1985 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1985 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 07 Mar International release of 'We Are the World': 'We Are the World' was released internationally on March 7, 1985. This charity single, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, featured numerous prominent artists and aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Africa. The song became a significant cultural moment and raised over $60 million for humanitarian efforts. source: rollingstone.com
- 12 Mar 11th People's Choice Awards held on March 12, 1985: The 11th People's Choice Awards, honoring the best in popular culture for 1984, were held on March 12, 1985, and broadcast on CBS. The ceremony was hosted by John Forsythe. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Mar Funeral of Soviet Leader Konstantin Chernenko: Konstantin Chernenko, who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1984 until his death in 1985, was buried with military honors in Red Square on March 13, 1985. The ceremony was attended by numerous world leaders, including U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State George P. Shultz. Mikhail Gorbachev, who succeeded Chernenko as General Secretary, delivered the eulogy from atop the Lenin Mausoleum, praising Chernenko as a "true son of our party and people, a steadfast fighter for noble communist ideals." source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Mar Antti Autti birth: Antti Autti, a Finnish professional ice hockey player, was born on March 15, 1985. He has played in various leagues and is known for his skills on the ice. source: eliteprospects.com
- 21 Mar Arthur Ashe inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame: Arthur Ashe was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on March 21, 1985. He was recognized not only for his achievements in tennis, including winning three Grand Slam titles, but also for his contributions to civil rights and humanitarian efforts. Ashe remains a significant figure in both sports and social justice. source: tennisfame.com
- 28 Mar Marc Chagall dies at 97 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France: Marc Chagall, the renowned Russian-French artist known for his dreamlike paintings and stained-glass windows, passed away on March 28, 1985, at his home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. He was 97 years old at the time of his death. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Mar Death of Jeanine Deckers, Belgian Nun and Singer: Jeanine Deckers, known as "The Singing Nun," died by suicide on March 29, 1985, in Wavre, Belgium. She and her companion, Annie Pécher, took an overdose of barbiturates and alcohol, reportedly due to financial difficulties. Deckers had gained international fame in 1963 with her hit song "Dominique," but faced financial struggles in her later years. source: upi.com
- 12 May Amy Eilberg becomes first woman ordained as Conservative rabbi: On May 12, 1985, Amy Eilberg was ordained as the first female rabbi in Conservative Judaism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. This milestone followed years of debate and advocacy within the movement, culminating in the faculty's decision in 1983 to admit women to the rabbinical program. Eilberg's ordination marked a significant advancement for women in Conservative Judaism. source: jwa.org
- 03 Jun Massive anti-ETA demonstrations in Basque cities: On June 3, 1985, tens of thousands marched in Bilbao and Pamplona to protest ETA's recent terrorist attacks, including the killing of a 14-year-old schoolboy. The demonstrations were organized by the Basque autonomous government, marking a significant public repudiation of ETA's violence. source: upi.com
- 07 Jul John Scarne, magician and card game expert, dies: John Scarne, born Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia on March 4, 1903, in Steubenville, Ohio, was a renowned American magician and author specializing in card manipulation and gambling. He passed away on July 7, 1985, in North Bergen, New Jersey, at the age of 82. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Sep Herbert Bayer, influential graphic designer, dies at 85: Herbert Bayer, an Austrian-American graphic designer, painter, and architect, passed away on September 30, 1985, in Montecito, California, at the age of 85. A prominent figure in the Bauhaus movement, Bayer was instrumental in introducing European design principles to the United States. His diverse career spanned over six decades, during which he contributed significantly to art, design, and architecture. source: britannica.com
- 04 Oct Free Software Foundation founded: The Free Software Foundation (FSF) was founded on October 4, 1985, by Richard Stallman to promote computer user freedom and to defend the rights of all software users. The FSF advocates for the use of free software and supports the development of free software projects. It plays a crucial role in the free software movement, emphasizing the importance of software freedom for users. source: fsf.org
- 26 Oct Uluru returned to Anangu traditional owners: On October 26, 1985, the Australian government returned ownership of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Anangu people, marking a significant milestone in Indigenous land rights. The Anangu agreed to lease the land back to the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service for 99 years, establishing a system of joint management. This event was a culmination of decades of advocacy by the Anangu for recognition of their traditional land rights. source: dcceew.gov.au
- 23 Dec Death of Ferhat Abbas, Algerian nationalist leader: Ferhat Abbas, a prominent Algerian nationalist and politician, passed away on December 23, 1985. He was a key figure in the struggle for Algerian independence from French colonial rule and served as the first president of the provisional government of Algeria. His contributions to the independence movement and his advocacy for Algerian nationalism are well-remembered in the country's history. source: britannica.com
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