Featured moment
Return of the Jedi Released
The conclusion of George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy shattered box office records.
Return of the Jedi.
The original Star Wars trilogy ended, the internet was born, and the video game industry crashed.
The Cost of Living in 1983
Gallon of Gas
$1.15
Loaf of Bread
$0.53
Gallon of Milk
$2.18
World Population
4.70 billion
Featured moment
The Internet is Born (TCP/IP)
ARPANET officially switched to the TCP/IP protocol suite on January 1st, establishing the foundation of the modern internet.
Featured moment
Video Game Crash of 1983
A massive recession hit the video game industry, bankrupting several companies and ending the second generation of console gaming.
The wider picture
More from 1983
A few more things worth remembering.
Science & Space
Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space
The physicist rode the space shuttle Challenger, shattering the glass ceiling at NASA.
Gaming
Mario Bros. Released
Mario and Luigi worked as plumbers in the New York sewers in this arcade hit, establishing the brothers' dynamic.
Technology
Motorola DynaTAC 8000X Approved
The FCC approved the first commercial cellular phone, which weighed nearly 2 pounds and cost $3,995.
Cinema & TV
Scarface Released
Brian De Palma's violent crime epic starring Al Pacino became a massive cult classic and cultural touchstone.
Pop Culture
First McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
The iconic menu item was introduced nationwide in the US, changing fast food forever.
Cinema & TV
Fraggle Rock Premieres
Jim Henson's musical puppet series debuted on HBO, promoting themes of peace and interconnectedness.
You arrivedin 1983.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1983 to today.