Today in 80s history! What happened on April 9th 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
Michael Learned (Actress, The Waltons) - 87
April 9, 1939
Peter Gammons (Baseball Analyst) - 81
April 9, 1945
Dennis Quaid (Actor, Innerspace, The Right Stuff) - 72
April 9, 1954
Keshia Knight Pulliam (Actress, The Cosby Show) - 47
April 9, 1979
Extra Fun Facts: Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid became one of the most recognizable 80s movie stars with standout roles in Breaking Away (1979), The Right Stuff (1983), Innerspace (1987), and Great Balls of Fire! (1989).
Remembering
Seve Ballesteros (Golfer)
April 9, 1957 - May 7, 2011 (Age 54)
Willie Stargell (Baseball Player)
March 6, 1940 - April 9, 2001 (Age 61)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 9th
The Broadsword and the Beast
Jethro Tull
14th Album
Release Date: April 9, 1982
Billboard 200: #19
Jump Up!
Elton John
16th Album
Release Date: April 9, 1982
Billboard 200: #17
Reckoning
R.E.M.
2nd Album
Release Date: April 9, 1984
Billboard 200: #27
Note: This was the UK release date. The U.S. release followed on April 17, 1984.
The Other Side of Life
The Moody Blues
12th Album
Release Date: April 9, 1986
Billboard 200: #9
Singles Released
“Overkill”
Men at Work
Release Date: March 1983
Details: I removed this from April 9. It was already out in March 1983, though it debuted on the U.S. Hot 100 dated April 9, 1983.
In Other 80s Music News
1988 - “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car” Hits No. 1
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: Billy Ocean’s hit reached No. 1 in America on April 9, 1988 and stayed there for two weeks.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 9th
Savannah Smiles (1982)
Release Date: April 9, 1982
Director: Pierre De Moro
Starring: Mark Miller, Donovan Scott, Bridgette Andersen, Peter Graves and Michael Parks
Budget: N/A
Box Office: $10.4 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Checking In
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: April 9, 1981
Last Episode Date: April 30, 1981
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Starring: Marla Gibbs
Note: This was a spin-off of The Jeffersons.
56th Academy Awards
Event: Awards Show
Network: ABC
Date: April 9, 1984
Host: Johnny Carson
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
Three’s a Crowd
Event: Series Finale
Network: ABC
Final Episode Date: April 9, 1985
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 22
Note: This was the Three’s Company spin-off.
High Mountain Rangers
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: April 9, 1988
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 12
Starring: Robert Conrad
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1980 - George Foster Hits the First Home Run of the 80s MLB Season
Event: MLB Opening Day Milestone
Details: Foster homered in the first inning off Phil Niekro as the Reds beat the Braves 9-0.
1980 - Gordie Howe Scores His Final NHL Regular-Season Goal
Event: NHL Milestone
Details: Howe scored the 801st and final regular-season goal of his NHL career.
1981 - Fernando Valenzuela Throws Opening Day Shutout in First MLB Start
Event: MLB Debut Milestone
Details: Valenzuela shut out Houston 2-0 in his first major league start, launching Fernandomania.
1981 - Brian Downing Hits Opening Day Grand Slam in the First Inning
Event: MLB Opening Day Milestone
Details: Downing hit a first-inning grand slam as the Angels beat the Mariners 6-2.
1982 - Lakers Block 21 Shots to Set NBA Regulation Record
Event: NBA Team Record
Details: Los Angeles beat Denver 153-128 while setting an NBA regulation-game record with 21 blocked shots.
1985 - Tom Seaver Makes Record 15th Opening Day Start
Event: MLB Opening Day Record
Details: Seaver started his 15th Opening Day game, extending the major league record at the time.
1987 - Wayne Gretzky Becomes NHL Playoff Scoring Leader
Event: NHL Playoff Record
Details: Gretzky passed Jean Béliveau to become the all-time playoff scoring leader.
1989 - Nick Faldo Wins the Masters
Event: Major Championship
Details: Faldo beat Scott Hoch on the second playoff hole to win the Masters.
1989 - Rickey Henderson Steals His 800th Career Base
Event: MLB Stolen Base Milestone
Details: Henderson reached 800 career steals as the Yankees beat the Indians 4-3.
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1983 - Space Shuttle Challenger Returns from STS-6
Event: NASA Mission Milestone
Details: Challenger completed its first mission and returned to Earth. The mission also featured the first spacewalk of the shuttle program.
