1980s

  • A girl standing next to a public payphone holds a handful of coins in her palm.

    15 Things Americans Had to Do Before Leaving the House in the 1980s and 1990s

    Discover 15 things Americans had to do before leaving home in the 1980s and 1990s, from checking maps to preparing for a day without smartphones.

  • A wooden desk with a vintage rotary phone, a lamp, and a chair with a cane back, set against a hutch filled with books, a globe, and a houseplant.

    16 Forgotten Spaces Every American Home Seemed to Have in the 1970s and 1980s

    Discover 16 forgotten spaces once common in American homes during the 1970s and 1980s, from cozy family rooms to unique features rarely seen today.

  • Several packets of Pop Rocks popping candy in strawberry, watermelon, and tropical punch flavors.

    12 Wishlist Items Every ’80s Kid Obsessed About

    Saturday mornings in the ’80s had a rhythm: cartoons first, then chores, because that sweet, crumpled allowance wasn’t going to earn itself. Whether it was raking leaves, vacuuming the living room, or washing Dad’s car just well enough to pass…

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    15 Things Older Americans Still Use Every Day That Gen Z Thinks Are Ancient

    From paper checkbooks to landlines, these 15 things older Americans still use every day look like museum pieces to Gen Z.

  • A document showing a 18.63% mortgage interest rate from October 1981, with a calculator and a “For Sale” sign in the background.
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    18 Ways the 1980s Were More Expensive Than People Remember

    The 1980s are remembered as a time when life was much more affordable, with cheap houses, low-cost gas, and daily goods that cost a fraction of what they do today. But the reality was more complicated. High interest rates, rising…

  • A red GAF View-Master toy, a pack of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial reels, and a circular film reel featuring still images from the movie.
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    12 Iconic Items Every ’80s Kid Couldn’t Resist

    Saturday mornings in the ’80s had a rhythm: cartoons first, then chores, because that sweet, crumpled allowance wasn’t going to earn itself. Whether it was raking leaves, vacuuming the living room, or washing Dad’s car just well enough to pass…

  • Spectators in the stands watching a baseball game at a stadium.
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    16 Things That Were Far More Affordable in the Eighties

    The 1980s are remembered for fashion, cassette tapes, and the rise of shopping malls. When we look back at that decade, one of the biggest surprises is how cheap life…

  • Michael Jackson in a red leather jacket dancing with a group of zombies in a school gymnasium decorated for a Halloween dance.

    17 Moments From the 1980s That Would Have Gone Viral on TikTok

    Discover 17 unforgettable moments from the 1980s that would have gone viral on TikTok, from bizarre trends and pop culture to iconic moments of the decade.

  • A box of Wonka Nerds candy with purple grape and pink strawberry compartments, with loose candy of both flavors spilled in front.
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    15 Halloween Favorites from the 1980s

    Halloween in the 1980s was a different kind of sugar rush. Kids dressed up as ghosts, monsters, and their favorite cartoon characters, grabbed a plastic bucket, and walked the neighborhood.…

  • A light-up witch decoration standing outdoors next to a doorway draped with orange and black crepe paper streamers.
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    15 Forgotten Halloween Decorations From the 1980s

    Discover 15 Forgotten Halloween Decorations From the 1980s

  • Black and white headshot of actor Walton Goggins looking directly at the camera.

    15 Celebrity Crushes That Are Wildcards But Also Make Sense

    Everyone has their own unique set of tastes. Ideally, at least. It’d be some kind of lifeless world if we were all marching around to the exact same beat. With…

  • A crystal bowl filled with dried potpourri, including flower petals, pinecones, dried orange slices, and a cinnamon stick.
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    15 Things Every American Home Had Out for Fall in the 1980s

    You could tell fall had arrived in the 1980s just by walking past someone’s house. There were pumpkins on the porch, colorful leaves, and cozy blankets thrown over the living…

  • Children browse the action figure and toy aisles inside a Toys “R” Us store.

    15 Scenes From 1980s American Shopping Malls That Feel Like Another World

    Explore 15 nostalgic scenes from American shopping malls in the 1980s, from bustling food courts and arcade games to stores and traditions of the era.

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    15 Gen X Childhood “Hardships” Today’s Kids Would Never Survive

    Rewinding tapes, begging for a phone, and walking home alone: 15 Gen X childhood “hardships” today’s kids would never survive.

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    15 1980s Fashion Trends That Nobody Will Ever Wear Again

    Discover 15 disastrous 1980s fashion trends that nobody will ever wear again, from towering shoulder pads and neon spandex to extreme mullets.

  • A dentist wearing a mask and gloves examines a patient’s teeth in an exam chair.
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    16 Professions That Paid Well in the 1980s

    The 1980s were a different time for work and money. Some jobs offered good salaries, stable careers, and the chance to support a family. Skilled workers could earn a good…

  • A small, round tiramisu cake topped with a dollop of cream sits on a plate next to a swirl of chocolate sauce.
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    12 Dishes That Stole the Show at the 1980s Dinner Parties

    The dishes that pull on all the nostalgic heartstrings are the ones that warm the soul itself. It’s just nice to eat foods that remind us of the golden days.…

  • A family browses VHS tapes in a video rental store. Two children look at movies, while a woman and a man check shelves nearby. The “New Releases” sign is visible above a display.

    15 Things That Were Part of a Typical Saturday Morning in the 1980s

    Saturday mornings in the 1980s meant cartoons, cereal, chores, bikes, mall trips, and simple routines that defined the weekend.