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Major Events of November 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 November 1982 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Nov 1982 Honda's Historic US Manufacturing Milestone: Honda becomes the first Asian automobile manufacturer to establish a car production facility in the United States, opening a groundbreaking factory in Marysville, Ohio. The inaugural vehicle produced at this plant is the Honda Accord, marking a significant moment in automotive manufacturing history and signaling Japan's growing industrial presence in the American market.
  • 02 Nov 1982 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Legislation: President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday commemorating the life and legacy of the influential civil rights leader, to be observed annually on the third Monday of January.
  • 03 Nov 1982 Salang Tunnel Disaster in Afghanistan: A catastrophic gasoline tanker explosion occurred in the Salang Tunnel in Afghanistan, resulting in a massive fire that killed approximately 2,000 people. The incident was one of the deadliest tunnel accidents in modern history, highlighting the extreme dangers of transportation infrastructure during the Soviet-Afghan War period.
  • 04 Nov 1982 Compaq Introduces Portable PC: Compaq Computer Corporation launched the Compaq Portable PC, a groundbreaking personal computer that was fully compatible with the IBM PC architecture. This innovative device was strategically designed to avoid direct copyright infringement of IBM's BIOS, marking a significant moment in the personal computer revolution.
  • 05 Nov 1982 Death of Jacques Tati: Renowned French filmmaker and actor Jacques Tati passed away from a pulmonary embolism, leaving behind a significant legacy in cinema known for his innovative comedic style and visual storytelling.
  • 06 Nov 1982 Falklands War Surrender: Argentine soldiers officially surrender, marking the end of the Falklands War conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
  • 07 Nov 1982 Turkey Adopts New Constitution: Turkey officially adopted a new constitution, likely following the military coup of 1980, which significantly reshaped the country's political landscape and governance structure.
  • 08 Nov 1982 Kenan Evren Becomes President of Turkey: Kenan Evren was elected as the seventh president of Turkey following a constitutional referendum. Prior to this, he served as the head of state, transitioning to the presidential role through a democratic process during a period of significant political transformation in Turkey.
  • 09 Nov 1982 Sugar Ray Leonard's First Retirement: Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard shocked the sports world by announcing his first retirement from professional boxing on November 9, 1982. At the peak of his career and having already achieved remarkable success, Leonard stepped away from the ring, citing personal reasons and a desire to preserve his health and legacy.
  • 10 Nov 1982 Death of Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev: Leonid I. Brezhnev, the long-serving Soviet first secretary and General Secretary of the Communist Party, died of a heart attack at age 75. His death marked the end of an era in Soviet leadership, concluding his 18-year tenure that significantly shaped Cold War geopolitics.
  • 11 Nov 1982 Lech Walesa Released from Detention: Solidarity movement leader Lech Walesa was released from jail, a significant moment in Poland's struggle against communist rule and a key event in the eventual fall of the Iron Curtain.
  • 12 Nov 1982 Yuri Andropov Becomes Soviet Communist Party Leader: In the Soviet Union, former KGB head Yuri Andropov is selected to become the general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party's Central Committee, succeeding the late Leonid I. Brezhnev. This leadership transition marked a significant moment in Cold War-era Soviet politics, with Andropov known for his hardline stance and extensive background in state security.
  • 13 Nov 1982 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., honoring over 58,000 U.S. soldiers killed or missing during the Vietnam War. Thousands of veterans marched to the memorial site, marking a significant moment of remembrance and healing for a generation deeply affected by the conflict.
  • 14 Nov 1982 Lech Walesa Freed from Internment: Lech Walesa, the prominent leader of Poland's Solidarity movement, was released from internment by communist authorities after being detained for eleven months near the Soviet border. This event was significant in the ongoing struggle against communist oppression in Poland during the early 1980s.
  • 15 Nov 1982 Funeral of Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev: A state funeral was held in Moscow's Red Square for Leonid I. Brezhnev, the long-serving General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Brezhnev, who led the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982, was a significant political figure during the Cold War era, known for his policy of 'developed socialism' and period of economic stagnation.
  • 16 Nov 1982 5th Space Shuttle Mission - Columbia 5 Lands Successfully: The Space Shuttle Columbia's 5th mission successfully concluded with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, marking another milestone in NASA's space exploration program.
  • 17 Nov 1982 First Helicopter to Circumnavigate the Globe: The Spirit of Texas, a groundbreaking helicopter piloted by Jay Coburn and H. Ross Perot Jr., completed the first-ever helicopter flight around the world. This remarkable achievement was commemorated by placing the historic aircraft on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The pilots were later honored with the prestigious Samuel P. Langley Medal for their pioneering aviation feat.
  • 18 Nov 1982 Tragic Boxing Death of Duk Koo Kim: Professional boxer Duk Koo Kim tragically died from severe head injuries sustained during a brutal 14-round lightweight championship match against Ray Mancini in Las Vegas. His death became a pivotal moment in boxing history, leading to significant safety reforms including reducing championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds and mandating stricter medical protocols to protect athletes.
  • 19 Nov 1982 Death of Erving Goffman, Pioneering Sociologist: Erving Goffman, a highly influential Canadian-American sociologist renowned for his groundbreaking work in social interaction and symbolic interaction theory, passed away on November 19, 1982. Goffman was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and is widely considered one of the most significant sociologists of the 20th century. His seminal works, including 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life' and 'Asylums', revolutionized our understanding of social behavior, micro-sociology, and human communication.
  • 20 Nov 1982 The Play: Legendary College Football Moment: In a historic college football game between the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford, the Bears executed an extraordinary and controversial 57-yard kickoff return known as 'The Play'. Quarterback Kevin Moen completed a series of five laterals and dramatically ran through Stanford's band members who had prematurely entered the field, scoring a touchdown that secured California's 25-20 victory. This moment is considered one of the most incredible and chaotic endings in college football history.
  • 21 Nov 1982 Darrell Waltrip Wins NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Darrell Waltrip secured his first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1982, marking a significant milestone in his racing career. Known for his aggressive driving style and competitive spirit, Waltrip dominated the racing circuit that year, showcasing his exceptional skill and establishing himself as a prominent figure in stock car racing.
  • 22 Nov 1982 Jean Batten: Pioneering Female Aviator: Jean Batten was a legendary New Zealand aviator who set numerous long-distance flying records in the 1930s. She was known for her remarkable solo flights across the Atlantic and between New Zealand and England, breaking multiple aviation records.
  • 23 Nov 1982 FCC Deregulates Television Advertising: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eliminated existing restrictions on the duration and frequency of television advertisements, potentially transforming the landscape of broadcast media and commercial practices.
  • 24 Nov 1982 Leadership Change in Japan: Yasuhiro Nakasone succeeded Zenko Suzuki as the Prime Minister of Japan, representing a significant political transition during the early 1980s. Nakasone would go on to be a prominent leader who pursued economic reforms and strengthened Japan's international relations.
  • 25 Nov 1982 Minneapolis Thanksgiving Day Fire of 1982: On November 25, 1982, a devastating fire swept through downtown Minneapolis, destroying an entire city block. The blaze consumed significant landmarks including the Northwestern National Bank building and the recently closed Donaldson's Department Store. The fire was particularly notable for its scale and impact on the city's downtown infrastructure during the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • 26 Nov 1982 Yasuhiro Nakasone Becomes Prime Minister of Japan: Yasuhiro Nakasone was elected as the Prime Minister of Japan, succeeding Zenko Suzuki. He would go on to serve until 1987 and was known for his strong conservative policies and close alignment with Western powers during the Cold War era.
  • 27 Nov 1982 Yasuhiro Nakasone Becomes Prime Minister of Japan: Yasuhiro Nakasone was elected as the Prime Minister of Japan, succeeding Zenko Suzuki. Nakasone would become a significant political figure, known for his economic reforms and close relationship with US President Ronald Reagan.
  • 28 Nov 1982 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., commemorating over 58,000 U.S. soldiers killed or missing during the Vietnam War, providing a powerful site of remembrance and healing.
  • 29 Nov 1982 UN Resolution Calls for Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan: The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 37/37, demanding the withdrawal of Soviet Union forces from Afghanistan, highlighting the international community's stance against the Soviet invasion.
  • 30 Nov 1982 Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Global Release: Michael Jackson's groundbreaking album 'Thriller' is released worldwide. The album, featuring 9 tracks, would go on to win 8 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1984, and become the best-selling album in music history.