The 1980s were the decade of decadence — we saw the invention of the internet, the rise of hip-hop music, and lots of big hairstyles.

Seattle was no exception to this culture. Let's jump back in time.

Population: ~493,800
Mayor: Charles Royer (1978-1990)

1980 — Mount St. Helens erupted this year on May 18, causing the deaths of 57 people and other physical + economic effects statewide.

1981 — While it's still a hotly contested piece of history, the crowds at Husky Stadium allegedly made "the Wave" for the first time in history on October 31.

1982 — Seattle becomes "the Emerald City" this year thanks to a new marketing campaign from the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The name was chosen from a submission contest won by San Juan Island resident Sarah Sterling-Franklin.

1983 — The world's first-ever Costco opens on Fourth Avenue South, across the street from its current SODO location.

1984 — Seattle's hip hop scene emerges from the underground with its first mainstream event at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall on August 17.

1985 — The Columbia Center, the tallest building in the PNW, opens on March 2 with 1.5 million sqft of office space.

1986 — King County's namesake is changed from US Vice President + enslaver William Rufus de Vane King to Martin Luther King Jr. However, it would not be made official by the state until 2005.

Downtown Seattle Transit Project employees as they tour the beginnings of the Metro Transit tunnel. | Photo via King County, circa 1987

1987 — Metro Transit begins excavating the tunnel under downtown Seattle that will later be used for the Link Light Rail.

1988 — Nirvana plays their fateful show for Sub Pop Records at Central Tavern on June 5, making way for the band to release their first single later this year.

The first canoes in the 1989 Paddle to Seattle arrived at Golden Gardens on July 21. | Photo via Washington State Archives

1989 — Canoes from 17 Indigenous tribes across Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska arrive at Golden Gardens Park as a part of the first-ever Paddle to Seattle event.