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Quiz about The Magnificent 80s
Quiz about The Magnificent 80s

The Magnificent 80s Trivia Quiz


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.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bertho. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
Bertho
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
96,360
Updated
Jan 07 24
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
14 / 20
Plays
16156
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: GracieT96 (13/20), Guest 130 (9/20), Guest 49 (13/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. Where would I find Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray,
South Pacific, Walter Winchell and Joe DiMaggio all in one place?

Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. The 1980s and the birth of the video game. This all time best selling coin-op was inspired by a pizza with a piece missing. Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. The 90s was all about who shot Mr Burns, but in 1981 someone shot J. R. Ewing! Who was it? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. December 8, 1980. John Lennon was gunned down and killed outside his New York City apartment by a deranged fan. Who was the assassin? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. In 1985, which drinks company tried to launch to the world a new flavour? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. January 28, 1986, the world hears the news of the space shuttle exploding. What was the Shuttle's name?

Answer: (One Word)
Question 7 of 20
7. Famous picture 1989: A lone protester blocking the path of a tank. Where? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. What year did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster take place? Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. Which of these actors didn't star in the cult movie 'The Breakfast Club'? Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. In 1982 a shocking new disease was given a name. AIDS. What is this an acronym for? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. What would the 1980s be without Michael Jackson. What name did he give his estate? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. 'The Jeffersons' was a TV comedy representing an affluent African American middle class family in 1975. Which similar show followed their success in 1984? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. On the 1st May, 1982, the biggest naval action to take place since the Second World War erupted. More than 1000 men lost their lives. Where did the action take place? Hint - South Atlantic.

Answer: ( One Word ... ________ Islands)
Question 14 of 20
14. By 1984 the world population hits a new milestone. Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. The early 1980s saw a new format launch into the market and changed the way we would buy our music forever. Who is credited with inventing the compact disc player? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. Research scientist Dr. Spence Silver developed an unusual glue that did not stick very strongly when coated onto tape backings. What product did this adhesive launch into everyday use? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. In 1989, what significant event took place marking the end of the Cold War? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. David Bowie saw this as early as 1969 as the future of music. It was visuals and music combined. In August 1981, which TV medium had emerged to change the face of popular music forever?

Answer: (Abbreviation - 3 letters)
Question 19 of 20
19. What crashed and sparked fears of recession across the USA in October 1987? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. Which of these was NOT an 80s invention? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Today : GracieT96: 13/20
Today : Guest 130: 9/20
Today : Guest 49: 13/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 212: 17/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 52: 13/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 104: 15/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 78: 14/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 147: 16/20
Apr 14 2024 : Guest 103: 10/20

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Where would I find Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray, South Pacific, Walter Winchell and Joe DiMaggio all in one place?

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 prattled off historic events and people from the 50s and 60s saying, "Hey, it wasn't us, we didn't start the fire."
2. The 1980s and the birth of the video game. This all time best selling coin-op was inspired by a pizza with a piece missing.

Answer: Pac Man

Pac Man was the most successful arcade game of all time. It spawned the following games - Baby Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, Jnr. Pac Man and Pac Land. It also was the first game to inspire merchandise such as lunch boxes and clothing.
3. The 90s was all about who shot Mr Burns, but in 1981 someone shot J. R. Ewing! Who was it?

Answer: Kristin Sheppard

Can you believe that this made the cover of Time Magazine? Sue Ellen's sister Kristin shot J.R. after he went back on his word that he would divorce Sue Ellen and marry her. Careful what you promise guys.
4. December 8, 1980. John Lennon was gunned down and killed outside his New York City apartment by a deranged fan. Who was the assassin?

Answer: Mark Chapman

"We're all Christ and we're all Hitler. We are trying to make Christ's message contemporary. We want Christ to win. What would he have done if he had advertisements, T.V., records, films and newspapers? The miracle today is communication. So let's use it."
-John Lennon '69
5. In 1985, which drinks company tried to launch to the world a new flavour?

Answer: Coca-Cola

Coke stashed the old recipe in a bank vault and unleashed the new flavour to the world. The consumers didn't support the new flavour and Coke execs were quickly running back to the bank vault.
Another version of "the facts":
Coke introduced the new flavour was because the 99-year patent had run out on the old one. Coca-Cola needed to buy some time to get a new non-expiring patent on a formula that was as close to the original as they could make it. Having done so in 1986, they then discontinued New Coke.
6. January 28, 1986, the world hears the news of the space shuttle exploding. What was the Shuttle's name?

Answer: Challenger

7. Famous picture 1989: A lone protester blocking the path of a tank. Where?

Answer: Tiananmen Square

Thousands of students protesting for democracy had their protest smashed by the Red army.
8. What year did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster take place?

Answer: 1986

The civilians living near the Chernobyl nuclear facility were exposed to radiation up to 100 times greater than the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
9. Which of these actors didn't star in the cult movie 'The Breakfast Club'?

Answer: Rob Lowe

The actors from 'The Breakfast Club' went on to form the brat pack of the 80's and 90's. The theme song from the movie 'Don't You Forget About Me' was a number one hit for Simple Minds.
10. In 1982 a shocking new disease was given a name. AIDS. What is this an acronym for?

Answer: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

It is also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The actor Rock Hudson died of AIDS on October 3rd 1985. Governments around the world poured billions of dollars into education about the threat of AIDS.
11. What would the 1980s be without Michael Jackson. What name did he give his estate?

Answer: Neverland

Michael broke away from his brothers and the band the Jackson 5 and made the solo album 'Thriller'. With the help of some pretty funky dance sequences and MTV, 'Thriller' went on to be the biggest selling album of the 80's.
12. 'The Jeffersons' was a TV comedy representing an affluent African American middle class family in 1975. Which similar show followed their success in 1984?

Answer: The Cosby Show

Led by the incredible talent of Bill Cosby, The Cosby Show spent four consecutive years at number one.
13. On the 1st May, 1982, the biggest naval action to take place since the Second World War erupted. More than 1000 men lost their lives. Where did the action take place? Hint - South Atlantic.

Answer: Falkland Islands

14. By 1984 the world population hits a new milestone.

Answer: 5,000,000,000

At the fall of Rome in 476 AD, it is estimated the population of the planet was approximately 250m.
15. The early 1980s saw a new format launch into the market and changed the way we would buy our music forever. Who is credited with inventing the compact disc player?

Answer: Philips & Sony

Although digital technology has been here since the late 60s it took a whole plethora of emerging technologies to come together before the CD player was created. It was a team effort at Philips; no individual is credited with its invention. The first CD player was manufactured in August 1982.
16. Research scientist Dr. Spence Silver developed an unusual glue that did not stick very strongly when coated onto tape backings. What product did this adhesive launch into everyday use?

Answer: Post-it Notes

It wasn't until over 10 years later that they found a practical use for the glue. It's hard to imagine any office without Post-Its.
17. In 1989, what significant event took place marking the end of the Cold War?

Answer: The fall of the Berlin Wall

After World War II Berlin was divided into four sectors by the conquering armies of the Allied forces. With the onset of the Cold War in the late 1940s, for most purposes Berlin was divided into two parts - East and West. The Iron Curtain, separating the Eastern Bloc countries (including East Germany) from the West was completed in 1952.

However, it was still possible to cross from East to West Berlin. This gap in the Iron Curtain was closed in 1961 with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, which caused much resentment in East Germany.

In 1989 the East German government found itself compelled to yield to popular pressure and allow its citizens to cross into West Berlin. A few hours later crowds began demolishing the wall.
18. David Bowie saw this as early as 1969 as the future of music. It was visuals and music combined. In August 1981, which TV medium had emerged to change the face of popular music forever?

Answer: MTV

Cable was born and MTV, orginally intended to be promos for albums, had an enormous impact on music and young people and revolutionized the industry. Remember the Buggles song 'Video Killed The Radio Star' .. it was the first song played on MTV.
19. What crashed and sparked fears of recession across the USA in October 1987?

Answer: Dow Jones Index

The world stock markets crashed in 1987 sending the world into a recession.
20. Which of these was NOT an 80s invention?

Answer: The Apple II

Apple II was invented in 1979 by Steve Wozniak.
Source: Author Bertho

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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