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Major Events of December 1982: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1982 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1982: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1982 Michael Jackson Releases Thriller Album: Michael Jackson released the iconic 'Thriller' album, which would go on to become the best-selling album of all time and revolutionize the music video genre.
  • 02 Dec 1982 First Permanent Artificial Heart Implantation in Human History: On December 2, 1982, at the University of Utah, Dr. William DeVries successfully implanted the Jarvik-7, the first permanent artificial heart, into 61-year-old retired dentist Barney Clark. This groundbreaking medical procedure marked a significant milestone in cardiovascular medicine and biomedical engineering, demonstrating the potential of artificial organ technology to extend human life.
  • 03 Dec 1982 First Permanent Artificial Heart Transplant: Barney Clark became the world's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart at the University of Utah Medical Center, a groundbreaking moment in medical technology and human organ replacement.
  • 04 Dec 1982 China Adopts New Constitution: The People's Republic of China officially adopted its current constitution, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for governance and national development.
  • 05 Dec 1982 USSR Nuclear Test in Kazakhstan: The Soviet Union conducted a nuclear weapons test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeastern Kazakhstan, continuing its Cold War-era nuclear weapons development program.
  • 06 Dec 1982 Droppin Well Bombing in Ballykelly: On December 6, 1982, a devastating terrorist attack occurred when the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) planted a time bomb at the Droppin' Well pub/disco in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland. The explosion killed eleven British soldiers and six civilians, marking one of the most tragic incidents during the period known as The Troubles.
  • 07 Dec 1982 Dos Erres Massacre in Guatemala: During Guatemala's brutal civil war, a horrific massacre occurred in Dos Erres, where 171 people were killed under the leadership of Santos López Alonzo, representing the extreme violence of the conflict.
  • 08 Dec 1982 Suriname Massacre: Suriname army leader Desi Bouterse commits a horrific mass murder, killing 15 political opponents, including prominent journalists, lawyers, and activists, in a brutal suppression of dissent.
  • 09 Dec 1982 Suriname Military Murders: On December 9, 1982, Suriname's military leader Desi Bouterse ordered the execution of 15 political opponents, demonstrating the brutal nature of his authoritarian regime and highlighting significant human rights violations in the country.
  • 10 Dec 1982 Early AIDS Research by CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a critical case involving a transfusion recipient who developed AIDS symptoms, which was an important early documentation in understanding the transmission and progression of the AIDS epidemic.
  • 11 Dec 1982 ABBA's Final Public Performance: The iconic Swedish pop group ABBA concluded their public performance career on December 11, 1982, marking the end of an era for one of the most successful and influential pop bands in music history. This performance symbolized the conclusion of their remarkable journey together, having dominated global music charts throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
  • 12 Dec 1982 Massive Women's Peace Protest at Greenham Common: 30,000 women formed a powerful human chain around the 14.5 kilometers (9.0 miles) perimeter fence of the Greenham Common military base, demonstrating against nuclear weapons and military escalation during the Cold War.
  • 13 Dec 1982 Devastating Yemen Earthquake of 1982: A severe magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck southwestern Yemen, centered approximately 46 miles south of Sana'a, the capital. The catastrophic event resulted in massive destruction: over 2,800 people killed, 1,500 injured, 700,000 left homeless, and around 300 villages destroyed or severely damaged. The earthquake had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), causing widespread structural damage and significant human suffering.
  • 14 Dec 1982 Marcel Dionne Scores 500 NHL Goals: Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings achieves a significant milestone by becoming the 9th player in NHL history to score 500 goals, highlighting his exceptional hockey career.
  • 15 Dec 1982 Teamsters Leadership Convicted of Bribery: Roy Williams, the president of the Teamsters union, and four associates were convicted of bribery, highlighting significant corruption within the labor union leadership during this period.
  • 16 Dec 1982 Death of Colin Chapman, Automotive Pioneer: Colin Chapman, renowned British automotive designer, inventor, and founder of Lotus Cars, passed away at the age of 54. Chapman was a revolutionary figure in automotive engineering, known for innovative design principles that transformed racing and sports car technology.
  • 17 Dec 1982 Death of Leonid Kogan: Renowned Soviet violin virtuoso Leonid Kogan passed away, marking a significant loss for the classical music world. Kogan was known for his exceptional technical skill and profound musical interpretations.
  • 18 Dec 1982 R&B Number 1 Hit: 'Sexual Healing': Marvin Gaye's iconic R&B track 'Sexual Healing' was the number 1 R&B song, showcasing the artist's significant influence on the music genre during this period.
  • 19 Dec 1982 Poland Suspends Martial Law: In a significant political development, Poland's Council of State officially announced the suspension of martial law, which had been imposed to suppress the Solidarity movement. The suspension, set to take effect on December 31, 1982, marked a crucial turning point in Poland's struggle against communist oppression and signaled potential political reforms.
  • 20 Dec 1982 First Permanent Artificial Heart Implantation: On December 20, 1982, a groundbreaking medical procedure took place at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Dr. William De Vries successfully implanted the first permanent artificial heart into 61-year-old patient Barney C. Clark. At the time of the operation, Clark was critically ill and near death. Following the revolutionary surgery, he survived for 112 days with the artificial heart, marking a significant milestone in medical technology and cardiac treatment.
  • 21 Dec 1982 US Billboard Number 1 Hit: 'Maneater': 'Maneater' by the popular duo Daryl Hall & John Oates topped the US Billboard charts on December 21, 1982, representing the pop music landscape of the early 1980s.
  • 22 Dec 1982 First Artificial Heart Patient Takes First Steps: Barney Clark, the pioneering first recipient of a total artificial heart, takes his first steps following groundbreaking surgical intervention, marking a significant milestone in medical technology and human endurance.
  • 23 Dec 1982 EPA Identifies Dioxin Contamination in Times Beach: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the discovery of dangerous levels of dioxin in the soil of Times Beach, Missouri, marking a significant environmental health crisis. This finding would lead to one of the largest environmental cleanup and relocation efforts in U.S. history.
  • 24 Dec 1982 Louis Aragon, French Resistance Poet, Dies: Louis Aragon, a prominent French poet and notable World War II resistance leader, passed away at the age of 85. Aragon was a significant literary and political figure who played a crucial role in the French resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II.
  • 25 Dec 1982 Devastating Earthquake in Flores Island, Indonesia: A significant magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Flores Island region, causing substantial destruction and loss of life. The earthquake resulted in 13 fatalities, 390 injuries, and widespread infrastructure damage, with 1,875 homes completely destroyed and numerous other buildings severely impacted.
  • 26 Dec 1982 Commodore 64 Personal Computer Released: The Commodore 64, a groundbreaking home computer, was introduced. It would become incredibly popular, selling over 20 million units by 1994.
  • 27 Dec 1982 Imran Khan's Remarkable Cricket Performance Against India: In a memorable cricket match at Karachi, Pakistani fast bowler Imran Khan delivered an extraordinary bowling performance, taking 8 wickets for just 60 runs. His exceptional spell was instrumental in securing an innings victory for Pakistan over India, showcasing his prowess as one of the most formidable cricketers of his era.
  • 28 Dec 1982 USS New Jersey Recommissioned During Cold War Era: The USS New Jersey (BB 62), a legendary Iowa-class battleship, was recommissioned on December 28, 1982, marking its third activation in military service. Originally commissioned in 1943 during World War II, the vessel was being reactivated during the heightened tensions of the Cold War. As the first of four Iowa-class battleships, the New Jersey represented a significant naval asset, capable of providing powerful naval gunfire support and projecting American maritime strength globally.
  • 29 Dec 1982 Paul 'Bear' Bryant Retires from Alabama Football: Legendary American college football coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant concludes his remarkable coaching career at the University of Alabama, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of 323 total wins. Bryant is widely considered one of the most successful coaches in college football history, having transformed Alabama's football program and winning six national championships.
  • 30 Dec 1982 England Defeats Australia in Cricket: In a thrilling cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England secured a narrow victory over Australia by just three runs. This nail-biting contest showcased the intense sporting rivalry between the two nations.
  • 31 Dec 1982 CBS Mystery Theater Ends Radio Broadcast: The CBS Mystery Theater, a popular radio drama series, broadcast its final episode on December 31, 1982, concluding an eight-year run. The show was known for its suspenseful storytelling and had been a notable part of radio entertainment throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.