Where were you in 1982? Maybe you were making your entrance to the world or maybe your children were. Maybe you missed it altogether. Whatever your age, we're here to tell you: it was a big year. For starters, '82 boasts some impressive titles at the box office. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, premiering on gmc this week, was perhaps the most iconic. Then there was that little thing we call e-mail, and Michael Jackson's Thriller, each celebrating its 30th anniversary as well. So in honor of all things turning 30, here are five great inventions, places or creations that made their debut in '82.

And don't miss the always-lovable E.T., Sunday at 4:30 pm et.

1. Disney’s Epcot Opens for the First Time
October 1, 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the Epcot theme park, one of four at Walt Disney's World Resort. The park sprawls across 300 acres – twice the size of the Magic Kingdom – and is divided into two zones: Future World and World Showcase. If you're a Disney paraphernalia junkie, they'll be releasing several items for sale, including some specialized pins, to celebrate the milestone. For more info., click here.

2. The Dawn of E-mail
From thenextweb.com: "Thirty years ago, 16-year-old V. A. Shiva copyrighted “EMAIL” along with the GUI we still use today with the fields “To: From: Cc: Bcc: Subject: Reply, Reply All, Forward” and email body and attachment."

Even as prevalent as other forms of communication have become, it's still tough to imagine what our lives would be like without e-mail, especially because it still does so much of the heavy-lifting in the business world. Something tells me this handy little invention will be sticking around for another 30, 50, or maybe even 100 years. Mind-boggling, isn't it?

3. Time Magazine’s Person of the Year goes to... The Computer
According to Wikipedia, Time editors began selecting a Man of the Year in 1927 as a remedy for a slow news week. Since then, classes of people and even objects have been given the honor. In 1982, it went to none other than... the computer. (Planet Earth was also once selected for the special year-end issue.) In 2010, it went to Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, and in 2011, The Protestor. Who (or what) will be next? Only Time will tell.

4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
Based on the childhood imaginary friend created by director Steven Spielberg after his parents' divorce, E.T. is the heartwarming tale of a 10-year-old boy, Elliott, played by Henry Thomas. It should come as no surprise that E.T. surpassed Star Wars to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. Other films which released the same year include Annie, Rocky III, On Golden Pond, An Officer and a Gentleman, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Poltergeist, Chariots of Fire, and Gandhi. What's your favorite?

5. Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Epic Records invested a production budget of $750,000 into what would become the best-selling album of all time. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100. The album won a record-breaking eight GRAMMY Awards at the 1984 ceremony. Born in 1979, I'm sure I'm one of many who spent the better part of early childhood dancing to these songs in my parents' living room!