World Events in 1984
UK Miners' Strike
Beginning on 12 March, the National Union of Mineworkers struck against pit closures. The year-long dispute became the most bitter industrial action in British history, ending in defeat for the miners in March 1985.
Brighton Hotel Bombing
On 12 October, the IRA bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference. Five people were killed. Thatcher narrowly escaped and delivered her conference speech the next morning.
Ethiopian Famine
Michael Buerk's BBC report on the Ethiopian famine in October shocked the world. Bob Geldof responded by assembling Band Aid, whose 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' became the fastest-selling UK single ever.
Bhopal Gas Disaster
On 3 December, a gas leak at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India killed thousands immediately and affected hundreds of thousands more. It remains the world's worst industrial disaster.
Indira Gandhi Assassinated
On 31 October, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot and killed by her own Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for the military assault on the Golden Temple. Anti-Sikh riots followed, killing thousands.
Reagan Wins Landslide Re-election
Ronald Reagan won re-election in a historic landslide, carrying 49 of 50 states against Democrat Walter Mondale. It was one of the most decisive presidential victories in American history.
Music in 1984
"Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Band Aid
Bob Geldof assembled the biggest names in British and Irish pop to record a charity single for Ethiopian famine relief. It sold a million copies in the first week and became the UK's biggest-selling single.
"When Doves Cry"
Prince
Prince's groundbreaking single from the Purple Rain album spent five weeks at number one. Its stripped-back production — no bass line — was revolutionary and showcased Prince at his creative peak.
#1 Film of 1984
Beverly Hills Cop
Box Office: $316 million
Eddie Murphy's star-making action comedy proved he could carry a blockbuster. Originally written for Sylvester Stallone, the film's success made Murphy the biggest comedy draw in Hollywood.
Born in 1984
Mark Zuckerberg
Co-founder of Facebook/Meta
Scarlett Johansson
Actress (Lost in Translation, Avengers)
LeBron James
Basketball legend, four-time NBA champion
Katy Perry
Pop singer (Firework, Roar)
Mandy Moore
Singer and actress (This Is Us)
Lost in 1984
Indira Gandhi
Prime Minister of India
Age 66
Marvin Gaye
Soul singer (What's Going On, Let's Get It On)
Age 44
Truman Capote
Author (In Cold Blood, Breakfast at Tiffany's)
Age 59
J.B. Priestley
English novelist and playwright
Age 89
Tommy Cooper
Welsh comedian and magician
Age 63
Technology in 1984
Apple launched the Macintosh with its iconic '1984' Super Bowl advert. The first commercial CD players appeared in homes. The term 'cyberspace' was coined by William Gibson in Neuromancer. Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union.
- ● Apple Macintosh launched with its iconic '1984' advert
- ● Tetris created by Alexey Pajitnov in Moscow
- ● William Gibson coined 'cyberspace' in Neuromancer
- ● Dell Computer Corporation founded by Michael Dell
Cost of Living in 1984
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £29,000 | $72,400 |
| Average salary | £8,800 | $23,500 |
| Pint of milk | 22p | $0.62 |
| Loaf of bread | 43p | $0.56 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £1.70 | $1.13 |
| Pint of beer | 52p | $1.25 |
| Dozen eggs | 63p | $0.97 |
| Cinema ticket | £2.00 | $3.36 |
Shop 1984 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 1984
The year everyone had been half-dreading since reading Orwell. In reality, 1984 was more neon than dystopia — Apple launched the Macintosh, breakdancing went mainstream, and Band Aid reminded the world that pop stars could be a force for good. But the miners' strike tore Britain apart.
In the News in 1984
The miners' strike began in March and would last a full year, pitting Arthur Scargill against Margaret Thatcher in one of the defining confrontations of the decade. The IRA bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference, nearly killing Thatcher. Famine in Ethiopia prompted Bob Geldof to organise Band Aid.