Memory Lane: 1983

Tearm of EndearmentThe world’s most popular word processing program is launched: Microsoft Word.

Following on from the start of the recession in the US, Unemployment rises to 12 million.

In Ethiopia following the worst drought in history the death toll reaches a staggering 4 million.

The US starts deploying Cruise Missiles and Pershing Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England.

West Germany is amid mass protests.

In The News

Ethiopia Famine kills 4 million

IBM releases the IBM PC XT

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed

Harrods Bombing

US Unemployment reaches 12 million

Space Shuttle Challenger is launched Maiden Flight

Cruise Missiles Deployed in Europe


Population/Economy

Population:

  • Wake County: 327,627
  • NC: 6,077,000
  • USA: 233,800,000

National Debt:

  •  $1,377,210,000,000 (1983)
  • $18,152,809,942,589 (2015)

Value of a Dollar: $1 in 1983 is $2.40 in 2015

Cost Of Living 1983:

  • Yearly inflation rate: 3.22%
  • Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average: 1258
  • Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve: 11%
  • Average cost of new house: $82,600
  • Median price Of an existing home: $70,300
  • Average income per year: $21,070
  • Average monthly rent: $335
  • Dodge RAM 50 Truck: $5665.00
  • Volkswagen Rabbit: $6,994.00
  • Ford Mustang: $6,572.00
  • Timex Sinclair Color Computer: $179.99
  • Milk 2% Gallon: $1.35
  • Kraft Singles Cheese (12): $1.49
  • Men’s Leather Shoes: $39.99
  • Cheeseburger at McDonald’s: $0.38
  • Ticket to Disneyland: 1 Day Ticket $15-$17; 2 Day Ticket $27.00; 3 Day World Passport $35.00

Ounce of Gold Price:

  • The cost of an ounce of gold was $424.35
  • The inflation-adjusted price of an ounce of gold was $1,020.07


Going to the Movies

Cost of a movie ticket: $3.15

Inflation-adjusted price of a movie ticket: $7.57

The cost of a movie ticket in 2015: $7.92

Top 5 Movies:

  1. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 
  2. Terms of Endearment 
  3. Flashdance
  4. Trading Places
  5. War Games 

 

56th Academy Awards

  • Best Picture: Terms of Endearment
  • Best Director: James L. Brooks – Terms of Endearment
  • Best Actor: Robert Duvall – Tender Mercies
  • Best Actress: Shirley MacLaine – Terms of Endearment
  • Best Supporting Actor: Jack Nicholson – Terms of Endearment
  • Best Supporting Actress: Linda Hunt – The Year of Living Dangerously


Top 10 TV Shows

  1. Dallas – CBS – 21,536,600
  2. 60 Minutes – CBS – 20,279,600
  3.  Dynasty – ABC – 20,195,800
  4. The A-Team – NBC – 20,112,000
  5. Simon & Simon – CBS – 19,944,400
  6. Magnum, P.I. – CBS – 18,771,200
  7. Falcon Crest – CBS – 18,436,000
  8. Kate & Allie – CBS – 18,352,200
  9. Hotel – ABC – 17,681,800
  10. Cagney & Lacey – CBS – 17,514,200

Top 20 Pop Songs

  1. Police -Every Breath You Take
  2. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
  3. Irene Cara – Flashdance… What A Feeling
  4. Men At Work – Down Under
  5. Michael Jackson – Beat It
  6. Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart
  7. Daryl Hall and John Oates – Maneater
  8. Patti Austin and James Ingram – Baby Come To Me
  9. Michael Sembello – Maniac
  10. Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
  11. Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
  12. Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle – You And I
  13. Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
  14. Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band – Shame On The Moon
  15. Donna Summer – She Works Hard For The Money
  16. Sergio Mendes – Never Gonna Let You Go
  17. Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf
  18. David Bowie – Let’s Dance
  19. Golden Earring – Twilight Zone
  20. Frida – I Know There’s Something Going On


Top 20 Country Songs

  1. Can’t Even Get The Blues – Reba McEntire
  2. Going Where The Lonely Go – Merle Haggard
  3. (Lost His Love) On Our Last Date – Emmylou Harris
  4. Talk To Me – Mickey Gilley
  5. Inside – Ronnie Milsap
  6. ‘Til I Gain Control Again – Crystal Gayle
  7. Faking Love – T. G. Sheppard & Karen Brooks
  8. Why Baby Why – Charley Pride
  9. If Hollywood Don’t Need You – Don Williams
  10. The Rose – Conway Twitty
  11. I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could – Ricky Skaggs
  12. Swingin’ – John Anderson
  13. When I’m Away From You – Bellamy Brothers
  14. We’ve Got Tonight – Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton
  15. Dixieland Delight – Alabama
  16. American Made – The Oak Ridge Boys
  17. You’re The First Time I’ve Thought About Leaving – Reba McEntire
  18. Jose Cuervo – Shelly West
  19. Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love – B. J. Thomas
  20. Common Man – John Conlee


This Year in Sports

ACC Football Champ: Maryland

ACC Basketball Champs: NC State (NCSU 81 – Virginia 78)

World Series Winner: Batimore Orioles over the Philadelphia Phillies

Heavyweight Boxing Champs: Michael Dokes, Gerrie Coetzee and Larry Holmes

Super Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins (Redskins 27 – Miami Dolphins 17)

NASCAR Season Winner: Bobby Allison

Masters Winner: Seve Ballesteros (8 under – won $90,000)

Wimbledon Winners:

  • Men’s Singles: United States John McEnroe defeated New Zealand Chris Lewis 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
  • Women’s Singles: United States Martina Navratilova defeated United States Andrea Jaeger 6–0, 6–3
  • Men’s Doubles: United States Peter Fleming / United States John McEnroe defeated United States Tim Gullikson / United States Tom Gullikson 6–4, 6–3, 6–4
  • Women’s Doubles: United States Martina Navratilova / United States Pam Shriver defeated United States Rosemary Casals / Australia Wendy Turnbull 6–2, 6–2
  • Mixed Doubles: Australia Wendy Turnbull / United Kingdom John Lloyd defeated United States Billie Jean King / United States Steve Denton 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–5