That '80 and ’90s Quiz 2

Although it topped the charts elsewhere, British new wave band the Buggles reached only number 40 in the U.S with their 1979 song “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Two years later, just after midnight on August 1, 1981, MTV used the song to symbolically launch its television network dedicated to music videos.

E.T.’s screenplay originally called for M&M’s, but candy producer Mars would not sign off without seeing the script first. Director Steven Spielberg wanted many aspects of the movie to remain a secret and refused to share the script, instead opting to go with the recently launched Reese’s Pieces. The rival candy’s sales spiked 65 percent after appearing in the hit film.

Herb Goldsmith saw a “Members Only” sign at a Long Island country club and, associating the term with exclusivity, used it as the name of his clothing line. His jackets became status symbols, sported by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush.

In the commercial, which debuted in October 1993, a lack of milk leaves a history buff unable to answer “Who shot Alexander Hamilton in that famous duel?” and causes him to lose out on $10,000. The ad was directed by a fresh-out-of-school Michael Bay, who went on to make such movies as Bad Boys, Armageddon, and Transformers.

Simpson and former teammate Al Cowlings led police on a 60-mph chase in a white Ford Bronco, seen live by 95 million people across the U.S. Although sales increased after the chase, Ford discontinued the Bronco for unrelated reasons two years later.

Founder Jeff Bezos chose books as Amazon’s initial merchandise because he felt it would best emphasize the advantages of an online store. A brick-and-mortar bookseller could not offer millions of titles in one place like Amazon could. The online retailer expanded to products beyond books in 1998 and first turned a profit in 2001.

Estimates vary greatly, but, conservatively, 66 million copies of Michael Jackson’s Thriller have been sold globally since its 1982 release, the most of any record. The wildly successful album catapulted Jackson to worldwide stardom, reportedly helping him earn $134 million in the following two years and win a record-setting eight Grammy Awards in one night.

Hungarian architect Erno Rubik took a full month to solve the first Rubik’s Cube he invented. Not too shabby, considering there are 43 quintillion possible configurations for a standard-sized Rubik’s Cube.

Nancy Reagan was asked by a schoolgirl what she should say if she were offered drugs. Reagan’s response, “Just say no,” became a mantra the first lady employed for years to combat drug use in America. Critics deride the “Just say no” campaign as an oversimplified response to a complex issue.

Michael Jordan stepped away from basketball during his prime at age 31 to embark on a new challenge. He signed with the Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. When Major League Baseball players went on strike in 1994, Jordan returned to basketball rather than cross the picket line.

A U.S.-led coalition began using force to expel Iraq from Kuwait in January 1991. By the end of February, Iraq agreed to accept all UN resolutions regarding the conflict, including divesting itself of weapons of mass destruction. The question of whether these WMDs existed would factor heavily in the lead-up to the Iraq War (2003–11).

When Nirvana’s Nevermind displaced Michael Jackson’s Dangerous at the top of the Billboard chart in 1992, the recording industry became infatuated with all things Seattle. According to one music publication’s estimate, bands in the American Northwest were being signed to record deals at a rate of one a week.

In the mid-‘80s Pepsi was gaining traction in the soda market, and Coca-Cola changed their formula to mimic their rival’s sweeter taste. “Coke,” as it was marketed (“NEW!” appearing on the label), was a disaster. Within 77 days of its launch, the soft drink reverted to its old recipe and the name “Classic Coca-Cola.” New Coke, later Coke II, continued in small markets until 2002.

Though he didn’t invent the Chia Pet, marketer Joseph Pedott bought the fledgling concept and elevated it to a nationwide sensation. Part of its success came from the earworm of a jingle “Ch-ch-ch-chia,” which Pedott said was inspired by a friend affecting a stutter.

The Falkland Islands lay just 300 miles from Argentina but have been under the control of Great Britain (8,000 miles away) since 1833. In 1982 the Argentine president tried to retake the islands by force. The ensuing 74-day conflict cost more than 900 lives. Great Britain still maintains control of the Falklands.