Born in 1984
Turns 42 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1984
1984 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $51.50Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $51.50
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $51.50
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $51.50
Front Page: New Zealand 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 · New Zealand
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?
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
McEnroe completed a dominant Wimbledon fortnight
John McEnroe won the 1984 Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles final against Jimmy Connors in straight sets.
Lauda won the closest F1 title
Niki Lauda won the 1984 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship by half a point from Alain Prost.
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.
Poi E becomes a major New Zealand hit
The song spent 22 weeks on the chart, including four at number one.
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.
Prices and everyday money in 1984
New Zealand figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (annual avg.) | $0.75 | litre MBIE via Figure.NZ |
| Average ordinary time hourly earnings, males | $8.39 | NZ dollars per hour New Zealand Royal Commission on Social Policy; archived by National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past |
| Standard domestic letter postage | $0.24 | one standard domestic letter The Kiwi, New Zealand Society of Great Britain |
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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