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Major Events of December 1982: 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 December 1982 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1982: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1982 Miguel de la Madrid becomes President of Mexico: Miguel de la Madrid was inaugurated as the 59th President of Mexico on December 1, 1982, succeeding José López Portillo. He served from 1982 to 1988, implementing neoliberal economic reforms to address the country's severe economic crisis. source: britannica.com
  • 02 Dec 1982 First permanent artificial heart implanted in Dr. Barney Clark: On December 2, 1982, Dr. William DeVries implanted the Jarvik-7 artificial heart into Dr. Barney Clark, a retired dentist from Seattle, at the University of Utah Medical Center. This marked the first successful implantation of a permanent artificial heart, a significant milestone in medical history. Dr. Clark survived for 112 days post-surgery before passing away from circulatory collapse and multi-organ system failure. source: smithsonianmag.com
  • 03 Dec 1982 First permanent artificial heart transplant performed: On December 3, 1982, Dr. Barney Clark received the first permanent artificial heart, known as the Jarvik-7, at the University of Utah. This groundbreaking surgery marked a significant milestone in medical technology, providing a new option for patients with severe heart disease. Clark lived for 112 days post-surgery, raising both hope and ethical questions about artificial organ transplantation. source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • 04 Dec 1982 China adopts new constitution in 1982: On December 4, 1982, China adopted a new constitution, marking a significant legal and political reform in the country. This constitution emphasized the leadership of the Communist Party and aimed to modernize China's legal framework. It has undergone several amendments since its adoption, reflecting changes in China's political landscape. source: loc.gov
  • 05 Dec 1982 Chris Evert defeats Martina Navratilova in 1982 Australian Open women's singles final: On December 5, 1982, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 in the women's singles final at the Australian Open, held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne. This victory marked Evert's first Australian Open title and her 14th major singles title overall, completing her career Grand Slam. source: tennis.com
  • 06 Dec 1982 Droppin' Well bombing in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland: On December 6, 1982, the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) detonated a time bomb at the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The explosion killed 17 people—11 soldiers and 6 civilians—and injured dozens more. The pub was frequented by British Army soldiers from the nearby Shackleton Barracks. The INLA claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was aimed at British soldiers and their associates. The bombing was one of the deadliest incidents during the Troubles, leading to widespread condemnation. source: bbc.co.uk
  • 07 Dec 1982 Suriname army attacks radio station: On December 7, 1982, the Surinamese army attacked a radio station in Paramaribo, leading to significant unrest. This incident was part of a broader context of political turmoil in Suriname during that period. source: bbc.com
  • 08 Dec 1982 December Murders in Suriname: On December 8, 1982, fifteen prominent individuals—including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, and military officers—were arrested by Surinamese military police and taken to Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo. They were tortured and executed without trial, an event known as the December Murders. The victims included John Baboeram, Bram Behr, Cyrill Daal, Kenneth Gonçalves, Eddy Hoost, André Kamperveen, Gerard Leckie, Sugrim Oemrawsingh, Lesley Rahman, Surendre Rambocus, Harold Riedewald, Jiwansingh Sheombar, Jozef Slagveer, Robby Sohansingh, and Frank Wijngaarde. The military regime, led by Dési Bouterse, claimed the victims were killed while attempting to escape, but evidence indicated they were executed. This event led to international condemnation and had a lasting impact on Suriname's political landscape. source: apnews.com
  • 09 Dec 1982 World Boxing Council reduces title fights to 12 rounds: On December 9, 1982, the World Boxing Council (WBC) announced a reduction in the length of world title fights from 15 to 12 rounds, effective January 1, 1983. This decision aimed to enhance boxer safety by minimizing the risk of injuries that often occur in the later rounds of matches. The move was influenced by public concern over the safety of the sport, particularly following the death of South Korean lightweight Duk Koo Kim after a 14th-round knockout by Ray Mancini. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 10 Dec 1982 Soyuz T-5 mission completes with safe landing: On December 10, 1982, the Soyuz T-5 spacecraft, carrying cosmonauts Anatoli Berezovoy and Valentin Lebedev, safely landed on Earth after a 211-day mission to the Salyut 7 space station. During their stay, they conducted various scientific and medical experiments and were visited by four uncrewed cargo Progress vehicles and two Soyuz missions. The crew returned aboard the Soyuz T-7 spacecraft. source: spacelaunchnow.me
  • 11 Dec 1982 ABBA's final live performance on The Late, Late Breakfast Show: On December 11, 1982, ABBA performed their last live concert together on the British TV program The Late, Late Breakfast Show, broadcast live from Stockholm. The performance included songs like 'Under Attack' and 'I Have A Dream', marking the end of their public appearances as a group until their reunion in 2016. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 12 Dec 1982 Massive Women's Peace Protest at Greenham Common: On December 12, 1982, approximately 30,000 women formed a human chain around the nine-mile perimeter of the Greenham Common U.S. Air Force base in Berkshire, England, protesting the stationing of American cruise missiles there. This event, known as 'Embrace the Base,' was a significant demonstration against nuclear weapons and marked a pivotal moment in the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp movement. source: theguardian.com
  • 13 Dec 1982 1982 North Yemen earthquake: On December 13, 1982, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near Dhamar, North Yemen, resulting in approximately 2,800 fatalities and 1,500 injuries. The earthquake caused extensive damage, particularly to traditional stone and adobe dwellings, and was the first instrumentally recorded major earthquake in the region. source: pubs.usgs.gov
  • 14 Dec 1982 Marcel Dionne scores 500th NHL goal with Los Angeles Kings: On December 14, 1982, Marcel Dionne became the ninth player in NHL history to reach 500 career goals, achieving this milestone while playing for the Los Angeles Kings. The goal was scored against the Washington Capitals, with goaltender Al Jensen in net. Dionne's 500th goal contributed to the Kings' 4-2 victory over the Capitals. source: espn.com
  • 15 Dec 1982 Roy Lee Williams and associates convicted of bribery: On December 15, 1982, Roy Lee Williams, interim president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and four others were convicted of conspiring to bribe Senator Howard W. Cannon to oppose trucking deregulation legislation. The scheme involved offering Cannon a 5.8-acre tract of land at a reduced price in exchange for his support. Williams was sentenced to 55 years in prison on March 31, 1983, and resigned from his position on April 14, 1983. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 16 Dec 1982 Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, dies at 54: Colin Chapman, the English design engineer and founder of Lotus Cars, died of a heart attack on December 16, 1982, at his home in Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was 54 years old. Chapman's innovative approach to automotive engineering led to significant advancements in Formula One racing and the production of cutting-edge sports cars. source: motorsportmagazine.com
  • 17 Dec 1982 Leonid Kogan, renowned Soviet violinist, dies at 58: Leonid Kogan, a leading Soviet violinist for 35 years, died on December 17, 1982, at the age of 58. He passed away suddenly from a heart attack while traveling by train near Mytishchi, Russia, en route to a concert with his son, conductor and violinist Pavel Kogan. Kogan was a prominent figure in the Soviet School of violin playing and was known for his exceptional technical skill and profound musical interpretations. source: upi.com
  • 18 Dec 1982 Marvin Gaye's 'Sexual Healing' tops R&B charts: Marvin Gaye's 'Sexual Healing' reached number one on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart on November 6, 1982, and maintained the top position for ten consecutive weeks, including December 18, 1982. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 20 Dec 1982 First permanent artificial heart implantation performed: On December 20, 1982, Dr. Barney Clark became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart, known as the Jarvik-7. This groundbreaking surgery marked a significant milestone in medical technology, providing a new option for patients with severe heart disease. Clark lived for 112 days post-surgery, paving the way for future advancements in artificial heart technology. source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • 21 Dec 1982 Philip Humber's birth date: Philip Humber, a former professional baseball pitcher, was born on December 21, 1982, in Nacogdoches, Texas. source: espn.com
  • 22 Dec 1982 Indian Ocean Commission established on December 22, 1982: The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) was established on December 22, 1982, to promote regional cooperation among its member states. The organization focuses on sustainable development, environmental protection, and economic integration in the Indian Ocean region. Its founding members include Comoros, France, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. source: un.org
  • 23 Dec 1982 EPA identifies dioxin contamination in Times Beach, Missouri: On December 23, 1982, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that Times Beach, Missouri, was contaminated with dioxin, a highly toxic chemical. The contamination resulted from spraying waste oil containing dioxin on the town's unpaved roads for dust control between 1972 and 1976. Following the EPA's announcement, residents were advised to evacuate, leading to the eventual demolition of the town. source: epa.gov
  • 24 Dec 1982 Louis Aragon, French poet and writer, dies at 85: Louis Aragon, a prominent French poet and writer, passed away on December 24, 1982, at the age of 85. He was a leading figure in the Surrealist movement and a long-time member of the Communist Party. Aragon was also a member of the Académie Goncourt and was frequently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature after 1959. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 25 Dec 1982 1982 Flores earthquake in Indonesia: On December 25, 1982, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Flores Island in Indonesia, causing landslides and a reported tsunami. The disaster resulted in 13 fatalities, 390 injuries, and the destruction of 1,875 houses and 121 other buildings. The villages of Layahong and Oyong Barang experienced significant damage due to seven seconds of shaking. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 26 Dec 1982 Commodore 64 personal computer released: The Commodore 64, one of the best-selling personal computers of all time, was released on December 26, 1982. It featured a 64KB RAM and was known for its impressive graphics and sound capabilities, making it popular among gamers and home users. The C64 played a significant role in the home computer revolution of the 1980s. source: britannica.com
  • 27 Dec 1982 Imran Khan's eight-wicket haul leads Pakistan to victory over India in 1982 Test match: On December 27, 1982, during the second Test between Pakistan and India at Karachi's National Stadium, Imran Khan delivered a remarkable bowling performance, taking 8 wickets for 60 runs in India's second innings. This effort contributed to Pakistan's victory by an innings and 86 runs, marking their largest Test win over India at that time. source: espncricinfo.com
  • 28 Dec 1982 USS New Jersey recommissioned during Cold War era: On December 28, 1982, the USS New Jersey (BB-62) was recommissioned at Long Beach, California, marking its return to active service after a 13-year absence. This event was part of President Ronald Reagan's initiative to strengthen the U.S. Navy during the Cold War, aiming to expand the fleet to 600 ships. The ceremony was attended by President Reagan, who emphasized the importance of military readiness in the face of global challenges. source: reaganlibrary.gov
  • 29 Dec 1982 Paul 'Bear' Bryant retires from Alabama football: On December 29, 1982, Paul 'Bear' Bryant coached his final game as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading them to a 21-15 victory over Illinois in the Liberty Bowl. This win marked his 323rd and final career victory. Bryant had announced his retirement earlier that month, concluding a 25-year tenure at Alabama, during which he secured six national championships and 13 Southeastern Conference titles. source: si.com
  • 30 Dec 1982 England defeats Australia in 4th Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground: On December 30, 1982, England narrowly defeated Australia by 3 runs in the 4th Test of the Ashes series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match concluded with Australia all out for 288 in their second innings, chasing a target of 292 runs. This victory leveled the series at 2-2, with the final Test scheduled in Sydney. source: espncricinfo.com
  • 31 Dec 1982 Poland suspends martial law on December 31, 1982: On December 31, 1982, Poland's military authorities suspended martial law, which had been in effect since December 13, 1981. The suspension was announced by the Council of State on December 19, 1982, and took effect at midnight on December 31. Despite the suspension, the government retained the right to re-impose military rule if social unrest erupted. source: washingtonpost.com