Dear 1985 babies,
You are part of a generation that has seen tremendous changes in the world, from technological advancements to political and social shifts. As you reflect on your journey so far, let's take a walk down memory lane and explore some important events and fun facts from each month of your birth year.
January: The first .com domain name, Symbolics.com, is registered. This marks the beginning of the commercialization of the internet, which would eventually revolutionize the way we live, work and communicate.
Fun fact: Nintendo releases Super Mario Bros. in Japan, launching a franchise that would become a cultural icon and bring joy to millions of gamers worldwide.
February: Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, initiating a series of reforms that would lead to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.
Fun fact: The first Blockbuster Video store opens in Texas, setting the stage for the rise and fall of the video rental industry.
March: The first Internet domain name is registered outside of the United States, marking the global expansion of the World Wide Web.
Fun fact: The popular breakfast cereal Cap'n Crunch introduces a new flavor, Crunch Berries, delighting taste buds across the country.
April: Coca-Cola introduces a new formula for its flagship soft drink, dubbed "New Coke." The backlash from consumers leads to the company quickly bringing back the original formula as "Coca-Cola Classic."
Fun fact: The first WrestleMania takes place, featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. in the main event and setting the standard for professional wrestling entertainment.
May: The Philadelphia police drop a bomb on the headquarters of the MOVE organization, killing 11 people and destroying an entire neighborhood.
Fun fact: The first Blockbuster Music store opens, offering a vast selection of CDs and cassettes for music lovers.
June: The world mourns as seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger are killed when the shuttle explodes shortly after liftoff.
Fun fact: Madonna releases her hit album "Like a Virgin," solidifying her status as a pop culture icon and paving the way for future female artists.
July: The Live Aid benefit concert takes place in London and Philadelphia, featuring some of the biggest musical acts of the era and raising millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Fun fact: The world's first version of Windows, Windows 1.0, is released, paving the way for the dominance of Microsoft in the computer industry.
August: The wreck of the RMS Titanic is discovered by a joint American-French expedition, laying to rest decades of speculation about the ship's final resting place.
Fun fact: Michael Jackson buys the publishing rights to many Beatles songs, causing a rift between him and former Beatle Paul McCartney.
September: Mexico City is hit by a massive earthquake, killing thousands and causing widespread destruction.
Fun fact: The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is released in North America, ushering in a new era of video gaming and popularizing classics like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
October: The first version of Microsoft Windows is released, setting the standard for graphical user interfaces and revolutionizing the personal computer industry.
Fun fact: The iconic movie "Back to the Future" is released, captivating audiences with its time-traveling adventure and becoming a beloved classic.
November: The volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupts in Colombia, triggering a mudslide that kills over 20,000 people.
Fun fact: The first version of Adobe Photoshop is released, giving artists and designers powerful new tools for manipulating images and creating digital art.
December: The signing of the Plaza Accord by the United States, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom leads to a coordinated effort to devalue the US dollar, boosting American exports and stabilizing the global economy.
Fun fact: The iconic film "The Breakfast Club" is released, becoming a classic coming-of-age tale and a staple of '80s cinema.
As you can see, your birth year was full of important events and cultural milestones that shaped the world we live in today. Take some time to reflect on these moments and how they have influenced your own life journey. And, of course, don't forget to celebrate your birthday in style, '80s style, with neon colors, big hair, and plenty of '80s tunes.
Happy birthday, 1985 babies!
