Today in 80s history! What happened on July 24th 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
Chris Sarandon (Fright Night, The Princess Bride) - 84
July 24, 1942
Robert Hays (Airplane!) - 79
July 24, 1947
Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) - 75
July 24, 1951
Karl Malone (NBA Hall of Famer) - 63
July 24, 1963
Kadeem Hardison (A Different World) - 61
July 24, 1965
REMEMBERING
Peter Sellers (The Pink Panther, Being There)
September 8, 1925 - July 24, 1980 (Age 54)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on July 24th
No major 80s album releases for today in the 80s!
1982 - "Eye of the Tiger" Began Its Six-Week Run at #1
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: Survivor's Rocky III theme hit #1 on the chart dated July 24, 1982 and stayed there for six weeks, finishing as the second-biggest single of the year. Stallone only called Survivor after Queen turned down his request to use "Another One Bites the Dust."
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On July 24th
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Release Date: July 24, 1985
Director: Ted Berman and Richard Rich
Starring: Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan and John Hurt
Note: Disney's darkest animated film and its first rated PG, so notorious a box office disappointment that it nearly ended Disney animation, just four years before The Little Mermaid saved everything.
La Bamba (1987)
Release Date: July 24, 1987
Director: Luis Valdez
Starring: Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales and Elizabeth Peña
Note: The Ritchie Valens story turned Lou Diamond Phillips into a star, and Los Lobos' cover of the title song went all the way to #1 that summer.
TODAY IN 80S TV
1988 - Final Episode of Tales from the Darkside
Event: Series Finale
Network: Syndication
Final Episode Date: July 24, 1988
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 90
Note: George A. Romero's anthology series signed off with the wrestling-themed episode "Basher Malone." Man, that opening narration still gives us chills.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1988 - Pedro Delgado Won the Tour de France
Event: Tour de France Final Stage
Team: Pedro Delgado
Opponent: Steven Rooks
Result: Delgado won by over 7 minutes
Details: The Spaniard rode into Paris in yellow on July 24, 1988, sandwiched between Stephen Roche's 1987 win and Greg LeMond's famous 8-second comeback the following July.
1983 - The Pine Tar Game
Event: MLB, Royals at Yankees
Team: Kansas City Royals
Opponent: New York Yankees
Result: Brett's home run was nullified, then reinstated on appeal
Details: George Brett smashed a go-ahead two-run homer off Goose Gossage with two out in the ninth, only for Billy Martin to protest the pine tar on his bat. Umpires called Brett out, triggering his legendary dugout eruption. AL president Lee MacPhail overturned the call, and the Royals finished off the 5-4 win when play resumed on August 18.
