1980’s

Status symbols such as yachts, expensive watches, and luxury cars became important

The economy went from recession to booming in 1983

Period of excess…known as the Me, Me, Me decade

Young Urban Professionals

Rewarded themselves with expensive items

Top 5% of Americans earned 21% of the nation’s income

Discount Stores Wal-Mart! K-Mart Target Home Depot Best Buy

Many homes bought their first microwaves

CNN: First all news network founded by Ted Turner in 1980

BET: 1980 1981: MTV….back

when it actually played music!

AIDS MADD “Just Say NO” ”Live Aid”…We are

the World http://www.youtube

.com/watch?v=D9ZKyYFyiFA

Columbia was the first shuttle…reusable spacecraft. 1981

Sally Ride: First female American in Space

Challenger Disaster: January 1986. 7 Astronauts were killed, including a teacher Christa McAuliff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4JOjcDFtBE

Population: 226,546,000Population: 226,546,000 Unemployed in 1980: Unemployed in 1980: National Debt: 1980 - $914,000,000,000 National Debt: 1980 - $914,000,000,000 National Debt: 1986 - $2,000,000,000,000 National Debt: 1986 - $2,000,000,000,000 Average salary: $15,757 Average salary: $15,757 Life Expectancy: Male 69.9 Female 77.6 Life Expectancy: Male 69.9 Female 77.6 Minimum Wage: $3.10 Minimum Wage: $3.10 BMW was $12,000; Mercedes 280 E was $14,800 BMW was $12,000; Mercedes 280 E was $14,800 Attendance: Movies 20 million/week Attendance: Movies 20 million/week

Big HairBig Hair Skater hair and flat tops and PunkSkater hair and flat tops and Punk Painter hats and pierced ears.Painter hats and pierced ears. Michael Jackson Thriller coatMichael Jackson Thriller coat OP, Izod, Argyle- Hawaiian and OP, Izod, Argyle- Hawaiian and

Rugby Shirts.Rugby Shirts. Parachute pants.Parachute pants. Converse HightopsConverse Hightops Pegged jeansPegged jeans Zubaz and spandexZubaz and spandex Valley GirlValley Girl Michael Jackson glove and Miami Michael Jackson glove and Miami

Vice lookVice look Swatch watchesSwatch watches Rubiks cubeRubiks cube Pacman, Nintendo, and GameboyPacman, Nintendo, and Gameboy Smurf, ET, and Cabbage Patch DollsSmurf, ET, and Cabbage Patch Dolls SneakersSneakers

John Lennon was shot John Lennon was shot and killed in New and killed in New York. The gunman, York. The gunman, Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman, apparently shouted 'I apparently shouted 'I am the Catcher in the am the Catcher in the Rye' just before Rye' just before dropping to the ground dropping to the ground and firing the weapon.and firing the weapon.

Summer Olympics in Moscow, USSR, The US boycotts due to Russians invading Afghanistan

Mount Saint Helen Erupts in 1980

Kills 60 People

US hockey team beat Russia for the gold in the Winter Olympics.

Pete Rose is banned from baseball for betting on games, August 24, 1989

Yearly Inflation Rate USA13.58% Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 963 Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 21.50% Average Cost of new house $68,700.00 Average Income per year $19,500.00 Average Monthly Rent $300.00 Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.19 Average cost new car $7,200.00 Mens Casual Shirt $14.00

Bruce Springsteen Madonna Culture Club (bad) Milli Vanilli (bad) Poison Just to name a few…