Major Events of March 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 March 1983 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1983: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1983 Swatch launches first timepieces: On March 1, 1983, Swatch introduced its inaugural collection of twelve models in Zürich, Switzerland. Priced between CHF 39.90 and CHF 49.90, these watches aimed to re-capture market share lost to Japanese manufacturers during the 'quartz crisis' and to re-popularize analog watches at a time when digital watches had achieved wide popularity. source: en.wikipedia.org
02 Mar 1983 Compact disc technology launches in the United States: The compact disc (CD) technology was officially launched in the United States on March 2, 1983. This marked a significant advancement in audio technology, allowing for digital music storage and playback. The first CD released was Billy Joel's '52nd Street', which showcased the new format's capabilities. source: britannica.com
03 Mar 1983 State dinner with Queen Elizabeth II and President Reagan at de Young Museum: On March 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan hosted a state dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at San Francisco's M.H. de Young Memorial Museum. The event was attended by notable figures from politics, media, and entertainment. The menu featured lobster terrine with golden caviar, consomme of pheasant, and California wines. Queen Elizabeth II humorously remarked on the unexpected weather during her visit. source: reaganlibrary.gov
04 Mar 1983 Hergé, Belgian cartoonist, passes away: Hergé, the renowned Belgian cartoonist best known for creating the beloved comic series 'The Adventures of Tintin,' passed away on March 4, 1983. His work has had a lasting impact on the world of comics and continues to be celebrated for its storytelling and artistic style. source: britannica.com
05 Mar 1983 Australian Labor Party wins 1983 federal election: On March 5, 1983, the Australian Labor Party, led by Bob Hawke, secured a decisive victory in the federal election, ending seven years of Liberal-National Coalition government under Malcolm Fraser. Labor won 75 seats in the House of Representatives, a gain of 24 seats, and increased its Senate representation to 30 seats. This marked the beginning of a 13-year period of Labor governance at the federal level. source: naa.gov.au
06 Mar 1983 West German parliamentary elections held on March 6, 1983: The West German parliamentary elections took place on March 6, 1983, resulting in a significant victory for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its leader, Helmut Kohl. This election marked a shift in the political landscape, as the CDU formed a coalition government with the Free Democratic Party (FDP), ending a period of Social Democratic Party (SPD) leadership. The elections were notable for their impact on German politics during the Cold War era. source: britannica.com
07 Mar 1983 The Nashville Network (TNN) launches on cable television: The Nashville Network (TNN) began broadcasting on March 7, 1983, offering country music-oriented programming. Its inaugural broadcast featured a five-hour live event with performances from artists like Minnie Pearl, Chet Atkins, and Emmylou Harris. TNN aimed to expand the reach of country music and Southern culture through cable television. source: upi.com
08 Mar 1983 Reagan delivers 'Evil Empire' speech to the National Association of Evangelicals: On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous 'Evil Empire' speech at the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida. In this address, he characterized the Soviet Union as an 'evil empire' and called for a strong stance against communism, emphasizing the moral imperative to combat it. This speech is often cited as a pivotal moment in the Cold War rhetoric. source: archives.gov
09 Mar 1983 Chuck Hull invents 3D printing technology: On March 9, 1983, Chuck Hull patented the process of stereolithography, which is considered the first 3D printing technology. This innovation allowed for the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models, revolutionizing manufacturing and prototyping across various industries. Hull's invention laid the groundwork for the development of modern 3D printing techniques used today. source: britannica.com
10 Mar 1983 Walter Alston elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: On March 10, 1983, Walter Alston was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Alston managed the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons, leading them to four World Series titles. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 31, 1983. source: baseballhall.org
11 Mar 1983 Bob Hawke becomes Prime Minister of Australia: Bob Hawke was sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia on March 11, 1983, after leading the Australian Labor Party to victory in the federal election. His leadership marked a significant shift in Australian politics, focusing on economic reform and social justice. Hawke served as Prime Minister until 1991, becoming one of the country's longest-serving leaders. source: britannica.com
12 Mar 1983 Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' tops UK Singles Chart: Released on February 11, 1983, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler quickly ascended to the number one position on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for two weeks, from March 12 to March 26, 1983. The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over six million copies sold worldwide. source: officialcharts.com
13 Mar 1983 NC State wins 1983 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament: On March 13, 1983, the NC State Wolfpack defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 81–78 in the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men's Basketball Tournament. The tournament was held at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the first time the event was hosted in Atlanta. Sidney Lowe of NC State was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. source: en.wikipedia.org
14 Mar 1983 OPEC cuts oil prices for the first time in 23 years: On March 14, 1983, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reduced its official oil price by $5 per barrel, marking the first price cut in the organization's 23-year history. The new price was set at $29 per barrel, accompanied by production quotas for member countries to curb the global oil glut. source: washingtonpost.com
15 Mar 1983 Rebecca West, notable English writer, dies at 90: Rebecca West, born Cecily Isabel Fairfield on December 21, 1892, was a British author, journalist, and literary critic. She passed away on March 15, 1983, in London at the age of 90. West was renowned for her works such as 'Black Lamb and Grey Falcon' and 'The Return of the Soldier.' source: britannica.com
16 Mar 1983 Demolition of Ismaning Radio Transmitter, Germany's Last Wooden Radio Tower: On March 16, 1983, the Ismaning Radio Transmitter, a 163-meter wooden lattice tower near Munich, Germany, was demolished. Constructed in 1932, it was the last remaining wooden radio tower in Germany, often referred to as the "Bavarian Eiffel Tower." After ceasing operations in 1977, the tower deteriorated and was ultimately dismantled. Today, its concrete foundations and the former tuning house are still visible at the site. source: en.wikipedia.org
17 Mar 1983 Chad requests UN intervention in border dispute with Libya: On March 17, 1983, Chadian President Hissène Habré brought the conflict before the UN, asking for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to consider Libya's "aggression and occupation" of Chadian territory. source: en.wikipedia.org
18 Mar 1983 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea: On March 18, 1983, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred southeast of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, causing property damage, landslides, and a tsunami. The event was the largest earthquake in the world since a magnitude 7.9 quake in the Samoa Islands on September 1, 1981. source: pubs.usgs.gov
19 Mar 1983 First Lady Nancy Reagan appears on 'Diff’rent Strokes' to promote anti-drug campaign: On March 19, 1983, First Lady Nancy Reagan made a special appearance on the NBC sitcom 'Diff’rent Strokes,' portraying herself to discuss the dangers of drug use with the show's characters. This episode served as an early promotion for her 'Just Say No' anti-drug campaign, which officially launched in 1985. source: history.com
20 Mar 1983 Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert-Lloyd in Virginia Slims Championships final: On March 20, 1983, Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Evert-Lloyd 6–2, 6–0 in the final of the Virginia Slims Championships held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This victory marked Navratilova's ninth title of the year and the 156th of her career. source: en.wikipedia.org
21 Mar 1983 1983 West Bank fainting epidemic begins: On March 21, 1983, a series of fainting incidents began at a girls' secondary school in Arrabah, West Bank, affecting 66 schoolgirls. Over the following weeks, similar cases were reported, leading to 943 hospitalizations. Investigations concluded that the epidemic was primarily a mass psychogenic illness, with psychological factors playing a significant role. Both Israeli and Palestinian authorities initially accused each other of causing the illness through chemical means, but later accepted the findings of mass hysteria as the cause. source: washingtonpost.com
22 Mar 1983 Chaim Herzog elected President of Israel: On March 22, 1983, Chaim Herzog was elected as the sixth President of Israel by the Knesset, defeating Menachem Elon by a vote of 61 to 57. Herzog, a member of the Labor Alignment, assumed office on May 5, 1983, succeeding Yitzhak Navon. He served two five-year terms, retiring in 1993. source: britannica.com
23 Mar 1983 Reagan proposes Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): On March 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from nuclear missile attacks. The initiative aimed to develop ground-based and space-based systems to intercept and destroy incoming missiles, marking a significant shift in U.S. defense policy during the Cold War. source: archives.gov
24 Mar 1983 1984 Chevrolet Corvette debuts in California: The 1984 Chevrolet Corvette was officially unveiled on March 24, 1983, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This model marked a significant redesign and was the first Corvette to feature a new aerodynamic shape, which contributed to improved performance and fuel efficiency. The 1984 Corvette was well-received and set the stage for future models in the Corvette lineup. source: corvetteforum.com
25 Mar 1983 Michael Jackson debuts the moonwalk during televised performance: Michael Jackson first showcased the moonwalk dance move during a performance of "Billie Jean" on the television special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" on March 25, 1983. This iconic moment not only captivated audiences but also solidified Jackson's status as a groundbreaking performer in pop music history. The moonwalk became his signature move and influenced countless dancers and artists thereafter. source: rollingstone.com
26 Mar 1983 Liverpool wins 1983 Football League Cup Final: On March 26, 1983, Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2-1 in the Football League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Norman Whiteside opened the scoring for United, Alan Kennedy equalized for Liverpool, and Ronnie Whelan secured the victory with a goal in extra time. This marked Liverpool's third consecutive League Cup win and was manager Bob Paisley's final major final with the club. source: en.wikipedia.org
27 Mar 1983 13th Easter Seal Telethon raises record $21.3 million: The 13th annual Easter Seal Telethon, hosted by singer Pat Boone, aired from 8 p.m. PST on March 26 to 4 p.m. PST on March 27, 1983. The 20-hour broadcast raised a record $21.3 million in pledges, surpassing the previous year's total of $19.5 million. The funds support services for individuals with disabilities, including speech and hearing therapy, occupational therapy, and assistance for the elderly, blind, and those with birth defects, heart conditions, and diabetes. source: upi.com
29 Mar 1983 Rubik's Cube patent granted in the United States: On March 29, 1983, Ernő Rubik was granted U.S. Patent No. 4,378,116 for the Rubik's Cube, a 3D combination puzzle. This patent expired in 2000. source: 5election.com
30 Mar 1983 NYMEX begins trading crude oil futures: On March 30, 1983, the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) initiated trading in crude oil futures contracts, marking a significant development in energy markets. This move allowed market participants to hedge against price fluctuations and manage risk more effectively. The contract specified delivery of 1,000 U.S. barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, with trading units and specifications detailed by NYMEX. source: sec.gov
31 Mar 1983 1983 Popayán earthquake in Colombia: On March 31, 1983, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Popayán, Colombia, resulting in at least 100 deaths and over 1,150 injuries. The quake caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure, including the collapse of churches and government buildings. The disaster led to the implementation of new laws requiring earthquake-resistant construction materials in high-risk zones. source: washingtonpost.com