At A Glance

5 August 1983 at a glance

Day of the week
5 August 1983 was a Friday.
UK Number One
The UK Number One single was “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)” by Paul Young.
Top Film of 1983
The highest-grossing film worldwide released in 1983 was Return of the Jedi.
Star sign
The star sign for 5 August is Leo.
Chinese zodiac
In the Chinese zodiac, 5 August 1983 fell in the Year of the Pig.
Birthstone
The birthstone for August is Peridot.
Moon phase
The moon phase on 5 August 1983 was Waning Crescent.

On this day: 5 August

  • 1973 Mars 6 is launched from the USSR.
  • 1974 Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon, under orders of the US Supreme Court, releases the "Smoking Gun" tape, recorded on June 23, 1972, clearly revealing his actions in covering up and interfering investigations into the break-in. His political support vanishes completely.
  • 1979 In Afghanistan, Maoists undertake the Bala Hissar uprising against the Leninist government.
  • 1981 President Ronald Reagan fires 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work.
  • 1995 Yugoslav Wars: The city of Knin, Croatia, a significant Serb stronghold, is taken by Croatian forces during Operation Storm. The date is celebrated in Croatia as Victory Day.

Famous people born on 5 August

  • James Gunn, American filmmaker (born 1966)
  • Wendell Berry, American novelist, short story writer, poet, and essayist (1934–2026)
  • Angry Anderson, Australian singer and actor (1947–2026)
  • Neil Armstrong, American pilot, engineer, and astronaut, first man to walk on the Moon (1930–2012)

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Events of 1983 in the United Kingdom

A selection from Wikipedia's '1983 in the United Kingdom'. Not a complete list.

  • 1 February – TV-am launches on ITV.
  • 11 April – Richard Attenborough's 1982 film Gandhi wins eight Academy Awards.
  • 21 April – The one pound coin introduced in England and Wales.

Life in 1983

Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher

Monarch

Elizabeth II

Pint of Beer

60p

Loaf of Bread

42p

Average House

£26,473

Weekly Wage

£155.00

Or

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Famous Faces Born in the 1980s

Well-known people born in the same decade as you, not on your birthday.

Sources: Wikidata and Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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