1984

News

• British miners went on strike at pits across the country.
• The Thames flood Barrier was officially opened.
• GCSEs were approved as a replacement for O Levels and CSEs.
• Prince Harry was born.
• The space shuttle Discovery made its first flight.
• President Reagan jokingly ordered a nuclear strike on Russia, whilst testing a microphone, and was picked up on live television.

Entertainment

• Thomas The Tank Engine, The A-Team and Robin of Sherwood made their TV debut.
• Donald Duck celebrated his 50th Birthday and was made a member of the Screen Actors’ Guild.

Music

• Madame Tussaud’s unveiled a wax work of Boy George on his 23rd Birthday.
• Madonna broke through into the UK with ‘Holiday’.
• Band Aid released ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’.
• Elton John married Renate Blauel, though they split months later.

Number #1 Hits of 1984

Artist	Title
Paul McCartney	Pipes Of Peace
Frankie Goes To Hollywood	Relax
Nena	99 Red Balloons
Lionel Richie	Hello
Duran Duran	The Reflex
Wham!	Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Frankie Goes To Hollywood	Two Tribes
George Michael	Careless Whisper
Stevie Wonder	I Just Called To Say I Love You
Wham!	Freedom
Chaka Khan	I Feel For You
Jim Diamond	I Should Have Known Better
Frankie Goes To Hollywood	The Power Of Love
Band Aid	Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Sport

• Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean excelled at the Winter Olympics, World Championships and European Championships.
• Everton won the FA Cup.
• Hello Dandy won the Grand National.
• Finnish runner, Martti Vaino, came second in the Olympic 10,000m. Shortly after the race he became the first medallist to be disqualified for failing a drugs test.