How Well Do You Remember the '80s?

By: Mariana Sabino
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Well Do You Remember the '80s?
Image: Spiderstock / filo / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

About This Quiz

There's no doubt about it. The 1980s was an exciting time. It wasn't just the hair that was big; the entire decade was large-scale, bold, and glitzy. This wasn't a time for understatement. Many people lived like there was no tomorrow, figuring the "world is so bright, I gotta wear shades." Still, not all was well. As a not-from-the-'80s author put it, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This was a sentiment that encapsulated the '80s well for presenting a  mixture of optimism and upheaval. 

When you look back at the '80s, what do you recall? Big bangs, leg warmers and cell phones the size of a Buick? Sure, there was all that. But there was also plenty more.  We've devised a quiz that will take you back in time, planting you right where Marty McFly first got into that DeLorean.  That way, when you get "back to the future," you'll be partying like it's 1999 (wait, wrong decade!), showing off your know-how of '80s trivia.  So what are you waiting for? Start the quiz and find out just how well you remember all those tidbits from the time! Seriously, this kind of knowledge is rad! C'mon, righteous dude (or dudette), take the plunge!



 

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment
Which extraterrestrial feel-good character became a sensation for movie-goers?
Alf
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Cat Woman
Birdbrain Wazoo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Directed by Steven Spielberg, "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" became iconic, staying in theaters for nearly a year! Spielberg's touching rendition of a boy grappling with his parents' divorce while taking care of a homesick alien warmed the hearts of children and adults alike.

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Mohawk
Lawrence Manning / Corbis / Getty Images
Which hairstyle was a mainstay among punks?
Mohawk
Mullet
Jheri curls
Whale spout
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This rebel-rousing hairstyle was initially associated with the British punk-rock movement, but quickly gained adherents in America. Remember Billy Idol? He sported it along with his signature snarl and leather.

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Windows
Wiki Commons by Jelson25
What did Microsoft introduce?
Windows
Linux
Floppy disks
Software
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The IBM Windows operating system arrived on the market in the mid-'80s. Windows 1 had a graphical user interface and included a mouse. A couple of years later, improvements were made, and the control panel was also introduced.

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Madonna
izusek / E+ / Getty Images
"Holiday" was sung by?
Eurythmics
Cindy Lauper
Madonna
Wham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This catchy, throaty tune became the first hit song from Madonna's debut album. It helped to establish her reputation as a performer you could count on for a good time on the dance floor. Surprisingly enough, the song almost didn't make it into the album.

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Just say no
Wiki Commons
What was the anti-drug slogan of the time?
Just say no
No way drugs
Drugs equal bad
Kiss drugs goodbye
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced by Ronald Reagan's wife, Nancy, "Just Say No" was the slogan of the "War on Drugs" campaign. The slogan became synonymous with the movement to curb drug use. Heard in schools across American and on television, it urged children to just say the word "no" when offered a drug.

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Berlin Wall
spreephoto.de / Moment / Getty Images
Which iconic wall was torn down?
Great Wall of China
Berlin Wall
Antonine Wall
Western Wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the physical and ideological barrier between East and West, the dismantling of the Berlin Wall symbolized the reconciliation of a divided Germany, as well as a new chance for democracy in Eastern-bloc countries.

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He was killed
Wiki Commons by David Shankbone
What happened to Jonh Lennon at The Dakota?
He was killed.
He sang a few songs.
He got married.
He returned phone calls.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Lennon was fatally shot outside the Dakota Apartments, his home in New York City at the time. This is the same legendary building where rumors of mysterious hauntings took place. Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" was filmed there.

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Dynasty
Aaron Spelling Productions / 20th Century Fox Television / ABC
Which iconic soap opera about two feuding families was recently remade into a series?
"Days of Our Lives"
"Dynasty"
"All My Children"
"General Hospital"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Featuring Joan Collins and Linda Evans, this glitzy soap opera about two wealthy familes with little scruples and plenty of passion, sparked the imagination of television viewers. Even those who weren't known to watch the genre became familiar with its over-the-top melodrama and wicked humor.

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Argentina
bergserg / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
Which South American country challenged British control over the Falkland Islands?
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Peru
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The conflict over the Falkland Islands sparked a war between Argentina and Britain. Known as the "Iron Lady," Margaret Thatcher, who was then Britain's prime minister, sent warships to the Falkland territory, regaining control over the island in a short amount of time.

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Jane Fonda
Jason_V / E+ / Getty Images
Which celebrity launched a workout video that spawned a fitness craze?
Joan Collins
Richard Simmons
Jane Fonda
Linda Evans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Feel the burn" became buzz words for Jane Fonda's straightforward workout videos. With Fonda leading the exercise routine, the videos encouraged regular women to exercise at home. Based on her best-selling workout book, it featured Fonda with leg warmers and all the trappings of '80s style.

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Calvin Klein
Wiki Commons by David Shankbone
Which label caused a stir with its underwear ad featuring a male model?
Ralph Lauren
Levi Strauss & Co.
Calvin Klein
Supreme
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The billboard that appeared in Times Square featuring Olympic pole vaulter Tom Hintnaus is known for stopping traffic. The athlete/model appeared in nothing else but his underwear in a sexy pose that called to mind a classic Greek statue. Featuring a tanned and super fit Hintnaus, the ad was a pioneer in depicting males in an overtly sexy light.

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Sally Ride
Wiki Commons by NASA
Who was the first American woman in space?
Sally Ride
Christina Koch
Eileen Collins
Mae C. Jemison
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Astrophysicist Sally Ride was the first American woman to go into space. As an astronaut inside the Challenger space shuttle, she went on a second trip, becoming a role model for women who dreamed of becoming an astronaut.

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Thriller
Wiki Commons by R-E-AL
Which Michael Jackson album became a worldwide sensation?
Thriller
Bad
Off the Wall
Dangerous
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This best-selling album put Micheal Jackson on the map as a solo artist, forging his image in the '80s as a phenomenal performer with his Moondance and bad-boy style. Hits like "Billy Jean" and "Beat It" became a must on the dance floor, and was constantly played on MTV.

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Star Wars
Wiki Commons by Reagan Library, PD
Which real-life defense plan became known by the title of a popular film series?
"Star Wars"
'Star Trek"
"The Fly"
"Lifeforce"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ronald Reagan's defensive strategy, formally known as the Strategic Defense Initiative, was dubbed the "Star Wars Initiative." Reagan's initiative proposed defending the United States against a possible strike by an "evil empire," drawing a parallel between the movie and the political environment of the time.

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The first Macintosh
Spiderstock / E+ / Getty Images
Which successful computer did Steve Jobs introduce?
The first Macintosh
Mac OS X
Linux
Lisa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With its mouse, 9-inch screen and user-friendly graphical interface, the first commercial personal computer was born. It immediately gained a following, revolutionizing the computer market, which would never be the same afterward.

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The Cosby Show
Carsey-Werner Productions / Bill Cosby Productions / NBC
Which pioneering situation comedy show featured a black family?
"The Cosby Show"
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
"Family Matters"
"Amen"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a widely popular situation comedy, "The Cosby Show" featuring Bill Cosby revived the genre and had stellar ratings. With its focus on the daily life of a middle-class black family, it became a precursor to other comedies such as "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Family Matters."

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Like a Virgin
MTV
Which song did Madonna perform during the first MTV Awards?
"Holiday"
"Papa Don't Preach"
"Lucky Star"
"Like A Virgin"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As one of her most memorable performances, Madonna emerged from a wedding cake to coo "Like A Virgin" as she rolled on the floor, showing a mixture of naughtiness and coy innocence for which she became known during the decade. Tame by current standards, the performance was considered super racy at the time.

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We Are the World
Columbia / (c) 1985 United Support of Artists for Africa
Which benefit album featured the likes of Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen?
"We Are The World"
"We Are the Champions"
"The Joshua Tree"
"Graceland"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many renowned yet disparate musicians came together to raise money for victims of the African famine. Known as the "We Are the World" benefit album, it featured everyone from Bob Dylan to Diana Ross. The album's title song, "We Are The World," is credited to Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

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Ozone
Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Which hole in the atmosphere was all over the news?
T-Zone
Ozone
Black Zone
Layer Zone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First announced in 1985, the hole in the ozone layer observed in Antarctica became a major environmental concern. It was regularly discussed in the news, and quickly became a hot topic as people sought ways to lessen the damage.

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Air Jordan 1
Wiki Commons by Kevin
Which sneakers that were named after a basketball player did Nike introduce?
Avia 880
Alpha Force
Air Jordan 1
Diadora
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apparently Nike courted Michael Jordan for some time before he agreed to be the face of Air Jordan 1. Jordan had a preference for a Converse-like design, so Nike had to tailor its shoes to truly represent the basketball player's tastes.

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Challenger
Wiki Commons by NASA
Which space shuttle exploded?
Challenger
October
Columbia
Discovery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The same shuttle that launched Sally Ride's first exploration of space, the Challenger shuttle exploded in its 10th flight, just seconds after liftoff. In the aftermath of the tragedy, it took a while for NASA to resume its space mission program.

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Mount St. Helens
InterNetwork Media / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Which volcano erupted?
Matterhorn
Mount St. Helens
Mont Blanc
Fitz Roy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An earthquake sparked a landslide that then provoked the eruption of the Mount St. Helens volcano. Wreaking havoc across various states, the eruption led to one environmental disaster after another. Talk about earthshaking...

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Pac-Man
Namco / Midway Games
Which classic video game featuring a hungry yellow character was all the rage?
Pac-Man
Mario
Vault Boy
Kirby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pac-Man was a non-violent arcade game that would have a wide reach. This Japanese video game featured Pac-Man, a yellow pie-like creature that ate dots around a maze. The challenge was to avoid being eaten by the ghosts that kept popping up. It was a hit!

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CNN
Wiki Commons by Josh Hallett
Which news channel was established?
CNN
Fusion
Blaze TV
Fox News
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the first 24-hour cable news channel, Ted Turner's CNN entered the network scene at the beginning of the decade. At the time, major networks only devoted a certain amount of time to covering the news. CNN changed all that.

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9 to 5
IPC Films / 20th Century Fox
Which film featured two renowned actresses and a famous female country singer?
"9 to 5"
"Footloose"
"Stand by Me"
"Tootsie"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin, "9 to 5" struck a chord with American women and became a hit. Featuring sparkling performances by the trio, the movie was about female empowerment. Nearly 30 years after its original release, plans for a sequel have been confirmed.

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Lebanon
Wiki Commons by US Army
An American embassy was attacked in which country?
France
Jordan
Lebanon
Israel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the early '80s, the American embassy in Beirut was bombed. Shortly after, there was another attack on military barracks that killed American Marines and French paratroopers. These attacks prompted the pullout of American and international troops from the country.

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Cell phone
Wiki Commons by Redrum0486
Which type of phone made its debut?
Cellphone
Dial phone
Dutch phone
Touch-tone phone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Motorola introduced the first commercial cellphone in the early '80s. It was as bulky as it was expensive, though, and meant for business-minded people. It took more than a decade for the cellphone to truly become commercial and mainstream.

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Steve Jobs
Wiki Commons by Joi Ito
Which computer mogul left his own company?
Sue Black
Bill Gates
Steve Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pushed out of the company he founded, Steve Jobs left Apple and created another startup. Years later, Apple bought the startup and Jobs returned to the "mother ship." Only this time, Jobs came back under his own terms, becoming permanent CEO shortly after.

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John Hughes
A&M Films / Channel Productions / Universal Pictures
Which movie director dominated the teen market?
John Hughes
Steven Spielberg
James Cameron
John Carpenter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Undoubtedly, if you were a teenager during the '80s, you would be familiar with a John Hughes movie or two. Known for classics such "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Hughes had a way with capturing the style and the mindset of the time.

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Gorbachev
Wiki Commons by The Official CTBTO Photostream
Which world leader came up with "perestroika" and "glasnost"?
Stalin
Gorbachev
Havel
Reagan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mikhail Gorbachev launched a series of political/economic reforms meant to boost and restructure the (former) Soviet Union. These reforms became known as perestroika and glasnost. Perestroika ended up paving the way for democracy as well as the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, as Gorbachev sought to overhaul the old policies of the Communist Party.

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Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
Wiki Commons by Ronald Reagan Library
Which royal couple's wedding enthralled TV watchers?
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
Pavlos and Marie-Chantal Miller
Prince Edward and Katharine Worsley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most memorable royal weddings of all time was that of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Watched by nearly 1 billion people, the wedding captured the imagination of romantics all over the world with its fairy-tale pomp and atmosphere.

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Prozac
Wiki Commons by Lanfear's Bane
Which antidepressant hit the market with a bang?
Paxil
Celexa
Zoloft
Prozac
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Touted as the wonder drug of an era, Prozac became THE antidepressant. Said to have fewer side effects, it helped to take the stigma off taking antidepressants to treat a host of afflictions. The drug became so popular that the term "Prozac Nation" didn't seem far-fetched when coined.

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Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Touchstone Pictures / Amblin Entertainment / Buena Vista Pictures
Which gangster movie featuring a rabbit became a hit ?
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"
"The Land Before Time"
"The American Tail"
"The Shining"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Considered to be one of the more innovative multimedia films of the time, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" offered a mixture of satire, hijinks fun and sexy innuendo that appealed to movie-goers. Jessica Rabbit also became the sex symbol of the time. Not bad for a cartoon character.

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CDs
SEAN GLADWELL / Moment / Getty Images
What replaced vinyl records for the first time?
CDs
MP3s
Gramophones
Cassettes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Favored for its compact size and, most importantly, the sound quality, CDs were first introduced in the early part of the '80s. By the end of the decade, they had replaced vinyl altogether. However, vinyl has recently had a comeback for the same reason it was once discarded. The distinctive sound quality sounds rad to many people.

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Radical!
RyanJLane / E+ / Getty Images
What's rad?
Radical!
You mean, Brad?
Glad
Silly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Used often by teenagers and rad dudes and dudettes, if something or someone was rad, they were totally, like, awesome! Really, if you didn't know what rad was, your friends might have thought you were totally bogus. You wouldn't want that now, would you?

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Uncool
Interscope Communications / Nelson Entertainment / Orion Pictures / De Laurentiis Entertainment Group
What does bogus mean?
Fake
Prudish
Uncool
Serious
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although bogus has different meanings, if you said something was bogus in the '80s it meant the thing or person was the opposite of rad. Tossed around a lot in films, people would do anything to avoid being associated with something bogus.

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The Simpsons
Fox / 20th Century Fox Television / Gracie Films / The Curiosity Company
Which animated sitcom was launched featuring a snarky, dysfunctional family?
"The Simpsons"
"The Smurfs"
"South Park"
"He-Man and the Masters"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced to audiences as a Christmas special, "The Simpsons" took a little while to gain a following on the Fox network, but once it did, it really took off. As a beloved series, it's still running today. It set a record as the animated series with the longest run.

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It went global
Wiki Commons by Michael Pereckas
What happened to the internet in the late '80s?
It went global.
It went viral.
It was launched.
It didn't exist.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the late '80s, the World Wide Web was created. Credited to a British computer scientist, the initial proposal for the World Wide Web needed a little fine-tuning, but by the end of 1990, the foundation was set for the global phenomenon it has since become.

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Ben & Jerry's
Diana Haronis dianasphotoart.com / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which ice-cream brand received an award from President Ronald Reagan?
Haagen Dazs
Ben & Jerry's
Breyer's
Magnum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What began as a small-scale venture in Vermont became known as Ben & Jerry's, the delectable, chunky ice-cream brand. A decade after its humble beginnings, the founders of Ben and Jerry's won a small business award delivered by President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

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Remake by Run-DMC and Aerosmith
TerryJ / E+ / Getty Images
"Walk this Way" is a __________.
Remake by Run-DMC and Aerosmith
Song by Duran Duran
A dance move
A slogan for sneakers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was an unlikely pairing. With its humorous take on the clash of two disparate styles, the "Walk this Way" remake by Aerosmith and Run-DMC offered a kind of sampling of an era. It brought together rock and hip-hop in one song that ended up being iconic for playing up the clash.

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You Got:
/40
Spiderstock / filo / E+ / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images