On This Day August 7th in 80s History

Headlines

(August 7th)

1981 - The Washington Star Stopped Publications After 128 Years

Lynn Cox Swam From the United States to the Soviet Union

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1988 - Thoroughbred Jockey, Eddie Delahoussaye Won His 4,000th Career Race

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In Other 80s News

(On This Day)

1985 - Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai Were Chosen as Japan's First Astronauts

1987 - U.S. Congressman, Mickey Leland and 15 Other People Died in a Plane Crash in Ethiopia

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Other Notable Dates

(On August 7th)

1782 - George Washington Ordered the Creation of The Badge of Military Merit to Honor Wounded Soldiers
* Later Renamed The Purple Heart

1786 - The United States Created the First Indian Reservation

1789 - The First United States Department of War Was Formed

1858 - The Very First Australian Rules Football Match Was Played Between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College

1909 - Alice Huyler Ramsey and Her 3 Friends Became the First Women to Drive a Continental Trip
* Drove from New York to San Francisco in 59 Days

1970 - Marin County, California Judge, Harold Haley Was Taken Hostage in His Courtroom and Killed
* In an Effort to Free George Jackson From Police Custody

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Happy 80s Birthdays

1955 - Wayne Knight (Actor) Seinfeld (Newman)
Birthplace: New York City
1958 - Russell Baze (Thoroughbred Jockey)
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
1958 - Bruce Dickinson (Singer) Iron Maiden
Birthplace: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England
1960 - David Duchovny (Actor) The X-Files
Birthplace: New York City

Fun Fact!

Russell Baze Currently Holds the Record For Most Thoroughbred Victories in Northern California

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Other Notable Birthdays

Don Larsen (Baseball)
August 7, 1929 - January 1, 2020
Birthplace: Michigan City, Indiana
Passed Away at Age 90 From Esophageal Cancer
MLB Seasons: 15
Position: Pitcher
Career Wins: 81
Losses: 91
ERA: 3.78
World Series Champion: 2 (1956, 1958) New York Yankees
World Series MVP: 1956
Don Larsen Pitched a Perfect Game Against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series
* The First and Only Perfect Game in World Series History

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Passed Away
(On this Day)

Peter Jennings (TV Journalist)
July 29, 1938 - August 7, 2005
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Passed Away at Age 67 From Lung Cancer
* Died in His New York City Apartment
The Anchorman For ABC Evening News From 1983 to 2005

Don Baylor (Baseball)
June 28, 1949 - August 7, 2017
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
Passed Away at Age 68 From Multiple Myeloma
MLB Seasons: 19
Position: Outfield
All-Star: 1979 (California Angels)
AL MVP: 1979
Manager of the Year: 1995 (Colorado Rockies)
Baylor Was Hit by a Pitch 267 Times (4th All-Time)

Markie Post (Actress)
November 4, 1950 - August 7, 2021
Birthplace: Palo Alto, CA
Passed Away at Age 70 From Cancer
* Unknown Type of Cancer
Played the Public Defender Christine Sullivan on Night Court From 1985 to 1992 and Terri Michaels in The Fall Guy From 1982 to 1985

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80s Movies
(Released On This Day)

1981 - Heavy Metal
Director: Gerald Pootterton (Animation)
Starring: Star Studded Cast
Budget: $9.3 Million

Box Office: $21.1 Million

1981 - Student Bodies
Directors: Mickey Rose and Michael Ritchie
Starring: Kristen Riter, Matt Goldsby and Cullen Chambers
Budget: N/A

Box Office: $5.2 Million

1981 - Condorman
Director: Charles Jarrott
Starring: Michael Crawford, Oliver Reed, Barbara Carrera, James Hampton, Jean-Pierre Kalfon and Dana Elcar
Budget: $14 Million

Box Office: N/A

1985 - Real Genius
Director: Martha Coolidge
Starring: Val Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, Michelle Meyrink and William Atherton
Budget: $8 Million

Box Office: $13 Million

1987 - Who’s That Girl
Director: James Foley
Starring: Madonna and Griffin Dunne
Budget: $18 Million

Box Office: $7.3 Million

1987 - Back to the Beach
Director: Lyndall Hobbs
Starring: Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Lori Loughlin, Tommy Hinkley, Demian Slade, Connie Stevens, Don Adams, Bob Denver and Pee-wee Herman
Budget: N/A

Box Office: $13.1 Million

1987 - Masters of the Universe
Director: Gary Goodard
Starring: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella and Courteney Cox
Budget: $22 Million

Box Office: $17.3 Million

1987 - Nadine
Director: Robert Benton
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Kim Basinger, Rip Torn and Jerry Stiller
Budget: $12 Million

Box Office: $5.6 Million

1987 - The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (Animation)
Director: Raymond Jafelice
Starring: The Care Bears
Budget: $5 Million

Box Office: $6 Million

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80s Television
(On This Day)

1987 - Final Episode of Airwolf

Seasons: 4

Episodes: 80
Network: NBC (1984 -86)
USA (1987)

Click Here For More TV Fun Facts and Awards

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80s Music
(Albums Released On This Day)

1983 - Born Again
Black Sabbath (11th Album)
Billboard Charts: #39

* #4 in the UK

Fun Fact!
Born Again is the Only Black Sabbath Album With Lead Vocalist, Ian Gillan

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80s Sports

(On This Day)

1983 - Hal Sutton (-10) Won the PGA Championship
Prize: $100,000
Runner Up: Jack Nicklaus (-9)
Runner Up Prize: $60,000
Location: Los Angeles
Course: Riviera Country Club

1984 - The US Women’s Basketball Team Won Their First Olympic Gold Medal

* Defeated South Korea 85 - 55 at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

1984 - Carl Lewis Won Olympic Gold in the 200M at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

1987 - Who’s That Girl Premiered in Theaters

Director: James Foley
Starring: Madonna and Griffin Dunne

1987 - The Final Episode of Airwolf Aired
Seasons: 4

Episodes: 80

Network: NBC (1984 -86)
USA (1987)

Jon Michael Vincent's Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol Was a Constant Problem on the Set

* Airwolf Was Vincent's Last Major Role

1987 - Lynne Cox Became First Person to Swim From the United States to the Soviet Union
* Recognized For Easing the Tensions Between President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev