~Flashback 1983~

• Second space shuttle, Challenger, makes successful maiden voyage, which includes the first US space walk in nine years (April 4).
  
  
• US Supreme Court declares many local abortion restrictions unconstitutional (June 15).
  
  
• Sally K. Ride, 32, first US woman astronaut in space as a crew member aboard space shuttle Challenger (June 18).
  

US GDP (1998 dollars): $3,514.50 billion
Federal spending: $808.38 billion
Federal debt: $1371.7 billion
Median Household Income
(current dollars): $20,885
Consumer Price Index: 99.6
Unemployment: 9.6%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.20

Events

• With the introduction of noise-free compact discs, the vinyl record begins a steep decline.
• Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy wins the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and Tony Award for best play, marking the acceptance of gay theater.
• Singer Karen Carpenter dies of complications from anorexia nervosa at age 32.
• More than 125 million viewers tune in to the last episode of M*A*S*H

Movies

• The Big Chill, Terms of Endearment, Fanny & Alexander, The Right Stuff