Major Events of January 1983: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 1983 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of January 1983: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jan 1983 First U.S. commercial cellular mobile phone call made: On January 1, 1983, the first commercial cellular mobile phone call in the United States was made by Martin Cooper, a Motorola executive. This historic call marked the beginning of the cellular phone industry, allowing for mobile communication beyond traditional landlines. The call was made from a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, which was the first commercially available handheld mobile phone. source: fcc.gov
- 02 Jan 1983 Annie musical closes on Broadway: The Broadway production of 'Annie' concluded its run on January 2, 1983, after 2,377 performances. The final performance took place at the Uris Theatre, marking the end of nearly six years on Broadway. The musical, which opened on April 21, 1977, was based on the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie' and featured music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan. source: washingtonpost.com
- 03 Jan 1983 Kīlauea volcano eruption begins: On January 3, 1983, Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii erupted along its East Rift Zone, initiating the Puʻu ʻŌʻō-Kupaianaha eruption. This event marked the start of the longest continuous eruption in Kīlauea's history, lasting until 2018. The eruption produced significant lava fountains and flows, leading to the formation of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone and substantial land changes on the Big Island. source: pubs.usgs.gov
- 04 Jan 1983 USFL holds inaugural collegiate draft selecting Dan Marino first overall: On January 4, 1983, the United States Football League (USFL) conducted its first collegiate draft at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. The Los Angeles Express selected quarterback Dan Marino from the University of Pittsburgh as the first overall pick. Despite the selection, Marino chose to sign with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, where he was also drafted in the first round. The USFL draft featured 24 rounds with 288 selections. source: washingtonpost.com
- 07 Jan 1983 Reagan lifts U.S. arms embargo against Guatemala: On January 7, 1983, President Ronald Reagan lifted the U.S. arms embargo against Guatemala, authorizing the sale of $6 million in military hardware, including spare parts for UH-1H helicopters and A-37 aircraft used in counterinsurgency operations. This decision reversed a ban imposed by the previous administration due to human rights concerns. Despite the embargo's lifting, reports indicated ongoing human rights violations in Guatemala. source: consortiumnews.com
- 08 Jan 1983 Inmates at Sing Sing prison hold 15 guards hostage: On January 8, 1983, inmates at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York, took 15 correctional officers hostage in Cell Block B. The uprising lasted 53 hours, ending after intense negotiations. The incident highlighted severe overcrowding and inadequate conditions within the facility. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Jan 1983 Phil Collins' 'You Can't Hurry Love' tops UK charts: Phil Collins' cover of 'You Can't Hurry Love' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on January 9, 1983, and held the top position for two weeks. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Jan 1983 Roy DeMeo, notorious Mafia hitman, murdered: Roy DeMeo, a member of the Gambino crime family and head of the DeMeo crew, was murdered on January 10, 1983. His body was found in the trunk of his car on January 20, 1983. DeMeo was known for his involvement in numerous murders and other criminal activities. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 11 Jan 1983 United Airlines Flight 2885 crashes after takeoff from Detroit: On January 11, 1983, United Airlines Flight 2885, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-54F, crashed shortly after taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Michigan, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause was the flight crew's failure to follow procedural checklist requirements and to detect and correct a mistrimmed stabilizer before the airplane became uncontrollable. source: ntrl.ntis.gov
- 12 Jan 1983 Juan Marichal and Brooks Robinson elected to Baseball Hall of Fame: On January 12, 1983, the Baseball Writers' Association of America elected pitcher Juan Marichal and third baseman Brooks Robinson to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Marichal, known for his time with the San Francisco Giants, was the winningest Latin American pitcher in major league history, achieving 20 or more wins six times and maintaining an ERA of 2.50 or less six times. Robinson, a stalwart for the Baltimore Orioles, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and was celebrated for his performance in the 1970 World Series. He became the 14th player elected in his first year of eligibility. source: baseball-reference.com
- 13 Jan 1983 Israel and Lebanon agree on negotiation agenda to end state of war: On January 13, 1983, Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement on the agenda for their peace negotiations, focusing on terminating the state of war, security arrangements, and establishing a framework for mutual relations. This development marked a significant step toward resolving longstanding hostilities between the two nations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 Jan 1983 Men At Work's 'Down Under' reaches number one on US charts: On January 14, 1983, Men At Work's hit song 'Down Under' topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song, known for its catchy melody and Australian themes, became a defining track of the 1980s and contributed to the band's international success. It remained at the top for several weeks, solidifying its place in pop music history. source: billboard.com
- 15 Jan 1983 Miandad and Nazar set record Test partnership against India: On January 15, 1983, during the fourth Test at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar established a world-record third-wicket partnership of 451 runs against India. Miandad scored an unbeaten 280 runs off 460 balls, while Nazar contributed 231 runs off 444 balls. This partnership equaled the world record for the highest Test partnership at the time, previously set by Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford in 1934. Pakistan won the match by an innings and 119 runs. source: espncricinfo.com
- 16 Jan 1983 Turkish Airlines Flight 158 crashes near Ankara, Turkey: On January 16, 1983, Turkish Airlines Flight 158, a Boeing 727-200, crashed approximately 50 meters short of the runway at Ankara Esenboğa Airport in severe snowstorm conditions. The accident resulted in 47 fatalities among the 67 occupants, with 20 survivors, including all seven crew members and 13 passengers. The aircraft, registered as TC-JBR and named Afyon, was en route from Istanbul Yeşilköy Airport to Ankara Esenboğa Airport. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Jan 1983 Launch of BBC Breakfast Time on January 17, 1983: On January 17, 1983, the BBC launched 'Breakfast Time,' the UK's first regular morning television service. Presented by Frank Bough and Selina Scott, the program combined news, sport, and lifestyle features, including astrology with Russell Grant and fitness segments with Diana Moran. It aired from 6:30 am to 9:00 am on BBC One. source: bbc.co.uk
- 18 Jan 1983 IOC returns Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals to his children: On January 18, 1983, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) returned Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals to his children in a ceremony in Los Angeles. Thorpe had been stripped of his medals in 1913 for violating amateurism rules by playing minor league baseball before the 1912 Olympics. The IOC reinstated his medals in 1982, presenting replicas to his family, and officially restored his status as the sole champion of the decathlon and pentathlon events in 2022. source: upi.com
- 19 Jan 1983 Klaus Barbie arrested in Bolivia for war crimes: Klaus Barbie, a former Nazi officer known as the 'Butcher of Lyon,' was arrested in Bolivia on January 19, 1983. He was wanted for his role in the torture and deportation of French Jews during World War II. His arrest marked a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for war crimes committed during the Holocaust. source: britannica.com
- 21 Jan 1983 US certifies El Salvador's compliance for continued military aid: On January 21, 1983, President Ronald Reagan certified that the Salvadoran government was complying with the terms of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981, allowing El Salvador to continue receiving U.S. military and economic assistance. This certification was based on the Salvadoran government's progress in human rights, economic and political reforms, and free elections. source: heritage.org
- 22 Jan 1983 Björn Borg retires from professional tennis: Swedish tennis player Björn Borg announced his retirement from professional tennis on January 22, 1983. Known for his incredible achievements, including 11 Grand Slam titles, Borg's retirement shocked the sports world, as he was only 26 years old at the time. His decision marked the end of an era in tennis, as he had been a dominant force in the sport during the late 1970s and early 1980s. source: bbc.com
- 23 Jan 1983 Björn Borg announces retirement from professional tennis: On January 23, 1983, Swedish tennis star Björn Borg announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 26, citing a loss of motivation and desire to pursue other interests. Despite his decision, he agreed to fulfill contractual obligations by playing in the Monte Carlo tournament in April and participating in exhibition matches in Tokyo. Borg's unexpected retirement shocked the tennis world, as he had been a dominant force in the sport, winning five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976 to 1980. source: washingtonpost.com
- 24 Jan 1983 32 Red Brigades members sentenced to life imprisonment for Aldo Moro's murder: On January 24, 1983, a Rome court sentenced 32 members of the Red Brigades to life imprisonment for their roles in the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. The trial, lasting nine months, involved 63 defendants, with sentences ranging from four months to 30 years. Notably, Mario Moretti, the mastermind behind Moro's kidnapping, received a life sentence. source: washingtonpost.com
- 25 Jan 1983 Launch of Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS): The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), a joint project of the U.S., the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, was launched on January 25, 1983. It was the first space telescope to survey the entire sky in infrared wavelengths, mapping 96% of the celestial sphere and detecting about 350,000 infrared sources. The mission concluded on November 21, 1983, after a ten-month operation. source: jpl.nasa.gov
- 26 Jan 1983 Death of Paul 'Bear' Bryant: Paul 'Bear' Bryant, the legendary head coach of the University of Alabama football team, died of a heart attack on January 26, 1983, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the age of 69. He had retired from coaching in December 1982 after a distinguished 25-year tenure at Alabama, during which he amassed 323 career victories and six national championships. source: britannica.com
- 27 Jan 1983 Seikan Tunnel opens, connecting Japanese islands: The Seikan Tunnel, a major engineering feat, officially opened on January 27, 1983. This undersea tunnel connects the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido in Japan, allowing for year-round rail transport and significantly improving accessibility between the two regions. It remains one of the longest tunnels in the world, showcasing advanced engineering and construction techniques. source: britannica.com
- 28 Jan 1983 Billy Fury, British rock and roll singer, dies at 42: Billy Fury, born Ronald Wycherley, was a prominent British rock and roll singer known for hits like "Halfway to Paradise" and "Jealousy." He died on January 28, 1983, at the age of 42, after collapsing from a heart attack at his London home. His death was attributed to heart disease, a condition he had struggled with since childhood due to rheumatic fever. source: bbc.co.uk
- 29 Jan 1983 40th Golden Globe Awards: The 40th Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held on January 29, 1983, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The event honored the best in film and television for 1982, with notable winners including 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' for Best Motion Picture – Drama and 'Tootsie' for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Meryl Streep received Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in 'Sophie's Choice'. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Jan 1983 Washington Redskins defeat Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII: On January 30, 1983, the Washington Redskins secured their first Super Bowl victory by defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Running back John Riggins was named Super Bowl MVP after rushing for a record 166 yards and scoring a touchdown. The Redskins' defense held the Dolphins scoreless in the second half, contributing to the win. source: commanders.com
- 31 Jan 1983 UK enacts mandatory seatbelt law for drivers and front-seat passengers: On January 31, 1983, the United Kingdom implemented legislation requiring all drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts. Prior to this law, approximately 60% of motorists ignored seatbelt advice. The legislation aimed to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries, with the Department of Transport estimating that it would save 1,000 lives annually. The law also introduced fines of up to £50 for non-compliance, with certain exemptions, including taxi drivers and drivers of electric delivery vehicles. source: news.bbc.co.uk