The 1980's By katelyn.slattery Apr 24, 1980 U.S. rescue attempt to save hostages from Tehran fails Dec 8, 1980 John Lennon is shot and killed 1981 AIDS is recognized Mar 30, 1981 John Hinckley Jr. tries to assassinate President Reagan Nov 13, 1982 Vietnam War Memorial opens in Washington D.C. Nov 30, 1982 Michael Jackson's album Thriller is released Apr 18, 1983 U.S. Embassy in Beirut is bombed Jun 18, 1983 Sally Ride becomes first American woman in space Jun 20, 1985 Iran-Contra scandal erupts Jul 3, 1985 Back to the Future is released Jan 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after lift-off Apr 26, 1986 Chernobyl nuclear meltdown occurs. 1987 DNA first used to convict criminals and get innocent prisoners off death row Oct 4, 1987 The U.S. and Canada sign free trade agreement Oct 19, 1987 The stock market plunges on Black Monday Jun 4, 1989 Student protesters killed in China’s Tiananmen Square Nov 9, 1989 Berlin Wall falls