(MUSIC: “Rambo” Theme)

Good triumphed over evil in the "Rambo" action films starring Sylvester Stallone. He played a troubled hero who had fought in Vietnam. The films were violent. But they represented a more positive view than society had shown in the past toward veterans of that unpopular war.

In the nineteen eighties people came to fear a new disease that could be spread by sex or blood. It was the rise of the AIDS epidemic.

At the same time a new drug -- crack cocaine -- started a wave of violence in American cities.

Technology was also on the rise.

TV ANNOUNCER: “You don’t have to be a genius to use a computer. Let Computer Land show you how easy it is to manage your own small business or home finances with the Atari Eight Hundred. Record keeping, information, communication, and a world of new ideas from Atari.”

Personal computers appeared in more and more offices, schools and homes.

The nineteen eighties brought stardom to young entertainer Michael Jackson.

(MUSIC: “Beat It”)

And no history of the eighties would be complete without noting the rise of Music Television -- better known as MTV.

(MUSIC: "Money for Nothing"/Dire Straits)

You can find our series online with transcripts, MP3s, podcasts and pictures at voaspecialenglish.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at VOA Learning English. I’m Steve Ember, inviting you to join us again next week for THE MAKING OF A NATION -- American history in VOA Special English.