In 1982
Ronald Reagan is president of the US
The space shuttle Columbia completes its first operational flight
Actor John Belushi is found dead of a drug overdose in a West Hollywood hotel
Automobile manufacturer John Delorean is arrested and charged with possession of 59 pounds of cocaine
The first artificial heart is implanted in American Barney Clark
The Cable News Network, or CNN, is launched
750,000 people rally against nuclear weapons in New York City's Central Park
Time Magazine's Man of the Year was for the first time given to a non-human, a computer
The first computer virus, written by Rich Skrenta, escapes into the wild
Kirsten Dunst and Elisha Cuthbert are born
St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series
San Francisco 49ers win Superbowl XVI
New York Islanders win the Stanley Cup
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the top grossing film
Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off of a live bat thrown at him during a performance, later hospitalized with rabies
"I Love Rock 'N Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts spends the most time at the top of the US charts
Cheers, Family Ties, Silver Spoons, and Fame premiere
Diet Coke was is invented
LA Lakers win the NBA Championship
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
US Postage Stamp is $.20
TV SITCOMS
"Gimme A Break" with Nell Carter
"Joanie Loves Chachi" a Happy Days spin?off with Scott Baio and Erin Moran
"9 to 5" with Rita Moreno and Rachael Dennison
"Love, Sydney" about the relationship of a homosexual and the mother and daughter who moved in with him, with Tony Randall and Swoosie Kurtz
"Police Squad!" with Leslie Nielsen
MOVIES
48 Hours
Airplane II: The Sequel
Blade Runner
Diner
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
First Blood
Friday the 13th Part 3
Gandhi
Night Shift
An Officer and a Gentleman
Poltergeist
Rocky III
Sophie's Choice
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Summer Lovers
Tootsie
The World According to Garp
Best Picture: "Gandhi"
Best Actor: Ben Kingsley in "Gandhi"
Best Actress: Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice"
Best Supporting Actor: Louis Gossett Jr. in "An Officer and a Gentleman"
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Lange in "Tootsie"
Best Director: Richard Attenborough for "Gandhi"
