1987 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1987 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan Frobisher Bay renamed to Iqaluit: On January 1, 1987, Frobisher Bay, a community in the Canadian Arctic, was officially renamed Iqaluit. The name change was part of a broader movement to recognize and honor the indigenous Inuit population. source: upi.com
- 24 Jan Second civil rights march in Forsyth County, Georgia, attracts 20,000 participants: On January 24, 1987, approximately 20,000 civil rights activists marched in Forsyth County, Georgia, to protest the county's history of racial exclusion. The demonstration was met by about 1,000 counter-demonstrators, including members of white supremacist groups. Despite sporadic rock-throwing and 60 counter-demonstrators being arrested, the march proceeded without significant interruption. The event was one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in the South since the 1960s. source: law.cornell.edu
- 22 Feb Death of artist Andy Warhol: Andy Warhol, the influential American artist known for his role in the pop art movement, passed away on February 22, 1987. His work, which included iconic pieces featuring Campbell's Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe, left a lasting impact on contemporary art and culture. Warhol's death was attributed to complications following gallbladder surgery. source: theguardian.com
- 02 Mar Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' tops Billboard Hot 100: On March 2, 1987, Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' was the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song had been at the top since February 14, 1987, and remained there for four consecutive weeks. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Mar Dorothy Hamill marries Dr. Kenneth Forsythe in Anchorage, Alaska: On March 5, 1987, Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill married Dr. Kenneth Forsythe, a Los Angeles-based sports physician, in a simple ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska. Both Hamill and Forsythe were previously married; Hamill had been married to singer/actor Dean Paul Martin from 1982 to 1984. The couple had a daughter named Alexandra before divorcing in 1995. source: upi.com
- 09 Mar The Mariners’ Museum designated as principal repository for Monitor artifacts: On March 9, 1987, The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia, was designated as the principal repository for artifacts recovered from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. This designation recognized the museum's role in conserving and displaying significant artifacts from the USS Monitor, including the turret, steam engine, and propeller. source: monitor.noaa.gov
- 10 Mar Vatican opposes reproductive technologies: On March 10, 1987, the Vatican issued a statement opposing various reproductive technologies, emphasizing the sanctity of life and traditional family values. This position was part of a broader stance against artificial reproductive methods, which the Church believes undermine the natural process of procreation. source: catholicnews.com
- 12 Mar Congress designates March as Women's History Month: On March 12, 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating the month of March as Women's History Month. This followed a series of annual proclamations by U.S. presidents since 1988, honoring the contributions of American women throughout history. source: congress.gov
- 14 Mar 13th People's Choice Awards held on March 14, 1987: The 13th People's Choice Awards, honoring the best in popular culture for 1986, were held on March 14, 1987, and broadcast on CBS. The ceremony was hosted by Dick Van Dyke and featured winners such as Meryl Streep for Favorite Motion Picture Actress and 'Top Gun' for Favorite Motion Picture. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 Mar Tiiu Kuik: Estonian fashion model: Tiiu Kuik, born on March 16, 1987, in Tallinn, Estonia, is a prominent Estonian fashion model. Discovered at age 13 in an Estonian supermarket by model scout Paolo Moglia, she began her modeling career in Japan and later in Italy. She has walked the runways for over 50 designers, including Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, and appeared on the covers of magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, and multiple Vogue editions. She has also been featured in advertising campaigns for brands such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Moschino. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Mar Jim Bakker resigns from PTL Ministries amid scandal: On March 19, 1987, televangelist Jim Bakker resigned as chairman of the PTL television ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties. He was succeeded by Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, who took over the ministry's leadership. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Mar Club Nouveau's 'Lean On Me' reaches number one on Billboard Hot 100: Club Nouveau's cover of 'Lean On Me' topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks, starting March 21, 1987. The song also reached number one on the Dance Club Play chart and number two on the Hot Black Singles chart. It won a Grammy Award in 1987 for Best R&B Song, awarded to writer Bill Withers. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Mar Eugen Jochum, German conductor, dies at 84: Eugen Jochum, a renowned German conductor celebrated for his interpretations of composers like Anton Bruckner and Johannes Brahms, passed away on March 26, 1987, in Munich, Germany, at the age of 84. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 29 Mar WrestleMania III held in Pontiac, Michigan: WrestleMania III took place on March 29, 1987, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. This event is famous for the iconic match between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant, which featured Hogan body slamming André. It set attendance records with over 93,000 fans and is considered a pivotal moment in professional wrestling history. source: britannica.com
- 30 Mar Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' sold for record $39.85 million at Christie's auction: On March 30, 1987, Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' was sold at Christie's auction house in London for $39.85 million, setting a new record for the most expensive painting sold at auction at that time. The painting was purchased by the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Japan, which considered the acquisition a unique opportunity. The sale price was more than three times the previous record of $11.7 million paid in April 1985 for Andrea Mantegna's 'Adoration of the Magi.' source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Apr Al Campanis resigns from Dodgers after controversial remarks: Al Campanis, Vice President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, resigned on April 8, 1987, following racially insensitive comments made during an interview on ABC's "Nightline." In the interview, Campanis suggested that African Americans lacked the "necessities" to become field managers or general managers in baseball. The remarks sparked immediate backlash from the public and civil rights leaders, leading to his resignation. Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley stated that Campanis' comments were "so far removed from what the organization believes that it is impossible for Al to continue his responsibilities." source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Apr Driving Miss Daisy Off-Broadway premiere: Alfred Uhry's play 'Driving Miss Daisy' premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons Studio Theatre in New York City on April 15, 1987. The production, directed by Ron Lagomarsino, featured Dana Ivey as Daisy Werthan and Morgan Freeman as Hoke Coleburn. It ran for 1,195 performances before closing on June 3, 1990. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Jul Kiwanis Clubs vote to admit women as members: On July 7, 1987, the Kiwanis International organization voted to allow women to become members of the clubs, marking a significant change in the organization's policy. This decision was part of a broader movement towards inclusivity within service organizations. The vote reflected changing societal norms regarding gender roles and participation in civic life. source: nytimes.com
- 09 Aug Harmonic Convergence: Followers of the Harmonic Convergence, a New Age spiritual event, claimed global observance on this date, representing a significant moment in alternative spiritual movements.
- 17 Sep Philadelphia celebrates Constitution's 200th anniversary with parade and presidential address: On September 17, 1987, Philadelphia commemorated the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution with a parade featuring 20,000 marchers, including descendants of the Constitution's signers, and a nationally broadcast address by President Ronald Reagan at Independence Hall. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 10 Oct Mass same-sex wedding ceremony held on National Mall in Washington, D.C.: On October 10, 1987, approximately 2,000 same-sex couples participated in a mass wedding ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event aimed to protest the lack of recognition of same-sex domestic partnerships in the U.S. tax code. The ceremony was part of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, a six-day demonstration advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. source: nytimes.com
- 11 Oct Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights: On October 11, 1987, approximately 750,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This event, often referred to as "The Great March," was organized to demand equal civil rights, the repeal of sodomy laws, and increased funding for AIDS research and patient care. It marked the first national coverage of ACT UP, with AIDS activists prominently participating in the march and subsequent civil disobedience actions at the U.S. Supreme Court Building. source: washingtonpost.com
- 03 Dec Death of St. Francis Xavier: St. Francis Xavier, a leading Roman Catholic missionary of the early modern period, died of fever off the coast of China. A key figure in the Jesuit missionary movement, he played a crucial role in spreading Christianity in Asia, particularly in India, Japan, and China.
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