We’re so glad to have you in our community of time-travelers. If this week’s issue sparked a memory, forward it to a friend who was there with you! We’re always looking to improve our curation, so hit reply and tell us: what’s one thing from the past you’re dying to see featured? Thanks for keeping the memories alive.

«« Mini-Rewind of the Week ««

• Billy Vera and the Beaters hit #1 on the Billboard charts (1987) with “At This Moment.”

  • The song famously gained popularity after appearing on Family Ties.

• Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson was released (1989). The album delivered “Electric Youth” and the chart-topping “Lost in Your Eyes.”

  • The album went multi-platinum and made Debbie the youngest female artist to write, produce, and perform a #1 hit.

• Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler is injured in a motorcycle crash that leaves him hospitalized for two months (1981).

• One of the most talked-about ’80s celebrity marriages ended as Madonna filed for divorce from Sean Penn after 3.5 years of marriage (1989).

• The Dukes of Hazzard debuted on CBS (1979). The show aired 147 episodes over 7 seasons, wrapping up in 1985.

  • The iconic General Lee car’s horn played the first 12 notes of “Dixie.”

• In 1989, Michael Jackson wrapped up the Bad Tour in L.A.

  • It became the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo artist at the time.

• The 13th Annual AMAs took place. “We Are the World” won Song of the Year, and a supergroup performed it live.

• Wayne Gretzky had his still-record-holding point scoring streak snapped at 54 games in 1984.

• In 1980, the Rubik’s Cube made its international debut at the Ideal Toy Corp. in London,

• Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold staring Richard Chamberlain, Sharon Stone and James Earl Jones was released in US theatres in 1987.

• Starship released their #1 hit single "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now” (1987).

In January 1984, at the height of his superstardom, Michael Jackson was filming a Pepsi commercial that would unexpectedly become one of the most talked-about moments of his career. Fresh off the massive success of Thriller, Jackson was rehearsing a concert-style performance for the commercial when a pyrotechnic malfunction caused his hair to catch fire on set.

The incident stunned everyone in attendance. Although the flames were quickly extinguished, Jackson suffered burns that required medical treatment and marked a turning point in his life. Pepsi later settled the matter, and Jackson donated the money to help establish a specialized burn treatment center—something that still benefits patients today.

At the time, the commercial itself symbolized the peak of ’80s pop culture: big budgets, massive stars, and the growing power of music television. Jackson’s partnership with Pepsi was groundbreaking, helping redefine celebrity endorsements and ushering in a new era of brand-and-artist collaborations.

While the accident was tragic, it also revealed Jackson’s resilience and generosity. It’s a moment that reminds us how intense—and sometimes risky—the entertainment world of the 1980s could be, even for the biggest star on the planet.

On January 28, 1986, millions of people watched as the Space Shuttle Challenger lifted off from Cape Canaveral on what was meant to be a routine mission. Just 73 seconds after launch, the shuttle was lost in a tragic accident that shocked the nation and forever changed America’s space program.

The mission had drawn unprecedented attention because one of the seven crew members was Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher selected to be the first civilian educator in space. Classrooms across the U.S. had televisions on, making the event especially powerful and emotional for an entire generation.

In the aftermath, NASA grounded the shuttle fleet and launched a major investigation. The findings led to significant changes in shuttle design, safety procedures, and decision-making processes. While the tragedy exposed serious flaws, it also reshaped how space missions were planned and communicated moving forward.

The Challenger disaster became one of the defining moments of the 1980s—a sobering reminder of the risks of exploration and the bravery of those willing to push humanity forward. Today, the crew is remembered not only for how the mission ended, but for their courage, dedication, and lasting impact on space exploration.

In 1987, Starship released “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” a song that instantly became one of the most recognizable anthems of the decade. Blending soaring vocals, big synthesizers, and an unforgettable chorus, the track captured the hopeful, feel-good spirit that defined ’80s pop rock.

The song was featured prominently in the romantic comedy Mannequin, tying it forever to movie montages, triumphant moments, and slow-motion walks toward a brighter future. Sung by Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas, the duet gave the band its first—and only—No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Fun fact: Grace Slick became one of the oldest women at the time to top the charts, proving that experience and attitude still ruled in the pop world. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award, showing just how deeply it crossed over from radio to pop culture.

More than just a hit, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” became a motivational anthem—played at weddings, graduations, and celebrations for decades after. It remains a shining example of the bold, emotional, and unapologetically big sound that made 1980s music so unforgettable.

🎧 Retro Picks of the Week

📺 T.V. Show: Mike Hammer was a gritty 1980s TV series starring Stacy Keach as the hard-boiled private detective based on the classic Mickey Spillane novels. With its dark tone, trench coats, and neo-noir style, the show stood out as a tougher, more adult take on crime drama during the decade.

📼 Movie: Outrageous Fortune is a 1987 comedy film starring Bette Midler and Shelley Long as two complete opposites forced to team up while searching for the same missing man. Mixing sharp humor, action, and great on-screen chemistry, the movie became a fun late-’80s cult favorite.

🎵 Song: Somebody’s Watching Me is a 1984 hit single by Rockwell that tapped into ’80s paranoia with its catchy synth line and suspenseful lyrics. The song became even more iconic thanks to uncredited backing vocals by Michael Jackson, helping turn it into a lasting pop culture classic.

🕹️ Video Game: Joust is a classic 1982 arcade video game by Williams where players ride flying ostriches and battle enemy knights using precise timing and momentum. Its unique gameplay, competitive two-player mode, and medieval-meets-arcade style made it one of the most memorable games of the golden age of video arcades.

👾 Cartoon: Dungeons & Dragons was a popular early-’80s animated series about a group of kids magically transported into a fantasy world filled with monsters, magic, and danger. Guided by the mysterious Dungeon Master, the show became a cult favorite for its darker tone and its famously unresolved ending.