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Born in 1985

America in 1985

In 1985, about 238 million people lived in the United States, 3.8 million babies were born (CDC/NCHS), and Ronald Reagan was president.

A dollar from 1985 buys what $3.13 buys today, by consumer prices.

The Born Story shows the world on the day you were born — enter a birthday to see the weather, prices, and headlines of that day.

How many babies were born in 1985?

Born that year

1985 figure

3.8 million babies

3,760,561 born in the U.S. (CDC/NCHS)

CDC/NCHS

How many people lived in the U.S. in 1985?

Americans that year

1985 figure

238 million Americans

as of July 1, 1985 (U.S. Census Bureau)

US Census Bureau

How much did things cost in 1985?

A dollar then

1985 average

$3.13 today

By consumer prices, 1985 average vs. Sept. 2026 (BLS CPI-U).

Gallon of gas (regular unleaded)1985 average$1.20
First-class stampall of 198520¢
First-class stampfrom February 17, 198522¢
BLS · EIA Monthly Energy Review T9.4 · USPS Historian — Rates for Domestic Letters Since 1863

How long were people expected to live in 1985?

Life expectancy at birth

1985 figure

74.7 years

U.S. life expectancy at birth, 1985 (NCHS)

CDC/NCHS

Who was president in 1985?

In the White House

1985

Ronald Reagan

40th President of the United States

US House Office of the Historian
Sample Born Story Poster in the vintage newspaper style for October 12, 1976 in New York: the day's weather, the Moon, the president, prices, and news, marked SAMPLE.
Sample: October 12, 1976 · New York. The name and message are made up; the facts are real.

A birthday poster from 1985

Someone born in 1985 gets a poster of their own day: the weather where they were born, the Moon that night, and what the world looked like, with every fact sourced.

Make one for a 1985 birthday

What comes with the poster

See the day you were born in 1985

The weather that day, the Moon that night, and your hometown, each with its source.

When were you born?

No sign-up required. Free to explore.

Birthdays from 1940 to 2008 in U.S. cities. We don't save your birthday.