The Most Iconic Images Of The 1980s

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published June 28, 2012

Updated February 12, 2018

Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, 1986 

The Chernobyl disaster occurred in April 1986 after an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive material into the atmosphere, which spread over much of Western USSR and Europe. This iconic image shows the depth of the devastation.

The Fall Of The Berlin Wall, 1989

After two decades of its iron separation of East and West Germany, the Berlin Wall finally fell on the evening of November 9, 1989. People gathered around the wall to see if it had actually fallen, and the border guards, who had no explicit instructions on what to do, let them through. Mass jubilation ensued.

Enjoy the most iconic images of the 1980s? Be sure to check out the most iconic images of photography and the most iconic images of the 1960s!

author

Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.