Born in 1984
Turns 42 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1984
1984 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $50.50Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $50.50
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $50.50
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $50.50
Front Page: Australia edition. The year is filled in; add their name in the editor. “Your name” is a placeholder. Light news is selected. A new keepsake, not an original newspaper.
BACK TO 1984 · Australia
A little history to go with their gift.
Apple introduced the Macintosh, Alec Jeffreys developed DNA fingerprinting at the University of Leicester, and John McEnroe won Wimbledon. The year brought a new kind of personal computer, a powerful method of genetic identification and a standout tennis result.
What happened in 1984?
Medicare begins across Australia
Medicare began on 1 February 1984, establishing publicly funded health insurance across Australia.
Advance Australia Fair becomes the national anthem
On 19 April 1984, Advance Australia Fair became the national anthem and green and gold became the national colours.
Bruce McCandless makes an untethered spacewalk
Bruce McCandless tested the Manned Maneuvering Unit during the first untethered spacewalk on February 7, 1984.
Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics
The Los Angeles Olympic Games opened July 28 and closed August 12, 1984.
Encyclopaedia Britannica · Fédération Equestre Internationale
Firsts and new ideas
Apple introduces the Macintosh
Apple unveiled and began selling the Macintosh computer on January 24, 1984.
A Leicester lab reveals genetic fingerprinting
On September 10, 1984, Alec Jeffreys recognized variable DNA patterns that could distinguish individuals in his University of Leicester laboratory.
Number ones and music in 1984
Chart positions belong to the country and chart named in each record.
Katy Perry is born in Santa Barbara
Katy Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California, on October 25, 1984. Her birth name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.
Avril Lavigne is born in Belleville
Avril Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, on September 27, 1984, and later became a Canadian singer and songwriter.
Prices and everyday money in 1984
Australia figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| Bread, sliced milk loaf (about 1½ lb loaf) | about 92 cents | per about 1½ lb loaf Australian Bureau of Statistics |
| Tea (½ lb equivalent) | about 130 cents | per ½ lb equivalent Australian Bureau of Statistics |
| Sugar (2 lb equivalent) | about 61 cents | per 2 lb equivalent Australian Bureau of Statistics |
| Potatoes (per lb equivalent) | about 24 cents | per lb equivalent Australian Bureau of Statistics |
Planning the birthday
Someone born in 1984 turns 42 in 2026. Before their birthday they are one year younger. Choose the birth year for the print; add the full date in the editor if you know it.
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