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Major Events of May 1984: 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 May 1984 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of May 1984: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1984 Nuclear Test by Great Britain in Nevada: Great Britain conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing programs.
  • 02 May 1984 Itaipu Dam Begins Power Generation: The massive Itaipu Dam, located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, commenced power generation after nine years of construction. At the time, it was the world's largest hydroelectric dam, representing a significant milestone in renewable energy infrastructure.
  • 03 May 1984 Sunday in the Park with George Broadway Premiere: Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking musical 'Sunday in the Park with George', a creative exploration of painter Georges Seurat's artistic world and personal relationships, opened at the Booth Theater in New York City. Starring Mandy Patinkin, the innovative production ran for 604 performances and was subsequently awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, cementing its significance in American theatrical history.
  • 04 May 1984 Unusual Baseball Moment at Metrodome: During a baseball game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Dave Kingman hit a fly ball that became lodged in the stadium's ceiling, creating a bizarre and memorable moment in baseball history. The ball never came down, leading to an unusual play that puzzled players and spectators alike.
  • 05 May 1984 Itaipu Dam Power Generation Begins: The massive Itaipu Dam, located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, begins generating power after nine years of construction. At the time, it was the world's largest hydroelectric dam, representing a significant milestone in renewable energy infrastructure.
  • 06 May 1984 José Napoleón Duarte Wins El Salvador Presidential Election: José Napoleón Duarte, a prominent Christian Democratic Party leader, wins the presidential election in El Salvador during a period of significant political tension and civil conflict.
  • 07 May 1984 Agent Orange Lawsuit Settlement: A landmark out-of-court settlement of US$180 million was reached for American Vietnam War veterans who suffered illnesses and disabilities caused by exposure to Agent Orange during the conflict.
  • 08 May 1984 Soviet Olympic Boycott of Los Angeles Games: The Soviet Union announced its boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, retaliating for the previous American boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Fourteen other countries subsequently joined this diplomatic protest.
  • 09 May 1984 Longest Timed Baseball Game in MLB History: On May 8-9, 1984, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in an extraordinary baseball marathon that lasted 8 hours and 6 minutes, spanning 25 innings. This game set a record for the longest timed baseball game in Major League Baseball history, showcasing remarkable endurance from both teams and players.
  • 10 May 1984 International Court of Justice Ruling on Nicaragua Blockade: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark ruling regarding the United States' economic and military blockade of Nicaragua. This legal decision was a significant moment in international law, addressing the complex geopolitical tensions between the US and Nicaragua during the Cold War era. The ruling examined the legality of the US actions and their potential violations of international sovereignty and legal norms.
  • 11 May 1984 Johan Cruijff Retires from Professional Soccer: Johan Cruijff, one of the most influential footballers in history, announces his retirement from professional soccer. Known for revolutionizing the game both as a player and later as a coach, Cruijff's impact on football extends far beyond his playing career.
  • 12 May 1984 Nelson Mandela Reunites with Wife After 22 Years: South African political prisoner Nelson Mandela sees his wife Winnie Mandela for the first time in 22 years during a rare prison visit, highlighting the personal sacrifices made during the anti-apartheid struggle.
  • 13 May 1984 Johan Cruyff's Final Competitive Match: Football legend Johan Cruyff played his last competitive match, marking the end of an illustrious playing career that significantly influenced modern soccer tactics and philosophy.
  • 14 May 1984 dBase III Relational Database Program Launched: Ashton-Tate introduced dBase III, a groundbreaking relational database program for 16-bit IBM PC-compatible computers. This software was pivotal in the development of database management systems and significantly impacted business computing in the 1980s.
  • 15 May 1984 US Nuclear Test at Nevada Test Site: On May 15, 1984, the United States carried out a nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site, a designated area for underground and atmospheric nuclear testing. This test was part of the ongoing nuclear arms race and weapons development program during the Cold War period.
  • 16 May 1984 US Nuclear Test at Nevada Site: The United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing Cold War-era weapons development and testing protocols.
  • 17 May 1984 First Navigationless World Sailing Voyage: Marvin Creamer becomes the first known person to circumnavigate the globe without using any navigational instruments, completing a remarkable 513-day journey and arriving back in Cape May, New Jersey.
  • 18 May 1984 Battle of Orgreave: Violent Miners' Strike Confrontation: On May 18, 1984, a significant and highly contentious confrontation occurred between striking miners and police during the UK's prolonged miners' strike. The Battle of Orgreave in South Yorkshire became a symbolic moment of industrial unrest, with intense physical clashes between picketers and law enforcement. The violent incident resulted in 95 arrests and approximately 123 reported injuries, representing a critical moment in British labor history and the ongoing conflict between miners and the Thatcher government.
  • 19 May 1984 Edmonton Oilers Win Stanley Cup: The Edmonton Oilers defeated the New York Islanders 4 games to 1 in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, marking a significant moment in hockey history. Wayne Gretzky played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring two goals in the decisive game.
  • 20 May 1984 Roger Clemens Wins First MLB Game: Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens secured his first Major League Baseball victory, defeating the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in a notable early career milestone.
  • 21 May 1984 Atari 7800 ProSystem Launch: Atari introduced the Atari 7800 ProSystem, a groundbreaking video game console that represented a significant advancement in home gaming technology. Priced at US$149, the system offered notable improvements over its predecessor, including higher resolution graphics, optional keyboard functionality for home computing, and backward compatibility with Atari 2600 game cartridges. This release positioned Atari to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving home video game market of the mid-1980s.
  • 22 May 1984 Unremarkable Day in 1984: While no specific significant historical events were documented for May 22, 1984, this day represents a moment in the mid-1980s during the Cold War era. The world was experiencing geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and cultural shifts characteristic of the decade.
  • 23 May 1984 Surgeon General's Report on Secondhand Smoke: Surgeon General C. Everett Koop released a groundbreaking report providing 'very solid' evidence linking secondhand cigarette smoke to lung disease in non-smokers, significantly impacting public health awareness.
  • 24 May 1984 Detroit Tigers Set Major League Baseball Road Victory Record: The Detroit Tigers achieved a remarkable feat by defeating the California Angels 5-1, tying the major league record for consecutive road victories previously set by the 1916 New York Giants. This 17-game road winning streak demonstrated the team's exceptional performance and consistency during the 1984 baseball season.
  • 25 May 1984 Detroit Tigers' Winning Streak Ends: The Detroit Tigers' remarkable 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 7-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners, tying the American League record for consecutive wins.
  • 26 May 1984 Devastating Tulsa Flash Floods: A catastrophic overnight flash flood struck Tulsa, Oklahoma, resulting in 14 fatalities and causing extensive damage to residential neighborhoods. The flood, triggered by an extreme rainfall event of approximately 13 inches, overwhelmed local infrastructure and led to significant loss of life.
  • 27 May 1984 Devastating Tulsa Flash Flood: A catastrophic overnight flash flood devastates neighborhoods in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nearly 15 inches of rain falls in some areas over a four-hour period, resulting in 14 fatalities and significant property damage.
  • 28 May 1984 George Soros Establishes Foundation to Support Democratic Transition in Eastern Europe: On May 28, 1984, philanthropist George Soros founded the Soros Foundation Budapest, a pivotal initiative aimed at supporting democratic transformation and civil society development in Hungary and other Eastern European countries during the late Cold War period. The foundation was strategically designed to provide resources, educational opportunities, and institutional support to help countries transition away from communist governance towards more open, democratic systems. By focusing on intellectual and cultural exchange, the foundation played a significant role in facilitating political and social change in the region.
  • 29 May 1984 Death of Eric Morecambe: Eric Morecambe, one half of the legendary British comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack during a live performance in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The beloved comedian died in hospital at the age of 58, leaving behind a significant legacy in British entertainment.
  • 30 May 1984 Liverpool Wins European Cup: Liverpool Football Club wins their 29th European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) by defeating Roma in Rome, Italy, in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
  • 31 May 1984 US Nuclear Test at Nevada Site: The United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing programs. These tests were part of ongoing strategic and technological military research.