The Year 1983 in Review: Fun Facts, Trivia, and Historic Highlights

This quick read is a collection of fun facts, trivia, and historical events from the year 1983. Discover the year’s top news stories, most influential people, sports facts, computer trivia, grocery and other retail prices, and much more.

1. In 1983, Ronald Reagan (R-California) was the 40th president of the United States, and George H. W. Bush (R-Texas) was the nation’s 43rd vice president.
2. By 1983, the American economy had rebounded from the major 1981-82 recession, and the United States entered into one of the longest periods of sustained economic growth since World War II.
3. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.0%, the nation’s inflation rate was 3.21%, and GDP growth for the year was 4.6%.
4. The average price for a new house was $82,600, and the median price for an existing home was $70,300.
5. At the grocery store, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cost $1.19 for an 18-ounce box, blueberries were 89 cents a pint, and bacon was 99 cents for a one-pound package. Pepsi cost 89 cents for a two-liter bottle, chicken legs were 49 cents a pound, and Hellman’s mayonnaise was 99 cents for a 16-ounce jar.
6. A new car cost around $10,607. The New York Times reports that reacting to the worst auto sales in two decades, General Motors “announced that it would lower or freeze the prices of half its 1983-model cars.”
7. How much did a computer cost in 1983? The Apple Museum explains that the Apple IIe, probably the most successful computer that Apple ever produced, was launched in January 1983 and sold for $1,395. (Just so you know, $1,395 in 1983 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $4,500 today.)
8. American companies and brands launched in 1983 included Bruegger's, Costco, J. Crew, LensCrafters, Sam's Club, Verizon Communications, and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.
9. On January 2, the Broadway musical Annie closed after 2,377 performances.
10. On February 11, New York City had its biggest snowfall ever—18 inches.
11. On February 28, the TV series M*A*S*H (CBS) ended after 11 years and 251 episodes. The series finale, Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen, became the most-watched show in television history up to that time.
12. On March 14, OPEC cut oil prices for the first time in 23 years.
13. In April, a giant landslide destroyed the tiny town of Thistle, Utah. UtahHumanities.org explains that “the most costly landslide in U.S. history swept down on the tiny town of Thistle, damming up the Spanish Fork River and severing the rail line that connects Salt Lake City with Denver.”
14. On April 11, at the 55th Academy Awards, Gandhi won an Oscar for Best Picture, and Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) won an Oscar for Best Director. Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) won an Oscar for Best Actor, and Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice) won an Oscar for Best Actress.
15. On April 14, President Reagan signed a $165 billion Social Security rescue plan.
16. On June 18, NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride became the “first American woman in space when she launched with her four crewmates aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7.”
17. On July 21, the world's lowest-ever temperature up to that time, −128.6°F, was recorded in Antarctica.
18. On August 8, Rolla Harger passed away. He was a biochemist who invented the Drunkometer, the first successful test machine for blood alcohol content (BAC).
19. On August 17 and 18, Hurricane Alicia ripped through the Texas coast and ended the three-year and eight-day “hurricane drought” for the continental United States.
20. On September 1, Korean Air Lines Flight 007, en route from New York City to Seoul, was shot down by Soviet jet fighters, killing 269 passengers and crew members.
21. September 5: At the 35th Primetime Emmy Awards, Cheers (NBC) won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Hill Street Blues (NBC) won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Judd Hirsch (Taxi) won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and Shelley Long (Cheers) won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
22. On September 5, Tom Brokaw became the solo anchor of the NBC Nightly News.
23. In October, the first version of Microsoft Word was introduced.
24. On October 3, Earl Silas Tupper died. He was best known as the inventor of Tupperware, an airtight plastic container used to store food.
25. On October 25, the United States invaded Grenada, “a Caribbean country comprising a main island, also called Grenada, and smaller surrounding islands.” President Reagan ordered the invasion, “citing the need to protect the American citizens in the country but also using it to stem the tide of Communism in the Caribbean.”
26. On November 2, President Reagan signed a bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday.
27. In 1983, Maytag built its last wringer-washing machine—a Model E.
28. The last hand-cranked telephones in the U.S. were taken out of service when an estimated 440 telephone customers in Bryant Pond, Maine, switched over to direct dial service.
29. An estimated 10 million computers were in use throughout the United States.
30. Fred Cohen, an American computer scientist, coined the term “computer virus.”
31. Between 1983 and 1985, there was a 97% drop in video game sales.
32. Best-selling books: Return of the Jedi Storybook by Joan D. Vinge, Poland by James A. Michener, and Pet Sematary by Stephen King
33. Most-viewed television shows: Dallas (CBS), 60 Minutes (CBS), and Dynasty (ABC)
34. Highest-grossing films: Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, Tootsie, Flashdance, Trading Places, and War Games
35. Biggest pop music artists: Billy Joel, Culture Club, Daryl Hall & John Oates, David Bowie, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Patti Austin, Paul McCartney, Ray Parker Jr., Prince, and Toto
36. Popular songs: Every Breath You Take (The Police), Billie Jean (Michael Jackson), and Flashdance . . . What a Feeling (Irene Cara)
37. McDonald’s introduced Chicken McNuggets. Very soon, the bite-size chicken pieces became a global phenomenon.
38. Wendy's added baked potatoes with toppings to its menu. FoxNews.com remarks that “The ‘side’ can get hefty enough to count as a meal of its own—each potato is about 11.5 ounces before adding toppings.”
39. French's® added Dijon mustard to its condiment line.
40. Here are some sports facts from the year 1983: The Baltimore Orioles were the World Series champs, the Washington Redskins won Super Bowl XVII, and the New York Islanders clinched the Stanley Cup. In addition, the cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad was $400,000.
41. In 1983 as well, the words "backronym," "beta test," "CD-ROM," "cell phone," "dumpster diving," "mouse pad," "point-and-click," "ring tone," "screenshot," "seasonal affective disorder," "spell-check," and "toolbar" all appeared in print for the first time.

References:

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/1983
2. https://popculturemadness.com/1983-trivia-fun-facts-and-history/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_in_the_United_States
4. https://www.infoplease.com/year/1983
5. https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1983
6. https:https://www.mclib.info/Research/Local-History-Genealogy/Historic-Prices
7. https://www.mclib.info/Research/Local-History-Genealogy/Historic-Prices
8. https://www.foodreference.com/html/html/food-history-1981.html
9. https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1983/top-grossing-movies
10. https://www.computerhope.com/history/1983.htm

Disclaimer: In writing and editing this article, Gregory DeVictor has made every effort to ensure historical accuracy and not to mislead his audience. In addition, the contents of this article, including text, graphics, and captions, are for general informational purposes only.

© 2026 Gregory DeVictor