14 Crazy Things You Forgot Happened In The 80s
What Actually Happened In The 80s?
It's very easy to look back at the timeline of the 1980s and feel utterly bewildered. From the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II to America's bizarre obsession with Cabbage Patch Kids, the decade was certainly a mixed bag.
The Obsession With Cabbage Patch Kids
In the US, the Cabbage Patch Kids toy line took the nation by storm. During the fall and winter of 1983, the collective obsession and demand for these dolls was so great—people rioted.
The Obsession With Cabbage Patch Kids
Most retail stores only had about 200 to 500 Cabbage Patch dolls in stock—and this caused a problem. There were thousands of shoppers hoping to get their hands on the product, leading to vicious fights among customers.
Richard Pryor Set Himself On Fire
Perhaps one of the most bizarre and sad stories to come out of the 1980s was when the comedian Richard Pryor soaked himself in rum—and then lit himself on fire.
Richard Pryor Set Himself On Fire
In a scene that could have been straight out of a horror film, Richard Pryor ran through his LA neighborhood on fire. Thankfully, the authorities were able to help the disturbed actor, but more than half of his body was severely burned.
Pryor's daughter later revealed that her father's moment of psychosis was due to substances.
