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September 5, 2023

Test Your Knowledge – 1983

  1. How many of the top 5 Account Firms in Maryland can you identify from 1983?
    1. Arthur Andersen & Co. – Arthur Andersen was one of the “Big Eight” accounting firms at the time and had a strong presence in Maryland.
    2. Ernst & Whinney (now part of Ernst & Young) – Ernst & Whinney was another of the “Big Eight” accounting firms and had a significant presence in Maryland.
    3. Peat Marwick Mitchell (now part of KPMG) – Peat Marwick Mitchell was also one of the “Big Eight” accounting firms and operated in Maryland.
    4. Coopers & Lybrand (now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers) – Coopers & Lybrand was part of the “Big Eight” and had a presence in Maryland.
    5. Price Waterhouse – Price Waterhouse, another member of the “Big Eight,” had an office in Maryland.
  2. Can you name any of the top 5 most popular celebrities from 1983?
    1. Michael Jackson – Michael Jackson was undoubtedly one of the most popular celebrities in 1983. He released his album “Thriller” in 1982, which continued to dominate the charts and airwaves throughout 1983. The music videos from the album, particularly the title track, “Billie Jean,” and “Beat It,” helped solidify his status as a global superstar.
    2. Princess Diana – Lady Diana Spencer, who would later become Princess Diana, was a beloved figure worldwide due to her engagement to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne. Their wedding took place in July 1981, and her style and grace captivated the public’s attention in 1983.
    3. Tom Cruise – In 1983, Tom Cruise starred in the movie “Risky Business,” which was a breakout role for him and helped propel him to stardom. The film’s famous dance sequence in his underwear made him a household name.
    4. Eddie Murphy – Eddie Murphy was a rising star in 1983. He became a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” in the early ’80s and also starred in the comedy film “Trading Places,” released in 1983, alongside Dan Aykroyd.
    5. John Travolta – John Travolta, who was already a well-known actor, enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 1983 with the release of the film “Staying Alive,” a sequel to “Saturday Night Fever.”
  3. Can you guess any of the top 5 TV series released in 1983?
    1. “The A-Team” – This action-adventure series followed a group of former Special Forces soldiers who become mercenaries while helping those in need. The show was known for its action-packed episodes and memorable characters.
    2. “The Thorn Birds” – Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen McCullough, this miniseries was a romantic drama that garnered critical acclaim. It told the story of a forbidden love between a priest and a woman over several decades.
    3. “Webster” – “Webster” was a family sitcom that centered on the heartwarming story of a recently orphaned African-American boy who is adopted by a wealthy white couple. The show focused on the challenges and joys of their unconventional family.
    4. “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” – This series combined elements of drama, comedy, and espionage. It followed a suburban housewife who becomes involved in the world of international espionage when she teams up with a spy.
    5. “Hotel” – “Hotel” was a drama series set in a luxury hotel and featured an ensemble cast of characters who interacted with both the guests and the staff. The show explored various interpersonal dramas and conflicts within the hotel setting.

 

 

  1. Can you name 5 of the top cars sold in America in 1983?
    1. Ford Escort: The Ford Escort was a compact car that gained popularity for its fuel efficiency and affordability.
    2. Chevrolet Cavalier: The Chevrolet Cavalier was another compact car known for its affordability and practicality.
    3. Honda Accord: The Honda Accord has been a popular choice for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and overall value.
    4. Toyota Camry: The Toyota Camry, known for its durability and fuel efficiency, started gaining traction in the American market during the early 1980s.
    5. Ford Mustang: The Ford Mustang has been a popular choice for those seeking a sporty and affordable performance car. In 1983, it had established itself as an iconic model in American automotive culture.
  2. Can you name any of the top 5 movies released in 1983?
    1. Star Wars Return of the Jedi
    2. Terms of Endearment
    3. Flashdance
    4. Trading Places
    5. WarGames
  3. How many of the top 5 coding languages can you identify from 1983
    1. C: C was gaining significant popularity and influence during this time, particularly due to its efficiency and ability to write low-level code. It was widely used for systems programming and application development.
    2. Pascal: Pascal was a widely taught language in universities and schools. It emphasized structured programming and was popular for its use in educational environments.
    3. Fortran: Fortran (Formula Translation) was a widely used programming language in the scientific and engineering communities, especially for numerical and scientific computing.
    4. COBOL: COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) remained a major language, particularly in the business and government sectors. It was primarily used for business data processing.
    5. BASIC: BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was still in common use, especially in home computers like the Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PCs. It was often used for teaching programming and developing simple applications.

 

 

  1. What was the average salary of a CPA in 1983
    1. Answer – Pay for a Certified Public Accountant in 1983 ranged from $28,000 – $35,000 annually.
    2. Fun Facts: Software like Lotus 1-2-3 and VisiCalc were among the earliest spreadsheet applications used by accountants in 1983. While accounting software existed in the early 1980s, it was not as advanced as modern accounting software. Popular accounting software at the time included Peachtree (now Sage 50) and QuickBooks (introduced in 1983).
  2. What were the top 5 songs of 1983:
    1. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
    2. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
    3. “Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara
    4. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
    5. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
  3. What were the top 5 movies of 1983:
    1. “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
    2. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”
    3. “Terms of Endearment”
    4. “Flashdance”
    5. “WarGames”