A Nostalgia Trip through 1980s Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

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History & Events during the 1980s in the UK

The 80s saw some historic events that would shape the UK’s future for the decade and beyond. Check out what happened year by year.

The UK in 1980

1980 saw the first CND rallies, the Alton Towers theme park opening and the murder of John Lennon in New York. In sport, Liverpool won the league, West Ham won the cup and we saw the famous clashes between Steve Ovett and Seb Coe at the Moscow Olympics.

The UK in 1981

1981 saw the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. There was a summer of unrest with riots in many cities. In sport, Aston Villa won the football league, Liverpool won the European Cup and Tottenham Hotspur won the cup. England enjoyed Ashes success and the ZX81 was launched!

The UK in 1982

The events of 1982 were dominated by the Falklands Conflict between the UK and Argentina. Argentina invaded on the 2nd April leading to a British Task Force setting sail to reclaim the Islands. The Football World Cup in Spain was the biggest sports event of the year and Prince William was born.

The UK in 1983

1983 sees Breakfast Television arrive on television. Margaret Thatcher, Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 1979, wins a landslide victory in the general election. 38 IRA prisoners armed with six guns hijack a lorry and escape from HM Prison Maze in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The UK in 1984

1984 saw major events including the Miners Strike – a major industrial action to shut down the British coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. The Olympic Games were held in Los Angeles and the music industry came together to record the iconic Band Aid Single.

The UK in 1985

1985 saw the continuation of the miner’s strike. The good news was sparse with the Manchester Air Disaster, Bradford City FC Fire, and Heysel Tragedy all taking place. Football Hooliganism was at its nadir. Live Aid in July 1985 was a memorable bright spot with millions tuning in to watch.

The UK in 1986

Derek Hatton is expelled from the Labour Party during a purge on Militant Tendency. Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew tie the knot. The Australian soap opera “Neighbours” launches. 30 million tune into Eastenders on Christmas Day to see Dirty Den serve divorce papers on Angie!

The UK in 1987

Margaret Thatcher was returned for a third term in the 1987 General Election. Michael Ryan goes on a horrific shooting rampage in Hungerford. IKEA opens it’s first store in Britain . Golliwogs are banned from Enid Blyton Books and the SAS kill 8 members of the IRA at Loughgall.

The UK in 1988

1988 saw the Piper Alpha and Lockerbie tragedies with hundreds dying as a result. US President Ronald Reagan visited the UK, the Seoul Olympics and Euro Football Championships took place and Edwina Currie caused major damage to the egg industry with Salmonella claims.

The UK in 1989

1989 included major events such as the Hillsborough Tragedy where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at the FA Cup Semi Final against Nottingham Forest. The Church of England allowed the ordination of women for the first time. The House of Commons is televised live for the first time.

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