Major Events of December 1983: 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 1983 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of December 1983: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Dec 1983 Rita Lavelle convicted of perjury in EPA scandal: Rita Lavelle, former head of the EPA's Superfund program, was convicted on December 1, 1983, of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to Congress about her involvement with Aerojet-General Corp. in the Stringfellow Acid Pits case. She was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $10,000. source: upi.com
- 02 Dec 1983 Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' music video premieres on MTV: On December 2, 1983, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' music video premiered on MTV, directed by John Landis and featuring Jackson transforming into a werewolf and dancing with zombies. The nearly 14-minute video was groundbreaking, blending music and horror elements, and quickly became a pop culture sensation, significantly boosting the album's sales and solidifying Jackson's status as the 'King of Pop'. source: britannica.com
- 03 Dec 1983 Mike Rozier wins 49th Heisman Trophy: On December 3, 1983, Nebraska running back Mike Rozier was awarded the 49th Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the best player in college football for that year. Rozier had an outstanding season, rushing for 2,148 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns. source: sports-reference.com
- 04 Dec 1983 US Navy aircraft bomb Syrian positions in Lebanon, two planes downed: On December 4, 1983, U.S. Navy warplanes conducted a retaliatory strike against Syrian positions in Lebanon, targeting anti-aircraft sites southeast of Beirut. During the operation, two American aircraft—a Navy A-6 Intruder and an A-7 Corsair II—were shot down by Syrian forces. One pilot was rescued, while the other was captured by Syrian troops. The airstrike resulted in Syrian casualties, with two soldiers killed and ten wounded. This marked the first American air combat in Lebanon. source: washingtonpost.com
- 05 Dec 1983 Argentine military junta disbands after nearly eight years: On December 5, 1983, the Argentine military junta, which had ruled the country since March 24, 1976, disbanded, marking the final step toward the restoration of democracy. The three-member junta, consisting of Army General Cristino Nicolaides, Navy Admiral Rubén Franco, and Air Force General Augusto Hughes, held a secret meeting at Navy headquarters to dissolve the government statutes in place since the 1976 coup. This event paved the way for the inauguration of President-elect Raúl Alfonsín on December 10, 1983, Argentina's first democratically elected president in nearly a decade. source: upi.com
- 06 Dec 1983 Terrorist bomb kills four on Jerusalem bus: On December 6, 1983, a bomb exploded on a crowded No. 18 bus in Jerusalem, killing four people and injuring 43 others. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that one of its guerrilla units planted the bomb aboard a 'military bus.' Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir vowed that the perpetrators would not remain unpunished. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Dec 1983 Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-9 mission landing at Edwards Air Force Base: On December 8, 1983, Space Shuttle Columbia completed its sixth mission, STS-9, by landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The mission, which began on November 28, 1983, lasted 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes, and 24 seconds, during which the crew conducted 73 separate experiments in various scientific fields. Notably, two of the orbiter's three auxiliary power units caught fire due to a hydrazine leak shortly before landing, but the crew landed safely without significant damage to the spacecraft. source: nasa.gov
- 09 Dec 1983 Australian dollar floats freely after economic reforms: On December 9, 1983, the Australian government announced that the Australian dollar would float freely against other currencies. This decision was part of broader economic reforms aimed at improving the country's economic stability and competitiveness. The move marked a significant shift in Australia's monetary policy, allowing market forces to determine the currency's value. source: brookings.edu
- 10 Dec 1983 Democracy restored in Argentina with the inauguration of President Raúl Alfonsín: On December 10, 1983, Raúl Alfonsín was inaugurated as Argentina's first democratically elected president after nearly eight years of military rule. His election marked the end of the National Reorganization Process, a period characterized by human rights abuses and economic turmoil. Alfonsín's presidency focused on restoring democratic institutions and addressing the legacy of the dictatorship. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Dec 1983 Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Lutheran Church in Rome: On December 11, 1983, Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rome, marking the first time a pope participated in a Lutheran service. This ecumenical gesture aimed to promote Christian unity, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth. During the service, the Pope and Lutheran Pastor Christoph Meyer delivered ecumenical sermons and prayed for the healing of divisions among Christian churches. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Dec 1983 Terrorist attack on U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City: On December 12, 1983, a truck laden with explosives rammed into the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, causing significant damage and resulting in five fatalities, including the suicide bomber. The attack was part of a series of coordinated bombings targeting multiple sites in Kuwait, including the French Embassy and the Kuwait International Airport. The perpetrators were believed to be members of Al Dawa, an Iranian-backed group. In response, Kuwait tightened security measures and arrested several individuals in connection with the attacks. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Dec 1983 Harrods bombing by Provisional IRA: On December 13, 1983, a bomb planted by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded at Harrods department store in London. The attack resulted in six deaths and over 90 injuries, marking one of the most significant incidents during the Troubles. The bombing was part of the IRA's campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland and aimed to instill fear in the British public. source: bbc.com
- 14 Dec 1983 3rd Congress of the Communist Youth of Greece: The Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) held its 3rd Congress from December 14 to 18, 1983. This congress was part of KNE's regular congresses, which are significant events for the organization. The 3rd Congress was preceded by the 2nd Congress in April 1979 and followed by the 4th Congress in June 1988. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Dec 1983 US combat troops withdraw from Grenada: By mid-December 1983, all U.S. combat forces had been withdrawn from Grenada, with approximately 300 noncombat troops remaining as advisers for the OECS peacekeeping contingent. source: britannica.com
- 16 Dec 1983 The Who announces disbandment: On December 16, 1983, guitarist Pete Townshend announced his departure from The Who, effectively ending the band. This decision followed a period of personal and professional challenges, including the death of drummer Keith Moon in 1978 and the tragic crowd disaster at a 1979 concert in Cincinnati. Townshend's announcement marked the conclusion of the band's active years. source: ultimateclassicrock.com
- 17 Dec 1983 Alcalá 20 nightclub fire in Madrid: On December 17, 1983, a devastating fire erupted at the Alcalá 20 nightclub in Madrid, Spain, resulting in the deaths of 79 individuals, most of whom were teenagers. The blaze began shortly before 5 a.m., rapidly engulfing the basement venue and leading to a tragic stampede as patrons sought escape. Investigations revealed that locked emergency exits and blocked stairways contributed to the high death toll. In the aftermath, the club's owners and a government official were convicted of criminal negligence, receiving prison sentences ranging from two to two and a half years. The Spanish government also allocated $14.5 million in compensation to the victims' families and those injured in the fire. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 Dec 1983 Jules Rimet Trophy stolen from Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters: On December 19, 1983, the original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from the Brazilian Football Confederation's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. The thieves overpowered the night watchman and removed the trophy from its bulletproof display case. Despite extensive investigations, the trophy was never recovered, and it is widely believed to have been melted down for its gold content. source: theguardian.com
- 20 Dec 1983 PLO evacuates Tripoli under French protection: On December 20, 1983, Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat and approximately 4,700 loyalists departed Tripoli, Lebanon, aboard five Greek ships escorted by French naval vessels. This evacuation followed intense bombardment by Israeli forces and internal conflicts with Syrian-backed Palestinian factions. The evacuees were relocated to countries including Algeria, Tunisia, and North Yemen. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Dec 1983 NCAA rescinds controversial two-shot foul rule: On December 21, 1983, the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee unanimously voted to rescind a rule that awarded two free throws for fouls committed in the last two minutes of regulation and all overtime periods. The rule, intended to reduce excessive fouling late in games, led to unintended consequences, including increased fouling and physical play. Coaches and officials expressed concerns over its impact on game flow and safety. source: washingtonpost.com
- 22 Dec 1983 Egypt and PLO hold meeting in Cairo: On December 22, 1983, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat in Cairo. This meeting marked a significant step in restoring relations between Egypt and the PLO, which had been strained since the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. The discussions aimed to assess the situation following the PLO's evacuation from Tripoli, Lebanon, and to explore potential cooperation in the Middle East peace process. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Dec 1983 First scientific report on nuclear winter published in 'Science' journal: On December 23, 1983, the journal 'Science' published a seminal paper titled 'Nuclear Winter: Global Consequences of Multiple Nuclear Explosions,' co-authored by Richard P. Turco, O. Brian Toon, Thomas P. Ackerman, James B. Pollack, and Carl Sagan. This study introduced the concept of nuclear winter, proposing that a large-scale nuclear war could inject massive amounts of smoke and soot into the atmosphere, leading to a significant global temperature drop and prolonged darkness, thereby threatening all life on Earth. source: washingtonpost.com
- 24 Dec 1983 Severe 1983 United States Cold Wave: In December 1983, the United States experienced an unprecedented cold wave, with temperatures plunging to record lows across the nation. On December 24, 1983, Chicago recorded a temperature of -25°F, setting a new record for the coldest Christmas Eve in the city's history. The cold wave resulted in at least 151 deaths nationwide, including 18 in Illinois and Texas, many due to exposure to the sub-zero temperatures. The arctic air mass that caused the cold wave originated over Alaska on December 15, 1983, and moved southeast over western Canada and the northern Plains, leading to the Great Freeze of '83. source: upi.com
- 25 Dec 1983 Joan Miró, renowned surrealist painter, dies at 90 in Palma de Mallorca: Joan Miró, the celebrated Catalan artist known for his contributions to surrealism, passed away on December 25, 1983, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, at the age of 90. He was interred in the Montjuïc Cemetery in Barcelona. source: britannica.com
- 26 Dec 1983 Soviet Union conducts nuclear test in Kazakhstan: On December 26, 1983, the Soviet Union conducted a nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test was part of a series of nuclear detonations carried out by the USSR during the Cold War, contributing to international concerns about nuclear proliferation and environmental impacts. The Semipalatinsk site was one of the primary locations for Soviet nuclear testing from 1949 until 1989. source: britannica.com
- 27 Dec 1983 Pope John Paul II forgives Mehmet Ali Ağca in prison: On December 27, 1983, Pope John Paul II visited Mehmet Ali Ağca, the man who attempted to assassinate him in 1981, at Rome's Rebibbia prison. During their 21-minute private meeting, the Pope forgave Ağca, stating he spoke to him as a brother whom he had pardoned and who enjoyed his trust. This act of forgiveness was a profound demonstration of the Pope's commitment to reconciliation and Christian teachings on mercy. source: vaticannews.va
- 28 Dec 1983 Sunil Gavaskar surpasses Don Bradman's Test century record: On December 28, 1983, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 30th Test century, surpassing Sir Donald Bradman's previous record of 29 centuries. This milestone was achieved during the sixth Test against the West Indies in Chennai, where Gavaskar remained unbeaten on 236 runs. The match concluded in a draw, but Gavaskar's performance was a significant highlight. source: indiatimes.com
- 29 Dec 1983 Terrorist bombings in France: On December 29, 1983, a series of terrorist bombings occurred in France, targeting public places and resulting in multiple casualties. These attacks heightened security concerns and led to increased counter-terrorism measures in the country. source: reuters.com
- 30 Dec 1983 Salvadoran guerrillas attack El Paraiso garrison: On December 30, 1983, approximately 800 Salvadoran guerrillas launched a coordinated assault on the 4th Infantry Brigade garrison in El Paraiso, Chalatenango province. The attack involved mortar fire and simultaneous raids on 25 military installations in the region. The Salvadoran Army responded by deploying 400 troops from the U.S.-trained Belloso battalion and utilizing U.S.-supplied warjets to recapture the facility. The garrison was eventually retaken after a daylong battle, with reports indicating that the guerrillas burned the fort before retreating. source: upi.com
- 31 Dec 1983 Breakup of AT&T Bell System completed: The breakup of the AT&T Bell System, initiated by a 1982 antitrust lawsuit, was finalized on December 31, 1983. This landmark decision led to the divestiture of AT&T's local telephone operations, resulting in the creation of seven regional Bell operating companies. The breakup aimed to foster competition in the telecommunications industry and reshape the market landscape. source: fcc.gov