Year 1986 in History

space explorationscience technology

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members in one of the most devastating disasters in space exploration history.

Aruba gains independence from the Netherlands Antilles

The Netherlands Antilles was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Chuck Berry; James Brown; Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Fats Domino

Inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Chuck Berry; James Brown; Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Fats Domino; The Everly Brothers; Buddy Holly; Jerry Lee Lewis; Elvis Presley; Little Richard; Robert Johnson; Jimmie Rodgers; Jimmy Yancey; Alan Freed; John Hammond; and Sam Phillips

Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, includin

Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, who was to be the first teacher in space

American pop singer Diana Ross (41) weds Norwegian businessman Arne Naess (48) in Switzerland, the second marriage for

American pop singer Diana Ross (41) weds Norwegian businessman Arne Naess (48) in Switzerland, the second marriage for both; divorce in 2000

Actor Johhny Depp and Lori Depp divorce after 2 years of marriage

John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, musician, and filmmaker. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as...

The world's worst nuclear disaster occurs when the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Soviet U

The world's worst nuclear disaster occurs when the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Soviet Union explodes, resulting in 31 deaths and radioactive contamination spreading to much of Western Europe

American Mousketeer-actress-singer Annette Funicello (43) weds American harness racing horse breeder and trainer Glen Ho

American Mousketeer-actress-singer Annette Funicello (43) weds American harness racing horse breeder and trainer Glen Holt (55), until her death in 2013

"Storms of Life" debut album by Randy Travis is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1987)

Storms of Life is the debut studio album by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released on June 2, 1986, by Warner Records.

French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title

French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title and record 7th French singles crown

Britain's Prince Andrew (26) weds Sarah Ferguson (26) at Westminster Abbey in London, England

The wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson took place on Wednesday, 23 July 1986 at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ian Botham takes his world-record 356th Test cricket wicket against New Zealand at The Oval

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" is first broadcast nationally

The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American daytime talk show that was hosted by Oprah Winfrey.

US Federal health officials announce the first antiretroviral medication (AZT) to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS will be ava

US Federal health officials announce the first antiretroviral medication (AZT) to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS will be available to patients

"The Late Show with Joan Rivers" premieres on Fox, making her the first woman to host a US late-night TV talk show; she

"The Late Show with Joan Rivers" premieres on Fox, making her the first woman to host a US late-night TV talk show; she is fired in May 1987

Stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera," written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightm

Stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera," written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, premieres in London and runs for 13,629 performances

Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev open talks at a summit in Reykjavik, Iceland

Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989.

British government deregulates financial markets in a "Big Bang," enhancing London's status as a financial capital and i

British government deregulates financial markets in a "Big Bang," enhancing London's status as a financial capital and increasing income inequality

MLB player Kirby Puckett (24) weds Tonya Hudson (20)

Beastie Boys release their debut album "Licensed to Ill," the first rap album to reach #1 on the Billboard charts

The Beastie Boys were an American hip-hop group formed in New York City in 1981. They were composed of Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (vocals, guitar), Adam "MCA" Yauch (vocals, bass), and Michael "Mike D"...

Golfer Byron Nelson (74) weds advertising copy writer Peggy Simmons (42)

World Health Organization announces first global effort to combat AIDS

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies.

Iran-Contra affair erupts as President Reagan reveals a secret arms deal

Davina Thompson makes medical history by undergoing the first combined heart, lung, and liver transplant at Papworth Hos

Davina Thompson makes medical history by undergoing the first combined heart, lung, and liver transplant at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England

NHL New York Islanders right wing Mike Bossy scores his 499th and 500th career goals in the final 2:22 to lift the New Y

NHL New York Islanders right wing Mike Bossy scores his 499th and 500th career goals in the final 2:22 to lift the New York to a 7-5 victory over the Boston Bruins; 11th player in NHL history to score 500 goals

Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson scores twice as he rushes for an NFL postseason record 248 yards in 20-0 vi

Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson scores twice as he rushes for an NFL postseason record 248 yards in 20-0 victory over Dallas Cowboys in NFC divisional playoff in Anaheim, California

NCAA basketball's David Robinson blocks a record 14 shots

David Maurice Robinson is an American former professional basketball player who played for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1989 to 2003, and is now a minority...

British Defense Secretary Michael Heseltine resigns after the 'Westland affair'

Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine, Baron Heseltine, is a British politician. Having begun his career as a property developer, he became one of the founders of the publishing house Haymarket Media Group in...

Netherlands Bank issues 250 guilder notes

After losing a patent battle with Polaroid, Kodak must give up its instant camera business.

Douglas Wilder of Virginia, 1st African American Lieutenant Governor since reconstruction sworn in

24th space shuttle (61-C) mission-Columbia 7-launched

ABC's TV premiere of "The Right of The People", whose writer and director is said to have been inspired by the 14 Decemb

ABC's TV premiere of "The Right of The People", whose writer and director is said to have been inspired by the 14 December 1980 massacre at Bob's Big Boy in Los Angeles

Constitution of Guatemala takes effect

The Armed Forces of Guatemala (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala) is the unified military organization of the Guatemala, consisting of three services: the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Living Seas opens (Disneyland)

The Seas with Nemo & Friends (formerly The Living Seas) is a pavilion and aquarium located in the World Nature section of Epcot, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida.

Montreal's rookie goaltender Patrick Roy records his first of 66 career NHL shutouts, in the Canadiens' 4-0 win against

Montreal's rookie goaltender Patrick Roy records his first of 66 career NHL shutouts, in the Canadiens' 4-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets at the Forum

First meeting of the Internet Engineering Task Force

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a standards organization for the Internet and is responsible for the technical standards that make up the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP).

Tim Witherspoon beats defending champion Tony Tubbs by majority decision in 15 rounds at The Omni, Atlanta for WBA heavy

Tim Witherspoon beats defending champion Tony Tubbs by majority decision in 15 rounds at The Omni, Atlanta for WBA heavyweight boxing title

24th Space Shuttle (61-C) Mission-Columbia 7-returns to Earth

Cerebral Palsy telethon raises $17 million

A telethon (a portmanteau of "television" and "marathon") is a televised fundraising event that lasts many hours or days, the purpose of which is to raise money for a charitable, political or other...

Leon Brittan, Trade and Industry Secretary under Thatcher is 2nd cabinet minister to resign after 'Westland affair'

Leon Brittan, Baron Brittan of Spennithorne, (25 September 1939 – 21 January 2015) was a British Conservative politician and barrister who served as a European Commissioner from 1989 to 1999.

Hein Vergeer becomes European skating champion

Angolan revolutionary and leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi visits Washington, D.C.

Jonas Malheiro Sidónio Sakaita Savimbi was an Angolan revolutionary, politician, and rebel military leader who founded and led the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, also known as...

Yoweri Museveni sworn in as President of Uganda

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa is a Ugandan politician and former military officer who has served as the president of Uganda since 1986.

Mary Lund of Minneapolis, the first female recipient of an artificial heart, receives a donor heart

KHJ-AM in Los Angeles CA changes call letters to KRTH

Dalai Lama meets Pope John Paul II in India

Pope John Paul II was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005.

OPEC fails to agree upon a petroleum production agreement after a 2 day meeting in Vienna

Israeli fighters intercept Libyan passenger airliner

Summer Olympics LAPD bomb squad chief Arleigh McCree, and his partner Officer Ronald Ball of the Firearms and explosives

Summer Olympics LAPD bomb squad chief Arleigh McCree, and his partner Officer Ronald Ball of the Firearms and explosives unit are killed while trying to dismantle two pipe bombs

Halley's Comet reaches 30th perihelion (closest approach to Sun)

Activist Anatoly Scharansky released by USSR, leaves country

44,180 largest NBA crowd to date-Philadelphia at Detroit

1st Francophone Summit convenes at Versailles

King Hussein of Jordan severs ties with PLO

AIDS patient Ryan White returns to classes at Western Middle School

Ryan Wayne White (December 6, 1971 – April 8, 1990) was an American teenager from Kokomo, Indiana, who became a national poster child for HIV AIDS in the United States.

Start of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines

The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, were a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25,...

Texas Air buys Eastern Airlines for $676 million

Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) was a low-cost airline in the United States headquartered in San Diego, California, that operated from 1949 to 1988. Founded by Kenny Friedkin and J.

Evert van Benthem wins 14th Frisian 11-Cities skating race (6:55:16)

The United States Senate allows its debates to be televised on a trial basis

European Economic Community signs "Special Act" for Europe free trade

"Today" tabloid launched (Britain's 1st national colour newspaper); it folded in 1995

After losing all appeals, American rock singer David Crosby begins serving 5 year sentence for drug and weapons convicti

After losing all appeals, American rock singer David Crosby begins serving 5 year sentence for drug and weapons convictions in Texas state prison

South-Africa emergency crisis in Brabant & Limburg ends

4 French TV crew members are abducted in west Beirut Lebanon

16th Easter Seal Telethon raises $30,100,000

1 million days since the foundation of Rome on April 21, 753 BC

Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome.

Susan Butcher wins 1,158 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Microsoft has its initial public offering and lists on the NASDAQ

European Space Agency's Giotto flies by Halley's Comet (605 km)

Funeral services held for murdered Swedish PM Olaf Palme

Haemers gang robs gold transport in Belgium of 35 million BF

US Treasury Department announces plans to alter paper money

km/h gust of wind strikes Cairngorm (UK record)

Kania skates ladies world record 500 m (39.52 sec) & 3 km (4:18.02)

"On My Own" single released by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald (Billboard Song of the Year 1986)

"On My Own" is a duet by American singers Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. It was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and his then-wife Carole Bayer Sager and originally recorded by singer...

Disney-MGM Studio Tour groundbreaking

Extremist Sikhs kill 13 Hindus in Ludhiana, India

Records by The Beatles officially go on sale in Russia more than two decades after their release in the West

The English rock band the Beatles, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, are commonly regarded as the foremost and most influential band in popular music history.

English Hampton Court palace badly damaged by fire, 1 dead

Ranji Trophy Men's Cricket, Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi: Delhi beats Haryana by innings & 141; Manoj Prabhakar 113, Kirti Az

Ranji Trophy Men's Cricket, Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi: Delhi beats Haryana by innings & 141; Manoj Prabhakar 113, Kirti Azad 107, Mohinder Amarnath 194, Ajay Sharma 110

4 US passengers killed by bomb at TWA counter Athens Airport Greece

Maureen O'Boyle (future host of "A Current Affair") is raped

Record for a throw-and-return boomerang toss is set (121m)

CBS' fact based "Nobody's Child", story of Marie Balter

A 1921 Canadian 50 cent coin is auctioned in New York for $22,000

20,000 mine workers protest closing of Hasselt Belgium mines

Boston Celtics end season with a 40-1 home win record

The 1985–86 Boston Celtics season was the 40th season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

US air raids Libya, responding to La Belle disco, Berlin bombing

The United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps carried out air strikes, code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon, against Libya on 15 April 1986 in retaliation for the West Berlin discotheque...

Netherlands & Scilly Islands sign peace treaty (war of 1651)

The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War was an alleged state of war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly (located off the southwest coast of Great Britain).

IBM produces 1st megabit-chip

Bob Hering sets Formula One power boat record (165.338 mph, Ariz)

Consumer Price Index drops .04% for 2nd month in a row

Disney World breaks ground for Victorian themed Grand Floridian Beach Resort (now known as Disney's Grand Floridian Reso

Disney World breaks ground for Victorian themed Grand Floridian Beach Resort (now known as Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)

Film "Crocodile Dundee" starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski premieres in Australia (highest grossing film of the yea

Film "Crocodile Dundee" starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski premieres in Australia (highest grossing film of the year in the US)

ETA bomb attacks Madrid killing 5

Experimental aircraft Piasecki PA-97 Helistat - a combination of 4 helicopters and a blimp - crashes during first test f

Experimental aircraft Piasecki PA-97 Helistat - a combination of 4 helicopters and a blimp - crashes during first test flight, killing one pilot, at US Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey

Captain Midnight (John R MacDougall) hacks into and interrupts HBO

On April 27, 1986, American electrical engineer and business owner John R. MacDougall (using the pseudonym "Captain Midnight") jammed the Home Box Office (HBO) satellite signal on Galaxy 1 during a...

,000 books destroyed by fire in Los Angeles Central Library

Ashrita Furman performs 8,341 somersaults over 12 miles

Transportation Expo 86 opens in Vancouver, BC

The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo 86, was a world's fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from May 2 until October 13, 1986.

Bomb explodes aboard Air Lanka Flight 512 on the ground at Colombo airport, killing 21

President Babrak Karmal resigns as party leader of Afghanistan

Babrak Karmal was an Afghan communist revolutionary and politician who was the leader of Afghanistan, serving in the post of general secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan from...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announces Cleveland, Ohio chosen as the site of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), also simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie.

Donald E. Pelotte becomes the first Native American Catholic bishop

Iraq bombs a Tehran oil refiner

"Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco hits #1 on UK pop chart

"Rock Me Amadeus" is a novelty song recorded by Austrian musician Falco for his third studio album, Falco 3 (1985).

Fred Markham (US), unpaced & unaided by wind, is 1st to pedal 65 mph on a level course, Big Sand Flat, California

"Chicken Song" by Spitting Image hits #1 on the UK pop chart

The Hee Bee Gee Bees was a fictitious pop group which parodied pop groups and performers in the early 1980s, consisting of Angus Deayton, Michael Fenton Stevens, and Philip Pope of the UK radio...

Chung Kwung Ying does 2,750 "atomic" hand-stand push-ups

39th Cannes Film Festival: "The Mission" directed by Roland Joffe wins the Palme d'Or

Flintstones 25th Anniversary Celebration airs on CBS-tv

Atlanta Brave Rafael Ramirez hits 4 doubles in a game

US & Western Europe veto heavier sanctions against South Africa

95-year-old woman scores a hole-in-one in Florida

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

Democratic Labor Party wins parliamentary election in Barbados

59th National Spelling Bee: Jon Pennington wins spelling odontalgia

The 59th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1986, sponsored by the E.W.

Ariane-2 (ESA) launched

40th Tony Awards: "I'm Not Rappaport" (play) & "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (musical) win

The 40th Annual Tony Awards ceremony was held on June 1, 1986, at the Minskoff Theatre and was broadcast by CBS television.

NYC transit system issues a new brass with steel bullseye token

Battles in Beirut; 53 killed

Jonathan Pollard, spy for Israel, pleads guilty in US court

Jonathan Jay Pollard is an American-born Israeli former intelligence analyst who was jailed for spying for Israel. In 1984, Pollard sold numerous state secrets, including the National Security...

Dow Jones Industrial Average hits record 1,885.90 points

"Blacke's Magic" last airs on NBC-TV

City of Berlin, Germany dedicates Léon Jessel Platz, a small town square, in memory of composer killed - at age 70 - by

City of Berlin, Germany dedicates Léon Jessel Platz, a small town square, in memory of composer killed - at age 70 - by the Gestapo in 1943

1 day general strike in South Africa

US Chief Justice Warren Earl Burger resigns and Antonin Scalia nominated as his replacement

The Burger Court was the period in the history of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1969 to 1986, when Warren E. Burger served as Chief Justice of the United States.

Pirate Radio Euro Weekend (Holland) begins transmitting

Pedro Morales swims world record 100m butterfly (52.84)

Guy Hunt elected 1st Republican governor of Alabama in 112 years

Former Belgium premier Vanden Boeynants sentenced for fraud

American tennis player Anne White shocks Wimbledon by wearing a white, one-piece, lycra body suit in 1st round match aga

American tennis player Anne White shocks Wimbledon by wearing a white, one-piece, lycra body suit in 1st round match against Pam Shriver; wears regular outfit after rain break

Irish population condemns divorce

Georgia sodomy law upheld by US Supreme Court (5-4)

The early United States inherited sodomy laws which constitutionally outlawed a variety of sexual acts deemed illegal, illicit, unlawful, unnatural or immoral from the colonial-era based laws in the...

Kuwait's National Assembly (Majlis al Umma) dissolves

In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together.

Inaugural edition of Goodwill Games open in Moscow, USSR

Atlanta infielder Bob Horner becomes 11th player to hit 4 home runs in a MLB game during Braves 11-8 loss v Montreal

Farthest thrown object - an "Aerobie" flying ring, 383 m (1,257 ft)

Steven McDonald, New York City Police Department patrolman, is shot and paralyzed by Shavod Jones

Steven D. McDonald (March 1, 1957 – January 10, 2017) was a New York City Police Department patrolman who was shot and paralyzed on July 12, 1986. The shooting left him quadriplegic.

Zola Budd and Annette Cowley are banned from the Commonwealth Games, a direct consequence of Britain's refusal to suppor

Zola Budd and Annette Cowley are banned from the Commonwealth Games, a direct consequence of Britain's refusal to support economic sanctions against the apartheid government of South Africa

An ETA bomb attack in Madrid kills 10 and injures 60

MLB Kansas City Royals announce that manager Dick Howser, 50, has a brain tumor

Pleasure Island plans are unveiled as part of the Walt Disney World Village, now Disney Springs, in Florida

US House of Representatives impeaches Judge Harry E. Claiborne for tax evasion

Harry Eugene Claiborne (July 2, 1917 – January 19, 2004) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada from 1978 until his impeachment and removal...

13th Commonwealth Games open in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. It is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland...

Sikh extremists kill 16 Hindus in Muktsar, India

Lebanese kidnappers release Rev Lawrence Martin Jenco

Iraqi fighter jets attack the central Iranian city of Arak, prompting Iran to threaten a missile attack on Gulf states s

Iraqi fighter jets attack the central Iranian city of Arak, prompting Iran to threaten a missile attack on Gulf states supporting Iraq

Bomb attack in East Beirut kills 25

Bomb attack in West Beirut kills 30

On 5 April 1986, three people were killed and 229 injured when La Belle discothèque was bombed in the Friedenau locality (then part of Schöneberg, and since 2001 part of the merged district of...

First NFL "American Bowl" exhibition game at London's Wembley Stadium; Chicago Bears defeat Dallas Cowboys 17-6

Reports of a probable OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) agreement on output quotas send oil price

Reports of a probable OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) agreement on output quotas send oil prices higher

Baltimore's Jim Dwyer & Larry Sheets, and Rangers Toby Harrah hit MLB record 3 grand slams in Texas' 13-11 win

Colbert Dale "Toby" Harrah is an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1986.

Dan Buettner, Bret Anderson, Martin Engel, and Anne Knabe begin a cycling journey of 15,266 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alas

Dan Buettner, Bret Anderson, Martin Engel, and Anne Knabe begin a cycling journey of 15,266 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Argentina

Altaf Hussain addresses Nishtar Park in Karachi, announcing the establishment of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) poli

Altaf Hussain addresses Nishtar Park in Karachi, announcing the establishment of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) political movement

Marquis Theatre opens at 1535 Broadway, New York City

The Marquis Theatre is a Broadway theater on the third floor of the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Don Baylor gets hit by a pitch for a record 25th time in a season

KRE-AM in Berkeley, CA, changes call letters to KBLX (now KBFN)

Bronze pig statue, named "Rachel" after a real 750-pound pig who won the 1985 Island County Fair, is unveiled at Pike Pl

Bronze pig statue, named "Rachel" after a real 750-pound pig who won the 1985 Island County Fair, is unveiled at Pike Place Market, Seattle

Car bomb kills 20 in Tehran, Iran

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia.

MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Don Carman's perfect game bid is broken in the 9th when he surrenders a leadoff double in a 1

MLB Philadelphia Phillies' Don Carman's perfect game bid is broken in the 9th when he surrenders a leadoff double in a 1-0 win over the Giants at Candlestick Park in San Francisco

A's Mark McGwire hits his first major league home run

Mark David McGwire, nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2001 for the Oakland Athletics and...

Robert Chambers, the "Preppie Killer," murders Jennifer Levin in New York City's Central Park and later claims "rough se

Robert Chambers, the "Preppie Killer," murders Jennifer Levin in New York City's Central Park and later claims "rough sex" as the motive

Rosa Mota of Portugal wins the women's Stuttgart marathon in 2:28:38

Rosa Maria Correia dos Santos Mota, GCIH, GCM is a Portuguese former marathon runner, one of her country's foremost athletes, being the first sportswoman from Portugal to win Olympic gold.

Protests erupt in Soweto, South Africa, against evictions carried out after an 11-week rent boycott

Heike Drechsler of East Germany ties the world women's 200 m record (21.71 seconds)

Gelindo Bordin wins the Stuttgart marathon in 2:10:54

Gelindo Bordin is an Italian former Long Distance Runner, winner of the marathon race at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Aeromexico DC-9 & small plane collide in LA, killing 82 (15 on the ground)

Henri Debehogne discovers asteroid #8265 La Silla

Jerry Lewis' 21st Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $34,096,733

Hijacking of aircraft Pan Am 73 at Karachi airport, Pakistan; 20 passengers are killed

Pan Am Flight 73 was a Pan American World Airways flight from Bombay, India, to New York City, United States, with scheduled stops in Karachi, Pakistan, and Frankfurt, West Germany. On September 5,...

invitees pay $5,000 to hear Barbra Streisand's benefit concert

Dan Marino throws his 100th career touchdown pass, becoming the fastest QB in NFL history to do so

Minnesota's Tommy Kramer passes for six touchdowns against Green Bay, 42-7

Bryan O'Connor is named chairman of Space Flight Safety Panel

Dow Jones Industrial Average suffers biggest one-day decline ever, plummeting 86.61 points to 1,792.89 as 237.57 million

Dow Jones Industrial Average suffers biggest one-day decline ever, plummeting 86.61 points to 1,792.89 as 237.57 million shares trade

Bert Blyleven gives up a record 44 HRs in a season

Bo Jackson hits his first home run, a 475-foot blast, the longest at Royals Stadium

Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is an American former professional baseball and football player.

NFL Bears running back Walter Payton scores his 100th career rushing touchdown, and gains 177 yards, surpassing 15,000-y

NFL Bears running back Walter Payton scores his 100th career rushing touchdown, and gains 177 yards, surpassing 15,000-yard career plateau in 13-10 overtime win over visiting Philadelphia Eagles, at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

1st broadcast of legal drama "L.A. Law" created by Steven Bochco, with ensemble cast including Corbin Bersen, Jill Eiken

1st broadcast of legal drama "L.A. Law" created by Steven Bochco, with ensemble cast including Corbin Bersen, Jill Eikenberry and Harry Hamlin on NBC

Fire in Kinross gold mine in Transvaal, South Africa, kills 177

Bomb attack in Paris kills 6 people

From 1985 to 1986, a series of terrorist attacks in Paris, France were carried out by the Committee for Solidarity With Arab and Middle Eastern Political Prisoners (CSPPA), a previously unknown...

Wichita State Shockers blow a 35-3 lead and lose 36-35 to Morehead State

35 countries sign disarmament accord in Stockholm

LA Dodger Fernando Valenzuela is the first Mexican to win 20 games

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea, nicknamed "El Toro", was a Mexican professional baseball pitcher.

Astro Jim Deshaies strikes out the first 8 Dodgers of the game and ends with 10

Antonin Scalia is appointed to the US Supreme Court

Antonin Gregory Scalia (March 11, 1936 – February 13, 2016) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2016.

Antonin Scalia is sworn in as US Supreme Court Justice

Antonin Gregory Scalia (March 11, 1936 – February 13, 2016) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2016.

"Give Me Wings" single is released by Michael Johnson (Billboard Song of the Year 1987)

"Give Me Wings" is a song written by Kye Fleming and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country pop artist Michael Johnson.

A record 23,000 runners start in a marathon in Mexico City

"Airwolf" TV adventure moves to the US

Airwolf is an American action military drama television series. It centers on a high-technology attack helicopter, code-named Airwolf, and its crew.

Cubs' Greg Maddux defeats Phillies' Mike Maddux (first rookie brothers)

Michael Ausley Maddux is an American professional baseball coach and former pitcher. He currently serves as the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Mordechai Vanunu, who reveals details of Israel's covert nuclear program to British media, is kidnapped in Rome, Italy

Mordechai Vanunu, also known as John Crossman, is an Israeli former nuclear technician and peace activist who, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction, revealed details of Israel's...

Astros starter Mike Scott finishes the MLB regular season with 306 strikeouts, achieving 8 in a 2-1 win in San Francisco

Astros starter Mike Scott finishes the MLB regular season with 306 strikeouts, achieving 8 in a 2-1 win in San Francisco, becoming the 3rd NL pitcher to reach 300 in a season

New York Mets' Dwight Gooden becomes the first pitcher to collect 200 strikeouts in each of his first three seasons when

New York Mets' Dwight Gooden becomes the first pitcher to collect 200 strikeouts in each of his first three seasons when he records seven in an 8-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates

Baltimore loses 6-3 to the Detroit Tigers, ensuring the Orioles' first-ever last-place finish in the AL East standings

The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division.

NY Yankees closer Dave Righetti saves both doubleheader games at Fenway Park for 5-3 and 3-1 wins v Boston; Righetti's M

NY Yankees closer Dave Righetti saves both doubleheader games at Fenway Park for 5-3 and 3-1 wins v Boston; Righetti's MLB record 46th save

Russian nuclear submarine K-291 sinks in the Atlantic Ocean

First edition of new British newspaper "The Independent" is published

The Independent is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the Indy, it began as a broadsheet and changed to compact format in 2003.

Steve Yzerman is named captain of the Detroit Red Wings, a title he holds for over 1,300 games

Stephen Gregory Yzerman ( EYE-zər-mən; born May 9, 1965) is a Canadian former professional hockey player who is currently the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings,...

7.5 magnitude earthquake strikes San Salvador, El Salvador

The 1986 San Salvador earthquake occurred at 11:49:26 local time on 10 October 1986 with a moment magnitude of 5.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent).

California Angels within 1 pitch of pennant victory lose to Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division.

IOC announces baseball will become a medal sport in 1992

IOC decides to stagger Winter & Summer Olympic schedule

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Auschwitz survivor Elie Wiesel, for his efforts to ensure the Holocaust was remembered

In the longest postseason game, Mets beat Astros 7-6 in 16 innings and win NL pennant

The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens.

Armand Hammer returns to the US with Jewish refusenik David Goldfarb

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards organizes a concert celebrating rock and roll legend Chuck Berry's 60th birthday

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards organizes a concert celebrating rock and roll legend Chuck Berry's 60th birthday at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri; performers include Richards, Berry, Johnnie Johnson, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Robert Cray, and Julian Lennon, among oth

US Senate approves immigration bill prohibiting the hiring of illegal aliens and offers amnesty to those who entered pri

US Senate approves immigration bill prohibiting the hiring of illegal aliens and offers amnesty to those who entered prior to 1982

USSR expels five US diplomats

Tupolev-134 crashes in Southern Africa

American writer Edward Tracy is kidnapped in Beirut

WNBC-AM NYC helicopter crashes into Hudson River during a live report, killing traffic reporter Jane Dornacker

Great Britain cuts diplomatic relations with Syria

International Red Cross ousted from South Africa

Stanley E. Hubbard's KOB sells the company's Albuquerque, New Mexico, radio stations KOB-AM and KOB-FM; the stations cha

Stanley E. Hubbard's KOB sells the company's Albuquerque, New Mexico, radio stations KOB-AM and KOB-FM; the stations change their call signs to KKOB

Discovery moves to the Orbiter Processing Facility, where more than 200 modifications are made

Fire in Sandoz factory in Basel, 30 tons of chemicals in the Rhine

German tennis star Boris Becker wins his third tournament in 3 weeks in different continents; beats Sergio Casal of Spai

German tennis star Boris Becker wins his third tournament in 3 weeks in different continents; beats Sergio Casal of Spain 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 in the final of the Paris Open after victories in Japan and Australia

Federated States of Micronesia signs Compact of Free Association with US

The Compacts of Free Association (COFA) are international agreements establishing and governing the relationships of free association between the United States and the three Pacific Island sovereign...

"Just Like the First Time" second studio album by Freddie Jackson is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1987)

Just Like the First Time is the second studio album by American R&B/Soul singer Freddie Jackson. Released in November 1986, the album had one of the longest record runs at number one on the U.S.

Pakistan cricket team is all out for 77 against West Indies in Lahore

The Pakistan men's national cricket team represents Pakistan in international cricket.

Bangladeshi Constitution restored

General elections were held in Bangladesh on 7 May 1986. A total of 1,527 candidates contested the elections.

Houston's Astro Mike Scott (18-10) wins NL Cy Young Award

The Cy Young Award, officially the Cy Young Memorial Award, is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL).

France performs nuclear test

NASA launches space vehicle S-199

Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA.

Doubleday Publishing sells NY Mets to Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon

Fred Wilpon is an American real estate developer and former baseball executive. He was principal owner of the New York Mets from 1987 to 2020.

Tina Howe's "Coastal Disturbances" premieres in NYC

Mabel Davis "Tina" Howe (November 21, 1937 – August 28, 2023) was an American playwright.

Afghanistan President Babrak Karmal flees

The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, later known as the Republic of Afghanistan, was the left-wing led Afghan state from 1978 to 1992.

Central African Republic adopts constitution

The Constitution of the Central African Republic (French: Constitution de la République centrafricaine) was approved by referendum on December 15, 2015 and formally adopted on March 27, 2016.

Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky becomes the 13th NHLer to score 500 goals

Cards reliever Todd Worrell wins NL Rookie of Year

Todd Roland Worrell is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played all or part of eleven seasons for the St.

A's Jose Canseco wins AL Rookie of Year

José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Trial begins in Israel for John Demjanjuk, accused of being Nazi prison guard "Ivan the Terrible" at Treblinka concentra

Trial begins in Israel for John Demjanjuk, accused of being Nazi prison guard "Ivan the Terrible" at Treblinka concentration camp

Europa TV, a project of five European public service broadcasters ceases operations after exhausting its budget

Hilbert van der Duim skates the one-hour world record with 39.4928 km

Hilbert van der Duim is a Dutch former speed skater. A two-time world and European champion, Van der Duim "won often but also fell often", and has become famous for some of the incidents that...

Musée d'Orsay opens in Paris

The Musée d'Orsay is a museum in Paris, France, on the Left Bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built from 1898 to 1900.

Dow Jones Industrial Average hits record 1,955.57

US launches its Fleet Satellite Communications System (Fltsatcom-7)

52nd Heisman Trophy Award: Vinny Testaverde, Miami Fla (QB)

The Miami Hurricanes football team represents the University of Miami in college football. The Hurricanes compete in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

NBC premiere of miniseries "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" (Part 2)

Atlanta Hawk Dominique Wilkins scores 57 points vs Chicago Bulls

Jacques Dominique Wilkins is an American former professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel accepts 1986 Nobel Peace Prize for being a leading spokesman on the Holocaust

South Africa censors press

James "Bone Crusher" Smith TKO's WBA champ Tim Witherspoon in Madison Square Garden

Experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, takes off from Edwards AFB, California, on the fi

Experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, takes off from Edwards AFB, California, on the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world and lands 9 days later

killed during race riot in Karachi

CIA director William J. Casey suffers a cerebral seizure

Jack Morris agrees to salary arbitration with his former team, the Tigers, and accuses the owners of collusion against f

Jack Morris agrees to salary arbitration with his former team, the Tigers, and accuses the owners of collusion against free agency

White teenagers beat Black individuals in New York City's Howard Beach

India score 7-676 v Sri Lanka at Kanpur in Cricket

Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket played at international level. A Test match takes place over a period of five days, and is played by teams representing Full Member nations of the...

Experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, completes the first nonstop, round-the-world flig

Experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, completes the first nonstop, round-the-world flight without refueling and lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert 9 days after taking off from the same location

French hostage Aurel Cornea, held in Lebanon for 9 months, released

Captured Iraqi Airways Boeing-737 in Saudi Arabia, about 60 killed

Mark Messier is suspended for 10 games for instigating a fight with Jamie Macoun and breaking his cheekbone

Mark John Douglas Messier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. His playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) lasted 25 seasons (1979–2004) with the Edmonton Oilers, New York...

Musical "Les Misérables" opens in the US at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.

Les Misérables ( lay MIZ-ə-RAHB (-əl), -⁠RAH-blə, French: [le mizeʁabl]), colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz ( lay MIZ), is a sung-through musical with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics...

Ballon d'Or: Dynamo Kyiv's Ukrainian forward Igor Belanov is named best football player in Europe ahead of Barcelona str

Ballon d'Or: Dynamo Kyiv's Ukrainian forward Igor Belanov is named best football player in Europe ahead of Barcelona striker Gary Lineker and Real Madrid forward Emilio Butragueño

Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico kills 97

On New Year's Eve, December 31, 1986, three disgruntled employees of the Dupont Plaza Hotel (now San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, intentionally set a fire.

Famous Births

Stacy Lewis is born

Stacy Lewis, American athlete, known for american professional golfer, was born on 1986-02-16. Stacy Lewis is an American professional golfer on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour.

Emile Hirsch is born

Emile Hirsch, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1986-03-13. Emile Davenport Hirsch is an American actor.

Keira Knightley is born

Keira Knightley, English actress, known for english actress, was born on 1986-03-26. Keira Christina Knightley ( KEER-ə NYTE-lee; born 26 March 1985) is an English actress.

Leona Lewis is born

Leona Lewis, British musician, known for british singer, was born on 1986-04-03. Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, and actress.

John Isner is born

John Isner, American athlete, known for american tennis player, was born on 1986-04-26. John Robert Isner is an American former professional tennis player. He was ranked as high as world No.

Gal Gadot is born

Gal Gadot, Israeli actress, known for israeli actress, was born on 1986-04-30. Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress.

Lily Allen is born

Lily Allen, English singer, known for english singer, was born on 1986-05-02. Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is an English singer, songwriter, and actress.

Kyle Busch is born

Kyle Busch, American athlete, known for american racing driver, was born on 1986-05-02. Kyle Thomas Busch is an American professional stock car racing driver.

Chris Froome is born

Chris Froome, British athlete, known for british cyclist, was born on 1986-05-20. Christopher Clive Froome is a British professional road racing cyclist who most recently rode for UCI ProTeam…

Dave Franco is born

Dave Franco, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1986-06-12. David John Franco is an American actor and filmmaker.

Lana Del Rey is born

Lana Del Rey, American singer-songwriter, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1986-06-21.

Michael Phelps is born

Michael Phelps, American athlete, known for american swimmer, was born on 1986-06-30. Michael Fred Phelps II is an American former competitive swimmer.

Léa Seydoux is born

Léa Seydoux, French actress, known for french actress, was born on 1986-07-01. Léa Hélène Seydoux-Fornier de Clausonne is a French actress.

Ashley Tisdale is born

Ashley Tisdale, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1986-07-02. Ashley Michelle Tisdale-French is an American actress and singer.

Megan Rapinoe is born

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is born

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, English actress, screenwriter and producer, known for english actress, screenwriter and producer, was born on 1986-07-14.

Mohammed bin Salman is born

Luka Modrić is born

Luka Modrić, Croatian athlete, known for croatian footballer, was born on 1986-09-09.

Alex Ovechkin is born

Alex Ovechkin, Russian athlete, known for russian ice hockey player, was born on 1986-09-17.

Brittany Lincicome is born

Hasan Minhaj is born

Hasan Minhaj, American comedian and actor, known for american comedian and actor, was born on 1986-09-23.

Bruno Mars is born

Bruno Mars, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1986-10-08.

Wayne Rooney is born

Wayne Rooney, English athlete, known for english football player and manager, was born on 1986-10-24.

Ciara is born

Ciara, American singer-songwriter, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1986-10-25.

Carly Rae Jepsen is born

Carly Rae Jepsen, Canadian musician, known for canadian singer and songwriter, was born on 1986-11-21. Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actress.

Chrissy Teigen is born

Chrissy Teigen, American model, known for american model, was born on 1986-11-30. Christine Diane Teigen is an American model, television personality, and author.

Kaley Cuoco is born

Kaley Cuoco, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1986-11-30. Kaley Christine Cuoco is an American actress.

Janelle Monáe is born

Janelle Monáe, American singer and actress, known for american singer and actress, was born on 1986-12-01.

Amanda Seyfried is born

Amanda Seyfried, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1986-12-03. Amanda Michelle Seyfried is an American actress.

Raven-Symoné is born

Raven-Symoné, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1986-12-10.

Notable Deaths

Bill Veeck dies

Bill Veeck baseball executive, known for american baseball executive, died on 1986-01-02. William Louis Veeck Jr.

Frank Herbert dies

Frank Herbert science-fiction author, known for american science-fiction author, died on 1986-02-11. Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr.

Tommy Douglas dies

Olof Palme dies

Georgia O'Keeffe dies

Georgia O'Keeffe, American modernist artist, known for american modernist artist, died on 1986-03-06.

Sherman Kent dies

James Cagney dies

James Cagney actor and dancer, known for american actor and dancer, died on 1986-03-30. James Francis Cagney Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American actor and dancer.

Wallis Simpson dies

Wallis Simpson, American wife of prince edward, duke of windsor, known for wife of prince edward, duke of windsor, died on 1986-04-24.

Broderick Crawford dies

Broderick Crawford, American actor, known for american actor, died on 1986-04-26. William Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 – April 26, 1986) was an American actor.

Tenzing Norgay dies

Tenzing Norgay, Indian nepalese-indian mountaineer, known for nepalese-indian mountaineer, died on 1986-05-09.