1980: A Miracle on Ice
The 1980’s began with a new American show of force against the Soviet bloc. The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York saw the surprise story of the U.S. Hockey team. The last time the US beat the Soviet Union in winter sports was in 1960. The Soviet lineup was made mostly of veteran Red Army members with few military responsibilities, while the American lineup consisted mostly of young college players. For 20 years straight, the Soviet Union had been the champion of amateur international hockey, but that was about to change. As the teams faced against each other on February 22nd, the US beat the Soviets 4-3 in the final round. Most spectators remember the joy of American fans and family members as they hugged the players, while the Soviet team sulked in their defeat.
The Miracle on Ice is one of the greatest sport upsets of the 20th century. The victory of the American team remained after defeating Finland in the final game 4-2 and earning the gold medal. Regardless of the joy the Americans may have felt, 40 years after this incident remains one of the most dramatic upsets in Olympic history and the postwar world.
1986: The Hand of God and Soccer at Mexico
The 1986 Edition of the World Cup in Mexico City is one of the most iconic World Cups in history. Mexico became the first country to host the world tournament ouce (it had previously done it in 1970). However, this tournament is also iconic because it produced some of the greatest names in soccer history. One such name is Diego Maradona. The retired Argentinian midfielder scored some of the most iconic goals in soccer history. One of those goals was scored during the quarter-final of Mexico 86, on June 22th, at the Estadio Azteca. After tense competition between the Argentinian and English teams, the opening goal of the game was scored at the 51st minute of the game. This controversial goal was scored by Maradona...with the hand. Using arms or hands is forbidden at soccer. Maradona denied that he used his hand, and instead said that it was The Hand of God. As such, that controversial goal earned its distinctive nickname.
The Hand of God is one of the most remembered goals in 20th century and history of soccer, as it was two of the goals that earned Argentina victory over England at the match. At the end, Argentina proclaimed itself champion of the World Cup. Maradona is still regarded as one of the most influential sports figures of the 20th century, and the Mexico World Cup as one of the most iconic editions of the tournament.
1984: Super Bowl ads
Steve Jobs has a curious connection to sports as the man who popularized Super Bowl ads. Before animated beer-drinking frogs, an iconic ad was aired by Steve Jobs in Super Bowl XVIII to promote Jobs’ newly created Macintosh computer. It was January 22nd. That year, 77 million people watched the Super Bowl. Jobs realized that this was a very big move. The Big Brother-like ad, which aired during the break on the third quarter, lasted 1 minute.
The ad didn’t only promote the new Macintosh computer, but it also began the phenomena of Super Bowl ads. The original commercial has been parodied multiple times, such as by Hillary Clinton during her campaign run in 2016. Those 60 seconds of television broadcast became 1 minute of history.
1988: The Fastest Knockout onto the Ring
It was the year 1988. Michael Spinks had remained undefeated for 31 matches. That is, until the moment came to face Mike Tyson. It was 11 PM when both boxers made it into the ring. 91 seconds into the fight, and Tyson KO’d Spinks, stealing the lineal championship title. Spinks, seconds after recovering from a left uppercut that sank him to his knees, was victim of a huge hit by Tyson which completely paralyzed him.
The fight between Spinks and Tyson was perhaps the shortest fight in boxing history. But with it, Tyson lived up to his legacy as one of the greatest boxers in 80s history and the postwar world. Those 91 seconds became history.