What Happened In...

In 1980, the world entered a decade defined by tension, speed, and unexpected change. This episode explores a year shaped by the Cold War, the boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games, the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War, the rise of Solidarity in Poland, and Ronald Reagan’s election in the United States. It also follows the global impact of John Lennon’s assassination, the arrival of Pac-Ma...

In 1981, the world began to reveal the true rhythm of the 1980s: screens, technology, global music, and new forms of fear. This episode explores the launch of the IBM Personal Computer, the birth of MTV, the first flight of the Columbia space shuttle, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana as a worldwide media event. It also covers the assassination attempts against Ronald Reagan and Pop...

In 1982, the world lived through a year of extreme contrasts: war, football, cinema, music, and technology moving forward at the same time. This episode explores the Falklands/Malvinas War, its political consequences and international impact, alongside the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where Italy became champion. It also covers the Lebanon War, the death of Leonid Brezhnev, Michael Jackson’s Thr...

In 1983, the world began connecting in ways few people could fully imagine. This episode explores the shift to the TCP/IP protocol, a crucial step in the development of the Internet, while Cold War tensions intensified with the downing of Korean Air Flight 007 and the Able Archer 83 military exercise. It also covers scientific advances related to AIDS, the Beirut attacks, the U.S. invasion of Gren...

In 1984, screens took center stage around the world. This episode explores the launch of the Apple Macintosh, the creation of Tetris in the Soviet Union, and the Los Angeles Olympic Games, shaped by the Soviet boycott and television spectacle. It also covers the Bhopal industrial disaster, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the famine in Ethiopia, Ronald Reagan’s reelection, and instability...

In 1985, the world sang, shook, and began to change. This episode explores Live Aid and the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, the Mexico City earthquake, the Armero tragedy in Colombia, the Japan Airlines Flight 123 disaster, and the discovery of the Titanic wreck in the Atlantic Ocean. It also covers the launch of Windows 1.0, the growth of personal computing, Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise to pow...

In 1986, the world faced tragedies that marked a generation. This episode explores the Challenger space shuttle disaster, the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and the human, environmental, and political impact of two catastrophes that shook confidence in technology. It also covers the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, with Argentina as champion and Diego Maradona as a global figure, the People Power Revolution...

In 1987, the world began to rearrange itself through treaties, scandals, and new forms of global culture. This episode explores the signing of the INF Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union, a key sign of Cold War détente, alongside the Iran-Contra affair and the political crisis of trust it created. It also covers Black Monday and the global stock market crash, the First Int...

In 1988, the world seemed to be preparing for a much larger transformation. This episode explores Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms, the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Seoul Olympic Games, and Ben Johnson’s doping scandal. It also covers the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, the ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, the downing of Iran Air Flight 655, the Armenia earthquake, C...

In 1989, the world entered a new era. This episode explores the fall of the Berlin Wall, citizen protests across Eastern Europe, the rise of Solidarity in Poland, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu in Romania. It also covers the Tiananmen protests in China, the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Exxon Valdez environmental disaster, the first proposal fo...