previous year1979
1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
1990next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Nov 1986 Sandoz Chemical Factory Fire in Basel: A catastrophic fire erupted at the Sandoz chemical factory near Basel, Switzerland, resulting in approximately 30 tons of toxic chemicals being released into the Rhine River. The incident caused significant environmental damage, contaminating water resources and threatening aquatic ecosystems across multiple European countries.
  • 02 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Affair Revelation: Lebanese magazine Ash Shirra exposes secret U.S. arms sales to Iran, a pivotal disclosure that would later develop into the Iran-Contra scandal, revealing covert international diplomatic maneuverings.
  • 03 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Affair Exposed: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa revealed the United States' covert arms sales to Iran, aimed at securing the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon, sparking a major political scandal.
  • 04 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Affair Exposed: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa reveals a clandestine US operation involving secret weapons sales to Iran, allegedly aimed at securing the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon, which would later develop into the significant Iran-Contra scandal.
  • 05 Nov 1986 US Naval Ships Visit Qingdao, China: The USS Rentz, USS Reeves, and USS Oldendorf visited Qingdao (Tsing Tao), China, marking a significant diplomatic milestone as the first US Naval visit to China since 1949. This event symbolized the gradual thawing of diplomatic relations between the United States and China during the Cold War era.
  • 06 Nov 1986 Reagan Signs Immigration Reform Act: President Ronald Reagan signed a landmark immigration reform bill, significantly reshaping U.S. immigration policy. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) provided amnesty for certain undocumented immigrants and introduced stricter enforcement measures.
  • 07 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Scandal Exposed by Lebanese Magazine: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa revealed a covert United States operation involving secret weapons sales to Iran, aimed at securing the release of 7 American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon. This revelation would become a significant political scandal that exposed complex geopolitical maneuvering during the Cold War era.
  • 08 Nov 1986 Death of Vyacheslav Molotov: Vyacheslav Molotov, a prominent Soviet politician and key figure in Stalin's government, died on November 8, 1986. Known for the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and serving as Soviet Foreign Minister, his death marked the end of an era in Soviet political history.
  • 09 Nov 1986 Election of Patriarch Teoctist Arăpașu: Teoctist Arăpașu is elected as the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, a significant religious leadership transition in Romania during the late communist era.
  • 10 Nov 1986 Bangladesh Constitution Restoration: On November 10, 1986, Bangladesh restored its constitutional governance, marking a significant moment in the country's political development and democratic process. This restoration represented a critical step in stabilizing the nation's political framework after periods of disruption.
  • 11 Nov 1986 Unisys Formation through Major Computer Company Merger: Sperry Rand and Burroughs corporations merged to create Unisys, establishing themselves as the world's second-largest computer company at the time. This strategic merger represented a significant consolidation in the rapidly evolving computer technology industry of the mid-1980s.
  • 12 Nov 1986 Greater Manchester Police Investigate Moors Murders: Greater Manchester Police announce a search for the bodies of two missing children who disappeared over 20 years ago, following confessions from notorious serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley about two additional murders, reopening a dark chapter in British criminal history.
  • 13 Nov 1986 Reagan Admits Iran Weapons Sales: U.S. President Ronald Reagan publicly acknowledged controversial weapon sales to Iran, a revelation that would later become a significant part of the Iran-Contra affair, causing major political upheaval.
  • 14 Nov 1986 SEC Imposes Record Penalty on Ivan Boesky: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed a record $100 million penalty against Ivan Boesky, a prominent Wall Street insider trading figure, signaling a strong stance against financial misconduct.
  • 15 Nov 1986 Beastie Boys Make Hip-Hop History: The Beastie Boys released their debut album 'Licensed to Ill', which became the first rap album to top the Billboard charts, marking a significant milestone in hip-hop's mainstream acceptance and commercial success.
  • 16 Nov 1986 The Singing Detective TV Drama Premiere: Dennis Potter's groundbreaking television drama 'The Singing Detective', starring Michael Gambon, makes its debut on BBC television. The innovative series, which blends psychological drama, musical elements, and complex narrative techniques, follows a hospitalized writer named Philip Marlow as he confronts his own psychological and physical ailments through imaginative and surreal storytelling. Potter's work is renowned for its innovative approach to television storytelling, blurring the lines between reality, memory, and fantasy.
  • 17 Nov 1986 Japan Airlines Flight 1628 UFO Incident: On November 17, 1986, the flight crew of Japan Airlines Flight 1628 reported a remarkable UFO sighting while flying over Alaska. The pilots claimed to have observed three unidentified flying objects near their aircraft, creating one of the most well-documented and intriguing UFO encounters in aviation history.
  • 18 Nov 1986 Death of Gia Carangi - Pioneering Model and AIDS Victim: Gia Carangi, a groundbreaking American fashion model and one of the first women in the United States to be diagnosed with AIDS, passed away at the age of 26. Her life and tragic death became a significant moment in raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s.
  • 19 Nov 1986 Tina Howe's 'Coastal Disturbances' Premieres: Playwright Tina Howe's critically acclaimed play 'Coastal Disturbances' made its debut at a prominent New York City theater. The premiere was a significant moment in contemporary American theater, showcasing Howe's distinctive storytelling and dramatic style.
  • 20 Nov 1986 WHO Launches First Global AIDS Response: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its first comprehensive global strategy to combat the AIDS epidemic, marking a critical turning point in international public health efforts to address the rapidly spreading HIV/AIDS crisis.
  • 21 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Affair: Document Destruction Begins: National Security Council member Oliver North and his secretary began systematically shredding documents that would implicate them in the illegal sale of weapons to Iran and the covert funding of Contra rebels in Nicaragua, a pivotal moment in the unfolding Iran-Contra scandal.
  • 22 Nov 1986 Mike Tyson Becomes Youngest Heavyweight Champion: In a historic boxing match at the Las Vegas Hilton, Mike Tyson dramatically knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round, becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion in boxing history at just 20 years and 4 months old. This victory marked the beginning of Tyson's legendary boxing career and cemented his status as a prodigious talent in the sport.
  • 24 Nov 1986 Todd Worrell Wins National League Rookie of the Year: Todd Worrell, a talented relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was awarded the National League Rookie of the Year honor, recognizing his outstanding performance during the 1986 Major League Baseball season.
  • 25 Nov 1986 Iran-Contra Affair Revelations: President Ronald Reagan publicly reveals a controversial secret arms deal involving covert weapons sales to Iran and illegal funding of Nicaraguan Contra rebels, sparking a major political scandal that would challenge the integrity of his administration.
  • 26 Nov 1986 John Demjanjuk War Crimes Trial Begins in Jerusalem: The landmark trial of John Demjanjuk commenced in Jerusalem, charging him with war crimes committed as a guard at the Treblinka Nazi extermination camp during World War II. This high-profile legal proceeding represented a significant moment in Holocaust justice and international war crimes prosecution.
  • 27 Nov 1986 Uneventful Day in Global History: On November 27, 1986, no significant global events were recorded. While this day might seem unremarkable, it represents a moment of relative global stability during the late Cold War era. Such days, though seemingly mundane, are important in understanding the broader historical context of peaceful periods.
  • 28 Nov 1986 Reagan Administration Exceeds SALT II Arms Limitations: The Reagan administration officially exceeded the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II) treaty arms limitations for the first time, marking a significant moment in Cold War-era nuclear arms control negotiations.
  • 29 Nov 1986 Moiwana Massacre in Suriname: On November 29, 1986, during the Suriname Guerrilla War, the Surinamese military conducted a brutal attack on the village of Moiwana, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 39 civilians, predominantly women and children. This horrific event represents a significant human rights violation and a dark moment in Surinamese military history.
  • 30 Nov 1986 Death of Cary Grant: Legendary British-born American actor Cary Grant passes away at the age of 82 from a cerebral hemorrhage. Known for his charismatic screen presence and iconic roles in Hollywood's Golden Age, Grant was a leading man who defined sophistication and charm in cinema.