.m. on April 26th, reactor four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, releasing more than a hundred times the radiation of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thirty-one people died shortly after the explosion and thousands more will die from the long-term effects of radiation.
At 1:23 a.m. on April 26th, reactor four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, releasing more than a hundred times the radiation of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thirty-one people died shortly after the explosion and thousands more will die from the long-term effects of radiation.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was what some have called the People's Princess. Her life seemed like a fairytale until the realities of depression and a royal marriage were exposed. She spent much of her time helping comfort people who were dying and supporting causes that would end AIDS and the use of landmines. Her death not only shocked the world, it caused many to examine the extremes of paparazzi and the public's fascination with celebrities.
Diana, Princess of Wales was what some have called the People's Princess. Her life seemed like a fairytale until the realities of depression and a royal marriage were exposed. She spent much of her time helping comfort people who were dying and supporting causes that would end AIDS and the use of landmines. Her death not only shocked the world, it caused many to examine the extremes of paparazzi and the public's fascination with celebrities.
Intruder Enters Queen Elizabeth's Bedroom
Early on Friday morning, July 9, 1982, Queen Elizabeth II woke to find a strange man sitting at the end of her bed. Her calls for help were left unanswered.
Early on Friday morning, July 9, 1982, Queen Elizabeth II woke to find a strange man sitting at the end of her bed. Her calls for help were left unanswered.
Mt. St. Helens Eruption
Though the volcano had given warning, scientists and onlookers were still surprised when Mt. St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The avalanches, mud flows, and blast left only death and destruction behind. Find out more about the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
Though the volcano had given warning, scientists and onlookers were still surprised when Mt. St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The avalanches, mud flows, and blast left only death and destruction behind. Find out more about the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
On Tuesday, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded only 73 seconds after lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The disaster was one of the defining moments of the 20th century and exposed many problems within the U.S. space program.
On Tuesday, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded only 73 seconds after lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The disaster was one of the defining moments of the 20th century and exposed many problems within the U.S. space program.