Neil Kinnock was elected leader of the Labour party later in the year.
January had begun with the strange phenomenon of ‘blood rain’ falling from the sky, which was caused by the sand from the Sahara Desert. The term was commonly used as the falling rain looked a reddish colour and when it dried off it left a thin layer of dust which can also be red.
The one pound coin was introduced in England and Wales and the first United States cruise missiles arrived at Greenham Common in Berkshire amid protests from peace campaigners.
On a lighter note, Breakfast television and Children's ITV were launched and the Austin Metro had become Britain's best selling car.
1. Sheffield Marathon
The runners who took to the streets in 1983 for the Sheffield Marathon on June 19 Dave Allan winning for the men and D Bennet for the women
Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
2. Marching on
The Jordanaires marching band performing on the Moor in Sheffield, on October 1983
Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
3. Going Underground
Outside the famous Underground pub, in Charles Street, Sheffield
Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
4. Debenhams sale
A sale at Debenhams department store on The Moor, Sheffield, in December 1983. The store had opened in 1965 as Pauldens and was rebranded as Debenhams in 1973
Photo: Ellen Beardmore