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

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

  • 01 Feb 1982 Late Night with David Letterman premieres on NBC: 'Late Night with David Letterman' premiered on NBC on February 1, 1982, at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The show, hosted by David Letterman, aired four nights a week and ran for 11 seasons until June 25, 1993. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 02 Feb 1982 Hama Massacre in Syria occurred in February 1982: The Hama Massacre took place from February 2 to February 11, 1982, when the Syrian government, led by President Hafez al-Assad, violently suppressed an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood in the city of Hama. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with figures ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 people killed. The event is considered one of the most brutal episodes in modern Syrian history and had lasting impacts on the country's political landscape. source: bbc.com
  • 03 Feb 1982 Columbia Shuttle's Rollover to Vehicle Assembly Building for STS-3: On February 3, 1982, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia was towed from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. There, it was mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters in preparation for the STS-3 mission, scheduled for launch on March 22, 1982. source: nasa.gov
  • 04 Feb 1982 Suriname's President Henk Chin A Sen dismissed by Dési Bouterse: On February 4, 1982, Dési Bouterse, leader of the National Military Council, dismissed President Henk Chin A Sen, marking a significant shift in Suriname's political landscape. Chin A Sen, who had been in power since August 1980, resigned following Bouterse's actions and subsequently went into exile. This event set the stage for further political upheaval, including the suppression of a right-wing military rebellion in March 1982 and the execution of 15 political opponents in December 1982. source: uca.edu
  • 05 Feb 1982 Death of Neil Aggett, South African labor activist: Neil Aggett, a South African doctor and trade unionist, died in police custody on February 5, 1982, after 70 days of detention without trial. Initially ruled a suicide, a 2022 inquest found he was killed by members of the apartheid-era Security Branch. source: theguardian.com
  • 06 Feb 1982 J. Geils Band's 'Centerfold' tops pop charts: On February 6, 1982, 'Centerfold' by the J. Geils Band reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. The song also topped charts in Canada and Australia, and peaked at number three in the UK, marking the band's only major hit there. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 07 Feb 1982 Luis Alberto Monge wins Costa Rican presidential election: On February 7, 1982, Costa Rica held its general elections, with Luis Alberto Monge of the National Liberation Party (PLN) winning the presidency. Monge secured 55.15% of the vote, defeating Rafael Ángel Calderón of the Unity Coalition, who received 29.08%. The PLN also achieved a majority in the Legislative Assembly, obtaining 33 out of 57 seats. The election was influenced by a severe economic crisis and tensions with neighboring Nicaragua. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 08 Feb 1982 Dodgers trade Davey Lopes to Oakland Athletics: On February 8, 1982, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded second baseman Davey Lopes to the Oakland Athletics for minor league shortstop Lance Hudson. This move ended the longest-running infield in Major League Baseball history, which had been together since 1973, consisting of Lopes at second base, Ron Cey at third base, Bill Russell at shortstop, and Steve Garvey at first base. The trade allowed rookie Steve Sax to take over at second base for the Dodgers. source: dodgerblue.com
  • 09 Feb 1982 Japan Airlines Flight 350 crashes into Tokyo Bay: On February 9, 1982, Japan Airlines Flight 350, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-61, crashed into Tokyo Bay while approaching Haneda Airport, resulting in 24 fatalities among the 174 occupants. The crash was attributed to the deliberate actions of Captain Seiji Katagiri, who engaged the inboard engines' thrust-reversers in flight, leading to a loss of control. Despite efforts by the first officer and flight engineer to restrain him, the aircraft descended and touched down in shallow water 510 meters short of the runway. Katagiri was later found to have paranoid schizophrenia and was ruled not guilty by reason of insanity. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 10 Feb 1982 Justin Gatlin: American sprint athlete born: Justin Gatlin, an American sprinter, was born on February 10, 1982. He is known for his achievements in the 100 meters and 200 meters, including winning Olympic gold medals and setting world records. Gatlin's career has been marked by both success and controversy due to doping violations. source: britannica.com
  • 11 Feb 1982 Ozzie Smith traded to St. Louis Cardinals: On February 11, 1982, the San Diego Padres finalized a trade sending shortstop Ozzie Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Garry Templeton. The deal, initially agreed upon in December 1981, was delayed due to contract negotiations and Smith's no-trade clause. Once completed, Smith became a cornerstone of the Cardinals' defense, earning 13 Gold Glove Awards and contributing to the team's 1982 World Series victory. source: mlb.com
  • 12 Feb 1982 Wayne Gretzky ties NHL record with 153rd point of the season: On February 12, 1982, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers scored his 70th goal of the season and added two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, tying the NHL record with his 153rd point of the season. source: si.com
  • 13 Feb 1982 Río Negro massacre in Guatemala on February 13, 1982: On February 13, 1982, in the village of Xococ, Guatemala, 74 residents from the nearby Río Negro community were executed by the Xococ Civil Defense Patrol. This massacre was part of a series of violent actions against the Maya Achi people, including the infamous Río Negro massacre on March 13, 1982, where 177 women and children were killed. These events were linked to the construction of the Chixoy hydroelectric dam, which led to the forced relocation of indigenous communities and subsequent violence. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 14 Feb 1982 Centerfold by The J. Geils Band: On February 14, 1982, "Centerfold" by The J. Geils Band was the number one song on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song held the top position for six consecutive weeks, marking it as one of the band's most successful singles.
  • 15 Feb 1982 Ocean Ranger offshore drilling rig capsizes and sinks off Newfoundland coast: On February 15, 1982, the Ocean Ranger, a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit, capsized and sank approximately 166 nautical miles east of St. John's, Newfoundland, during a severe storm. All 84 crew members aboard perished, with 22 bodies recovered and the remaining 62 presumed lost at sea. The disaster was attributed to a combination of severe weather conditions, design flaws, and inadequate crew training. source: heritage.nf.ca
  • 16 Feb 1982 Space Shuttle Columbia rolls out to Launch Pad 39A for STS-3 mission: On February 16, 1982, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia was moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-3 mission. This marked the first time the external tank was not painted white, opting for a rust-colored insulation to save weight. The mission was scheduled for launch on March 22, 1982. source: nasa.gov
  • 17 Feb 1982 Thelonious Monk dies of stroke in Englewood, New Jersey: Thelonious Monk, the influential jazz pianist and composer, died of a stroke on February 17, 1982, in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 64 years old at the time of his death. source: britannica.com
  • 18 Feb 1982 Death of Ngaio Marsh, renowned New Zealand crime writer: Ngaio Marsh, a prominent New Zealand author known for her detective novels featuring Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, passed away on February 18, 1982. She was a significant figure in the crime fiction genre and was also a noted playwright and theatre director. Marsh's contributions to literature earned her a place among the best-known mystery writers of the 20th century. source: britannica.com
  • 19 Feb 1982 DeLorean Motor Company enters receivership: On February 19, 1982, the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was placed into receivership due to financial difficulties, including unsold inventory and mounting debts. The British government had invested heavily in the company, but production issues and low sales led to its downfall. The receivers aimed to restructure the business and preserve employment at the Dunmurry plant. source: nytimes.com
  • 20 Feb 1982 New York Islanders set NHL record with 15th consecutive win: On February 20, 1982, the New York Islanders secured their 15th consecutive victory, defeating the Colorado Rockies 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum. This win set a new NHL record for the longest winning streak at the time, surpassing the previous record of 14 consecutive wins held by the Boston Bruins since 1930. The streak began on January 21, 1982, and concluded on February 21, 1982, with a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. source: nhl.com
  • 21 Feb 1982 Broadway musical 'Ain't Misbehavin'' concludes long run: The musical revue 'Ain't Misbehavin'' closed on February 21, 1982, after 1,604 performances. The production, which celebrated the music of Fats Waller, had opened on Broadway on May 9, 1978, at the Longacre Theatre, later transferring to the Plymouth Theatre and then to the Belasco Theatre. source: mtishows.com
  • 22 Feb 1982 Ed Koch announces candidacy for New York governor: On February 22, 1982, New York City Mayor Ed Koch declared his intention to run for governor, citing Governor Hugh Carey's withdrawal and the Reagan administration's 'New Federalism' as key factors in his decision. Koch emphasized his commitment to representing all New Yorkers and criticized President Reagan's economic policies, labeling them a 'sham and a shame.' source: washingtonpost.com
  • 23 Feb 1982 Japan announces new sanctions for Poland and Soviets: On February 23, 1982, Japan imposed additional economic sanctions on Poland's martial law government and the Soviet Union. These measures included postponing debt rescheduling negotiations and banning new official credits to Poland. Japan's Chief Cabinet Minister, Kiichi Miyazawa, stated that these actions were taken in response to the lack of improvement in the Polish situation and in coordination with other Western nations. source: upi.com
  • 24 Feb 1982 Wayne Gretzky sets NHL single-season goal record: On February 24, 1982, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers scored his 77th goal of the season against the Buffalo Sabres, surpassing Phil Esposito's previous record of 76 goals. Gretzky completed a hat trick in the game, leading the Oilers to a 6-3 victory. Esposito was present to witness the record-breaking goal. source: nhl.com
  • 25 Feb 1982 European Court of Human Rights rules against corporal punishment in schools: On February 25, 1982, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in Campbell and Cosans v. United Kingdom that corporal punishment in schools violated parents' rights to ensure education in line with their philosophical convictions, as protected by Article 2 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The court found that the UK government's allowance of corporal punishment against parents' wishes breached this right. source: bbc.com
  • 26 Feb 1982 Martin Crowe's Test cricket debut: Martin Crowe made his Test cricket debut for New Zealand against Australia on February 26, 1982. He went on to become one of New Zealand's most celebrated cricketers, known for his batting prowess and leadership. Crowe's contributions to the sport have left a lasting legacy in New Zealand cricket history. source: bbc.com
  • 27 Feb 1982 Wayne Williams convicted of two murders in Atlanta Child Murders case: On February 27, 1982, Wayne Williams was convicted of the murders of Nathaniel Cater and Jimmy Ray Payne, two adult men whose bodies were found in the Chattahoochee River. The conviction was based on fiber and hair evidence linking Williams to the victims, as well as witness testimony. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. While Williams was never tried for the murders of 29 children and young adults, he is widely believed to be responsible for those deaths as well. source: fbi.gov
  • 28 Feb 1982 FALN bombs Wall Street financial district: On February 28, 1982, the Puerto Rican nationalist group FALN detonated four bombs in New York City's Wall Street area, targeting the New York and American Stock Exchanges, Merrill Lynch, and Chase Manhattan Bank. The explosions caused no injuries but resulted in shattered windows and minor structural damage. FALN claimed responsibility, stating the attacks were in protest against 'Yankee imperialism' and in solidarity with the Salvadoran people. source: cia.gov