MTV'S HIGHLIGHT HISTORY
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; Page C02
Aug. 1, 1981: MTV launches with "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. Only a few thousand people on a single cable system in northern New Jersey could see it.
March 31, 1983: Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video debuts. With "Billie Jean," which aired earlier, Jackson became the first black artist with a video on MTV.
  MTV is launched at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 1, 1981, with " Video Killed the Radio Star." (MTV) |
Sept. 14, 1984: Madonna, not yet a star, performs "Like a Virgin" at the first Video Music Awards.
March 21, 1985: MTV runs its first "Spring Break" special, allowing college students who couldn't head south to live it vicariously through the network.
Aug. 6, 1986: "Yo! MTV Raps!" premieres as rap begins its ascent as the dominant music form for young Americans.
May 21, 1992: People stop being polite and start being real when "The Real World" premieres and viewers get their first taste of reality television.
April 19, 1994: President Clinton appears live before a group of 16-to-20-year-olds and is asked by 17-year-old Laetitia Thompson of Potomac: "Mr. President, the world's dying to know: Is it boxers or briefs?" "Usually briefs," the president replied.
Oct. 22, 1998: "Total Request Live" is cemented as pop culture's home page when the Backstreet Boys shut down Times Square during an appearance on the afternoon show.
March 5, 2002: "The Osbournes," reality TV's first dysfunctional family, debuts and draws huge audiences for the network.
Aug. 28, 2003: Madonna appears on the 20th Video Music Awards and plants open-mouthed kisses on Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
-- Associated Press
