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

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

  • 01 Sep 1986 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Raises Millions: Jerry Lewis conducted his 21st annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon, successfully raising $34,096,733 to support research and assistance for individuals affected by muscular dystrophy.
  • 02 Sep 1986 Cathy Evelyn Smith Sentenced for Belushi's Death: Cathy Evelyn Smith was sentenced to three years in prison for her involvement in the drug-related death of comedian and actor John Belushi, marking a significant legal resolution in a high-profile celebrity tragedy.
  • 03 Sep 1986 MLB Record: Most Players in a Single Game: On September 3, 1986, the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs set a Major League Baseball record by using a total of 53 players during an extraordinary 18-inning marathon game. The Astros ultimately emerged victorious with an 8-7 win. This game was notable for its extensive use of players, including 17 different pitchers, highlighting the strategic depth and endurance required in professional baseball.
  • 04 Sep 1986 Record Trading Volume at New York Stock Exchange: On September 4, 1986, the New York Stock Exchange experienced a significant trading day with 189.42 million shares traded, reflecting the active financial market conditions of the mid-1980s.
  • 05 Sep 1986 Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking: Pan Am Flight 73, carrying 358 passengers, was hijacked at Karachi International Airport by four armed members of the Abu Nidal terrorist organization. The incident resulted in a tragic confrontation where 19 people lost their lives during a rescue attempt by Pakistani authorities.
  • 06 Sep 1986 Desmond Tutu Becomes First Black Anglican Bishop in South Africa: Desmond Tutu made history by becoming the first black Anglican Church bishop in South Africa, a significant milestone during the apartheid era.
  • 07 Sep 1986 Desmond Tutu Becomes First Black Anglican Diocese Leader: Desmond Tutu made history by becoming the first black man to lead the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town, a significant milestone in the context of South African apartheid and racial segregation.
  • 08 Sep 1986 Launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show: The groundbreaking daytime talk show hosted and produced by Oprah Winfrey premiered nationwide, marking the beginning of a television phenomenon that would transform media and popular culture. The first episode focused on relationship advice, specifically discussing 'How to Marry the Man or Woman of Your Choice'.
  • 09 Sep 1986 Compaq Introduces First 80386-Based Personal Computer: At the Palladium in Manhattan, New York, Compaq Computer launched the groundbreaking Compaq Deskpro 386, marking a significant milestone in personal computing. This was the first 80386-based personal computer offered by a major manufacturer. The launch included two models: the Model 40 with a 16 MHz Intel 80386 processor and 40 MB hard drive, priced at US$6,449, and the Model 130 with a 130 MB hard drive, priced at US$8,799. This introduction represented a major leap in computing power and storage capabilities for personal computers.
  • 10 Sep 1986 Bryan O'Connor Appointed Space Flight Safety Panel Chairman: Bryan O'Connor was appointed as the chairman of the US Space Flight Safety Panel on September 10, 1986. This appointment came at a critical time in NASA's history, following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster earlier that year, which highlighted the importance of rigorous safety protocols in space exploration.
  • 11 Sep 1986 Stock Market Significant Decline: The Dow Jones Industrial Average experiences its most substantial single-day point drop at that time, falling 86.61 points to 1,792.89, with an unprecedented trading volume of 237.57 million shares, indicating significant market volatility and investor uncertainty.
  • 12 Sep 1986 Michael Jackson's Captain EO Debuts at Disney: The groundbreaking 3-D film Captain EO, starring Michael Jackson and produced by Lucasfilm, premiered at the Magic Eye Theater in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. With over 150 special effects and a production cost of US$17 million (approximately US$1 million per minute), it was the most expensive film of its time, representing a significant milestone in entertainment technology and pop culture.
  • 13 Sep 1986 Devastating Kalamata Earthquake: A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Kalamata, Greece, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of X, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, widespread injuries, and extensive damage to the city's infrastructure. Approximately one-fifth of the city was completely destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and highlighting the region's seismic vulnerability.
  • 14 Sep 1986 Walter Payton Reaches Career Milestone: NFL legend Walter Payton scored his 100th career rushing touchdown and surpassed the 15,000-yard career milestone in a 13-10 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field, Chicago.
  • 15 Sep 1986 Paris Terrorist Bombing: A terrorist bomb attack occurred in Paris, resulting in one fatality. The incident highlighted the ongoing security challenges and terrorist threats facing the French capital during the mid-1980s.
  • 16 Sep 1986 Kinross Gold Mine Disaster: A catastrophic fire occurred in the Kinross gold mine located in Transvaal, South Africa, resulting in the tragic loss of 177 miners' lives. This devastating incident highlighted the severe safety challenges in the mining industry during the 1980s and prompted significant discussions about workplace safety regulations.
  • 17 Sep 1986 William Rehnquist Confirmed as Chief Justice: The United States Senate confirmed William Rehnquist as the 16th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a pivotal moment in the nation's judicial leadership that would significantly influence legal interpretations in the coming years.
  • 18 Sep 1986 Motorola 68030 Microprocessor Announcement: Motorola announces the advanced Motorola 68030 microprocessor, a significant technological milestone featuring approximately 300,000 transistors. This high-performance processor represented a major leap forward in computing technology, offering improved processing capabilities and complexity compared to its predecessors.
  • 19 Sep 1986 AZT Breakthrough for AIDS Patients: U.S. Federal health officials announce that AZT (Azidothymidine), the first antiretroviral drug, will be made available to AIDS patients, marking a significant milestone in HIV/AIDS treatment.
  • 20 Sep 1986 Historic College Football Upset: Wichita State Shockers Collapse: In a stunning turn of events, the Wichita State Shockers suffered one of the most dramatic collapses in college football history. Leading 35-3 at one point, they ultimately lost the game 36-35 to Morehead State on September 20, 1986. This extraordinary defeat represents one of the most significant single-game meltdowns in collegiate sports, where a seemingly insurmountable lead was squandered in the final moments.
  • 21 Sep 1986 38th Emmy Awards Highlights: The 38th Emmy Awards celebrate outstanding television achievements, with notable wins for 'Golden Girls', 'Cagney and Lacey', and Michael J. Fox.
  • 22 Sep 1986 Stockholm Disarmament Accord Signed: On September 22, 1986, 35 countries gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, to sign a significant international disarmament agreement, marking a crucial diplomatic effort towards reducing global military tensions during the late Cold War era.
  • 23 Sep 1986 MLB Pitching Record: Jim Deshaies Strikes Out First 8 Batters: In a remarkable pitching performance, Jim Deshaies of the Houston Astros set a major league baseball record by striking out the first eight batters of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros won the game 4-0, highlighting Deshaies' exceptional skill and precision on the mound.
  • 25 Sep 1986 Antonin Scalia Joins Supreme Court: Antonin Scalia was appointed to the United States Supreme Court, marking a pivotal moment in American judicial history. A conservative legal scholar, Scalia would become one of the most influential and controversial justices of the late 20th century.
  • 26 Sep 1986 William Rehnquist Sworn in as Chief Justice: William Hubbs Rehnquist was officially sworn in as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in the judicial history of the United States. Rehnquist, who had previously served as an Associate Justice since 1972, was elevated to the Chief Justice role, succeeding Warren E. Burger.
  • 27 Sep 1986 Major US Tax Reform Legislation: The US Senate joined the House of Representatives in passing comprehensive tax reform legislation, a significant economic policy shift that would reshape the American tax landscape. This bipartisan effort aimed to simplify the tax code and stimulate economic growth.
  • 28 Sep 1986 Democratic Progressive Party Emerges as First Opposition Party in Taiwan: The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) becomes the first significant opposition party in Taiwan, challenging the long-standing one-party rule of the Kuomintang (KMT). This marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan's political democratization, representing a new generation of political activists seeking to transform the island's political landscape.
  • 29 Sep 1986 Cold War Diplomatic Incident: Soviet Union releases American journalist Nicholas Daniloff, who was previously detained on controversial spy charges, highlighting tensions in US-USSR relations.
  • 30 Sep 1986 Mossad Kidnaps Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu: On September 30, 1986, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad conducted a covert operation in Rome, Italy, to kidnap Mordechai Vanunu, a former nuclear technician who had exposed details of Israel's secret nuclear weapons program to the British media. Vanunu's revelations were considered a significant breach of Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity and led to his subsequent trial and long-term imprisonment.