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August 31, 1983

August 31, 1983, was a Wednesday. It was 40 years, 6 months, and 19 days ago. The zodiac sign for this date is Virgo.

Song charts

Popular songs

On August 31, 1983, the following songs were at the top of the music charts in the USA and the UK:

  • United States: "Every Breath You Take" by Police
  • United Kingdom: "Give It Up" by KC & Sunshine Band

The music charts on August 31, 1983

The following songs were dominating the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Every Breath You Take - The Police
  • Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics
  • Maniac - Michael Sembello
  • She Works Hard For The Money - Donna Summer
  • Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco
Play the top singles from 1983
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1983. Take a trip back to the days of Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, the Police, Elton John and Phil Collins.
Easy Money

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Easy Money".

Facts

This date occurred 14,811 days ago. Approximately 494 months have passed. It was the 243rd day of 1983, in week 35. The decade was the eighties. People who were born on August 31, 1983, are now 40 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. 165 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to August 31, 1983

Let's go back to the eighties.

The date is August 31, 1983, and it's a Wednesday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Virgo. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

The summer of 1983 is coming to an end and fall is just around the corner. Labor Day weekend is a few days away, which means that many Americans are planning barbecues and other social gatherings. In America, the song "Every Breath You Take" by Police is at the top of the singles charts, while "Give It Up" by KC & Sunshine Band is the number-one song in the UK.

Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the movie Easy Money is at the top of the box office. Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "The Jeffersons", "The Dukes of Hazzard", "The Facts of Life", and "Cheers".

In fashion, women are wearing jelly shoes, turtleneck sweaters, loose high-waist pants, crop tops, and puffer jackets lined with fur. Meanwhile, men have been ditching the disco look of the 1970s in favor of athletic clothing such as tracksuits and sports jerseys. The "preppy" look has also been making a comeback. Because it's 1983, the radio stations are being dominated by artists such as Culture Club, Michael Jackson, Irene Cara, David Bowie and The Police. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Marvin Gaye, Andy Kaufman, and Truman Capote would all still be alive.

People are playing video games such as "Galaxian", "Pac-Man", "Missile Command", and "Donkey Kong". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Diff'rent Strokes", "The Smurfs", "Danger Mouse", and "Inspector Gadget". Children are playing with toys such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Screwball Scramble, the Big Wheel (tricycle), and Space Lego.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on August 31, 1983.

  • National Lampoon's Vacation.

    National Lampoon's Vacation

    The comedy film "National Lampoon's Vacation" was showing in movie theaters at this time.
  • 1983 in music.

    1983 in music

    Popular music artists in 1983 included The Police, Michael Jackson, Irene Cara, Men at Work, Bonnie Tyler, Hall & Oates, Michael Sembello, Eurythmics, Culture Club and Dexys Midnight Runners.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1983?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1983?

    The best NBA players in 1983 were Moses Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Sidney Moncrief and Julius Erving.
  • 1983 in movies.

    1983 in movies

    Movies released in 1983 included Return of the Jedi, Terms of Endearment, Flashdance, Trading Places, National Lampoon's Vacation, WarGames, Scarface, Octopussy, Sudden Impact, Staying Alive, Mr. Mom and Risky Business.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1983, the best soccer players were Michel Platini, Kenny Dalglish, Allan Simonsen, Gordon Strachan, Felix Magath, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Rinat Dasayev, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Jesper Olsen, Bryan Robson and Fernando Gomes.
  • Terms of Endearment.

    Terms of Endearment

    "Terms of Endearment" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1983.
  • Time Person of the Year: 1983.

    Time Person of the Year: 1983

    Ronald Reagan and Yuri Andropov were both named Time Person of the Year in 1983.
  • The Police - "Every Breath You Take"

    The Police - "Every Breath You Take"

    "Every Breath You Take" by The Police went on to win a Grammy for 1983's Song of the Year.
  • The Commodore 64.

    The Commodore 64

    The Commodore 64 was dominating the home computer market.
  • Leg warmers.

    Leg warmers

    Wearing leg warmers was a popular fad during this period. The trend was popularized by movies such as Fame and Flashdance.
  • VCRs are becoming popular.

    VCRs are becoming popular

    VCRs started to become a popular household item during the first half of the 1980s. However, they were still very costly. This device gave people the ability to play VCR tapes and record TV programs and movies.
  • Iran-Iraq War.

    Iran-Iraq War

    Between September 1980 and August 1988, an armed conflict was being fought between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iraqi Republic.
  • Early 1980s fashion.

    Early 1980s fashion

    The early 1980s saw a minimalist approach to fashion, with some trends carrying over from the late 1970s. Sweaters, fur-lined puffer jackets, tunics, ripped jeans, leotards, velour tracksuits, tube tops, knee-length skirts, high-waisted pants, and embroidered jeans were all popular. The colors during the early 1980s were subdued, quiet, and basic. Varying shades of brown, tan, and orange were in fashion.
  • Computers are replacing typewriters.

    Computers are replacing typewriters

    Desktop computers were beginning to replace typewriters in offices.
  • TV remotes.

    TV remotes

    Although TV remotes existed, many homes didn't have one. Infrared technology was still relatively new.
  • The Atari 2600.

    The Atari 2600

    The Atari 2600 was the dominant video game system.
  • The Walkman.

    The Walkman

    In the late 1970s and 1980s, portable cassette players such as the "Sony Walkman" were becoming more common.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on August 31, 1983.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around August 31, 1983.

  • August 3, 1983: American rock musician Jobriath dies from AIDS at the age of 36.
  • August 4, 1983: Soccer: Kerry Dixon joins Chelsea.
  • August 6, 1983: German singer Klaus Nomi dies of complications related to AIDS.
  • August 10, 1983: Hip Hop group Run-D.M.C. release their debut single "It's Like That".
  • August 15, 1983: The film Flashdance (1983) is released.
  • August 18, 1983: Hurricane Alicia hits the coast of Texas, killing 22 people.
  • August 26, 1983: Floods in Spain kill 45 people.
  • August 28, 1983: "I cannot go on any longer": Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin announces that he is resigning.
  • This date: August 31, 1983
  • September 1, 1983:
    • 14-year-old Kirsa Jensen goes missing in Napier, New Zealand.
    • Korean Air Lines Flight 007 is shot down by Soviet forces. 269 people are killed, including US Congressman Larry McDonald.
  • September 5, 1983: English band Culture Club release the song "Karma Chameleon".
  • September 15, 1983: Reggae deejay "Prince Far I" is shot dead at his home in Kingston, Jamaica.
  • September 17, 1983: Vanessa L. Williams becomes the first African American to be crowned Miss America.
  • September 19, 1983: The first episode of the television game show "Press Your Luck" is aired.
  • September 24, 1983: Soccer: Peter Beardsley makes his debut for Newcastle United.
  • September 25, 1983: 38 Provisional IRA prisoners break out of the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland.
  • September 26, 1983: Nuclear false alarm: An early-warning radar in the Soviet Union erroneously reports that an intercontinental ballistic missile has been launched from bases in the United States.
  • September 29, 1983: Billy Joel releases his single "Uptown Girl".
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on August 31, 1983, will have the star sign Virgo.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1983 was the year of the .
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 6.
  • Native American Zodiac: August 31, 1983 falls under the Bear.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of August will have the birthstone Peridot.
  • Birth flower (August): The Gladiolus and the Poppy.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in August 1983

In August 1983, TV audiences were watching the following series:

TV shows from August 1983.

The A-Team
The A-Team
'Allo 'Allo!
'Allo 'Allo!
Cheers
Cheers
Knight Rider
Knight Rider
Family Ties
Family Ties
Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
Knots Landing
Knots Landing
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
Dallas
Dallas
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Three's Company
Three's Company
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
Happy Days
Happy Days
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
Columbo
Columbo

Cars in 1983

1983 saw the introduction of cars such as the BMW M6, the Dodge Charger (1981), the Chrysler E-Class, the Ford Fiesta Mk2, the Renault 25, and the Honda Civic (third generation).

Cars in 1983.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in August 1983

If you were a kid on August 31, 1983, then you were probably watching the following cartoons and TV shows:

Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock
Inspector Gadget
Inspector Gadget
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds

The Smurfs
The Smurfs
Cockleshell Bay
Cockleshell Bay
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
The All New Popeye Hour
The All New Popeye Hour
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Toys

Toys in 1983

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

My Little Pony (figures)
My Little Pony (figures)
The Commodore 64
The Commodore 64
Masters of the Universe (figures)
Masters of the Universe (figures)
The Lego train set
The Lego train set
Fisher-Price Little People (Farm)
Fisher-Price Little People (Farm)
Space Lego
Space Lego
Fischer Price cassette player
Fischer Price cassette player
Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Rubik's Cube
Rubik's Cube
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
Intellivision (games console)
Intellivision (games console)
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Screwball Scramble
Screwball Scramble
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids
Speak & Spell
Speak & Spell
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Water Ring Toss
Water Ring Toss
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite
Operation
Operation
The Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in August 1983.

Mario Bros. 1983
Mario Bros.
Donkey Kong 1981
Donkey Kong
Missile Command 1980
Missile Command
Pac-Man 1980
Pac-Man
Galaxian 1980
Galaxian
Asteroids 1979
Asteroids
Lunar Lander 1979
Lunar Lander
Space Invaders 1978
Space Invaders

Were you born on August 31, 1983?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1983.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out August 31, 1989, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on August 31.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere

Actor
Born on August 31, 1949
He turned 34 on this day in 1983.

Chris Tucker

Chris Tucker

Actor
Born on August 31, 1971
He turned 12 on this day in 1983.

Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy

Wrestler
Born on August 31, 1977
He turned 6 on this day in 1983.

Chloe Ferry

Chloe Ferry

TV personality
Born on August 31, 1995
She was born exactly 12 years after this date.

USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on August 31, 1983.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Garret FitzGerald was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on August 31, 1983 was most likely conceived around December 8, 1982.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on August 31, 1983 is close to May 23, 1984.

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Stats for August 31, 1983

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about August 31, 1983:

  • 14,811 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,115 weeks have passed.
  • 1,279,674,000 seconds have passed since August 31, 1983.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,492,953,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 660,311,784,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 213,279,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 110,051,964 steps. That's roughly 48,912 miles!
  • Since this date, 15,356,088 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1983?

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