Major Events of June 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 June 1987 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of June 1987: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jun 1987 Niekro Brothers Set MLB Wins Record: Phil Niekro, a Cleveland Indians pitcher, defeats the Detroit Tigers 9-6, securing his 314th Major League Baseball victory. This milestone, combined with his brother Joe Niekro's 216 wins, establishes the record for most combined wins by brothers in baseball history, totaling 530 wins.
- 02 Jun 1987 Ken Griffey Jr. Drafted First Overall by Seattle Mariners: The Seattle Mariners selected Ken Griffey Jr. as the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft, a pivotal moment that would launch the career of one of baseball's most iconic players. Griffey Jr. would go on to become a Hall of Famer and one of the most celebrated outfielders in baseball history.
- 03 Jun 1987 Vanuatu Labour Party Founding: Trade unionists in Vanuatu established the Vanuatu Labour Party, marking a significant moment in the country's political development and labor movement.
- 04 Jun 1987 Edwin Moses' Historic Hurdle Winning Streak Ends: In a remarkable moment in track and field history, Danny Harris defeated Edwin Moses, bringing an end to Moses' extraordinary 122-consecutive hurdle race winning streak. This unprecedented run had spanned nearly a decade, making Moses one of the most dominant athletes in track and field during the 1980s. The match took place in Madrid, Spain, marking a significant turning point in Moses' legendary career.
- 05 Jun 1987 Edwin Moses' Winning Streak Ends: Legendary American hurdler Edwin Moses' remarkable 122-race winning streak, which spanned nearly a decade, was finally broken by Danny Harris in Madrid, Spain, marking the end of an extraordinary athletic achievement.
- 06 Jun 1987 Steffi Graf's Historic French Open Victory: 17-year-old German tennis prodigy Steffi Graf defeats World #1 Martina Navratilova in an epic French Open Women's Tennis final, winning 6-4, 4-6, 8-6. This match marks Graf's first Grand Slam victory and signals the emergence of a new tennis superstar.
- 07 Jun 1987 Ivan Lendl Retains French Open Men's Tennis Title: In a thrilling display of skill, Czech tennis champion Ivan Lendl successfully defended his French Open title, defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander in a four-set match with scores of 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6.
- 08 Jun 1987 New Zealand Establishes Nuclear-Free Zone: On June 8, 1987, New Zealand's Labour government passed groundbreaking legislation that prohibited nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered vessels from its territory. This landmark act made New Zealand the first nation in the world to comprehensively ban nuclear technologies from its sovereign space, setting a significant precedent in global disarmament efforts.
- 09 Jun 1987 Brooke Shields Graduates from Princeton University: On June 9, 1987, actress and model Brooke Shields completed her undergraduate degree at Princeton University. She was warmly embraced by her mother, Teri Shields, during the graduation ceremony, symbolizing a proud moment of academic achievement. Shields, known for her early modeling and acting career, demonstrated her commitment to education by graduating from one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions.
- 10 Jun 1987 June Democratic Struggle in South Korea: The June Democratic Struggle was a pivotal nationwide pro-democracy movement in South Korea, where citizens massively protested against the authoritarian government, demanding democratic reforms and greater political freedoms. The protests, which ran from June 10 to 29, 1987, represented a critical moment in South Korean political history that ultimately led to significant democratic transformations.
- 11 Jun 1987 Margaret Thatcher's Historic Third Term: Margaret Thatcher became the first British Prime Minister in 160 years to win three consecutive terms, solidifying her significant political influence during the 1980s. Her re-election marked a pivotal moment in British political history, demonstrating the Conservative Party's strong electoral support.
- 12 Jun 1987 Reagan's Berlin Wall Challenge: U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivered a powerful speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, challenging Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to 'Tear down this wall!' This iconic moment symbolized the United States' stance against Soviet oppression and became a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy.
- 13 Jun 1987 Epic Transcontinental Bicycle Journey Across the Americas: Daniel Buettner, Bret Anderson, Martin Engel, and Anne Knabe completed an extraordinary cycling expedition spanning 15,266 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Argentina. This remarkable journey traversed multiple countries and diverse terrains, showcasing human endurance and adventurous spirit.
- 14 Jun 1987 Los Angeles Lakers Win NBA Championship: The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 to win the 41st NBA Championship, clinching the series 4 games to 2. This victory further solidified the Lakers' dominance in the 1980s and added to their storied rivalry with the Celtics.
- 15 Jun 1987 Italian Socialist Party Election Victory: Bettino Craxi's Socialist Party wins a significant electoral victory in Italy, solidifying the party's political influence during the late 1980s.
- 16 Jun 1987 Bernhard Goetz Subway Shooting Trial Verdict: Subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz was acquitted on all charges except gun possession after shooting four young Black men during an alleged robbery attempt in the New York City subway. The controversial case sparked intense national debates about self-defense, racial tensions, and urban crime in the 1980s.
- 17 Jun 1987 Supreme Court Ruling on Creation Science: In Edwards v. Aguillard, the United States Supreme Court rules that Louisiana's law mandating the teaching of creation science alongside evolution in public schools is unconstitutional. This landmark decision reinforces the separation of church and state in educational settings.
- 18 Jun 1987 ABC Journalist Charles Glass Kidnapped in Lebanon: Charles Glass, a prominent American journalist working for ABC News, was abducted in Beirut, Lebanon during a period of intense political instability and sectarian conflict. His kidnapping highlighted the extreme dangers faced by foreign journalists in the volatile Middle Eastern region during the late 1980s.
- 19 Jun 1987 Supreme Court Evolution Education Ruling: The United States Supreme Court ruled that public schools are not required to teach creation science alongside evolution, upholding the separation of church and state in educational curriculum.
- 20 Jun 1987 Johnny Carson's Fourth Marriage: Renowned television host Johnny Carson married Alexis Mass, his fourth wife, in a private ceremony. Carson, best known for hosting 'The Tonight Show' for three decades, continued his personal life's pattern of multiple marriages while maintaining his status as a beloved entertainment icon.
- 21 Jun 1987 First Black Solo Sailor to Circumnavigate the Globe: Teddy Seymour completes a historic solo sailing circumnavigation, becoming the first Black man to sail around the world. He concludes his remarkable journey in Frederiksted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, marking a significant milestone in maritime and racial achievement.
- 22 Jun 1987 Death of Fred Astaire: Iconic American actor and dancer Fred Astaire passed away at Century City Hospital in Los Angeles at age 88. A legendary performer who revolutionized dance in film, Astaire was renowned for his extraordinary grace, style, and numerous classic Hollywood musical performances.
- 23 Jun 1987 Supernova 1987A Observed: Supernova 1987A becomes the first supernova visible to the naked eye since 1604, marking a significant astronomical event that sparked global scientific interest. Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, this stellar explosion provided researchers with an unprecedented opportunity to study stellar death and cosmic phenomena.
- 24 Jun 1987 Birth of Lionel Messi: Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, was born in Rosario, Argentina. He would go on to become a global sports icon, winning numerous awards including multiple Ballon d'Or titles and leading both FC Barcelona and the Argentine national team to significant victories.
- 25 Jun 1987 Papal Meeting with Austrian President: Pope John Paul II held a diplomatic meeting with Austrian President Kurt Waldheim, engaging in discussions likely related to international relations and diplomatic cooperation between the Vatican and Austria.
- 26 Jun 1987 UN Establishes International Day Against Drug Abuse: The United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This global observance aims to raise worldwide awareness about the significant societal challenges posed by illegal drugs and to promote comprehensive strategies for prevention, treatment, and interdiction of drug abuse and trafficking.
- 27 Jun 1987 Chemical Weapons Attack on Sardasht, Iran: During the Iran-Iraq War, Iraqi warplanes conducted a devastating chemical weapons attack on the Iranian town of Sardasht, dropping mustard gas bombs on four residential areas. This marked the first known instance of a civilian town being targeted with chemical weapons, representing a significant escalation in warfare and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
- 28 Jun 1987 Chemical Warfare Against Civilians in Sardasht: In a horrific milestone of military history, Iraqi warplanes conducted a chemical attack on the Iranian town of Sardasht, marking the first deliberate targeting of a civilian population with chemical weapons. This event represents a severe violation of international humanitarian law and a tragic escalation of the Iran-Iraq War.
- 29 Jun 1987 South Korean Democracy Reforms Speech: South Korean President Roh Tae-Woo delivers a landmark speech promising comprehensive nationwide reforms, directly stemming from the June Democracy Movement. This pivotal moment signaled a significant shift towards democratic governance in South Korea, marking a critical transition from authoritarian rule.
- 30 Jun 1987 Reagan Nominates Robert Bork to Supreme Court: U.S. President Ronald Reagan nominated Robert Bork, a former Solicitor General, to the Supreme Court. This nomination was historically significant as Bork would become the first and only Supreme Court nominee to be rejected by the Senate, marking a pivotal moment in judicial appointment politics.