(RMEF’s first headquarters in Troy, Montana – 1984)
On May 14, 1984, four elk hunters living in or near the small northwest Montana community of Troy officially launched a conservation organization with a goal to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. The story of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is one of faith, courage, resilience, determination and hard work.
Outside the world of elk and conservation, 1984 was a year to remember for many other reasons including news, politics, sports, entertainment, music, culture and other happenings.
May 14, 1984
- The 135th day of the year 1984 in the Gregorian calendar, under the sign of Taurus
- It was a Monday
- The generation was a Millennial
First issue of Bugle magazine published in the fall of 1984
1984 News Events
- Apple Macintosh introduces its personal computer (cost $2,500) via a bizarre commercial
- Bill Gates introduced the floppy disk
- The U.S. restores diplomatic ties with the Vatican
- Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire from pyrotechnics while filming a Pepsi commercial & rushed to hospital
- First successful test tube baby is born
- New law makes it illegal for those under age 21 to buy or possess alcohol
- Space Shuttle Discovery takes off on maiden voyage
- Terrorist drives explosive-filled car into U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 24
- Ronald Reagan defeats Walter Mondale in a landslide victory to maintain the presidency
- Britain and China sign an agreement to return Hong Kong to China in 1997
- Scientists identified the cause of AIDS
An early ad in RMEF’s Wapiti Newsletter.
Famous 1984 Births
- Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver (2/12)
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (5/14)
- Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook (5/14)
- Dustin Johnson, golfer (6/22)
- Khloe Kardashian, reality TV (6/27)
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (9/15)
- Avril Lavigne, singer-songwriter (9/27)
- Lindsey Vonn, skier (10/18)
- Katy Perry, pop singer (10/25)
- Scarlett Johansson, actress (11/22)
- LeBron James, professional basketball (12/30)
A dirty job but someone had to do it, right?
1984 Sports
- Los Angeles Raiders defeat Washington Redskins to win Super Bowl XVII
- Sarajevo, Yugoslavia hosts XIV Winter Olympic Games (Soviet Union tops field with 25 medals)
- Georgetown defeats Houston to win NCAA basketball championship
- Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers to win NBA championship
- Edmonton Oilers win the NHL’s Stanley Cup by defeating the New York Islanders
- Soviet Union announces boycott of 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles (USA tops field with 174 medals)
- John McEnroe & Martina Navratilova win both Wimbledon & the US Open
- Detroit Tigers defeat San Diego Padres to win the World Series
- BYU defeats Michigan to clinch NCAA football championship
A membership card issued just 43 days after RMEF opened its doors
1984 Entertainment
- Terms of Endearment wins five Oscars
- TV show Happy Days is cancelled after 11 seasons
- The cult film This is Spinal Tap is released
- Hour-long informercials became a thing
- John Hughes released the first of a string of Brat Pack movies with “Sixteen Candles”
- Alex Trebek takes over as host of Jeopardy
An RMEF historical timeline
Domestic Box Office Top Movies
- Ghostbusters
- Indians Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Gremlins
- The Karate Kid
- Police Academy
- Footloose
- Beverly Hills Cop
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
- Terms of Endearment
- Romancing the Stone
Outdoor industry icon/writer Jim Zumbo addressing an early RMEF gathering
1984 Music
Academy of Country Music Awards
Entertainer of the Year: Alabama
Single of the Year: Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Top Male Vocalist: Lee Greenwood
Top Female Vocalist: Janie Fricke
Grammy Awards
Record of the Year – Beat It, Michael Jackson
Album of the Year – Thriller, Michael Jackson
Song of the year – Every Breath You Take, The Police
Best New Artist – Culture Club
36 musicians from Britain/Ireland record “Do They Know It’s Christmas” to raise money for Ethiopian famine victims
Early on, growth was slow but steady
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles
- When Doves Cry – Prince
- What’s Love Got to Do with It – Tina Turner
- Say, Say, Say – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
- Footloose – Kenny Loggins
- Against All Odds – Phil Collins
- Jump – Van Halen
- Hello – Lionel Richie
- Owner of a Lonely Heart – Yes
- Ghostbuster – Ray Parker, Jr.
- Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
RMEF life member and elk caller extraordinaire Wayne Carlton addressed a crowd
1984 Popular Video Games
- Agent USA
- Duck Hunt
- Space Invaders
- Asteroids
- Galaxian
Kaboth wins early elk calling contest
1984 Popular TV Shows
- Dynasty
- Dallas
- The Cosby Show
- 60 Minutes
- Family Ties
1984 Popular Toys
- Cabbage Patch Kids
- Transformers
- GI Joe action figures
- My Pony
- Masters of the Universe action figures
Auction helpers at a big game banquet in Houston, Texas
1984 Fashion
Women: long sweaters, fishnet stockings, leggings, giant shoulder pads, fingerless gloves, jumpsuits, oversized scarves, miniskirts & spandex cycling shorts
Men: Hawaiian shirts, flannel, shell suits, parachute pants & wool sport coats
Speaking of fashion, what’s better than red, full-body long johns with an RMEF logo on them?
1984 Miscellaneous Stuff
- Wendy’s unveiled its “Where’s the Beef?” TV ads
- Van Halen released an album titled “1984” on January 9, 1984
- The first CD players are introduced
- Baby on Board signs marketed in the U.S.
- More than 20 million Trivial Pursuit games sold
- Hulk Hogan became the WWF champion (sorry, we couldn’t put this in the sports category)
- President Reagan declared July as National Ice Cream Month, calling it a “nutritious and wholesome food”
Meanwhile, back in Montana…