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

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

  • 01 Oct 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake Devastates San Gabriel Valley: On October 1, 1987, a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The earthquake, with a Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), resulted in eight fatalities, over 200 injuries, approximately 2,200 people left homeless, and damage to more than 10,400 buildings. The seismic event was strongly felt across much of southern California, highlighting the region's geological vulnerability.
  • 02 Oct 1987 US Presidential Leadership: Ronald Reagan served as the President of the United States, leading the country during the final years of the Cold War and implementing significant economic and foreign policy reforms.
  • 03 Oct 1987 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement Reached: A landmark trade agreement between Canada and the United States is negotiated, which would later serve as the foundation for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement signifies a major step in economic integration between the two countries.
  • 04 Oct 1987 Launch of Sputnik: Beginning of Space Age: The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. Approximately the size of a beach ball and weighing 183.9 pounds, Sputnik completed an elliptical orbit of Earth in about 98 minutes, marking the start of the Space Race and human space exploration.
  • 05 Oct 1987 Birth of Carla Esparza, Mixed Martial Arts Champion: Carla Esparza, a talented American mixed martial artist, was born on October 5, 1987. She would later become a prominent figure in the UFC, known for her impressive fighting skills and competitive spirit in the women's strawweight division.
  • 06 Oct 1987 Microsoft Excel Debuts for Windows 2.0: Microsoft launches Excel spreadsheet software for Windows 2.0, representing a pivotal moment in personal computing and business productivity software development.
  • 07 Oct 1987 Sikh Nationalists Declare Khalistan Independence: On October 7, 1987, Sikh nationalist groups attempted to declare the independence of Khalistan, a proposed sovereign state in the Punjab region of India. This declaration was a result of long-standing tensions between Sikh separatists and the Indian government, seeking autonomy and recognition. However, the declaration was not internationally recognized, and the Indian government maintained its territorial control over the region.
  • 08 Oct 1987 Hashimpura Massacre: The Hashimpura massacre was a tragic incident of extrajudicial killing that occurred in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. During this event, members of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) systematically killed Muslim civilians, representing a severe human rights violation and a dark chapter in Indian communal history.
  • 09 Oct 1987 William Parry Murphy Nobel Laureate Commemoration: William Parry Murphy, a distinguished American physician who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is remembered on this date. Born in 1892, Murphy made significant contributions to medical science that were recognized by the Nobel Committee.
  • 10 Oct 1987 First Mass Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony: A groundbreaking event occurred on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the first mass same-sex wedding ceremony, featuring nearly 7,000 attendees and signaling growing LGBTQ+ visibility and advocacy.
  • 11 Oct 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights: A massive demonstration attracting between 500,000 and 600,000 people protested the Bowers v. Hardwick Supreme Court decision and the U.S. government's inadequate response to the AIDS epidemic. This historic event marked the first public display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, a powerful symbol of remembrance and activism for those lost to AIDS.
  • 12 Oct 1987 Costa Rican President Wins Nobel Peace Prize: Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his significant diplomatic efforts in resolving conflicts in Central America during the 1980s, particularly his work in promoting peace negotiations between warring factions in the region.
  • 13 Oct 1987 Oscar Arias Wins Nobel Peace Prize: Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his instrumental role in developing a comprehensive peace plan aimed at resolving conflicts among Central American states. His diplomatic efforts were crucial in promoting regional stability during a period of significant political tension.
  • 14 Oct 1987 Baby Jessica Well Rescue: 18-month-old Jessica McClure, nicknamed "Baby Jessica", fell down an abandoned well in Midland, Texas, sparking a dramatic and nationally televised rescue operation that lasted 58 hours. The incident captured the nation's attention and became a significant media event, highlighting community solidarity and emergency response capabilities.
  • 15 Oct 1987 Black Monday Stock Market Crash: A catastrophic global financial event where stock markets worldwide experienced dramatic and sudden declines, particularly severe on Wall Street, signaling a major economic disruption.
  • 16 Oct 1987 Dow Jones Experiences Significant Drop: The Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered its first-ever drop exceeding 100 points, falling by 108.35 points. This event was a precursor to the stock market crash known as Black Monday, which would occur shortly after.
  • 17 Oct 1987 First World Series Game in Covered Stadium: The 84th World Series made history by hosting its first-ever indoor baseball game at the Minnesota Metrodome. This groundbreaking event marked a significant moment in baseball infrastructure and fan experience, showcasing how stadiums were evolving to provide more controlled and comfortable environments for spectators.
  • 18 Oct 1987 Black Monday Market Preparations: Global financial markets experienced significant pre-crash volatility, with early warning signs of an impending massive stock market downturn. Investors and traders began to sense an unprecedented economic turbulence that would lead to one of the most significant single-day market crashes in financial history.
  • 19 Oct 1987 Black Monday: Global Stock Market Crash: On October 19, 1987, global stock markets experienced a catastrophic collapse known as Black Monday. This unprecedented financial event saw stock markets around the world dramatically plummet, signaling the first major financial crisis of the modern globalized era.
  • 20 Oct 1987 US Air Force Jet Crash in Indianapolis: A tragic aviation accident occurred when a US Air Force jet crashed into a Ramada Inn near Indianapolis, Indiana, resulting in the deaths of 10 people. The incident highlighted the potential risks of military aviation and urban proximity.
  • 21 Oct 1987 Jaffna Hospital Massacre: The Indian Peace Keeping Force conducted a tragic massacre at Jaffna Hospital in Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of 70 ethnic Tamil patients, doctors, and nurses, marking a significant and brutal moment in the Sri Lankan conflict.
  • 22 Oct 1987 Senate Rejects Robert Bork Supreme Court Nomination: In a significant political moment, the United States Senate rejected President Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court with a vote of 58-42, a decision that would have lasting implications for judicial appointments.
  • 23 Oct 1987 Senate Rejects Robert Bork's Supreme Court Nomination: On October 23, 1987, the United States Senate rejected President Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert H. Bork to the Supreme Court in a highly contentious vote of 58-42. This rejection was a significant moment in judicial nomination history, reflecting deep political divisions over judicial philosophy and interpretation of constitutional rights.
  • 24 Oct 1987 NBC Technicians Strike Resolution: NBC technicians successfully negotiated and accepted a labor agreement, bringing an end to a prolonged 118-day strike that had significantly disrupted the network's operations. The resolution marked a pivotal moment in media labor relations during the late 1980s.
  • 25 Oct 1987 Minnesota Twins Win First World Series Championship: In a thrilling display of baseball prowess, the Minnesota Twins clinched their inaugural World Series title by defeating the Saint Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3 in the 84th World Series. This historic victory marked a significant milestone for the franchise, showcasing their skill and determination on the national stage.
  • 26 Oct 1987 Black Monday Stock Market Decline: On October 26, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant drop of 156.83 points, contributing to the broader market crash known as Black Monday, which was one of the most significant financial events of the 1980s.
  • 27 Oct 1987 South Korea Approves New Constitution: South Korean voters overwhelmingly endorsed a new constitution, marking a significant moment in the country's democratic transition and political reform during the late 1980s.
  • 28 Oct 1987 AndrĂ© Masson, Surrealist Artist, Dies: AndrĂ© Masson, a prominent French surrealist artist known for his complex and symbolic works like 'Labyrinth', passed away at the age of 91. Born in 1896, Masson was a significant figure in the Surrealist movement, known for his innovative artistic techniques and exploration of the subconscious through art.
  • 29 Oct 1987 Thomas Hearns Makes Boxing History: Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns achieved a remarkable milestone in professional boxing by winning an unprecedented fourth world championship title in different weight classes, demonstrating extraordinary versatility and skill across multiple boxing divisions.
  • 30 Oct 1987 George Michael Releases 'Faith' Album: On October 30, 1987, pop icon George Michael released his debut solo album 'Faith', which would become a landmark record in 1980s pop music. The album showcased Michael's transition from his Wham! days to a successful solo career, featuring hit singles that would define the era's musical landscape.
  • 31 Oct 1987 Jockey Breaks Single-Day Racing Record: Chris Antley makes horse racing history by becoming the first jockey to win nine races in a single day, showcasing exceptional skill and versatility across multiple racing venues.