Events in the 1980s

• The 80's signaled the start of the computer age, following on from the creation of Microsoft and Apple towards the end of the 70's , the technology and the speed of innovation both in Hardware and Software together with the cheapness provided a speed of growth and take up . The birth of the IBM PC signaled the start of Personal Computers first in the Offices and then into peoples homes becoming an integral part of our lives. following on from Micrsofts MSDOS on PC's to the first versions of Windows a GUI Graphical User Interface. 

• During the 80's we also saw the collapse of the traditional communism and the end of the cold war .The fragmentation of communism included the collapse of the Berlin wall and the breakup up of what was the USSR towards the end of the 80's. and leading to German reunification.

• The 80's also signaled a period of the rise of conservatism as the in political and cultural life, caused by Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Ronald Reagan in the USA .

• Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland islands in 1982 but is subsequently defeated by the United Kingdom.

• Famine in Ethiopia was shown to the world on our television screens in 1984 - 1985 and the pain and suffering caused the western world to find new ways to help including the Live Aid concert and many of the most popular stars contributed their time and performed for free in cities throughout the world , This has to be one of the most successful campaigns ever to create awareness and raise much needed funds by those who have the power to draw TV audiences around the globe. 

• John Lennon is shot outside his New York apartment
• MTV (Music Television) is launched
• Floppy shirts, Backcombed hair, Padded shoulders, big hairdoes and white stilettoes
• The Simpsons Is First Seen On Tracey Ullman Show April 5th 1987 

•  American music artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson swept the Australian music charts in the 1980s. British acts like The Cure and Duran Duran also achieved commercial success in Australia.

•  Power dressing in the 1980s  - fashion history influences of the 80s including, Dynasty and Dallas, big hair, gold, glamour and glitz. Shoulders and shoulder pads. 1980s Fashion also featured,  big shoulder shawls, Doc Martens, trainers, low heeled pumps, innovative hosiery and colour coordination.

• Famous headline - The Marriage of the Decade - In 1981, the royal wedding took place at Buckingham Palace in London, England.  Prince Charles married a kindergarten teacher named Diana Spencer.  This woman was very lucky to have all of those people watching her get married. It was an unbelievable sight at the palace. The queen had a new daughter-in-law, Princess Diana.

• The 1980's was a decade of speaking out and fighting for what you believe in. It was also an age where people found interest in debates, and solving problems. 

Sources:
        

http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1980s.html

http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/decade/1980.htm

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/1980s.html

http://www.fashion-era.com/fashion_after1980.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuybI8u38Ss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hKvFAdIh28

http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-189_t-509_c-1890/nsw/history/australia-s-social-and-cultural-history-in-the-post-war-period/social-and-cultural-features-of-the-1980s/american-and-british-cultural-influence-1980s