1983 Year Quiz and Timeline

Major events and internet culture

This section will expand as more reviewed questions are added to the structured bank.

Movies from this timeline

• E.T. turns a suburban alien story into a classic1982: E.T. turns a suburban alien story into a classic. A stranded visitor, a glowing finger, and a bicycle flight became family cinema shorthand.
• Ghostbusters mixes comedy with paranormal cleanup1984: Ghostbusters mixes comedy with paranormal cleanup. A team in jumpsuits turned haunted New York into a quotable comedy adventure.
• Back to the Future sends Marty to 1955Back to the Future opened in 1985.
• Raiders of the Lost Ark launches Indiana Jones1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark launches Indiana Jones. An adventure hero, ancient artifacts, and serial-style action.
• Raiders of the Lost Ark launches Indiana Jones release year1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark launches Indiana Jones. An adventure hero, ancient artifacts, and serial-style action.

Music and chart-era clues

• Billie Jean helps define the MTV eraBillie Jean was released in 1983.
• Billie Jean becomes MTV-era pop shorthand1983: Billie Jean becomes MTV-era pop shorthand. A sleek bass line and moonwalk-linked performance made a pop milestone.
• Take On Me becomes an animated video staple1985: Take On Me becomes an animated video staple. A synth-pop single tied to a pencil-sketch style music video.
• Take On Me becomes an animated video staple release year1985: Take On Me becomes an animated video staple. A synth-pop single tied to a pencil-sketch style music video.
• Take On Me becomes an animated video staple timeline clue1985: Take On Me becomes an animated video staple. A synth-pop single tied to a pencil-sketch style music video.

Games and player memories

• Tetris becomes a puzzle game foundation1984: Tetris becomes a puzzle game foundation. Falling blocks and clean rules made a Soviet-designed puzzle endlessly reusable.
• Super Mario Bros. defines side-scrolling platformersSuper Mario Bros. launched for the Famicom/NES era in 1985.

Tech and product releases

• Apple Macintosh reaches consumers1984: Apple Macintosh reaches consumers. A personal computer introduced a mouse-driven graphical interface to a broader audience.
• Compact Disc players reach consumer attention1982: Compact Disc players reach consumer attention. Digital audio hardware promising cleaner playback than tapes and vinyl.
• Compact Disc players reach consumer attention release year1982: Compact Disc players reach consumer attention. Digital audio hardware promising cleaner playback than tapes and vinyl.
• Compact Disc players reach consumer attention timeline clue1982: Compact Disc players reach consumer attention. Digital audio hardware promising cleaner playback than tapes and vinyl.
• Compact Disc players reach consumer attention year check1982: Compact Disc players reach consumer attention. Digital audio hardware promising cleaner playback than tapes and vinyl.