FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
1980s Nostalgia Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
1980s Nostalgia Quizzes, Trivia

1980s Trivia

1980s Trivia Quizzes

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. History Trivia
  6. »
  7. Nostalgia

Fun Trivia
Everything 80s trivia! The 1980s, ahhhh, the good ole days! Reminisce with us as we revisit the days of the hula hoop, the walkman, the moonwalk, and Live Aid.
29 1980s quizzes and 315 1980s trivia questions.
1.
  1980s Time Capsule   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's a quiz dealing with certain fad items from the 1980s. Enjoy.
Easier, 10 Qns, evil44, Jun 04 13
Easier
evil44
25089 plays
2.
  What If It Never Happened   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the actual historical happening with the historically inaccurate opposite headline.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, kino76, Aug 04 16
Very Easy
kino76 gold member
7614 plays
3.
  The Magnificent 80s   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
I was there, if you're playing this quiz you probably were as well. This quiz reflects certain events of historical significance and some events that mean nothing more than bad music and hair cuts. Enjoy the trip.
Average, 20 Qns, Bertho, Jan 07 24
Average
Bertho
Jan 07 24
17808 plays
4.
  It Happened in the 80s   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
All of these events happened during the 1980s. Have fun!
Average, 20 Qns, justawesome, Oct 28 24
Average
justawesome
Oct 28 24
17708 plays
5.
  Eighties Events   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Pac-Man, Cabbage Patch Dolls, E.T. and a hole forming in something called the ozone layer all first appeared in the 1980's - as did all the other events in this quiz. One question from each year of this amazing decade.
Average, 10 Qns, Midget40, Oct 21 13
Average
Midget40 gold member
6706 plays
6.
  1980s All-American Fads, Fashion and Trends   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the third in a series of the fabulous fads and fashions that shaped the 20th century. This one is - the 80s. Like, gnarly man.
Average, 10 Qns, brewster76, Nov 18 08
Average
brewster76
10054 plays
7.
  Remember 1986?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1986, a year of two notable disasters. The year which saw Prince Andrew married to Sarah Ferguson (another disaster!) and Jack Nicklaus win his sixth US Masters title.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Jul 02 09
Tough
minch gold member
13515 plays
8.
  Remember 1983?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you know about what was new and what was in the news in 1983? Take this quiz and find out.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Jun 09 23
Tough
minch gold member
Jun 09 23
9991 plays
9.
  Do You Remember 1982?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Well do you remember 1982?
Average, 10 Qns, minch, Sep 21 13
Average
minch gold member
11549 plays
10.
  It Happened in the Eighties    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A variety of 80s events. I hope you enjoy.
Average, 15 Qns, casper423, Apr 24 12
Average
casper423
13309 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What was the brand name of the game console introduced in 1985?

From Quiz "It Happened in the 80s"




11.
  Remember 1984?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How did the real 1984 compare to Orwell's "1984"?
Difficult, 10 Qns, minch, Dec 10 13
Difficult
minch gold member
7952 plays
12.
  Remember 1980?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1980! The year many countries boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow. The year John Lennon was shot. What else was going on?
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Jun 18 14
Tough
minch gold member
7564 plays
13.
  A Look Back at 1989   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The 1980s ended with a bang - several BIG bangs, actually. May you do a "bang up job" in remembering 1989!
Average, 10 Qns, d2407, Sep 14 04
Average
d2407
4439 plays
14.
  Remember 1985?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Unless you are very young you should be able to remember 1985. Or do you? Take this quiz and find out.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Sep 26 05
Tough
minch gold member
5671 plays
15.
  1980s Triumphs and Disasters    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Full of memories were the 80s. However, that was a decade that had its share of bad luck. Have fun.
Average, 10 Qns, sonstoo2, Apr 22 17
Average
sonstoo2
8915 plays
16.
  Remember the 80s?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A great deal happened in the eighties. How much do you remember?
Average, 10 Qns, arsalanrizvi, Jun 01 14
Average
arsalanrizvi
6766 plays
17.
  An American Kid in the 1980s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
God bless the eighties!
Average, 10 Qns, mamasboy77, Nov 28 18
Average
mamasboy77
Nov 28 18
7729 plays
18.
  A Look Back at 1988   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The US picks a new president, the Seoul Olympics, and other twists and turns from 1988. Try these questions, and however you score, "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"
Tough, 10 Qns, d2407, Sep 14 04
Tough
d2407
3611 plays
19.
  Remember 1981?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you remember about 1981? So what if you were only a baby, have a go anyway, you might be surprised by what you know.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Aug 24 19
Tough
minch gold member
Aug 24 19
6464 plays
20.
  A Look Back at 1981    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A new President, the hostages coming home ... and that was just the first month. What do you remember about 1981?
Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jun 12 05
Difficult
d2407
2960 plays
21.
  A Look Back at 1985    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you remember from the year that brought some of the best and the worst of the 1980s?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 08 04
Very Difficult
d2407
2811 plays
22.
  The Awesome 80s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a mixture of music, television and movies from the 80s.
Average, 10 Qns, luvbug285, Sep 22 20
Average
luvbug285
Sep 22 20
7908 plays
23.
  A Look Back at 1986    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Goodbye to the Challenger. Happy birthday to the Statue of Liberty. How about that World Series? Welcome to 1986!
Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 09 04
Difficult
d2407
1989 plays
24.
  The Year Is 1980    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Venturing back into in the annals of time, we journey back to the beginning of the 1980s. Have fun with this short quiz!
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, cag1970, Jul 08 04
Very Difficult
cag1970
2181 plays
25.
  A Look Back at 1987    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Iran-Contra ... the stock market crash ... Monkey Business ... It all happened in 1987!
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 09 04
Very Difficult
d2407
2192 plays
26.
  A Look Back at 1982    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Falklands War, Eddie Murphy as Gumby ... What a year it was!
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 08 04
Very Difficult
d2407
1811 plays
27.
  A Look Back at 1980    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you remember about 1980?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Mar 02 14
Very Difficult
d2407
1556 plays
28.
  A Look Back at 1983    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Thriller" at the top of the charts. Beirut. Grenada. And lots more besides. What do you remember?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 09 04
Very Difficult
d2407
1570 plays
29.
  A Look Back at 1984    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From the U.S. presidential campaign to the Los Angeles Olympics to the cover of "Born in the USA" it was a red, white, and blue year. What do you remember?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, d2407, Jul 09 04
Very Difficult
d2407
1601 plays
Related Topics
  Died in the 1980s [People] (13 quizzes)

  Music from 1980 [Music] (18 quizzes)

  1980s Country Music [Music] (8 quizzes)

  1980s History [History] (12 quizzes)

  1980s Lyrics [Music] (63 quizzes)

  MLB 1980s [Sports] (15 quizzes)

  1980s Movies [Movies] (69 quizzes)

  1980s Music [Music] (432 quizzes)

  1980s TV [Television] (46 quizzes)

  One Hit Wonders - 1980s [Music] (32 quizzes)

  Super Bowl 1980s [Sports] (8 quizzes)

  1980s Entertainment [Entertainment] (25 quizzes)

  USA by Year: 1980s Sports [Sports] (6 quizzes)


1980s Trivia Questions

1. 1980: John Lennon is assassinated outside of his home in New York City. What was the name of this apartment building?

From Quiz
Eighties Events

Answer: Dakota

The Dakota Apartments are located on the corner of 72nd street and Central Park West in Manhattan, New York City. It is one of the most prestigious co-operative buildings within the city - apartments sell for between $4 to $30 million each. Construction began in October 1880 and rumour has it that it gained its name because the area was considered as remote as Dakota Territory. Lennon lived at the apartments from 1973 until his murder at its entrance on 8th December 1980.

2. The first item we removed from the time capsule was a very influential album picturing the artist reclined in a white suit and featuring the songs "P.Y.T." and "Billie Jean."

From Quiz 1980s Time Capsule

Answer: "Thriller"

This album from 1982 also contained the great MJ songs "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Michael passed away on 25 June 2009 just before starting what would have been his "Comeback" tour.

3. Who was president of the US for most of the eighties?

From Quiz An American Kid in the 1980s

Answer: Ronald Reagan

Reagan won the presidency from Jimmy Carter in 1980. He remained president until 1989.

4. A brief international furor ensued when on July 3, the USS Vincennes shot down a civilian airliner from which nation?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1988

Answer: Iran

On July 3, the USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 passengers and crew. The Vincennes crew said that they'd mistaken the aircraft for an Iranian fighter jet. The US government, without admitting liability, paid $2.9 million to the families of non-Iranians killed in the incident. A lawsuit by Iranian families was dismissed because the shootdown occurred in a war zone, at a time that Iran was at war with Iraq.

5. Which television series had its debut in 1987?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1987

Answer: Thirtysomething

"Thirtysomething" first broadcast its sixty painful minutes of self-absorbed yuppie angst on September 29, 1987. ALF and LA Law debuted in September 1986. Roseanne premiered in October 1988.

6. The Statue of Liberty turned 100 in 1986. Who headed the foundation that raised money to renovate it in time for the celebration?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1986

Answer: Lee Iacocca

Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, himself the son of Italian immigrants, was the head of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. The foundation, established in 1982, raised $450 million so that the statue and Ellis Island would be in outstanding condition in time for public celebrations on July 4, 1986 commemorating France's gift of the statue to the United States.

7. Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. What had the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, said of him after their first meeting?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1985

Answer: We can do business together

Mrs. Thatcher met with Gorbachev, the second-in-command at the Kremlin, in December 1984. "We can do business together," she told the press after the meeting in London, writing later in her memoirs "I hoped that I had been talking to the next Soviet leader." Gorbachev assumed leadership of the Soviet Union on March 11, the day after the death of Konstantin Chernenko. Although a committed Communist, he offered the Soviet people more freedom and access to the West than they'd had for most of the century. The Soviet Union collapsed and gave way to free and democratic republics in 1991.

8. "You don't look so bad ... here's another." Who said it?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1984

Answer: Bernhard Goetz

On December 22, four youths approached Bernhard Goetz on the NYC subway. As they surrounded him and asked him for money, he pulled out a weapon and opened fire, hitting all four. Goetz said to one of the youths, Darrell Cabey, "You don't look so bad ... here's another," and fired a shot that paralyzed Cabey. After turning himself in two weeks later, Goetz was acquitted of all charges except one for illegal gun possession. Cabey sued Goetz and won a $43 million judgment. Each of the other three youths has subsequently been convicted of other unrelated serious crimes.

9. The Soviet Union shot down Korean Airlines Flight 007 over the Sea of Japan, killing all 269 people on board. Which US politician listed below wasn't on the flight AND had not planned to be on the flight?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1983

Answer: Senator Orrin Hatch

Representative McDonald was among those killed when the plane was shot down on September 1 after straying into Soviet airspace. He and Senators Hatch, Helms, and Symms were on their way to Korea for a commemoration of the US involvement in the Korean War. Helms and Symms were to have been on the flight, but at the last minute switched to KAL 015, whose route and landing time was similar (broadcaster Geraldo Rivera was also on that flight). Senator Hatch had been in China and flew to Korea from there.

10. Eddie Murphy first played Gumby on the September 25 season opener of "Saturday Night Live." Which other character did he FIRST play on SNL in 1982?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1982

Answer: James Brown

Probably the most famous Eddie Murphy James Brown sketch was the "James Brown Celebrity Hot Tub Party," first broadcast on November 5, 1983. But the first time Murphy played James Brown on the show was the April 24, 1982 episode hosted by Robert Culp. All the other characters mentioned here were first shown in 1981.

11. In the year of the "Miracle on Ice," the US Olympic Hockey team won the gold medal. What country won the silver medal that year?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1980

Answer: Soviet Union

The most famous game from that tournament was the second-to-last game for the U.S., in which they beat the Soviet Union 4-3 as Al Michaels screamed "Do you believe in miracles?" The U.S. then beat Finland 4-2 to clinch the gold. But because the medals were actually awarded based on overall record in the tournament, the Soviet Union (6-1-0) got the silver medal that year and Sweden (4-1-2) got the bronze. Finland finished fourth with a 3-3-1 record. The only team the U.S. did not beat in the tournament was Sweden - the two teams tied 2-2.

12. The US hostages who'd been held Iran were released on January 20, after 444 days in captivity. Where was their first stop after leaving Iran?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1981

Answer: Algeria

Upon their release, the hostages were flown first to Algeria, then immediately to a US air base in Wiesbaden, West Germany, where they were debriefed and given physicals. They arrived in New York City on January 25.

13. The Pittsburgh Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl in 1980, and became the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice. Which team did the Steelers beat?

From Quiz The Year Is 1980

Answer: Los Angeles Rams

The Steelers won four Super Bowls in the space of six seasons. Dallas was the victim in both Super Bowls X and XIII, and Minnesota lost to them in Super Bowl IX. In Super Bowl XIV, played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the Steelers fought off a tough Rams squad to win 31-19. Up through 1980, the Steelers never faced the Redskins, an old rival from their days in the pre-merger NFL, in the Super Bowl.

14. Who defeated West Germany in the 1986 Soccer World Cup?

From Quiz Remember 1986?

Answer: Argentina

The 1986 World Cup match was held in Mexico City. Argentina defeated West Germany 3 - 2.

15. Who became the General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party in 1985?

From Quiz Remember 1985?

Answer: Mikhail Gorbachev

Gorbachev became President in 1989. In 1990 he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

16. Who won the Nobel Peace prize in 1984?

From Quiz Remember 1984?

Answer: Desmond Tutu

Although all these won the Nobel Peace prize, in 1984 Desmond Tutu won. Desmond Tutu, a clergyman and political activist who spoke out against apartheid. He was the first black bishop of Johannesburg and in 1985 became archbishop of Cape Town. He retired in 1996.

17. Where would I find Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray, South Pacific, Walter Winchell and Joe DiMaggio all in one place?

From Quiz The Magnificent 80s

Answer: On a Storm Front

"Storm Front" was a Billy Joel album/cd of the 1980s that contained the song "We Didn't Start The Fire". Billy sang about historic events and people from the 50s and 60s saying, "Hey, it wasn't us, we didn't start the fire."

18. 1981. Francois Mitterrand becomes president of ______________.

From Quiz Remember the 80s?

Answer: France

He served for 14 years (1981-1995).

19. Which USA holiday was created in 1983?

From Quiz Remember 1983?

Answer: Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King was the winner of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. He was assasinated in 1968. Congress passed legislation to create the holiday in 1983. His Day is the third Monday in January. President's Day is in February, Memorial Day in May and Columbus Day in October.

20. What show won the Tony award for best musical?

From Quiz Remember 1980?

Answer: Evita

Andrew Lloyd Weber's 'Evita' is based on the life of Eva Peron.

21. In 1983, what toy did you have to wait in long lines to buy?

From Quiz It Happened in the Eighties

Answer: Cabbage Patch Dolls

It was claimed that no two were alike.

22. January 28, 1986. What disaster occurred on this date?

From Quiz 1980s Triumphs and Disasters

Answer: The Challenger exploded

The others were all in 1985. Rock Hudson was also the first famous figure to die of AIDS. October 2.

23. Who won the first of his three Wimbledon titles?

From Quiz Remember 1981?

Answer: John McEnroe

He also won in 1983 and 1984.

24. 1981: Millions around the world watch the wedding of HRH Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. At which London church were they married?

From Quiz Eighties Events

Answer: St Paul's Cathedral

The majority of Royal weddings and comparable events happen at Westminster Abbey but St Paul's was chosen for Charles and Diana's wedding as it has a seating capacity of 3,500 compared with the Abbey's capacity of 2,000. It also provided a much longer procession from Clarence House for the two million spectators that lined the route - plus the 4,000 police officers and over 2,000 military officers needed to manage the crowd. The wedding, on 29th July 1981, was also viewed by 750 million people around the world.

25. Another fad item removed from the time capsule was the bane of many peoples' existence during the 1980s. It was a puzzle requiring the user to match the colors of 54 separate pieces into all six sides of a cube.

From Quiz 1980s Time Capsule

Answer: Rubik's Cube

The Rubik's cube has been featured in the movies "The Wedding Singer" and "Dude, Where's My Car?"

26. What musical artist was given the title "Queen of Pop"?

From Quiz An American Kid in the 1980s

Answer: Madonna

Madonna debuted in 1984 with her "Like a Virgin" album.

27. The "Goddess of Democracy" in Beijing's Tiananmen Square was modeled after what famous statue?

From Quiz A Look Back at 1989

Answer: Statue of Liberty

Chinese students, protesting the corruption of their govenment, and hoping for a more democratic nation, began congregating in Tiananmen Square in May. Late that month, they built a 30-foot-high statue out of papier maché and styrofoam. The statue, "Goddess of Democracy," resembled the Statue of Liberty in that the woman was using two hands to hold a torch over her head, and was built to help symbolize the protests for the many television cameras broadcasting the images around the globe. The statue was destroyed on June 4 when the Chinese army crushed the protests.

28. This US Senator ran for Vice President on Michael Dukakis's Democratic ticket.

From Quiz A Look Back at 1988

Answer: Lloyd Bentsen

Lloyd Bentsen, a conservative Texas Democrat, was initially viewed as a mismatched choice for the liberal Dukakis to make, but proved to be an effective advocate for the ticket. He is probably best remembered for his "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," remark to Dan Quayle during the vice presidential debate.

This is category 12157
Last Updated Dec 07 2024 5:47 AM
play trivia = Top 5% Rated Quiz, take trivia quiz Top 10% Rated Quiz, test trivia quiz Top 20% Rated Quiz, popular trivia A Well Rated Quiz
new quizzes = added recently, editor pick = Editor's Pick editor = FunTrivia Editor gold = Gold Member

Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.