Featured moment
Apple Macintosh Introduced
Steve Jobs introduced the first mass-market personal computer with a graphical user interface and mouse.
1984 won't be like "1984".
Apple introduced the Macintosh, Ghostbusters crossed the streams, and Tetris was born behind the Iron Curtain.
The Cost of Living in 1984
Gallon of Gas
$1.13
Loaf of Bread
$0.54
Gallon of Milk
$2.19
World Population
4.79 billion
Featured moment
Ghostbusters Released
The supernatural comedy starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd became a cultural phenomenon and box office smash.
Featured moment
Tetris Created
Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov programmed the iconic puzzle game that would eventually conquer the world.
The wider picture
More from 1984
A few more things worth remembering.
Cinema & TV
The Terminator
James Cameron's sci-fi action film launched Arnold Schwarzenegger to superstardom and created a massive franchise.
World Events
Bhopal Disaster
A gas leak at a Union Carbide plant in India killed thousands in the world's worst industrial disaster.
Music
Madonna Releases "Like a Virgin"
The album and its controversial MTV Video Music Awards performance catapulted Madonna to global icon status.
Music
Prince Releases "Purple Rain"
The album and accompanying film dominated the year, cementing Prince as one of the era's defining artists.
Sports
Los Angeles Olympics
Carl Lewis won four gold medals at the Games, which were boycotted by the Soviet Union and its allies.
Pop Culture
Transformers Toys Launched
Hasbro introduced the "Robots in Disguise," launching a massive multimedia empire of toys, cartoons, and films.
You arrivedin 1984.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1984 to today.