"1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. The novel is set in a totalitarian society where the government exercises total control over every aspect of citizens' lives. The story follows the life of Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the ruling Party, who begins to rebel against their oppressive regime and becomes disillusioned with the ideology he once believed in. The novel is a powerful critique of totalitarianism and a warning about the dangers of government power. It remains relevant and widely read today, and its themes continue to be explored in literature, film, and other media.

• January: Soviet leader Yuri Andropov's health declines, sparking speculation about succession.
• June: The Summer Olympics are held in Los Angeles, California.
• July: Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale chooses Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, making her the first female vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket.
• August: India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated by her bodyguards, sparking anti-Sikh riots.
• September: The Apple Macintosh personal computer is introduced.
• November: Ronald Reagan is re-elected as the President of the United States.
• December: Bhopal disaster occurs in India, leading to the death of over 15,000 people and injuring hundreds of thousands more due to a gas leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant.