1984 Economy & Business Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1984 Economy & Business Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 03 Jan FTSE 100 Index launched on January 3, 1984: The Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index, known as the FTSE 100, was introduced on January 3, 1984, with a base level of 1,000 points. It comprises the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market capitalization, serving as a key indicator of the UK's stock market performance. source: theguardian.com
- 09 Jan EAA Relocates: The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) moves its operations to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, establishing a new headquarters for the aviation enthusiast organization.
- 13 Jan Jack Tramiel resigns from Commodore International: On January 13, 1984, Jack Tramiel, founder and CEO of Commodore International, resigned from the company following disagreements with Chairman Irving Gould over management style and company direction. Tramiel's departure was unexpected, especially given Commodore's recent success in the home computer market. He was succeeded by Marshall F. Smith, who lacked experience in the computer industry. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 Jan Death of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's: Ray Kroc, the man credited with the global expansion of McDonald's, passed away on January 14, 1984. He played a pivotal role in transforming McDonald's into one of the world's largest fast-food chains, emphasizing consistency and quality in service. Kroc's vision and business acumen were instrumental in establishing the franchise model that propelled the brand to international success. source: history.com
- 03 Feb Mattel Sells Intellivision Video Game Business: Mattel announced the sale of its Intellivision video game business for US$20 million in cash to a group led by Terrence Valeski, an executive of Mattel Electronics, signaling significant changes in the early video game industry.
- 22 Feb Timex exits U.S. home computer market: On February 22, 1984, Timex announced its withdrawal from the U.S. home computer market, citing market instability and declining inventory values. This decision followed the video game crash of 1983, which had significantly impacted the industry. Despite this, Timex's Portuguese subsidiary continued to develop and sell computers in Portugal and Poland under the Timex Computer brand. source: timexsinclair.com
- 06 Mar UK miners' strike of 1984-1985 begins: On March 6, 1984, the UK miners' strike commenced in response to the government's announcement of 20 coal mine closures, leading to 20,000 job losses. The strike, led by the National Union of Mineworkers, aimed to prevent these closures and was a significant industrial action in British history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 May Itaipu Dam begins power generation: The Itaipu Dam, located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, began generating electricity on May 2, 1984. It was one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the world, significantly contributing to the energy supply of both countries. The dam has been a key element in regional energy cooperation. source: itaipu.gov.br
- 14 May Australia introduces one-dollar coin: Australia introduced its one-dollar coin on May 14, 1984, replacing the one-dollar banknote. This change was part of a broader effort to modernize the currency and reduce costs associated with paper notes. source: rba.gov.au
- 16 May Minnesota Twins Ticket Controversy: Local businessman Carl Pohlad paid $218,718 to purchase 44,166 tickets to ensure the Minnesota Twins remained in the state. Despite the purchase, only 6,346 fans attended the game out of 51,863 tickets sold.
- 01 Jun Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad bankruptcy resolved: On June 1, 1984, the bankruptcy estate of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad was closed after all assets were sold and debts paid, leading to the company's reorganization as Chicago Pacific Corporation. source: upi.com
- 22 Jun Carl Pohlad becomes Twins CEO: On June 22, 1984, Carl Pohlad purchased the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise for $44 million, becoming the team's second owner. source: startribune.com
- 15 Jul Australia Introduces One-Dollar Coin: On July 15, 1984, Australia introduced its one-dollar coin, replacing the one-dollar banknote. The coin featured a design depicting an Australian kangaroo and was part of a broader initiative to replace paper currency with coins to reduce costs and improve durability. source: rba.gov.au
- 01 Aug Australian banking deregulation: On August 1, 1984, Australia implemented significant banking deregulation, allowing for greater competition and changes in the financial landscape. This reform aimed to modernize the banking sector and improve economic efficiency. source: rba.gov.au
- 06 Aug High Trading Volume on NYSE: The New York Stock Exchange experiences a substantial trading day with 203.05 million shares traded, indicating significant market activity and investor engagement.
- 14 Aug IBM PC/AT Launch: On August 14, 1984, IBM introduced the IBM 5170 PC/AT, its second-generation personal computer. The PC/AT was based on the 6 MHz Intel 80286 processor and featured a 1.2MB 5.25" floppy drive. Two models were available at launch: Model 1 with 256 KB RAM and Model 2 with 512 KB RAM. source: computinghistory.org.uk
- 22 Aug Last Volkswagen Rabbit produced: The last Volkswagen Rabbit was produced on August 22, 1984, marking the end of an era for this popular compact car. The Rabbit was known for its practicality and became a staple in the automotive market during its production run. source: autoweek.com
- 03 Sep Chicago Resident Wins Massive Lottery Prize: A 28-year-old Chicago resident wins a substantial $40 million in the Illinois Lottery Lotto, dramatically changing their life through an extraordinary stroke of luck.
- 22 Sep Michael Eisner appointed CEO of Walt Disney Productions: On September 22, 1984, Michael Eisner was appointed CEO and Chairman of Walt Disney Productions, replacing Ron W. Miller and Ray Watson. This leadership change marked a significant transformation for the company, leading to substantial growth and revitalization in the following years. source: dapsmagic.com
- 04 Nov Founding of Dell Computer: On November 4, 1984, Michael Dell founded Dell Computer Corporation, which later became Dell Technologies. The company began by selling computer components and later expanded into manufacturing personal computers, becoming one of the world's leading technology companies. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Dec Lomé III Treaty signed: The Third ACP-EEC Convention, known as Lomé III, was signed in Lomé, Togo, establishing a framework for cooperation between the European Economic Community and 66 African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. source: op.europa.eu
What happened in 1984?
Discover what the world looked like in 1984: