Totally Rad: Check Out What It Was Like Living Back In 1984

Growing up in 1984 was one unique experience compared with today's digital age. It was a year of culture, politics, and social trends that shaped the lives of many.

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As a teenager in 1984, I remember the era being more simplistic, but it had its fair share of pop culture, emerging technologies, and plenty of global events. A Historic Newspapers article has a timeline that notes specific events that occurred throughout the year 1984. There's a lot to sift through, so I wanted to highlight some of my favorite key points from the year.

TOTALLY RAD: CHECK OUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE LIVING BACK IN 1984

Ronald Reagan was serving his first term as the President of the United States.

The federal minimum wage was $3.35 per hour.

Going to the movies in a theater was an extremely popular pastime, with the average ticket price around $2.50.

Cinemas were bustling with hits like "Ghostbusters", "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", and "The Terminator". 1984 was a big year for movies.

Television was dominated by series like "Dallas", "Dynasty", and "The A-Team".

The airwaves were filled with iconic tunes like "When Doves Cry" by Prince, "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins, and "Like a Virgin" by Madonna.

The global population was approximately 4.77 billion.

Cost of Household Items:

A gallon of milk cost about $1.10.
A loaf of bread was around 50 cents.
The price of a new car averaged around $6,000.

Reflecting on 1984 brings back some big-time memories for me. It was a year when life seemed less hurried and more focused on fashion, trends, and big business. I found myself indulging in the simpler pleasures of life. The culture, music, and entertainment of 1984 left a huge impression on those who lived through it, myself included.