Major Events of December 1986: 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 1986 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of December 1986: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Dec 1986 Musée d'Orsay Opens in Paris: The iconic Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former railway station, opens to the public in Paris, France. This museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring works by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir.
02 Dec 1986 Desi Arnaz Passes Away: Desi Arnaz, the renowned Cuban-born actor, band leader, and television pioneer best known for his role in 'I Love Lucy', died on December 2, 1986, at the age of 59. He was a significant figure in early television entertainment and helped shape the medium's development.
03 Dec 1986 Austin Hayes: Irish Football Player: Austin Hayes was an Irish football player born in 1958, who contributed to the sport during the mid-20th century.
04 Dec 1986 Neil Simon's 'Broadway Bound' Premieres: Neil Simon's critically acclaimed stage play 'Broadway Bound' opens at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City, featuring a stellar cast including Linda Lavin, Jonathan Silverman, and Jason Alexander.
05 Dec 1986 Uneventful Day in History: While no major global events were recorded on December 5, 1986, this serves as a reminder that not every day in history is marked by significant occurrences. Such days represent the routine fabric of human experience, where millions of people went about their daily lives without extraordinary incident.
06 Dec 1986 French Nuclear Test at Muruora Island: France conducted a nuclear weapons test at Muruora Island in French Polynesia, part of its ongoing nuclear testing program during the Cold War era.
07 Dec 1986 Duvalier Flees Haiti: President Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as 'Baby Doc', fled Haiti, marking the end of his brutal 15-year dictatorship. His departure followed significant political unrest and international pressure, signaling a major turning point in Haitian political history.
08 Dec 1986 Jim Wright Becomes House Speaker: On December 8, 1986, the United States House of Representatives selected Jim Wright as the 48th Speaker of the House. Wright, a Democrat from Texas, succeeded Tip O'Neill and would serve in this pivotal leadership role until 1989, playing a significant part in the legislative process during the latter part of Ronald Reagan's presidency.
09 Dec 1986 Unremarkable Day in 1986: While no significant global events were documented for December 9, 1986, this day represents a typical moment in the mid-1980s Cold War era. The world continued its geopolitical tensions, technological developments, and ongoing social transformations characteristic of the decade.
10 Dec 1986 Elie Wiesel Awarded Nobel Peace Prize: Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his profound advocacy and testimony about the Holocaust, recognizing his lifelong efforts to promote human rights and prevent genocide.
11 Dec 1986 South Africa Press Censorship: During the apartheid era, the South African government implemented strict press censorship, suppressing media freedom and limiting public access to information critical of the regime.
12 Dec 1986 Tragic Tupolev-134 Crash in East Berlin: A Russian Tupolev-134 passenger aircraft crashed in East Berlin, resulting in a devastating loss of 70 lives. The incident highlighted the significant aviation safety challenges of the mid-1980s and the risks associated with Soviet-era aircraft.
13 Dec 1986 Notable Deaths on December 13, 1986: On December 13, 1986, several significant public figures passed away, marking a somber day in history. The most prominent among them was Smita Patil, a pioneering Indian actress known for her powerful performances in parallel and mainstream cinema. Heather Angel, a British-American film actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood, also died. Additionally, Ella Baker, a crucial civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the African American civil rights movement, was remembered on this day. Baker was particularly notable for her grassroots organizing and her work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
14 Dec 1986 Voyager Aircraft Completes Historic Global Flight: The experimental aircraft Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California to attempt the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world. This groundbreaking aviation achievement would push the boundaries of aircraft design and long-distance flight capabilities.
15 Dec 1986 Deadly Race Riot in Karachi: A severe race riot erupted in Karachi, Pakistan, resulting in the tragic loss of 150 lives and highlighting the deep ethnic tensions in the region.
16 Dec 1986 Jeltoqsan Uprising in Alma-Ata: On December 16, 1986, significant ethnic riots erupted in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan (then Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic), triggered by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's controversial decision to replace Dinmukhamed Kunaev, an ethnic Kazakh who had led the Communist Party of Kazakhstan for many years, with Gennady Kolbin, an ethnic Russian from outside the republic. This event represented a critical moment of ethnic tension and resistance against Soviet centralized control.
17 Dec 1986 Groundbreaking Multi-Organ Transplant Performed: Mrs. Davina Thompson makes medical history by undergoing the first simultaneous heart, lung, and liver transplant at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England, pushing the boundaries of surgical medical science.
18 Dec 1986 Robert Gates Appointed Acting CIA Director: Robert Gates was appointed as the acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), marking a significant moment in U.S. intelligence leadership during the Cold War era.
19 Dec 1986 Andrei Sakharov Returns to Moscow: Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov was permitted to return to Moscow after years of internal exile, marking a significant moment in Soviet human rights history. This release came during Mikhail Gorbachev's era of glasnost and perestroika, symbolizing a gradual thawing of Soviet political repression.
20 Dec 1986 Howard Beach Racial Hate Crime: On December 20, 1986, a horrific racially motivated assault occurred in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, New York. A group of white teenagers attacked three African American men, resulting in the tragic death of Michael Griffith, who was killed after being run over by a motorist while attempting to escape the violent attackers. This incident became a significant moment in the ongoing struggle against racial violence and discrimination in the United States.
21 Dec 1986 75th Davis Cup Final: Australia triumphed over Sweden in the 75th Davis Cup tennis tournament, held in Melbourne, with a decisive 3-2 victory, demonstrating the nation's tennis excellence.
22 Dec 1986 India's Record Cricket Score Against Sri Lanka: In a remarkable cricket match at Kanpur, India achieved an impressive total of 676 runs for the loss of 7 wickets against Sri Lanka. This performance demonstrated India's batting prowess and dominance in the sport during the mid-1980s.
23 Dec 1986 Voyager's Historic Non-Stop Global Flight: On December 23, 1986, the experimental aircraft Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California after completing the first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe without aerial or ground refueling. The groundbreaking flight covered approximately 25,000 miles and took 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
24 Dec 1986 Iran's Military Offensive in Shatt al-Arab: On December 24, 1986, Iran launched a military offensive targeting Iraqi-controlled islands in the Shatt al-Arab waterway, escalating tensions during the Iran-Iraq War.
25 Dec 1986 Iraqi Airways Flight 163 Hijacking Tragedy: On December 25, 1986, Iraqi Airways Flight 163, a Boeing 737-270C, was hijacked and subsequently crashed in Arar, Saudi Arabia, resulting in the tragic loss of 63 lives. The incident represents one of the most devastating aviation disasters of the mid-1980s, highlighting the significant security challenges facing international air travel during that period.
26 Dec 1986 Iraqi Airways Flight Hijacking Tragedy: Hijackers seized an Iraqi Airways Boeing 737 with 91 people on board during a flight from Baghdad to Amman. The aircraft landed in Arar, Saudi Arabia, where it tragically exploded, resulting in the death of 62 passengers and crew.
27 Dec 1986 Metallica Bassist Cliff Burton Dies in Tragic Bus Accident: Cliff Burton, the talented bass player for the legendary heavy metal band Metallica, tragically died in a bus crash while on tour in Sweden. At just 24 years old, Burton was a pivotal member of the band and his death was a significant loss to the music world. His innovative bass playing and musical contributions had a profound impact on Metallica's early sound and metal music in general.
28 Dec 1986 Pat Davis Helps Australia Win Davis Cup: Pat Davis, an underdog tennis player ranked 412th in the world, played a crucial role in Australia's Davis Cup victory against Sweden in Melbourne. Despite his low ranking, Davis contributed significantly to the team's 3-2 win, demonstrating the unpredictable and exciting nature of international tennis competitions.
29 Dec 1986 Death of Harold Macmillan: British Political Icon Passes: Harold Macmillan, a significant British Conservative Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963, died on December 29, 1986. Known for his leadership during the Cold War era and his role in decolonization, Macmillan was a pivotal figure in mid-20th century British politics.
30 Dec 1986 US Military Exercises in Honduras: The United States military conducted strategic exercises in Honduras, demonstrating its geopolitical presence and military readiness in Central America during the mid-1980s. These exercises were likely part of broader Cold War-era strategies to maintain regional influence and support anti-communist efforts in neighboring countries.
31 Dec 1986 Japan Surpasses USA in Per Capita Income: In a significant economic milestone, Japan's average per capita income exceeded that of the United States, reflecting the country's remarkable economic growth and industrial prowess during the 1980s.