Today, we’re dialing the time machine to February 22nd, 1980. Not many events throughout history get their own Disney movie, but the U.S. upset over the Soviets at the 1980 Winter Olympics was a real-life fairy tale.

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February 22nd, 1980 📆

“Great moments are born from great opportunity”

The 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, brought one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The Soviet men’s hockey team had won four straight gold medals (and five of the last six Olympic golds) and had not lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968. But a bunch of scrappy, twentysomething Americans had something to prove on their home ice.

The Americans upset the Soviets by a score of 4-3, and would go on to defeat Finland two days later to secure Olympic gold. The upset epitomized far more than a hockey game. The Cold War was still ongoing, and the USSR had just invaded Afghanistan a few months prior.

The upset was so momentous that it was recreated in the 2004 Disney film Miracle, with legendary actor Kurt Russell playing the role of head coach Herb Brooks. Fun fact: Kurt Russell took a pay cut, so the 800-1000 extras used as the fans at the hockey game could enjoy a full hot meal instead of a brown-bag lunch.

Do you believe in miracles? 👇

Take Me Back ⏮️

🎥 What we’re watching: The Dukes of Hazzard on CBS

🕹️ What we’re playing: Asteroids at the local arcade

🥤 What we’re drinking: Pabst Blue Ribbon

👦 Who we’re following: Steve Martin, after The Jerk

🍔 What we’re eating: Burger Chef (RIP)

🎤 What we’re singing: “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson

🛒 What we’re buying: A Sony Walkman 👇

Just For Fun 🙃

The 1980 Grammy Awards were just a few days away (February 27th). This was the first (and only) year the award for Best Disco Recording was given out.

Gloria Gaynor took home the lone award for “I Will Survive”.

OOTD On This Day🧢

Nothing screams 1980 more than tube socks and PF Flyers.

Happy Birthday🎂

The legendary “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin turned 20 years old today.

Current Events 📰

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