MTV timeline
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Aug. 1, 1981: MTV is born at 12:01 a.m. when co-creator John Lack says, "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll!" The inaugural clip? "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson and Martha Quinn take the V.J. virgin voyage.
Feb. 20, 1983: The cable station begins its tradition of alarming parents by airing the laughable pseudo-documentary "Reefer Madness."
Dec. 2, 1983: Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video debuts. Millions of children simultaneously wet their pants while shakin' their booties.
Sept. 14, 1984: The first "MTV Video Music Awards" bows; Madonna scandalizes the folks at home by crawling around in a white wedding dress and purring "Like a Virgin." The Cars' "You Might Think" takes home the first spaceman statuette for Video of the Year.
July 13, 1985: Seventeen hours of "Live Aid" air, including a reunited Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and Duran Duran.
April 18, 1986: The "Hands Across America" video goes over far more successfully than the actual "Hands Across America."
Dec. 7, 1987: "Remote Control," MTV's first game show, clicks on.
Feb. 12, 1988: Kurt Loder joins the MTV News team, a job you'll have to rip from his cold dead claws.
Aug. 6, 1988: "YO! MTV Raps," hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, busts out.
Jan. 21, 1990: "MTV Unplugged" premieres with performances by Squeeze (huh?), Syd Straw (whozzit?) and Elliot Easton from The Cars.
May 21, 1992: This is a story about seven strangers who live in a sweet New York pad, a.k.a. the first ever episode of "The Real World."
March 8, 1993: Mike Judge's "Beavis and Butt-head" bow, introducing the phrase, "Shuddup, butt-munch" to American English.
July 19, 1995: "Road Rules" rolls out.
Jan. 27, 1997: Lala-la-la-la. "Daria" introduces herself.
June 16, 1998: "The Real World: Seattle" premieres.
Sept. 14, 1998: "Total Request Live" launches the career of Carson Daly.
Jan. 25, 1999: The concept of "taste" is tossed out the window as "The Tom Green Show" debuts.
Sept. 29, 2000: "Jackass" buries "taste" with its introduction to the world.
Jan. 11, 2001: The channel forgoes regular format to run a scrolling list of hate-crime victims' names for more than 17 hours without interruption.