1980

n.d.: Dallas Mavericks basketball team starts first season.

n.d.: U.S. Census shows Dallas has a population of 904,078 people, making it seventh largest city in the United States.

June 27: Record summertime heat wave tops 113 degrees (F),

1981

n.d.: Old White Rock Bath House converted into Bath House Cultural Center.

1982

n.d.: New Central Dallas Public Library opens downtown.

n.d.: Dallas voters approve bond package that includes $18 million for Fair Park improvements.

1983

n.d.: Dallas Museum of Fine Art moves out of building at Fair Park to new location in Downtown Arts District.

1984

January: New Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) in Downtown Arts District officially opens to public.

1985

October: "The Texas Star," a huge Ferris wheel, begins operating on the Midway at Fair Park.

November 5: Dallas voters approve $9,375,00 bond package for Fair Park improvements.

1986

March 2: Texas Independence Day Celebration held at Fair Park as a Sesquicentennial event; Vice President George Bush Sr. and wife attend. Hall of State rededicated.

June 15: At Fair Park, Science Place I opens in old Museum of Fine Arts building. Former Health and Science Museum reopens as Science Place II.

September 25: Fair Park designated a National Historic Landmark.

1987

1988

July 23: Despite a retaining wall cave-in on July 17, the 20,000-seat Starplex Amphitheater opens at Fair Park for first performance by British rock star Rod Stewart.

1989

November 11: Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated; President George Bush Sr. speaks. The Rolling Stones perform at the Cotton Bowl.