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What happened in 1985

• In the UK it was a year of racial unrest. Riots broke out in the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, triggered by the death of Cynthia Jarrett. She collapsed after four policemen burst into her home on a raid. PC Blakelock was murdered during the riot by a machete-wielding gang. His colleague PC Richard Coombes was also attacked and never returned to the force.
• There were also riots in Peckham, Brixton, Birmingham, Coventry, Bristol, Liverpool and Wolverhampton. The Brixton riots broke out after police accidentally shot and injured a suspect's mother in her own bed. The Liverpool disturbances were triggered by the court case of four men accused of a stabbing.
• The South African government repealed Apartheid laws that outlawed inter-racial marriage or sexual relations.
• Muhammad Ajeeb became the UK's first black Lord Mayor. He was installed as Lord Mayor of Bradford.
• Bob Geldof organised Live Aid: two massive concerts to raise money for starving people in Ethopia. Two massive events were held in London and Philadelphia and raised up to Β£50 million. US artists including Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder recorded the song We Are The World for charity. Released under the name USA For Africa, the single was a huge hit. The accompanying album sold three million copies and the project raised $50 million for families in Africa.
• Bernie Grant was appointed as Britain's first black council leader in Haringay.
• Under political pressure the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) created Parental Advisory stickers for explicit content on rap albums.
• Quincy Jones debuts as a filmmaker when he co-produced Steven Speilberg's adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple. The film got 11 Oscar nominations and introduced Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey to more audiences.
• In-ear headphones, CD-ROMs, Hi-8 camcorders and taxis with carphones hit the streets of the UK.