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Major Events of July 1987: 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 July 1987 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of July 1987: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Jul 1987 Single European Act Passed: The Single European Act is formally passed by European countries, marking a significant milestone in European economic integration. This treaty aimed to create a single market within the European Economic Community by 1992, removing trade barriers and promoting economic cooperation.
  • 02 Jul 1987 Tragic Immigrant Smuggling Incident in Texas: A devastating human trafficking incident occurred near Sierra Blanca, Texas, where 18 Mexican immigrants tragically died inside a locked boxcar during an illegal border crossing attempt. One survivor was found, highlighting the extreme risks and inhumane conditions faced by undocumented immigrants seeking entry into the United States.
  • 03 Jul 1987 Pauline Reade Murder Case Breakthrough: Greater Manchester Police recovered the body of 16-year-old Pauline Reade from Saddleworth Moor, with assistance from her murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, nearly 24 years after her disappearance. This development was part of the notorious Moors Murders investigation.
  • 04 Jul 1987 Klaus Barbie Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity: German Klaus Barbie, known as the 'Butcher of Lyon', was convicted by a French court and sentenced to life imprisonment for his heinous crimes against humanity during World War II. This landmark trial brought a notorious Nazi war criminal to justice decades after his atrocities.
  • 05 Jul 1987 Birth of Black Tigers: LTTE's First Suicide Attack: During the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) introduced a new and devastating tactic of suicide attacks against the Sri Lankan Army. This marked the emergence of the Black Tigers, a specialized suicide unit that would become notorious for its deadly tactics in the years to follow.
  • 06 Jul 1987 Sikh Extremist Massacre in India: The first of three significant massacres committed by Sikh extremists occurred in India, marking a period of intense religious and political tension in the country.
  • 07 Jul 1987 Lt. Col. Oliver North Testifies in Iran-Contra Hearings: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North began his highly anticipated public testimony before the Iran-Contra Congressional Committee, providing dramatic and controversial insights into the Reagan administration's covert operations involving arms sales to Iran and funding of Nicaraguan Contras.
  • 08 Jul 1987 Sun Microsystems Launches First SPARC-Based Computer System: Sun Microsystems introduced the Sun-4/260, a groundbreaking SPARC-based computer system capable of delivering 10 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) performance, marking a significant milestone in computer technology and workstation development.
  • 09 Jul 1987 Iran-Contra Scandal Testimony: Colonel Oliver North testified before Congress on July 9, 1987, and admitted to deliberately destroying sensitive documents related to the Iran-Contra affair, a controversial covert operation that involved selling arms to Iran and illegally funding Nicaraguan Contras.
  • 10 Jul 1987 Oliver North Testifies in Iran-Contra Affair Congressional Hearing: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North provided testimony before the United States Congress regarding his pivotal role in the Iran-Contra affair, a complex political scandal that involved the covert sale of arms to Iran and the subsequent use of those funds to support anti-Sandinista rebels (Contras) in Nicaragua. North, a key figure in the Reagan administration's National Security Council, became a central character in revealing the intricate and potentially illegal operations that challenged the legal and ethical boundaries of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War era.
  • 11 Jul 1987 World Population Milestone: 5 Billion People: The United Nations officially records the global population reaching 5 billion people, marking a significant demographic milestone in human history.
  • 12 Jul 1987 White South Africans Meet ANC Representatives: In a groundbreaking meeting, 50 white South Africans engage in discussions with representatives from the African National Congress (ANC) in Dakar, Senegal. This meeting represents an important step towards dialogue and potential reconciliation during the apartheid era.
  • 13 Jul 1987 Bette Midler's Lawsuit Against Ford Motor Co Dismissed: In a significant legal decision, a federal judge dismissed Bette Midler's $10 million lawsuit against Ford Motor Company. The case centered around Ford's use of a sound-alike singer to mimic Midler's distinctive voice in television commercials without her permission. This ruling raised important questions about celebrity voice rights and commercial appropriation of artistic identity.
  • 14 Jul 1987 Taiwan Ends Martial Law: Taiwan officially terminated 37 years of martial law, marking a significant milestone in the country's political evolution towards democratic governance and human rights.
  • 15 Jul 1987 Iran-Contra Hearings: Poindexter Testimony: National Security Advisor John Poindexter testified before Congress during the Iran-Contra hearings, a pivotal moment in investigating the Reagan administration's controversial covert operations involving arms sales to Iran and funding of Nicaraguan Contras.
  • 16 Jul 1987 British Nuclear Test in Nevada: Great Britain conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing programs, which were significant in the geopolitical landscape of the late 1980s.
  • 17 Jul 1987 Don Mattingly's Historic Home Run Streak: New York Yankees' first baseman Don Mattingly made baseball history by becoming the first American League player to hit a home run in seven consecutive games, showcasing exceptional batting prowess.
  • 18 Jul 1987 Molly Yard Elected President of NOW: Molly Yard was elected as the new president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), a prominent feminist organization in the United States. Her election marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for women's rights and gender equality during the late 1980s.
  • 19 Jul 1987 Nick Faldo Wins 116th British Golf Open: Nick Faldo won the 116th British Golf Open, shooting an impressive total score of 279 at the historic Muirfield course in Gullane, Scotland. This victory solidified Faldo's reputation as a top professional golfer and marked a significant moment in his career.
  • 20 Jul 1987 UN Security Council Resolution 598 on Iran-Iraq War: The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 598, which strongly condemns the ongoing Iran-Iraq War and demands an immediate cease-fire between the two nations. This resolution represents a significant diplomatic effort to halt the prolonged and devastating conflict that had been raging since 1980.
  • 21 Jul 1987 Kristi Addis Crowned Miss Teen USA: Kristi Addis, representing the state of Mississippi, was crowned as the 5th Miss Teen USA in a national pageant on July 21, 1987. The competition, which highlights the achievements and talents of teenage women across the United States, recognized Addis for her poise, intelligence, and representation of youth leadership.
  • 22 Jul 1987 Gorbachev's Nuclear Missile Ban Announcement: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announced his acceptance of banning intermediate-range nuclear missiles, a significant diplomatic gesture towards improving relations with the United States during the late Cold War period.
  • 23 Jul 1987 Twin Cities Superstorm of 1987: A catastrophic meteorological event struck the Twin Cities area, producing unprecedented rainfall. Over ten inches of rain fell in just eight hours, with 9.15 inches occurring in a five-hour period. The storm spawned a tornado near Goose Lake, causing extensive damage in Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park suburbs. The event resulted in two flood-related fatalities and over $30 million in property damage.
  • 24 Jul 1987 US Supertanker SS Bridgeton Mine Collision: During the Iran-Iraq War, the US supertanker SS Bridgeton collided with mines laid by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Persian Gulf, sustaining significant damage with a 43-square-meter dent in its hull. This incident highlighted the dangerous maritime conditions during the conflict.
  • 25 Jul 1987 Brundtland Commission Report Published: The World Commission on Environment and Development, also known as the Brundtland Commission, released its landmark report 'Our Common Future'. This report was pivotal in introducing the concept of sustainable development and highlighting the interconnection between environmental protection and economic development.
  • 26 Jul 1987 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Catfish Hunter, Billy Williams, and Ray Dandridge were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, honoring their significant contributions to the sport of baseball.
  • 27 Jul 1987 John Demjanjuk Trial in Israel: John Demjanjuk, accused of being the notorious Nazi concentration camp guard 'Ivan the Terrible', testified in an Israeli court, continuing a high-profile war crimes prosecution that drew international attention.
  • 28 Jul 1987 Kylie Minogue Launches Music Career: Australian pop star Kylie Minogue makes her professional music debut by releasing a dance-pop cover of 'The Loco-Motion', which quickly becomes a chart-topping hit in Australia and marks the beginning of her influential international music career.
  • 29 Jul 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord Signed: Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and President of Sri Lanka J. R. Jayewardene signed a landmark accord addressing ethnic tensions and political challenges between the two nations, aiming to resolve long-standing conflicts in Sri Lanka's northern and eastern provinces.
  • 30 Jul 1987 UK Singles Chart Number One Hit: It's A Sin by Pet Shop Boys: The Pet Shop Boys' synth-pop hit 'It's A Sin' dominated the UK Singles Chart during the week of July 27th to August 2nd, 1987. The song was part of their critically acclaimed album 'Actually' and highlighted the band's significant influence on 1980s electronic music.
  • 31 Jul 1987 Edmonton Tornado Disaster: A devastating Force 4 tornado struck eastern Edmonton, Alberta, causing massive destruction in industrial and residential areas. The catastrophic event resulted in 27 fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and left numerous residents homeless and jobless.