The city mourns after John Lennon is gunned down by a crazed fan, Mark Chapman. AIDS is identified after doctors report spate of rare cancers among gay men. Grandmaster Flash opens for the Clash. Gay Men's Health Crisis formed to care for AIDS patients. 1982 Morosco, Helen Hayes theaters are demolished.
City opens barracks- style shelters for homeless.
Bernie Goetz shoots teen-agers who demanded money. Westway abandoned in face of environmental hurdles. Cleaned-up Union Square reopens. After six- year decline, murders rise as crack cocaine spreads. 1986 Suicide attempt by Queens Borough President Donald Manes exposes corruption scandal.