Today in 80s history! What happened on April 12th in the 80s? Find out what happened today in 80s Movies, 80s Music, 80s TV Shows, and 80s Sports! Also find out about celebrity birthdays for the legends, icons and characters we grew up with in the 80s!
TODAY'S 80S BIRTHDAYS
Herbie Hancock (Keyboardist, “Rockit”) - 86
April 12, 1940
Ed O'Neill (Actor, Married... with Children) - 80
April 12, 1946
Alex Briley (Singer, Village People) - 79
April 12, 1947
Dan Lauria (Actor, The Wonder Years) - 79
April 12, 1947
Andy Garcia (Actor, The Untouchables, Black Rain) - 70
April 12, 1956
Extra Fun Facts: Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock reinvented himself in the 80s with “Rockit” (1983), a groundbreaking hit that brought electronic music and turntablism into mainstream pop culture.
Remembering
Beverly Cleary (Writer)
April 12, 1916 - March 25, 2021 (Age 104)
Alvin Sargent (Screenwriter)
April 12, 1927 - May 9, 2019 (Age 92)
Tom Clancy (Novelist)
April 12, 1947 - October 1, 2013 (Age 66)
David Cassidy (Singer and Actor)
April 12, 1950 - November 21, 2017 (Age 67)
Shannen Doherty (Actress, Heathers)
April 12, 1971 - July 13, 2024 (Age 53)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 12th
One Eighty
Ambrosia
4th Album
Release Date: April 12, 1980
Billboard 200: #25
American Fool
John Cougar
5th Album
Release Date: April 12, 1982
Billboard 200: #1
Featuring: “Hurts So Good” and “Jack & Diane”
Murmur
R.E.M.
Debut Album
Release Date: April 12, 1983
Billboard 200: #36
Grace Under Pressure
Rush
10th Album
Release Date: April 12, 1984
Billboard 200: #10
Even Worse
“Weird Al” Yankovic
5th Album
Release Date: April 12, 1988
Billboard 200: #27
Featuring: “Fat”
Lap of Luxury
Cheap Trick
10th Album
Release Date: April 12, 1988
Billboard 200: #16
Featuring: “The Flame”
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 12th
Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)
Release Date: April 12, 1985
Director: Alan Metter
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Lee Montgomery, Jonathan Silverman, Ed Lauter and Shannen Doherty
Budget: $5 Million
Box Office: $6.3 Million
Ladyhawke (1985)
Release Date: April 12, 1985
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer
Budget: $20 Million
Box Office: $18.4 Million
Cat's Eye (1985)
Release Date: April 12, 1985
Director: Lewis Teague
Starring: Drew Barrymore, James Woods, Alan King, Robert Hays and Candy Clark
Budget: $7 Million
Box Office: $13.1 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Ace Crawford, Private Eye
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: April 12, 1983
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 5
Starring: Tim Conway
The Duck Factory
Event: Series Premiere
Network: NBC
First Episode Date: April 12, 1984
Last Episode Date: July 11, 1984
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13
Starring: Jim Carrey
Soul Train
Event: 500th Episode
Date: April 12, 1986
Saturday Night Live
Event: Oprah Winfrey Hosts
Network: NBC
Date: April 12, 1986
Musical Guest: Joe Jackson
21 Jump Street
Event: Series Premiere
Network: Fox
First Episode Date: April 12, 1987
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 103
Starring: Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson, Peter DeLuise and Dustin Nguyen
My Sister Sam
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: April 12, 1988
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 44
Starring: Pam Dawber
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1980 - Brewers Hit Two Grand Slams in One Inning
Event: MLB Offensive Feat
Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Details: Cecil Cooper and Don Money each hit a grand slam in the seventh inning in an 18-1 win over Boston.
1981 - Tom Watson Wins the Masters
Event: Masters Tournament
Location: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
1987 - Larry Mize Wins the Masters
Event: Masters Tournament
Location: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Details: Mize defeated Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman in a playoff.
1988 - Frank Robinson Named Orioles Manager
Event: MLB Managerial Change
Details: Robinson replaced Cal Ripken Sr. during Baltimore’s 0-21 start.
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1981 - Space Shuttle Columbia Launches (STS-1)
Event: NASA Milestone
Details: The first Space Shuttle mission launched, beginning a new era of spaceflight.
