The year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) of the Gregorian Calendar began on a Saturday and ended on a Saturday. The Chinese Zodiac for this year was the Year of the Pig.http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Pig.htm
In 1983, the economic recession continued, with the unemployment rising to 12 million Americans without a source of income. The average income of those who were employed was approximately $21,070.00.http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1983.html
Technology and medicine experienced some major occurrences in 1983, with: the first version of Microsoft Word, Multi-Tool Word, being released for Xenix systems; ARPANET changing to use the Internet Protocol, thus creating the Internet; the Space Shuttle Challenger being launched on its maiden voyage; and Barney Clark being the first person in history to receive an artificial heart, he went on to live for 112 days following the operation.http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1983.html
In world news, the death tolled reach 4 million total from a drought in Ethiopia. This drought would be marked as the worst in history.http://countrystudies.us/ethiopia/46.htm
1983 Timeline
January 1983
- January 7: President Reagan signed the first increase in federal gasoline taxes in 23 years. This increase is intended for the rehabilitation and improvement of bridges, highways, and mass transit systems.
February 1983
February 7: Iran invaded Iraq, continuing a war that began in 1980.
March 8 1983
- March 8: The House Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed a Nuclear Weapons freeze with U.S.S.R. However, in a speech to National Association of Evangelicals meeting, Ronald Reagan rejected this endorsement and declared the Soviet Union the "focus of evil in the modern world."
March 1983
- March 23: The Militarization of Space begins as Ronald Reagan announces his Star Wars plan.
April 1983
May 1983
- May 11: A newly discovered comet passed within 2.8 million miles of Earth. This comet was the closest comet to pass by Earth in over 200 years.
- May 12: Pope John Paul II is attacked by a Spanish priest while visiting the shrine of Fatima in Portugal, he was lightly wounded.
June 1983
June 20: The US Supreme Court rules that employers must treat male and female employees fairly in terms of providing benefits for their spouses. June 27: Maxie Anderson, age 48, died in a ballooning accident. He was one of three U.S. balloonists to make the first successful balloon flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
July 1983
- July 10: The Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in MLB history.
September 17, 1983
October 1983
- October 20: The Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop of Grenada is assassinated in the capitol city of St. George's
- October 25: The United States invade the country of Grenada and take over the Airports, President Ronald Reagan said it was a necessary action to protect Americans.
November 1983
- November 27: A Boeing 747 operated by Columbia's Avianca airlines crashed on its approach to Madrid's Barajas airport; killing 183 people. It became one of the ten worst aviation crashes in history.
December 1, 1983
The Cabbage Patch Kids were released, becoming the most sought after toy of the shopping season.
Famous Birthdays
- Jan. 1: Kate Bosworth - Superman Returns
- Feb. 23: Emily Blunt - The Devil Wears Prada Movie
- Feb.27: Kate Mara - Random Hearts
- Mar. 10: Carrie Underwood - Musician
- May 11: Matt Leinart - Arizona Cardinals
- May 14: Amber Tamblyn - Spring Breakdown
- Jul. 02: Michelle Branch - Musician
- Dec. 30: Kristin Kreuk - Smallville
Famous Deaths
- Apr. 30: Muddy Waters - Musician
- Jul. 13: 1983: Gabrielle Roy - Author
Music Chart Toppers
- Jan. 01: Hall and Oates - Maneater
- Jan. 15: Men at Work - Down Under
- Feb. 05: Toto - Africa
- Feb. 12: Men at Work - Down Under
- Feb. 19: Patti Austin - Baby Come to Me
- Mar. 05: Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
- Apr. 23: Dexys Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen
- Apr. 30: Michael Jackson - Beat it
- May 21: David Bowie - Let's Dance
- Mar. 21: Irene Cara - Flashdance... What a Feeling
- Jul. 09: The Police - Every Breath You Take
- Sep. 03: Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
- Sep. 10: Michael Sembello - Maniac
- Sep. 24: Billy Joel - Tell Her About It
- Oct. 01: Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
- Oct. 29: Rogers/Parton - Islands in the Stream
- Nov. 12: Lionel Richie - All Night Long
- Dec. 10: McCartney/Jackson - Say Say Say Billboard: Historical Billboard Charts
Top Box Office Movies
56th Academy Awards
- Presented on: April 9, 1984
- Best Picture: Terms of Endearment
- Lead Actor: Robert Duvall in Tender Mercies
- Lead Actress: Shirley Maclaine in Terms of Endearment
- Best Director: James L. Brooks for Terms of Endearment
- Best Documentary: He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' directed by Emile ArdolinoRopesofSilicon: Complete Oscar winners list
Championship Teams
Top Athletes
Nobel Laureates
References
Fast Facts
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